The New York Yankees

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...

 season was the 66th season for the team in New York, and its 68th season overall. The team finished above .500 for the first time since 1964

1964 New York Yankees season

The New York Yankees season was the 62nd season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 99-63, winning their 29th pennant, finishing 1 game ahead of the Chicago White Sox. New York was managed by Yogi Berra. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. In the World Series, they were defeated...

, with a record of 83-79, finishing 20 games behind the Detroit Tigers

1968 Detroit Tigers season

The Detroit Tigers won the 1968 World Series, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to 3. The 1968 baseball season, known as the "Year of the Pitcher," was the Tigers' 68th since they entered the American League in 1901, their eighth pennant, and third World Series championship...

. New York was managed by Ralph Houk

Ralph Houk

Ralph George Houk , nicknamed The Major, was an American catcher, coach, manager, and front office executive in Major League Baseball...

. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. The 1968 season was notable for being Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle

Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...

's final season before he announced his retirement the following spring.

Offseason

• November 28, 1967: Andy Kosco
  Andy Kosco
  Andy Kosco is a former Major League Baseball player who was affiliated at various times with the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, Boston Red Sox, and Cincinnati Reds....
  
   was drafted by the Yankees from the Oakland Athletics
  Oakland Athletics
  The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
  
   in the 1967 rule 5 draft
  Rule 5 draft
  The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
  
  .
• November 30, 1967: Gene Michael was purchased by the Yankees from the Los Angeles Dodgers
  Los Angeles Dodgers
  The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
  
  .
• December 7, 1967: Bob Tillman
  Bob Tillman
  John Robert Tillman was an American professional baseball player. A catcher, he threw and batted right-handed, stood tall and weighed ....
  
   and Dale Roberts
  Dale Roberts (baseball)
  Dale Roberts , nicknamed "Mountain Man," was an American professional baseball player who played for the 1967 New York Yankees in Major League Baseball as a relief pitcher. In two career games, he had a 0–0 record with a 9.00 ERA...
  
   were traded by the Yankees to the Atlanta Braves
  Atlanta Braves
  The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
  
   for Bobby Cox
  Bobby Cox
  Robert Joseph "Bobby" Cox is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. He first led the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1981, and then managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985. He later rejoined the Braves in 1985 as a general manager...
  
  .
• Prior to 1968 season: Merritt Ranew
  Merritt Ranew
  Merritt Thomas Ranew was an American professional baseball catcher.Ranew was born in Albany, Georgia. He was selected in the 1961 MLB Expansion Draft by the Houston Colt .45s from the Milwaukee Braves. Ranew played for the Colt .45s , Chicago Cubs , Milwaukee Braves , California Angels , and the...
  
   was acquired by the Yankees from the California Angels
  Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
  The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
  
  .

Regular season

In 1968, Yankees executive E. Michael Burke

E. Michael Burke

Edmund Michael Burke was a U.S. Navy Officer, O.S.S. agent, C.I.A. agent, general manager of Ringling Bros...

 was a candidate to become Commissioner of Baseball. Bowie Kuhn

Bowie Kuhn

Bowie Kent Kuhn was an American lawyer and sports administrator who served as the fifth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from February 4, , to September 30,...

 would eventually get the appointment.

Notable transactions

• June 7, 1968: 1968 Major League Baseball Draft
  1968 Major League Baseball Draft
  -First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1968 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Los Angeles Dodgers laid the groundwork for their championship clubs of the 1970s with an outstanding draft...
  
  
  • Thurman Munson
    Thurman Munson
    Thurman Lee Munson was an American Major League Baseball catcher. He played his entire 11-year career for the New York Yankees...
    
     was drafted by the Yankees in the 1st round (4th pick).
  • Wayne Nordhagen
    Wayne Nordhagen
    Wayne Oren Nordhagen is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter. He played eight seasons in the majors for the Chicago White Sox , Toronto Blue Jays , Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs .Drafted by the New York Yankees in 1968, Nordhagen played in 502 games in his eight...
    
     was drafted by the Yankees in the 7th round.
• July 15, 1968: Rocky Colavito
  Rocky Colavito
  Rocco Domenico "Rocky" Colavito, Jr. is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the Cleveland Indians. He wore a #6, #7 or #21 jersey during his MLB career...
  
   was signed as a free agent by the Yankees.
• September 30, 1968: Rocky Colavito was released by the Yankees.

Roster

1968 New York Yankees
Roster
Pitchers		Catchers Infielders		Outfielders		Manager Coaches

Player stats

= Indicates team leader

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R= Runs; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases

Pos	Player	G	AB	R	H	Avg.	HR	RBI	SB
C		124	423	31	90	.213	3	29	9
1B		144	435	57	103	.237	18	54	6
2B		148	579	52	133	.230	2	26	20
3B		135	437	33	100	.229	7	41	3
SS		152	507	60	99	.195	11	52	10
LF		159	577	89	154	.267	17	62	20
CF		108	380	41	93	.245	15	56	8
RF		131	466	47	112	.240	15	59	2

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R= Runs; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases

Player	G	AB	R	H	Avg.	HR	RBI	SB
	107	342	34	82	.240	6	40	7
	85	150	24	23	.153	0	3	0
	51	135	15	23	.170	7	30	1
	61	116	8	23	.198	1	8	3
	39	91	13	20	.220	5	13	0
	28	60	3	7	.117	0	3	0
	47	41	3	5	.122	0	0	0
	1	1	0	0	.000	0	0	0

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
	36	278.7	21	12	2.45	140
	37	267.3	17	12	2.05	162
	20	128.1	6	5	3.23	87

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
	12	44	1	1	3.68	24

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	W	L	SV	ERA	SO
	45	3	7	2	3.21	27
	40	2	2	11	2.13	42
	7	0	2	0	2.16	6
	1	0	0	0	0.00	3
	1	1	0	0	0.00	1

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Oneonta