Munson: The Life and Death of a Yankee Captain

by Marty Appel

Our captain and leader has not left us, today, tomorrow, this year, next … Our endeavors will reflect our love and admiration for him.”—Honorary plaque to Munson in Yankee StadiumThurman Munson is remembered by fans as the fiercely competitive, tough, and—most of all—inspiring Yankee captain and champion from the wild Bronx Zoo years. He is also remembered for his tragic death, at age thirty-two, when the private plane he was piloting crashed in Canton, Ohio, on August 2, 1979.Munson is the intimate biography of a complex and larger-than-life legend. Written by former Yankees public relations director Marty Appel, who worked closely with Thurman throughout his career, Munson captures the little-known details of the young man from Canton and his meteoric rise to stardom in baseball’s most storied franchise. Appel examines the tumultuous childhood that led Thurman to work feverishly to escape Canton—and also the marriage and cultural roots that continually drew him back.Appel also opens a fascinating door on the famed Yankees of the 1970s, recounting moments and stories that have never been told before. From the clubhouse and the dugout to the front office and the owner’s box, this thoughtful baseball biography delves into the affectionately gruff captain’s relationships with friends, fans, and teammates such as Lou Piniella, Bobby Murcer, Graig Nettles, and Reggie Jackson, as well as his colorful dealings with manager Billy Martin and his surprisingly close bond with owner George Steinbrenner. Munson paints a revealing portrait of a private Yankee superstar, as well as a nostalgic and revelatory look at the culture—and amazing highs and lows—of the 1970s New York Yankees teams. More than a biography, Munson is the definitive account of a champion who has not been forgotten and of the era he helped define—written with the intimate detail available only to a true insider.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Biography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Frank Lodato · Rating 4 out of 5]

This: was a great book to read on the 45th anniversary of Thurmon’s fatal crash. It was his desire to spend as much time as possible with his family that drove him to pursue private jet flying. Unfortunately,several pilot errors led to his accident

I remember the event well as it happened the day before my birthday

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thurman Munson = a hard working ballplayer, with talent, with compassion, a ball players player, a team player extraordinaire, a lover of life, his family and most important of all - being a Yankee. A very moving story that will captivate any reader who appreciates good work ethic, family values and a damn good sense of humor.

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 4 out of 5]

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “HOW MUNSON BECAME MUNSON… THIRTY-YEARS LATER A REAL LOOK BEHIND THE MASK!”
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This is author Marty Appel’s second Thurman Munson biography. The first biography was written in 1977 two years before Munson’s tragic death… and Munson’s verbal response to the original proposal was: “Who writes a biography when you’re twenty-nine-years-old?” After Munson was laid to rest… his wonderful wife Diane thanked Marty for what turned out to be such a special keepsake for the family for years to come. As we approach the thirtieth anniversary of the August 2, 1979 crash of Thurman’s personal jet that he himself was piloting… the author felt it was time to unseal the mysterious pieces to the puzzle that was Munson… that wasn’t covered in the first biography. There were boundaries in the original biography that the author wasn’t allowed to cross or investigate. Most baseball fans when they thought of Munson as a person… saw a scruffy… stocky… moody… walrus mustachioed… distant personality… who hated and mostly ignored the media. They also saw a guy that represented the everyday hardworking average American Joe. Not your handsome… strapping… Mickey Mantle type image. And as a player… any baseball fan that knew which end of a baseball bat was up… saw… a player that would never quit… a player that was the leader on the field… one of the best clutch hitters of his era… one of the best fielding catchers in the big leagues until injuries starting tearing him down. Nowadays these multi-million-dollar players sit out a game with a hang nail. All the Yankee players knew that if Thurman could hobble… he would play… so they knew they couldn’t wimp out. When Munson heard a teammate complain about an injury he would say… “SO, RETIRE!” That’s what defines a leader… and because of those qualities… Thurman was named the first Yankee team captain since Lou Gehrig.

The author investigates Munson’s family life and uncovers an awful relationship with his Father Darrell Munson… which helps explain why Thurman on the surface was so grumpy. When Thurman married Diane… he found in Diane’s family… the love that he didn’t know could really exist in a family. At the time of Thurman’s death… Father and son had not seen each other nor communicated in years. The picture that the author paints of Munson’s Father can be summarized by what transpired at the cemetery at Thurman’s gravesite: “DARRELL MUNSON APPROACHED THE COFFIN AND SAID, “YOU ALWAYS THOUGHT YOU WERE TOO BIG FOR THIS WORLD. WELL, YOU WEREN’T!”… “LOOK WHO’S STILL STANDING, YOU S.O.B.!”

