# 1985 New York Yankees season

The 1985 New York Yankees season was the 83rd season for the Yankees. The team only played 161 games, came in second place in the American League East with a record of 97–64, and finished 2 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees did not qualify for the postseason. New York was managed by Yogi Berra and Billy Martin. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.

## Offseason

* November 5, 1984: Matt Keough was released by the Yankees.
* December 4, 1984: Ray Fontenot and Brian Dayett were traded by the Yankees to the Chicago Cubs for Ron Hassey, Porfi Altamirano, Rich Bordi, and Henry Cotto.
* December 5, 1984: Rick Cerone was traded by the Yankees to the Atlanta Braves for Brian Fisher.
* December 5, 1984: Stan Javier, Jay Howell, José Rijo, Eric Plunk, and Tim Birtsas were traded by the Yankees to the Oakland Athletics for Rickey Henderson, Bert Bradley and cash.
* December 20, 1984: Steve Kemp, Tim Foli, and cash were traded by the Yankees to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jay Buhner, Dale Berra and Alfonso Pulido. Berra became the first player since 1925, when Earle Mack played for his father Connie Mack for the Philadelphia Athletics, to play for his father as manager.
* December 27, 1984: Ed Whitson was signed as a free agent by the Yankees.
* February 27, 1985: Toby Harrah was traded by the Yankees to the Texas Rangers for Billy Sample and a player to be named later. The Rangers completed the deal by sending Eric Dersin (minors) to the Yankees on July 14.

## Regular season

* Rickey Henderson set a new club record by stealing 80 bases in one season. The previous mark had stood since 1914.
Henderson also scored 146 runs. It was the most in the Major Leagues since Ted Williams scored 150 runs in 1949. In addition, Rickey Henderson became the first player since Lou Gehrig in 1936 to amass more runs in a season than games played.
* Don Mattingly became the first Yankee since Joe DiMaggio to have back to back 200 hit seasons.
* Mattingly's 48 doubles were the most since Lou Gehrig hit 52 in 1927.
* Mattingly was the AL MVP and RBI leader with 145. Mattingly hit for a .324 average with 35 home runs.
* Dave Winfield became the first Yankee since Yogi Berra to achieve four straight 100 RBI seasons. Berra did it from 1953 to 1956.
* On April 28, the Yankees fired Yogi Berra as manager 16 games into the season, only hours after being swept by the Chicago White Sox in a three-game series at Comiskey Park. Owner George Steinbrenner did not fire Berra personally, but instead dispatched general manager Clyde King to deliver the news. Berra was replaced by Billy Martin, whom he replaced as manager after the 1983 season. It became the fourth of Martin's five stints as Yankee skipper. Berra vowed after the slight to never again set foot in Yankee Stadium as long as Steinbrenner owned the team
* On September 22, while at a hotel bar in Baltimore, Maryland, pitcher Ed Whitson broke manager Billy Martin's arm after a heated argument that spread to other parts of the hotel. Whitson's Yankee tenure was also memorable for constantly being heckled and booed during home games.
* On October 5, the Yankees entered the next-to-last game of the season against the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays trailing them by two games. However, the Jays, led by pitcher Doyle Alexander, triumphed 5-1, clinching their first division title in franchise history.
* On October 6, Phil Niekro shut out the Blue Jays 8-0 for his 300th major league win. He did not throw his trademark knuckleball until the final pitch of the game, striking out Jeff Burroughs.

### Season standings

vteAL East :
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 99 | 62 | .615 | — | 54‍–‍26 | 45‍–‍36 |
| New York Yankees | 97 | 64 | .602 | 2 | 58‍–‍22 | 39‍–‍42 |
| Detroit Tigers | 84 | 77 | .522 | 15 | 44‍–‍37 | 40‍–‍40 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 83 | 78 | .516 | 16 | 45‍–‍36 | 38‍–‍42 |
| Boston Red Sox | 81 | 81 | .500 | 18½ | 43‍–‍37 | 38‍–‍44 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 71 | 90 | .441 | 28 | 40‍–‍40 | 31‍–‍50 |
| Cleveland Indians | 60 | 102 | .370 | 39½ | 38‍–‍43 | 22‍–‍59 |

