Munson: The Life and Death of a Yankee Captain (24 page)

Ruth Munson, Thurman’s mother, leaves the funeral home, unrecognized by media or the Yankees. CBS NEWS ARCHIVES

Darrell Munson, back in Tucson, Arizona, about a month after his son’s funeral.
“You always thought you were too big for this world. Well, you weren’t!”
COPYRIGHT © 1979, 2008
TUCSON CITIZEN
. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION.

Munson awaits his turn at the batting cage on his first day in the big leagues.
“I had to go digging to find a pair of pants to fit him,”
said Yankee clubhouse attendant Pete Sheehy.
“His rear end was too big. I always kidded him about that.”
COURTESY OF MICHAEL GROSSBARDT

In his locker with senior Yankee beat writer Jim Ogle of the
Newark Star-Ledger
.
“I think he was edged away from us by Nettles, and maybe some others,”
says reporter Murray Chass.
“They didn’t like to see him too close to the writers.”
COURTESY OF MICHAEL GROSSBARDT

Thurman hustles to third on a hit by Bobby Murcer.
“He was the second fastest runner on our team, despite that body he was trapped inside of
,
”
says Kent State teammate Steve Stone.
“He could really run.”
COURTESY OF MICHAEL GROSSBARDT

Thurman, full mustache, full polyester look, spring training.
“To get [a] picture, I had to take a punch [in the ribs],”
says Yankee photographer Michael Grossbardt.
“I suppose on some level it was a sign of affection.”
COURTESY OF MICHAEL GROSSBARDT

The author with Munson at the time of the autobiography project.
“I’m only twenty-nine! No one does an autobiography at twenty-nine.”
COURTESY OF LOUIS REQUENA

With his father-in-law, “Tote” Dominick.
“We’re really shook up. It’s unbelievable. Such a loss. A 32-year-old son-in-law.”
COURTESY OF DIANA MUNSON

The cover of the 1977 Yankees media guide captures Munson’s reaction as Chris Chambliss homers to win the ’76 pennant.
The losing years were over. The Yankees were American League champions and going to their thirtieth World Series
. COPYRIGHT © NEW YORK YANKEES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

With Joe DiMaggio and Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, first-pitch ceremony, 1977 World Series. This would be the Yankees’ first world championship since 1962. COURTESY OF MICHAEL GROSSBARDT

The scoreboard at Shea Stadium on the afternoon Thurman died, where the Phillies and Mets were engaged in a day game.
“I’ve never heard a ballpark that was any quieter than that,”
says Tim McCarver, Phillies catcher at the time. COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR

Rescue workers at the scene of the accident on Greenberg Road, just north of Akron-Canton Airport.
Steinbrenner wanted to call his players before they heard the news on the radio
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