Comments on: Thurman Munson

By: Ruthven

Ruthven — Sun, 30 May 2010 03:10:02 +0000

When I read this Munson passage in your book, I felt a nauseating chill, because I had the same reaction you did.
I grew up in CT and all my brothers and my best friend were all Yankee fans—-I was a Phillies fan and violently hated the Yankees, especially at that date and time in 1979, with the Yankees being the clutch team of winners for the past 3 years and my team, the Phillies, being the collosal choke artists in the past 3 seasons.
I was 12 years old at the time, old enough to know to try to conceal my joy when I heard of Munson’s death, but it definitely was not concealed well. My best friend and his family would go to about a half dozen Yankee games each season and always took me with them—–except for the game after Munson died—which they went to without telling me.
Obviously, they felt that I wouldnt behave appropriately. Obviously, they knew that I was an asshole who was happy that a human being had died.
It is scary to think back and realize that baseball was so important to me that I took joy in Munson’s death. Especially since I haven’t cared about who wins a baseball game in about 20 years.

By: 4b34r

4b34r — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:06:54 +0000

There’s something poignant about this post. I’m sure a lot of young Sox fans were fairly pleased to learn of Munson’s passing, which is unfortunate but true.

The Yankees did not reign over baseball when I was kid, and I even liked a few of their players. Mattingly for one. Randolph as well. It was like, okay, but as long as the team doesn’t win. I even remember opening a pack of Topps and discovering a Kevin Maas rookie card. When I saw it, all I could do was think, “Oboy, oboy, look at this gold!”

A little later though, the bona fide prospects of Edgar Renteria, Nomar Garciappara, and Derek Jeter broke into the league. I can recall detesting latter. New York was coming around, and for me watching Derek play was like eating a wad of mud. But even as a rookie there was a subtle but definite difference between him and the other two. Like Munson, he was a true sportsman, and knew how to lead. Still is and still does. Although it would have made a nice day in Sox Nation if he were placed on the dl, I felt an ambivalent sensation whenever I saw him play.

I don’t know exactly where this is going, except to say class ballplayers are few and far between. So I root for them. Even if they wear pinstripes.

By: catfish326

catfish326 — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:05:09 +0000

That was a very sad day for me. I recall coming home in IL and hearing the news from my brother. I could not believe it. After two recent world championships, our captain was dead. We had one incredible fearless leader, whom Cafish Hunter wrote in his autobiography, that if he were to ever to start any street-played ballteam his first pick would always be Thurman Munson, no questions asked. He was gritty. He was tough. He was an awesome hitter and catcher. I read that another person in his plane escaped, but Thurman was trapped within the plane and he burned in it as the plane engulfed. What a loss. He had a tough facade, but Catfish spoke about him as a person, and it made Thurman appear very much human and very likable. Whether hanging out, playing ball or if I’m in an alley, I would want Thurman to have my back. Like Bench, Munson defined the position of catcher.

By: Josh Wilker

Josh Wilker — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 23:31:58 +0000

1. 2 comments from old CG site:

es said…
Glory not in the death of heroes, foes tho’ they may be.

Do not drag the corpse of thine enemy around the walls – of Springfield, Mass. or anywhere else – lest you and your team be like Achilles, curséd by the gods and later played by a steroidal Brad Pitt in a laughable Hollywood epic.

well, lest you be cursed by the gods, anyway.

11:52 AM

one who knows said…
I recall a bit more detail to this anecdote –

something about you and your brother slapping five, screaming “Yaaaaaay!!! Thurman MUNSON is Dead!!!!” and erupting into girlish peals of laughter before doing a childish little dance, disembarking in Vermont, and skipping down an unpaved road, holding hands and trailing your little Red Sox lunchboxes behind you…

5:51 PM