Yet despite this “lack” of a Father-Son relationship… the most important thing in Thurman’s life was his family. In fact the importance Thurman put on his family… can easily be seen as what ultimately led to his death. He started learning how to fly in order to be able to get home quicker… and more frequently… for the sole purpose of spending more time with his family. Then he upgraded to larger and faster planes… perhaps too quickly… without enough flying experience… to cut time off of the flights home. In fact the final accident report on his fatal plane crash that was released by the NTSB in September 1979 stated that “STARTLING MISTAKES” BY THURMAN CAUSED THE CRASH.

This book also shares in intimate… precise… detail… the excruciating days before… during… and after the funeral. It also imparts the deep love and friendship that teammates shared with Thurman… especially with Lou Piniella… Bobby Murcer… Catfish Hunter… and manager Billy Martin. Not all fans may be aware that there were two survivors on Munson’s final flight… and one survivor who hadn’t talked about those final minutes for a quarter-of-a-century… discusses the crash and the final words that Thurman Munson would ever speak. This is a well written… excellently detailed commentary on the fabled Yankee Captain.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up watching baseball, loving and hating the Yankees, and becoming a fan of catchers of the late-11960s and 1970s. After Johnny Bench, Thurmon Munson was my favorite catcher. His gutsy style, bravado, humor, and leadership made me a fan of his.

This book by Munson's friend and fellow Yankees employee, Marty Appel gave me an insight into the man who was the captain of the Yankees of the 1970s. The book protrays Munson as a simple and conservative man with the heart of leader. He was tapped by the New York Yankees while he was playing baseball at Kent State University. The 21-year old catcher joined the Yankees organization in 1968 and played at Binghamton and he shone brightly. With playing time cut by weekend Reserve duty with the US Army, he still was named tapped for stardom and played only half a season in Syracuse in 1969. He made his MLB debut in 1969 and was the regular catcher by 1970. Buoyed by a loving and supportive wife, Diana and a manager, Ralph Houk, himself, a former catcher, Munson developed as a player and man. The stocky and average-sized man saw many players come and go from 1972 to 1976, three managers (Houk, Virdon, and Martin), a new owner (Steinbrenner), a new stadium, and new winning attitude take hold. By 1976, Munson would become the anchor, the captain, a leader and a friend to his fellow Yankees. Now more of a curmudgeon as he entered his age 29 and having several solid seasons and battled one injury-plagued year in 1974, Munson was in his prime as the Yankees returned to the forefront in 1976.

Marty Appel, the author is quite forthright in presenting Munson as the face of the Yankees in the 1970s. Despite his good dealings with Yankees' ownwe, George Steinbrenner, he still had issues, especially with the addition of prima donna, Reggie Jackson in the winter of 1976. Munson, a Canton, Ohio native and resident often kidded with the tyrannical owner about being traded to the Indians. Munson valued and treasured his privacy, family, and role on the team. Jackson was an interloper but Munson did extend an olive branch (rather forced by Steinbrenner) to Jackson. This noble move also help mend the fences between the fiery Yankees meager, Billy Martin and Jackson. It was Munson's role as the stability anchor that helped the Yankee team achieve its ultimate glory in 1977 and 1978.

Coming off two great seasons which included winning the AL MVP in 1976 and a Workd Series loss to the Reds, Munson, the scrappy leader adjusted to the many new players and kept focus on winning the championship. The Jackson melodrama of 1977 was put aside. While never friends, they were teammates and Munson hung on that fact. That is an incredible takeaway about Munson. He would put his personal feelings aside when necessary. He was small town man, a family man, a gun enthusiast, a pilot, a real estate investor, and a baseball player. It was his passion for flying that ultimately led to his tragic death at age 32 on August 2, 1979. The book dedicates over two chapter sto his targic death and the questions about his death. Two fellow aviation enthusiats provide insight into Munson's skills as a pilot, and his apssion for flying. The author dedicates two chapters to the reaction to Munson's tragic death. The sympathies, recollections, and tributes to the fallen player are moving. The intimacy achieved is rare and so touching. This raises this biography to a higher level.

