Thurman Munson came of age just when the New York Yankees needed him. For more than five years the Yanks had resided out of pennant range in the standings, with many thinking the franchise was through being a baseball powerhouse. Then, 1970 brought a tough, hard-nosed catcher, a throwback to an earlier time: Thurman Munson. The rookie hit a resounding .302 his first summer, winning both the AL Rookie of the Year Award and giving the Yankees fans hope. Munson would go on to become the team’s first captain since Lou Gehrig and lead the Yankees to three consecutive American League pennants and two consecutive World Championships. Only his premature death in a plane crash in 1979 precluded Munson from finishing what should have been a Hall of Fame career.

Although the Yankees catcher is remembered for his toughness and sometimes prickly personality, this rookie season letter gives us an insight to another side of the Yankees great. The letter is handwritten on a sheet of vintage New York Yankees stationery. Penned in black felt tip pen, The Yankees rookie expresses his thanks for being invited to American Airlines “Astro-Jet” tournament. Munson stresses his appreciation at being able to meet “all the great athletes who I have witnessed on T.V. many times.” The catcher ends the letter with “Sincerely, Thurman Munson New York Yankees.” It is of note that this letter had previously been a part of the New York Yankees Museum’s “Thurman Munson: Remembering a Yankees Hero” exhibit from June 2018 to May 2019. The letter shows overall toning and edge wear as well as the expected folds from mailing. A unique look at the young Thurman Munson before he himself joined “all the great athletes who I have witnessed on T.V. many times.” This letter comes with a LOA from the New York Yankees regarding its display in their museum and a LOA from JSA for Munson’s signature.

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