DOG ASIDE:
The 1974 New York Yankees season was the 72nd season for the team in New York….nd its 74th overall dating from its origins in Baltimore. The team finished with a record of 89-73….finishing 2 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. New York was managed by Bill Virdon….playing their home games at Shea Stadium (home of the N Y Mets) due to the ongoing renovation of Yankee Stadium.
The off-season became controversial when George Steinbrenner and Gabe Paul sought to hire former Oakland Athletics manager Dick Williams….who had resigned immediately after leading the team to its second straight World Series title. However, because Williams was still under contract to Oakland….A’s owner Charlie Finley sought to block the move….and the subsequent legal wrangling prevented the Yankees from hiring him. On the first anniversary of the team’s ownership change….the Yankees hired former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Bill Virdon to lead the team on the field.
Two of Bone Daddy’s all time favorite baseball players….Mickey Mantle and teammate Whitey Ford….were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame together in 1974….with Mantle entering in his first year of eligibility and Ford in his second. Ford’s number 16 was retired by the Yanks as well in 1974….although Ford wore number 19 in his rookie season….following his return from the army in 1953….he wore number 16 for the remainder of his career.