The author does include the events after his death, the lawsuits against the Ceasna airplane maker and FlightSafety, the aviation school that approved Munson to fly a jet plane with less than two years flight school training. While the lawsuit did garner the Munson family $1.6M and some closure, subsequent auctions of Munson items brought more money for his surviving family. Coupled with the remaining contract pay-out on Thurman Munson's last contract and the sell-off off her husband's land holdings, Diana Munson and the three children were well-off. Even with his early death, Thurman Munson did provide for his family.

In the end, this is a book about a man who loved his family, enjoyed playing baseball, loved to be alone, and loved to fly. He was a man who loved life and one who will long be remembered. I recommend this book.

[Tom Stamper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have lately come to appreciate what a great writer Marty Appel is. Every team should be lucky to get a book as good as Pinstripe Empire. His Casey Stengel was compelling as any baseball biography I can remember. It's every bit as good as Leavy's Sandy Koufax book. So why not try his Munson book.?

I remember Munson from the end of his career, I remember the day he died in the midst of a already frustrating Yankees season. I watched baseball with my dad whenever it was on and we saw his last game the night before on a Chicago TV station. Munson played first base that last game but I didn't remember that he left hurt. Appel tells us that Munson and Piniella stayed in Bobby Murcer's Chicago apartment during that series. They drank scotch all night and rode together to the ballpark the following day. That Old Commiskey park. The great old stadium torn down a decade later to make room for the last of the cookie cutter ballparks.

I don't know how much everyone loved Thurman before he died because ballplayers don't go around telling everyone how much they love each other. I do remember his name coming up often in the 1980s. Graig Nettles said in his own book that the Pine Tar game in 1983 was a result of Thurman Munson being called out for a similar play years before.

Long before I watched baseball Munson was a Rookie of the Year and an MVP, playing the most difficult of defensive positions. 1978 was the first season I collected baseball cards. Munson was older than his years by now. Even as a kid he didn't look like an athlete. He looked pudgy and walked gimpy. It made him all the more interesting. They kept his locker as he left it. It stayed that way for 30 years until they tore down the old stadium. Had he lived and retired a few years later we would remember him as we do Nettles or Randolph. Appel sort of gives us that alternate reality at the end of the book. It's a welcome thought experiment.

I want to also mention that Jim Bouton was working as a reporter during Munson's last season and Munson wouldn't talk to him. He thought Bouton's book Ball Four was a betrayal of his teammates that should expect locker room conversation to be kept between players. He cites Mickey Mantle, Ralph Houk, and Elston Howard as guys who were treated unfairly. He has a point and it's not one I had considered when I read that book.

[Ted Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I knew the bare basics of Thurman Munson, only that he was a good catcher and he died in a plane crash. This is a great dive into the story of an overachieving person, flaws and all.

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the expanded version with additional info. re. the fatal jet crash

[Iris Feliciano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yankees greats

So glad to be able to find out the complete story of one of my favorite Yankees of all time. Informative & refreshing.

[Barry Weintraub · Rating 5 out of 5]

G has ha :) b.s. c v///

[Roz · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a player, Munson represented the gritty everyday kind of persona. He played through injuries, logging time at the demanding role of catcher. In his lifetime, he was seen as gruff, blue collar, a regular kind of guy. Needless to say, he resonated with a lot of fans. It’s too bad only glimpses of this man come across in Marty Appel’s biography.

Appel had a unique relationship with his subject. For most of the 1970s, Appel was Public Relations director for the Yankees. And in 1978, he worked with Munson on his autobiography. Appel has sources and resources most sportswriters would dream of; he was actually there in the clubhouse for most of Munson’s career. He mixes his firsthand experiences with detailed reporting, having spoken with teammates and family, plus occasional extracts from other books. At his best, Munson was a tremendous athlete, someone who could control a baseball game from behind the plate and a good slap hitter and battled through a series of injuries.

