Thurman Munson broke in with the Yankees in 1969 and had an immediate impact. After an August call up and 26-game stint, Munson had a breakout year in 1970. Voted the American League Rookie of the Year – the first catcher to receive the honor – Munson hit .302 with a 126 OPS+.

The following season Munson was selected to the first of his seven All Star teams. The AL’s Gold Glove catcher from 1973-1975, Munson was known for his all-around fine play.

In 1976 the Yankees named him captain, the team’s first since Lou Gehrig in 1939. That same season New York reached the postseason for the first time since 1964. In the ALCS and in a losing effort in the World Series, Munson went 19-for-40, good for a .475 average.

In ’77 the Yankees won 100 regular-season games and repeated as pennant-winners. On baseball’s biggest stage Munson hit .320 to help give the franchise its first Fall Classic title in 15 seasons.

In spring training of ’78 Munson took up flying. He became devoted to the hobby, devouring information from flight manuals and instruction books. Soon the team granted their captain permission to fly from city to city for games, separate from the team charter.

The Yankees put up another 100-win season in ’78 as Munson made the All Star team for a sixth consecutive season. Always a strong postseason performer, Munson again hit .320 in the World Series as New York took home its second consecutive title.

In ’79 the Yankees stumbled out of the gate with a 10-11 mark in April. When the calendar changed to May, New York heated up. By August 1st they stood 10 games over .500.

The next day Munson went to the Akron-Canton Regional Airport near his home. During landing practice his aircraft crashed. Munson’s neck broke on impact. Two other men aboard the plane tired to free the helpless ballplayer. Flames engulfed the plane to thwart their effort. At age 32, Thurman Munson perished.

The captain’s teammates were crushed. The team immediately retired his #15. On September 20th the next year, a plaque in Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park was dedicated in his honor.

Many believe Munson’s career is Cooperstown-worthy. In addition to his Rookie of the Year Award, three Gold Gloves, MVP Award, and 7 All Star selections, Munson has strong postseason marks. The two-time World Series champ batted .357 in six postseason series, hitting safely in 27 of his 30 October contests.

Advanced metrics also support his case for the Hall of Fame. Among catchers Munson ranks 14th all-time in WAR. The average WAR/162 for Cooperstown backstops is 4.7 while Munson’s is 5.2. Likewise, his 7-year peak WAR comes in at 37.2, above the 34.7 average for Hall of Fame catchers.

Hall of Fame voters have yet to see his worth. With 75% required for election, Munson stayed on the baseball writers’ ballot for 15 years topping out at 15.5%. His fate now rests in the hands of the Veterans Committee.