1980 New York Yankees
coolstanley
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in Sports Talk
The 1980 Yankees won the division title over the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles failed to reach the playoffs despite winning 100 games. Some fans say that might have been the best Orioles team in history. The Yankees won 103 games which was the most in the majors that year. A look at their pitchers staff that year, and its a wonder how they failed to win a single playoff game??
Tommy John
Ron Guidry
Luis Tiant
Jim Kaat
Gaylord Perry
Rich Gossage
2025 SEC bowl record 4-10
SEC bowl record vs BIG TEN last two years 2-8
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Not saying it was the reason they lost in the playoffs, but that has to be the oldest pitching staff in history. And you left off the best pitcher on that team, Rudy May, who was 35.
If I remember correctly, my all-time favorite athlete (George Brett) hit a huge homer (off of Gossage I believe) to beat the Yankees in the playoffs that year. George Brett was "the man" in 1980 -- batted almost .400 that year.
There's a quote by Gossage about that HR that I'll probably butcher.
He said that he put Brett in the HOF. "That was moi!"
Followed up by saying that he flinched, and Brett was there with him when he's telling this story and Brett is cracking up when he says that he flinched at the crack of the bat. Then he tells Brett's wife who's also there that he doesn't know what she sees in him.
If you ever meet Goose at a signing or something I'm sure he would love to talk about it. Brett's 83 HR (Pine Tar HR) was also off Gossage. There's some players who just have your number and that was Brett with Goose.
You're right. That was May's best year. Won the ERA title.
2025 SEC bowl record 4-10
SEC bowl record vs BIG TEN last two years 2-8
From 1977 to 1982 the Orioles averaged 95.6 wins per year( when extrapolating 1981 totals). It only got them one Al East title in that span. The AL East was stacked those years. Then of course 1983 they won it all.