|
|
Article: Piniella recalls day Yankees' Munson died.(baseball manager Lou Piniella and player Thurman Munson)
- Article from:
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA)
- Article date:
- October 12, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 The Philadelphia Inquirer. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Byline: Claire Smith
Oct. 12--OAKLAND, Calif. -- Lou Piniella remembers the body blow as if it hit him yesterday.
It was Aug. 2, 1979. Piniella, then a leftfielder with the New York Yankees, was enjoying a day off at his home in North Jersey, helping his wife, Anita, celebrate her birthday.
"I was in the swimming pool and got a call," Piniella said.
It was George Steinbrenner, owner of the team.
"Mr. Steinbrenner said, 'Thurman passed away,' " Piniella recalled. "I couldn't believe it."
Thurman Munson, the grizzled Yankees catcher and team captain, had used his off day to fly home to Ohio. Piloting his private jet, ...