Still, the book feels padded, even though it's just 350 pages. Appel regularly block-quotes sources, letting them talk for pages at a time. He runs the full, 22-page transcript of an ESPN interview with a survivor of the Munson crash; lets Keith Olbermann (who has no connection to Munson’s life) recount his experience as a young reporter on the night of the Munson crash for three pages. Elsewhere he goes off on tangents - how much money would Munson have made? comes to mind - and occasionally, unfollowed threads pop up. For example, near the finish, Appel casually mentions Munson’s friendship with Wayne Newton and how it factored into Munson buying a jet. It never comes up again in the book (Newton doesn’t even crack the index!)

On the whole, Munson is a bit of a messy book, long on some details and short on others. It’s an incomplete picture of an interesting man, but what picture comes through makes Munson seem even more remarkable: a rock in the roaring sea of the late 1970s Yankees. Still, not especially recommended, even for Yankee fans; I’d go with Sparky Lyle’s The Bronx Zoo or Jonathan Mahler’s The Bronx is Burning instead.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the fastest and riveting reads I've had in a long time. I couldn't put the book down once I got started on it and I spent most of my DC commuting time focused on its pages. I was at Fort Bragg, NC when I got the news of Munson's tragic accident, but I never really got the full story about how it happenned and the impact it played on future Yankees teams. Marty Appel did an amazing job on this book -- although I felt the Jerry Anderson-Tom Rinaldi interview was a little too much for the book. Appel focused on Munson and his two famiies -- the ones in pinstripes and the real family in Canton. He showed Munson's desires and ambitions to be the best at what he did and what he could be for his family and teammates -- ambitions and desires that played a part in taking this person away from his family, his team and the fans who thought the world of him. Yankee fans still believe he did enought in his 10 year career to be in the Hall of Fame. It now depends on the Veterans and Hall of Famers to place him with Berra, Bench, Fisk and Carter as Hall of Fame catchers. Hopefully, this book will convince some veterans that he does belong.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Munson was special. One of the great Yankee catchers. This book was a somber book, not filled with the antics of Sparky Lyle (Bronx Zoo) or "The Bronx is Burning." Munson was the Captain. The first Yankee Captain since Lou Gehrig. I came away with a greater appreciation for Munson, and even some identification with him. Both of us were slowed down by bad knees. But what makes Munson remarkable is how he overcame family difficulties, particularly a brutal father who walked out on his mother and who bitterly resented his son. It is remarkable that a child who never played catch with his father or never had his dad as a role model could become Munson. But I get it. Here was this blue collar guy who completed three years at Kent State and he had to stand up as a man, negotiating his own contract with the Yankees, including that formidable new owner, George Steinbrenner. He also had to navigate a press which in large part instigated his conflict with Reggie Jackson. Great admiration for the Captain.

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book counts as 1

this book is about therman munson, a yankee, a yankee captain and a all time yankee great. this book shows us who he was as a person and talks about him on and off the field.

during this book, it talks a lot about the 1977, 78 and 76 seasons. it talks about how munson won the american league most valuable player. it describes the 1977 world series on how they won, how they beat the dodgers then same in 1978. it also sums ups his problems with reggie jackson. something that this book talked about that i didn't know was that munson had an abusive father. and i think because of his rough childhood he took up becoming a pilot. towards the end of his carear it talks about how he argued with Steinbrenner about his contract. sadly munson died in a plain crash, that he was driving that cut his life and his carer short.

i would recommend this book to any yankee fan or anyone who needs to get a quick easy read and to catch up on baseball history.

[Ralph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a straight-ahead biography of one of New York's favorite sons - Thurman Munson. His hustle, grit, determination to win packed into an average body type made him a favorite amongst Yankee fans. Munson was a true American "gamer", who seemed to come through in clutch situations all too frequently. His memory is still alive and well today, and any visit to Yankee Stadium will result in seeing dozens of Munson T-Shirts. This book does justice to the complexity of the man, and the things that drove him to succeed at everything he did.
When compared to the today's primadonna players, reading about Thurman was refreshing. The author mixes in enough personal information, coupled with his baseball relationships to make this an interesting read. I would have liked to see more "game" material - but that's just me.
For any Yankee fan, or any fan of Thurman, this book is a must-read.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard of this book on a sports radio talk show about the Yankees. I thought it was going to be a good book because I am a catcher and I love baseball. I think this author wanted us to take away from this book that a true hero for the Yankees died in a terrible accident and no one really acknowledges that fact anymore. I would recommend this book to any die hard baseball fan becuase of the information it gives you about a great baseball player. I learned that Thurman Munson was a true all around player and was not only loved for the way he played baseball but also for how much respect he had for people outside of the game. I would not change this book at all I thought that it was very well explained and it had a lot of great information.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting! Thurmon Munson was a Yankee and this alone should have turned me against the man and this book. But, Munson was also an Ohioan and a dedicated one at that!

