MLB: Why Thurman Munson Was More Valuable Than Reggie Jackson and More

George Steinbrenner was almost always in charge, but there were a few times that he was not.

When Gabe Paul was the New York Yankees general manager, George Steinbrenner was not in charge.

Steinbrenner had brought in Paul as a limited partner when he purchased the team in 1973, which led to Paul eventually becoming the Yankees' president and general manager.

It was Gabe Paul, not Steinbrenner, who built the Yankees into the team that won the pennant in 1976 and the World Series next two seasons. Paul was a baseball man who could evaluate talent but who also listened to his scouts

Paul traded for Willie Randolph, Chris Chambliss, Bucky Dent, Lou Piniella, Mickey Rivers and Ed Figueroa. Few individuals knew baseball as well as Paul, who was considered the voice of reason between George Steinbrenner and volatile manager Billy Martin.

When he left the Yankees to take over the Indians early in 1978, CedricTallis and Al Rosen replaced Paul. Asked whether Tallis or Rosen would be in charge, Paul, not one to pull punches, answered that George would be in charge.

Third baseman Graig Nettles commented that "Every year is like being traded—a new manager and a whole new team."

After leaving the Yankees, Paul was asked to rate the value of the players he had left behind.

 "Thurman Munson is their most important player, then Reggie Jackson, Mickey Rivers, Willie Randolph, Graig Nettles, and Chris Chambliss...."

One of Paul's last acts as Yankees' general manager was to recommend to Steinbrenner that he not trade Munson because Munson was great in a position that is hard to fill. Munson was a catcher who could hit.

According to Paul, there are three positions where defense is more important than offense---catcher, shortstop, and second base, which is why Thurman was more valuable than Reggie.

When asked why the Yankees allowed 1977 World Series hero Mike Torrez to sign with the Red Sox for $2.5 million, Paul explained that the Yankees had made a top offer of $1.5 million which was rejected.

"...After that, my recommendation was to let Torrez go and sign Rich Gossage instead. Torrez is a power pitcher but he'll be 32 during the season. If his power goes even a little bit, he can't compensate....

“Gossage gives the Yankees exactly what they need—a relief pitcher who can get the big strikeout...."

Paul believed that Billy Martin was the best man for the job as Yankees manager.

"...Billy's got an intangible something that helps him stimulate the players---even those who hate him. Maybe the thing about Billy is his lack of fear of the consequences rubs off on the players. He's always positive. He never has a defeatist thought."

George Steinbrenner wanted to trade Ron Guidry soon after Guidry joined the team. Paul threatened to leave if Guidry were traded. Steinbrenner backed down.

Gabe Paul wanted to trade for Dave Winfield but refused to send the Padres the players they wanted. After Paul left and Winfield became a free agent, the Yankees signed Winfield during the1980 off-season for $16 million.

Much to George's chagrin, he misinterpreted Winfield's contract, which had a cost of living escalator clause. The contract would cost George $23 million, not $16 million.

After Winfield's horrible World Series performance in 1981, Steinbrenner facetiously referred to Winfield as "Mr. May," knowing full well that would bring Reggie's "Mr. October" to fans' minds.

Throughout the 1980s, George Steinbrenner's leadership produced nothing but regular season wins that always fell short of a division title.

After winning the pennant and losing the World Series in the strike shortened 1981 season, the Yankees didn't win another World Series until 1996 with a team that Steinbrenner was forced not to build.

On July 30, 1990 Commissioner Fay Vincent, not exactly an Allan “Bud” Selig type, ruled that George Steinbrenner must resign as the Yankees' general partner and was banned from the club's day to day operations for life.

Steinbrenner had given gambler Howie Spira $40,000 to obtain damaging information about Dave "Mr. May" Winfield.

George Steinbrenner's lifetime suspension would be lifetime if he were a newt, a toad or an ant.

On July 24, 1992, Vincent announced that Steinbrenner could return in March 1993, but the significance of his absence was that it gave Gene Michael and others the opportunity to build the team without Steinbrenner's interference.

The result was the last Yankees' dynasty, which won the World Series in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

References:

Anderson, Dave. (1978). Gabe Paul speaks; No Munson deal." New York Times. 5 March 1978. p. S5.