That is a wonderful series. I was a little kid in 1977 but I remember the feel of the year and that series brings back the feel of that time better than any modern thing that I've ever seen.
Billy had lots of issues, but the man was a brilliant manager. One of the smartest people to ever manage the game of baseball. It makes me sad how he died. I still remember hearing the news and my grandfather heard it at the same time while visiting during Christmas. He loved Billy. We'll never know, but we can only guess how better Billy might have been as a manager or a person if he stopped drinking. I truly believe that had he gotten help he would have been a happier person and an even better manager.
No one remembers George Weiss' name worth a drop of nasty sweat. But millions of fans will always remember the name of Billy ''Ball'' Martin forever. Fans in NY, Twin Cities, Texas, Oakland, & Detroit will always remember Billy's winning ways. I'm not much of a C&W fan, but I love that song, ''The Turnaround Gang''. I always respected Billy for his ''hustle'' and clutch WS plays. I remember that many kids on the NYC playgrounds wanted to be Billy Martin. I faithfully watched the 1977 NYY and the ensuing WS. I wasn't surprised that the Yanks beat the Dodgers. It was nothing new. In 1980, I was in San Jose ,Calif. I enjoyed watching ''Billy Ball '' from Oakland .
Martin was a baseball managerial genius but he had his demons. I knew who he was when I was 11. After watching this documentary it certainly makes you think.
Billy's a cautionary tale, for sure. But when he was good, he was great. Everywhere he went, he won. I would say that whichever team he was getting ready to manage was instantly better the moment he walked into the clubhouse.
I always criticized pro baseball as being ''boreball'. One night in 1977 , I put the TV on & saw the NYYs on the attack. ''THIS AIN'T BOREBALL''!!!! I faithfully watched the explosive NYYs every night for the rest of the season.
Billy was my manager for one MLB Spring exhibition game in Phoenix, 1982. He and Art Fowler said nothing to me or anybody. Both nodded off, hung over after a night at the Pink Pony. True story.
He should be in the HOF. More Yankee bias. Joe D, Yogi, Whitey, Scooter ALL were not elected on the first ballot!! How do you retire Jackie’s number and not the Babes?!! A plethora of Yankee bias!!!!
Took decades to even ponder this. But had Martin lived to manage the Yankees in the early 90s they never would’ve had their run from 1994-04. Joe Torre would’ve most likely stayed in the NL, the core four wouldn’t have been drafted, ect, ect.
That’s not really clear. Steinbrenner still would have been suspended so they still would have drafted and kept the young stars (I don’t like the term “core four” as it leaves out Bernie who was much more integral to their dynasty than Posada). The difference is that it is probably Billy that follows Bucky Dent in 1990-91 instead of Stump Merrill. Knowing Billy there’s a good chance he is out after ‘91, win or lose, and so Buck Showalter probably still takes over in ‘92. The real question becomes whether George goes back to Billy a 7th time after Buck runs his course, or goes for a total outsider like he did with Torre.
