Johnny Keane Saw the New York Yankees' Demise During 1965 Spring Training

Johnny Keane knew that he had made a mistake.

After resigning as the St. Louis Cardinals’ manager following their World Series win over the New York Yankees in 1964, Keane accepted the offer to manage the Yankees.

Keane expressed concern a little more than one-half of the way through spring training in 1965. The Yankees were losing too many exhibition games.

I find it fascinating that I used the term “exhibition” games. Today, exhibition games have become spring training games in newspeak.

Keane told Joe Reichler of the Associated Press, “I’m told these fellows are more concerned about conditioning themselves than in winning in spring training, but losing concerns me.”

Mickey Mantle’s knees had become worse than they had ever been, which prompted Keane to move him to left field. Only Mantle’s hitting kept him in the lineup.

Whitey Ford seemed fine after undergoing surgery during the winter. Mel Stottlemyre, Jim Bouton and Al Downing were the other starters, although Keane thought that a fifth starter would be needed.

Keane regarded Roger Maris as the American League’s best right fielder.

Maris was coming off a 1964 season in which he batted .281/.364/.464 with 26 home runs. The right fielder’s defense was terribly underrated by those who were fooled by his effortless grace in the field.

“The World Series book on Maris,” Keane said, “was that he was an under-rated outfielder. Now that I’ve had the opportunity to observe him all spring, I heartily agree.”

The Yankees were counting on rookie Arturo Lopez to fill an outfield position. Elston Howard was still one of the top catchers in baseball.

It turned out that Keane’s concern was valid.

In 1965, the Yankees won only 77 games and finished below .500 for the first time since 1925. They finished sixth in the 10-team American League.

It was the start of a championship drought that didn’t end until Mr. Steinbrenner changed things.