Books and articles about Bucky Dent

In 1978 Dent was the unlikely hero in the playoff game against Boston when his short three-run homer over Fenway's Green Monster, off Mike Torrez, changed the course of the game as the Yankees went on to win 5-4. His fine play continued as he was named WS MVP as the Yankees won their second straight championship with Dent at shortstop.

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Dent, a promising White Sox shortstop, came to the Yankees in a much heralded deal in April 1977. He was touted as the final piece in the great Yankee team. Dent was a natural with his boyish good looks, the perfect foil for the Yankees' rough and abrasive identity. He became an instant idol with legions of adoring teenage girls to cheer him on. He remained popular even as his skills eroded; in 1982 he narrowly missed being voted starting All-Star shortstop while hitting .200 even as Robin Yount was tearing up the league en route to an MVP award. Dent played two years for Texas and finished his career in Kansas City in 1984. He is currently a minor league manager. He constructed a baseball training school in Florida featuring a replica of the Green Monster, and replayed the feat with an obliging Mike Torrez at the opening of the field in 1989. Dent replaced Dallas Green as Yankee manager in August 1989. (TJG)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » April 5, 1977: The White Sox trade SS Bucky Dent to the Yankees for OF Oscar Gamble, and minor league pitchers LaMarr Hoyt and Bob Polinsky, and an estimated $200,000. Gamble will have a fine season in Chicago and Hoyt will blossom into the ace of the White Sox staff in the early 1980's. » June 5, 1977: The Yankees hit six home runs, their most in three years, and barely edge the White Sox, 8–6. Bucky Dent, Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson, Carlos May, Graig Nettles and rookie George Zeber connect. Zeber's clout, his first ML homer, comes off Dave Hamilton, and is the game winner. » August 19, 1977: Backed by homers from Reggie Jackson and Bucky Dent, Mike Torrez hurls his 6th complete game in a row and New York beats Texas, 8–1. The Yanks are now two 1/2 games in back of Boston. » October 2, 1978: The Yankees and Red Sox, tied for first at the end of the regular season, play a dramatic one-game playoff at Fenway for the American League East title. New York prevails 5–4 behind Bucky Dent's 3-run home run off Mike Torrez and Guidry's 25th win against just three losses. Guidry's .893 percentage is a major-league record for a 20-game winner. Goose Gossage saves the game, getting Yaz to pop out with two on and two out in the 9th. Manager Bob Lemon, who took over for Billy Martin, becomes the 1st manager to win a title after starting the season with another club. » October 15, 1978: The Yankees pummel the Dodgers with 18 hits to win the 5th game 12–2. Bucky Dent, Mickey Rivers, and Brian Doyle have three hits each. » April 9, 1981: Before 55,123 at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees gun down the Rangers, 10–3. Bucky Dent and Bobby Murcer hit homers, with Willie Randolph following Murcer's blow with a triple. Dave Winfield, in his New York debut, has two hits and two walks, and Tommy John scatters seven hits in eight innings to win over Jon Matlack. » May 22, 1981: With Rick Waits on the mound in the 6th, the Yankees Bucky Dent hits into a triple play. But the Yankees win, 3–2, with the margin a 2-run home run by Dave Winfield. The win goes to Dave Righetti (1-0). » August 6, 1982: The Yankees trade Bucky Dent to the Rangers for Lee Mazzilli. Dent was hitting only .169 and had lost his starting SS job to Roy Smalley. » August 18, 1989: Dallas Green is fired as manager of the Yankees and replaced by former SS Bucky Dent. It is the 17th time the Yankees have changed managers since George Steinbrenner took over the club in 1973. » June 6, 1990: A week after the Mets fire their manager, the Yankees follow suit. Bucky Dent, the Yanks' skipper for just 89 games, is replaced by Stump Merrill, who managed the Columbus farm team.