April 28, 1985 - Billy Martin Named Yankee Manager Again!

On this day in 1985 Billy Martin was named New York Yankees manager for the fourth time! This little piece of information got me to thinking about 1985 Yankee season and The Bronx Zooera.

The season began with Yogi Berra as Yankee manager of the club but was abruptly fired by George Steinbrenner after only three weeks into the season. Berra had been re assured by Steinbrenner that he would be allowed to complete one full season without fear of being fired. Stienbrenner not only went back on his word, but he did not even confront Berra face to face. He had King Clyde do the dirty work for him.

Steinbrenner then, went ahead and hired Billy Martin for the fourth time. He was hired and fired once more before this dysfunctional Martin/Steinbrenner relationship finally came to an end with Billy Martin's death in 1989.

Yogi vowed never to return to Yankee Stadium again until George Steinbrenner was no longer there. This feud lasted for almost 15 years. Even when a monument to Berra was erected in Monument Park in on August 22, 1988 Yogi did not attend. It wasn't until July 18, 1999 that Berra returned to the Bronx. That day was designated Yogi Berra Day by the New York Yankees in order to celebrate Yogi's return. We all know what happened that day! That was the day David Cone pitched his perfect game with Yogi and Don Larsen in attendance. I had the great honor to be at that game, as well as David Wells perfect game a year earlier. But I will save those stories for another time!

During the off season a trade brought Rickie Henderson the Yankees from the Oakland A's. The Yankees then signed him to a five-year deal. He went on to set a club record of 80 stolen bases that year bringing the Yankees much needed speed on the bases. Not only did Rickie prove to be fast on the bases but he scored 146 runs that season. It was the most runs scored in a season since Ted Williams scored 150 runs for the Red Sox in 1945.

Don Mattingly was AL MVP that year putting together his second straight season of 200 hits, with 48 doubles, 143 RBI's. He hit for a .324 average with 35 home runs. Donnie Baseball at its best.


Of course what I remember most is the fight that broke out after a game in the Hotel Baltimore between Billy Martin and pitcher Ed Whitson. The drunken brawl broke out in the bar and soon spread to other parts of the hotel, leaving Martin with a broken arm.