The ’81 Yankees: Reggie’s Animosity, The Second Half Collapse, and The Only Pennant.

Definitely the most polarizing team in sports history, the dreaded Bronx Bombers history of success is well documented. With some of the biggest names in the history of the sport putting on the iconic pinstripes (Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Whitey Ford, Joe DiMaggio, Catfish Hunter, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Ichiro Suzuki, etc), the New York Yankees are going for their 10th consecutive decade with a World Series appearance. However, that unprecedented run of Yankee success nearly ended in the 1980s, as the Yankee Dynasty fell into obscurity for a majority of the decade.
Their sole World Series appearance in the ’80s came in 1981, as a fourth place team in bizarre fashion. Following the 103-win 1980 season where Superstar Slugger Reggie Jackson hit .300 with 41 homeruns, the 34-year old was looking for a contract extension, but legendary owner George Steinbrenner had a better idea in mind for the slugger heading into Reggie’s walk year.
Jackson soon thereafter went 0-20…as the team’s designated hitter. After having his glove determined in adequate by Steinbrenner, he was designated to the DH spot (terrible pun intended). Jackson was ripped into by Steinbrenner, while Steinbrenner praised Winfield’s productivity publicly and controversially. On June 12th, with the Yankees first in a stacked AL East (that then included Milwaukee and Detroit), baseball had the first mid season strike in the history of professional sports. Reggie finally had a break from Steinbrenner’s antics, before the 1981 Opening Day Part II against the Texas Rangers on August 10th. With everyone, except for Steinbrenner, taking notice that Reggie had been forming back into his old self again, Jackson had a lot to prove in the second half of the season, the same second half where the New York dynasty would completely crumble.
Again getting paid less than he deserved, whenever he did something huge, any and every crowd would shower him with coins and bills; a trend started at the iconic Comiskey Field. After getting $31 and some change by the appreciative White Sox crowd, he hit his first homerun in 94 at-bats, ending the longest homerun drought of his career. An enraged Steinbrenner saw Reggie’s success as he demanded manager Gene Michael to bench Reggie. When Michael wouldn’t? He was replaced with Bob Lemon. Building his average up to .240 (from under .200), Reggie was on fire as the rest of the Yankees were in a terrible slump. They finished 6th in the second half in East standings, only in front of the Blue Jays, and had a record under .500.
After a brawl that made his season fun again, a fight with both Steinbrenner and teammate Graig Nettles in a bar, among other things, Reggie went into the postseason enjoying his final ride as a New York Yankee. Though they finished the second half 6th in the AL East, per strike-rules, each division winner from the first half and second half made the playoffs. This means that, much like the 2016 San Francisco Giants, they made the post-season following a historic second half collapse. Making the playoffs in bizarre fashion, Reggie made most of his last playoff run with a franchise that brought him his final two rings. With Winfield, Reggie, Bobby Murcur, Goose Gossage, Ron Guidry and1981 Rookie of the Year Dave Righetti, The Yankees entered the playoffs with a star studded roster, hoping for the best and to bring it all home. After edging out the Brewers, who won the East in the 2nd half. It was Game 5, win or game home, where Reggie transformed back into the Reggie we all knew and loved, leading the Yankee team to the ALCS. With a hot bat and nice productivity around Reggie (from everyone except Winfield) the Yankees swept the Athletics in the ALCS, punching NYYs ticket to the World Series.
The Yankees became an afterthought following the 1981 World Series; until 1996 when a group of likable young superstars by the names of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Paul O’Neill and Bernie Williams led them to the World Series Championship. The Dodgers have yet to even appear in a World Series since 1988, though they’ve won 5 straight NL West crowns. Reggie enjoyed a bounceback year in 1982 with the Angels (39 homeruns, .275 avg) while Steinbrenner and Winfield began their infamous rivalry. Steinbrenner claimed that he needed another Mr. October, not a “Mr. May”, a comment which sprouted a decade long war.
Jameus Mooney, Editor at The Athlete’s Hub
Follow me on Twitter: @TheJameus
(Image Credit: SI)