Thurman Munson: O Captain! My Captain!

Thurman Lee Munson (June 7, 1947 -- August 2, 1979) was an American catcher in Major League Baseball who played with the New York Yankees from 1969 to 1979. Munson was killed at age 32 while trying to land his personal airplane.

An outstanding fielder, Munson made only one error while behind the plate in 1971 (he was knocked unconscious by a runner, dislodging the ball). He went on to win three straight Gold Glove Awards starting in 1973. A seven-time All-Star, Munson hit 113 home runs, batted in 701 runners, and had a career batting average of .292 over his 10-year career. He was also the first captain named by the Yankees since Lou Gehrig. Munson helped lead his team to three consecutive World Series (1976--78), where he batted a remarkable .373 overall (.339 in the American League Championship Series). From 1975-77, Munson hit .300 or better with 100 or more RBI each year, becoming the first catcher to accomplish the feat in three consecutive years since Yankee Hall of Famer Bill Dickey did it four straight seasons from 1936-39.

Munson was frequently homesick, and took flying lessons so that he could fly home to his family in Canton on off-days. On August 2, 1979, he was practicing takeoffs and landings in his new Cessna Citation I/SP jet at the Akron-Canton Regional Airport. On the third touch-and-go, Munson failed to lower the flaps for landing and allowed the aircraft to sink too low before increasing engine power, causing the jet to clip a tree and fall short of the runway. The plane then hit a tree stump and burst into flames, killing Munson (who was trapped inside) and injuring two other companions. It is believed that the inability to get out of the plane, and the ensuing asphyxiation, is what killed Munson, rather than injuries sustained on impact or burns (the two passengers survived). He was 32 years old.
Munson's sudden death was major news across the nation and especially sorrowed the baseball community. Munson was survived by his wife, Diana, and their three children. The day after his death, before the start of the Yankees' four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles in the Bronx, the Yankees paid tribute to their deceased captain in a pre-game ceremony during which the starters stood at their defensive positions, save for the catcher's box, which remained empty. At the conclusion of Robert Merrill's musical selection, the fans (announced attendance 51,151) burst into a 10-minute standing ovation.

Immediately following Munson's death, Yankee owner George Steinbrenner announced that his uniform number 15 was being retired. On September 20, 1980, a plaque was dedicated in Munson's memory and placed in Monument Park. The plaque bears excerpts from an inscription composed by Steinbrenner and flashed on the Stadium scoreboard the day after his death:

"Our captain and leader has not left us, today, tomorrow, this year, next ... Our endeavors will reflect our love and admiration for him."


"O Captain! My Captain" is a poem by Walt Whitman (1819-1892) dedicated to Abraham Lincoln.

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[eespe212]

u know that poem is about Abe Lincoln?

[AgravaineNYR]

Yes. Yes I do.

[BeatleJuiceBarbie]

good video! plus your helping me memorize this for school XD

[AgravaineNYR]

LOL Glad to be of service!

[psteff2001]

This is awesome.

[TheRealSuperman1000]

A true Yankee! A tremendous competitor! Thanks for posting this!

[pkeck1]

My new book on Thurman's great 1978 Yankees team, The Greatest Comeback Ever, is the only book ever written by a fan, live-time on a great sports season. It's available at Amazon.

[KING5TORM1418]

GO YANKS...

[DomOnick888]

okay were all sad that he passed away 30 years ago this yearbut dont make fun of other players when you cant spell the greatest catcher of all times Thurman's name right, okay just stop

[reginaDexant]

Thurm Munson was sooo cool. Everyone grew a handlebar mustache to be like him. He was mighty. I know Walt Whitman would not have minded his poem to be honored in this way, even though it was written about Abraham Lincoln's assasination and his not falling until he held the Union together.

[Arthurconforti]

Today is a day all Yankee fans remember as the day we said good bye to our captain. Thurm was my favorite.

[goodguy309]

I will never ever forget the absolute distance he would go to show up for the important games which was ALL of them. I remember when he would get cortizone shots in the knees so he could play during the playoffs and series.

I cried when he died. It was just like my brother had died that day.

Thurmond was a true sports hero not like those dingleberries like A-Rod and Manny Rodriques.

[yankees19650]

Best clutch hitter ever!

[Pookatube]

Thurman Munson June 7, 1947- August 2, 1979

A YANKEE FOREVER!!!!!