Becoming Mr. October (9780385533126) (44 page)

Charlie Finley and Dick Williams, before the start of the 1972 World Series. Playing for Dick, a terrific manager, was a treat. Playing for Charlie was … well, an adventure! Both of them look pretty glum—probably because I tore up my leg in the ALCS and would not be playing. We won anyway, which shows you how much depth we had.
Sports Illustrated
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Two in a row! That’s me on the left, celebrating the A’s victory over the New York Mets in the 1973 World Series with Dick Williams (middle) and Catfish Hunter (right). I was named the MVP of the Series and the American League that year. Catfish won twenty-one games during the season and a critical Game 6 in the Series, to keep us alive. The Mets should’ve drafted me when they had the chance! Ron Riesterer/
Oakland Tribune

“A team of gunslingers.” That’s me on the right with two of my best friends in baseball, Dave Duncan (left) and Ken Holtzman (middle). Ron Riesterer/
Oakland Tribune

The start of a beautiful relationship. I was working for ABC in this picture, covering the 1976 American League playoffs. By the next month, George would be doing his best to sign me for the Yankees. Please note all that beautiful hair I used to have! AP photo

Putting on the pinstripes! The Yankees announce my signing, November 29, 1976. From left, that’s the immortal Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, and Roy White, who is placing my first Yankees cap on my head. For some reason, Billy Martin is nowhere in sight … AP photo/Marty Lederhandler

A proud moment for us all. That’s my mom and dad at the Versailles Terrace with me on the day the Yankees announced I would be bringing my skills to New York. AP photo

Me with my dear, departed friend Catfish Hunter, who battled through so many injuries and illnesses to make a success of his time in New York. I’m told that only four players in major-league history have played on consecutive World Series champions for two different franchises. Two of them were Hall of Famers Babe Ruth and Herb Pennock—the other two you see in this picture. I think that’s more than mere luck. MLB Photos via Getty Images

Somehow, we made it this far. From left: Billy Martin, Mickey Rivers, Willie Randolph, Thurman Munson, and me, announced as the starting lineup before Game 3 of the 1977 World Series. AP photo

Billy and I clowning in the outfield before Game 5 of the 1977 World Series. You would never guess that we were in the middle of yet another running feud. Life with Billy was always … complicated. AP photo

Game 6, 1977. Hitting the first one out off Burt Hooton. I was locked in that night like I never was before or after.
New York Daily News
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Circling the bases after the first of three home runs I would hit that night. My feet were already off the ground. They would stay that way for the rest of the evening.
New York Daily News
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The reception in the dugout after that first home run in Game 6. It was the closest the team had been—literally!—all year. For once, nobody’s worrying about who’s shaking whose hand.
New York Daily News
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