This was a fascinating look at the life and death of Thurmon Munson. Munson was killed on August 2, 1979 when the Cessna he was piloting crashed just short of the runway at Akron-Canton Regional Airport.

I am amazed by the people he played ball with and those who were good friends. I spent quality time at my local library digging up more information on people such as: Bobby Murcer, Lou Piniella, Graig Nettles, Ron Guidry, Willie Randolph, Reggie Jackson and Jerry Narron.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting to me because of Thurman Munson's connections to Canton, Ohio, where I lived for about a decade. Also interesting were the connections in modern baseball to the Yankees and Mets teams of the 1970's. Appel's storytelling was sometimes hard to follow, but overall it was an enjoyable read. Those who don't like baseball or biographies probably would not enjoy this book.

[Daniel Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by the former PR director for the New York Yankees, Marty Appel. Here you get an insiders view of the Yankee captain, Thurman Munson. I've always been intrigued by sports figures that are beloved as Munson was, yet their actions often paint a picture of conflicted individuals. Here you get a wide ranging view of a terrific ball player, leader and family man mixed with baseball, controversy, and even a little drama.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting and complete tribute to the Yankee captain, number 15. Marty Appel knew Munson well in life, helping him to write his autobiography. What is fascinating about this book is that it tells about his family, birth, growing up, superstardom, death, and post-mortem. The book quotes famous athletes, celebrities, and Munson's friends and family. Well-done with respect and class, this book makes you feel like you were there.

[Charles]

this book is about a star yankee thurmun munson he was an amazing cathcer and literally everyone who was a yankee fan loved this man. he could have possibly been a hall of fame player but tradically he died in a plane crash and devistated all of baseball players and fans. Thurmun munson will always be remembered by the yankees, mlb and the fans. i never got to watch thurmun but by reading this book and hearing his life to death i know i would have liked him

[David Pomerico · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always wanted to know more about Munson, but I have to say that Appel is not the best writer. The story is all over the place, probably because he realized that Munson's career wasn't that long and, ultimately, he was a pretty bland character. I think there are probably better books about the era (I really want to read "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx is Burning" now), and I just couldn't help be disappointed by someone who had been such a mythical figure for me as a Yankees fan.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for NY Yankee fans especially those fans of the 1970s. Thurman Munson was the first NY Yankee Captain since Lou Gehrig. His work ethics and determination pulled the Yankees out of a long slump from previous World Series. The author gave me more insight and details that led to his tragic death.

[Riley Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

It makes sense that Munson's biographer before the tragic accident would be a good person to write the definitive biography afterwards. Appel covers all the bases in a rather short life. The author also describes the circumstances of the crash in great detail. This is a far better book than I had expected. Well worth the time.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting account of the Yankee catcher, Thurman Munson whose life ended tragically in a plane crash. If you are a Yankee fan [which I'm not:] especially during the 70's I believe you will enjoy this book even more than I did.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enlightening and interesting, especially for those who remember the Yankees of Munson's time. Many good details on his childhood, too. The author does come across as overly kind toward his subject, however (which makes sense given his friendship with Munson).

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A candid biography of Yankee Captain Thurman Munson who was killed in a plane crash at only 32. A good look at Thurman’s troubled childhood, his career with the Yankees his death and his aftermath.

[Don LaFountaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It is a must read for any and all Yankee fans. It is also a must read for any baseball fan, including Red Sox fans. Marty Appel wrote a wonderful book and I learned a few new things about Thurman Munson.

[Doug Probst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough, quiet leader. Although I'm an Indians fan, it, was easy to respect him as a player, leader and person. Great to get an 'off the field' view of the Yankees during an incredible time of their history.

[John Gault · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good Yankee biography of one of my favorite all-time players. I was 13 years old and actually living in Ohio when Munson died. Was only a borderline Yankee fan at that point but my "fandom" would be solidified over the years.

[Daniel DeLappe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the first book this guy wrote on Munson. There is little to no difference between the two. Very shallow and boring.