On This Day

Monday 25th December 1989

30 years ago

Five-time New York Yankees manager Billy Martin (61) was killed in an alcohol-related crash when the pickup truck he was a passenger in skidded off the road during an icy storm near his farm in Binghamton, New York. As Yankees manager, he led the team to consecutive American League pennants in 1976 and 1977; the Yankees were swept in the 1976 World Series by the Cincinnati Reds but triumphed over the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games in the 1977 World Series. He also had notable managerial tenures with several other AL squads, leading four of them to division championships. Martin was known for turning losing teams into winners, and for arguing animatedly with umpires, including a widely parodied routine in which he kicked dust on their feet. However, he was criticised for not getting along with veteran players and owners, burning out young pitchers, and for having an addiction to alcohol. During the 1969 through 1988 period as a manager, Martin totalled 1,253 victories with a .553 winning percentage.