New York Yankees History: Billy Martin Dies in Car Crash

Billy Martin had become ingrained in the history of the New York Yankees for the past four decades. The former second baseman, and five time manager, died on Christmas Day in 1989 in a single car accident.

Even before he served as a manager, Billy Martin was a legend in New York Yankees lore. In 1952, he made the World Series saving catch in Game Seven, sprinting across the infield to snare Jackie Robinson‘s popup on the mound. He won four titles in five attempts, posting a career .333/.371/.556 batting line in World Series action.

Even then, he was known for his combative nature and heavy drinking, as well as his intelligence on the field. Those quick thinking ways led him into coaching, where he eventually became a manager. Finally in 1975, Martin returned to his beloved Yankees, managing them over the final 56 games and leading the team to a 30-26 record. New York made the World Series in each of the next two seasons, winning the title again in 1977. However, the good times did not last long, as Martin resigned during the 1978 season, after uttering his infamous line about Reggie Jckson and George Steinbrenner: “They deserve each other. One’s a born liar [Jackson], and the other’s convicted [Steinbrenner].”

This began an ongoing dance between Martin and Steinbrenner. He would manage the team a total of five times, being fired on four other occasions. Despite it all, they could not survive without one another, with Martin always ready to take over as manager and Steinbrenner had him as his ace in the hole. In fact, the Yankees even retired Martin’s number as an incentive to keep him as the manager in waiting.

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Although he had become a punchline, due to his five tenures with the Yankees, Martin was still looking to return again. In fact, with Lou Pinella in a tenuous position as manager, Martin was considered to be a favorite to return to the role, to the point where he had begun putting together a coaching staff.

However, Billy the Sixth would not happen. On this day in 1989, Martin was killed in a single car accident, when his pickup truck slid off the road during an ice storm. It plummeted 300 feet, coming to a rest at Martin’s driveway. He was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver, William Reedy, was charged with driving while intoxicated.

Even in death, the Yankees took care of their own. Martin was buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, in a plot near Babe Ruth. That burial plot was purchased by Steinbrenner himself. a fitting resting spot for another Yankees legend.

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Billy Martin was a proud member of the New York Yankees, someone who lived and breathed the legacy of the team. Up until the day he died, he was still planning on returning to the helm of his beloved franchise.