Bob Lemon, Hall of Fame Pitcher, 79

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http://cnnsi.com/baseball/mlb/news/2000/01/12/Lemon_obit/index.html

Hall of Famer Bob Lemon dies

Posted: Wednesday January 12, 2000 11:06 PM

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Bob Lemon, who made the Hall of Fame for a brilliant
pitching career and then managed the New York Yankees to a World Series
championship, died at age 79.

Lemon, a seven-time 20-game winner with the Cleveland Indians and manager of
the Yankees during their amazing 1978 title run, died Tuesday night at
Palmcrest North Convalescent Home in Long Beach, Calif.

Lemon led the American League in victories three times and won two games in
the 1948 World Series -- the last time the Indians were champions. He
finished with a 207-128 record and was inducted into the Hall in 1976.

Two years later, Lemon, who also managed for Kansas City and the Chicago
White Sox, took over the Yankees at midseason when Billy Martin resigned and
focused a turbulent clubhouse, where Martin, owner George Steinbrenner,
Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson had been feuding.

New York overcame a 14-game deficit, beat Boston in a one-game playoff at
Fenway Park to win the AL East, then defeated the Royals in the AL playoffs
before triumphing over the Los Angeles Dodgers to win its second straight
World Series title.

Lemon remained on the Yankees' payroll until his death as a scout and
adviser to Steinbrenner.

"It is with tremendous sadness that I was informed today of the passing of
Bob Lemon," Steinbrenner said. "He was an idol of mine when he pitched for
the Cleveland Indians and he has been a true friend of mine for many, many
years.

"When our team was going through the turmoil during the 1978 season, Bob
Lemon was just what we needed. He was such a calming influence and, of
course, he guided the club to the world championship in one of the greatest
comebacks in sports history. He was a gentle but consummate competitor."

The news of Lemon's death came just hours after another former Cleveland
sports figure, Cavaliers guard Bobby Phills was killed in a traffic accident
in Charlotte, N.C.

Lemon, a seven-time All-Star, began his playing career as a third baseman
with the Indians in 1941. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he
became a pitcher, one of the most successful in Indians history.

The right-hander twice won 23 games. In 1948, sometimes pitching on one
day's rest, he went 20-14 with a 2.82 ERA and led the AL with 20 complete
games, 10 shutouts and 293 2-3 innings pitched.

"Lem" as he was known to his teammates, then beat Boston's Warren Spahn in
Game 2 of the World Series before pitching Cleveland to a 4-3 victory in
Game 6.

In 1954, Lemon went 23-7 and along with Bob Feller, Early Wynn and Mike
Garcia combined on what many still call the best starting rotation ever. The
Indians won a then-record 111 games that season before being swept in the
World Series by the New York Giants.

Lemon, who pitched a no-hitter at Detroit on June 30, 1948, also was an
outstanding hitter, as far as pitchers go, finishing with a .232 career
average and 37 home runs. He occasionally was used a pinch-hitter, batting
.284 in 109 at-bats.

After retiring in 1958, Lemon worked as a scout, coach and minor league
manager. In 1966, he applied for Cleveland's vacant managing position but
was turned down by Indians owner Gabe Paul, who later called his decision
not to hire Lemon, "the biggest mistake I made in baseball."

Lemon managed Kansas City from 1970-72 and the White Sox in 1977 and 1978
before taking over the Yankees on July 25 when Martin.

Lemon was replaced by Martin midway through the '79 season but returned to
the Yankees for the second half of the strike-shortened 1981 season. New
York won its division and the AL pennant before losing to the Dodgers in the
Series.

"It's really sad to lose a man like Lemon. Everybody liked him so much --
even the opposition," said 90-year-old Mel Harder, who played with and
coached Lemon. "He joked with everybody -- I don't care who you were. He was
one of my best friends."

A spokesperson at Palmcrest North Convalescent Home said funeral
arrangements were being made by Lemon's family.

Lemon is survived by his wife, Jane, and two sons.


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