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I was still living in New York when Munson died, and I remember it like yesterday.

Munson went to right like Jeter but had more power. He had surprising speed -- like Russell Martin. In fact, Billy Martin would sometimes bat him second and turn him loose.

He handled pitchers well and his defense was great. He had the quickest release I ever saw, though it sometimes caused his ball to tail a bit by the time it got to second base.

I always thought he was a lot better than Carlton Fisk, though the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry affected that judgment. Sparky Anderson's dismissive remark in the 1976 Series that people should not embarrass Munson by comparing him to Bench was dumb. And it was doubly dumb given than the Reds could not get Munson out, who hit over .500 in the Series.

I recommend Marty Appel's biography of Munson to anyone who is interested.

I'll never forget the day Thurman died, nor the game against the Orioles afterward. I was 14 at the time -- what a shock it was, a tough introduction to the concept of perspective.

Sorry for your loss.

I would characterize Munson as one of a few Yankees of that era that I respected. Just a few :)

I thought, and think, that it was especially tragic that he passed away.

Corey - as to whether he or Fisk were better doesn't matter, Munson left his career unfulfilled. Had he played another 4+ years who knows how they would have compared. I liked Fisk for some of the same reasons you liked Munson, toughness to go along with their playing ability. Perfectly matched players in the same era playing on two teams that hated each other and both playing the same position. We were all robbed of that rivalry.

RIP

Hey BL

Has Fisk ever chimed in anywhere about the fraternization that goes on between the players these days? I can't imagine he is a fan (or that Munson would be either) of seeing Jeter and Pedroia joking with each other before a game.

I've not seen anything mentioned by Fisk on it. I think it is less an issue with baseball than with say, football?

Peter, while I must admit I knew nothing of Thurman Munson in 1979 and really didn't realize his greatness until years later I was fortunate to meet your friend Chris in 1990 and immediately sensed his greatness,

Chris was amazingly kind to a pip-squeak freshman like myself when others would have dismissed me as a...pip-squeak.

You are a good writer Pedro as you have a great way of talking baseball whilst also weaving in personal anecdotes.

Thanks buddy. I was looking at a picture of the three of us down in Dallas the other day. Can't believe how long ago that was.

do share

Nice tribute. Chris was awesome. I wish he were around to hang out with Ellie. He'd be great with her just like he was great with me.