DOG ASIDE:
Leading up to the 1978 World Championship season….the New York Yankees made some off-season moves that help them win their 2nd World Series in a row…..featuring the signing of Goose Gossage as a free agent on November 22, 1977…..then on December 12, 1977, the Yanks traded Stan Thomas and Ed Ricks to the Chicago White Sox for Jim Spencer and Tommy Cruz.
During the season, Ron Guidry became the last pitcher to win at least 25 games in one season for the Yankees in the 20th century….winning the Cy Young Award by unanimous vote…..for a season comprising of 273 2/3 innings pitched…..compiling a record of 25-3….with 248 strikeouts….1.74 ERA….and 9 shutouts. Relief pitcher Goose Gossage won Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award….after leading the American League with 27 saves.
In July, the team was 14 1⁄2 games behind the Boston Red Sox….but rallied in the second half of the season to finish tied for first place. The Yankees were victorious over the Red Sox in the one-game playoff for the AL East title…..in a game which featured Bucky Dent’s famous 3-run go-ahead home run in the 7th inning.