### Record vs. opponents

1985 American League recordvte Sources: :
| Team | BAL | BOS | CAL | CWS | CLE | DET | KC | MIL | MIN | NYY | OAK | SEA | TEX | TOR |
| Baltimore | — | 5–8 | 7–5 | 8–4 | 8–5 | 6–7 | 6–6 | 9–4 | 6–6 | 1–12 | 7–5 | 6–6 | 10–2 | 4–8 |
| Boston | 8–5 | — | 5–7 | 4–8–1 | 8–5 | 6–7 | 5–7 | 5–8 | 7–5 | 5–8 | 8–4 | 6–6 | 5–7 | 9–4 |
| California | 5–7 | 7–5 | — | 8–5 | 8–4 | 8–4 | 4–9 | 9–3 | 9–4 | 3–9 | 6–7 | 9–4 | 9–4 | 5–7 |
| Chicago | 4–8 | 8–4–1 | 5–8 | — | 10–2 | 6–6 | 5–8 | 5–7 | 6–7 | 6–6 | 8–5 | 9–4 | 10–3 | 3–9 |
| Cleveland | 5–8 | 5–8 | 4–8 | 2–10 | — | 5–8 | 2–10 | 7–6 | 4–8 | 6–7 | 3–9 | 6–6 | 7–5 | 4–9 |
| Detroit | 7–6 | 7–6 | 4–8 | 6–6 | 8–5 | — | 5–7 | 9–4 | 3–9 | 9–3 | 8–4 | 5–7 | 7–5 | 6–7 |
| Kansas City | 6–6 | 7–5 | 9–4 | 8–5 | 10–2 | 7–5 | — | 8–4 | 7–6 | 5–7 | 8–5 | 3–10 | 6–7 | 7–5 |
| Milwaukee | 4–9 | 8–5 | 3–9 | 7–5 | 6–7 | 4–9 | 4–8 | — | 9–3 | 7–6 | 3–9 | 4–8 | 8–3 | 4–9 |
| Minnesota | 6–6 | 5–7 | 4–9 | 7–6 | 8–4 | 9–3 | 6–7 | 3–9 | — | 3–9 | 8–5 | 6–7 | 8–5 | 4–8 |
| New York | 12–1 | 8–5 | 9–3 | 6–6 | 7–6 | 3–9 | 7–5 | 6–7 | 9–3 | — | 7–5 | 9–3 | 8–4 | 6–7 |
| Oakland | 5–7 | 4–8 | 7–6 | 5–8 | 9–3 | 4–8 | 5–8 | 9–3 | 5–8 | 5–7 | — | 8–5 | 6–7 | 5–7 |
| Seattle | 6–6 | 6–6 | 4–9 | 4–9 | 6–6 | 7–5 | 10–3 | 8–4 | 7–6 | 3–9 | 5–8 | — | 6–7 | 2–10 |
| Texas | 2–10 | 7–5 | 4–9 | 3–10 | 5–7 | 5–7 | 7–6 | 3–8 | 5–8 | 4–8 | 7–6 | 7–6 | — | 3–9 |
| Toronto | 8–4 | 4–9 | 7–5 | 9–3 | 9–4 | 7–6 | 5–7 | 9–4 | 8–4 | 7–6 | 7–5 | 10–2 | 9–3 | — |

### Notable transactions

* June 3, 1985: Shane Turner was drafted by the Yankees in the 6th round of the 1985 Major League Baseball Draft.
* August 24, 1985: Jim Leyritz was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent.
* September 13, 1985: Bernie Williams was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent.
* September 15, 1985: Jim Deshaies and players to be named later were traded by the Yankees to the Houston Astros for Joe Niekro, who joined his brother Phil Niekro in the rotation. The Yankees completed the deal by sending Neder Horta (minors) to the Astros on September 24 and Dody Rather (minors) to the Astros on January 11, 1986.

### Roster
## Game log
### Regular season

1985 regular season game log: 97–64 (Home: 58–22; Away: 39–42) :
April: 6–12 (Home: 4–4; Away: 2–8)
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
1April 82:05 p.m. EST@ Red SoxL 2–9Boyd (1–0)Niekro (0–1)–2:3334,2820–1L1
2April 102:05 p.m. EST@ Red SoxL 5–14Hurst (1–0)Whitson (0–1)–2:5619,6150–2L2
3April 112:05 p.m. EST@ Red SoxL 4–6Clemens (1–0)Rasmussen (0–1)Stanley (1)3:0019,0600–3L3
4April 132:05 p.m. EST@ IndiansW 6–3Guidry (1–0)Blyleven (0–1)Righetti (1)2:5961,9781–3W1
5April 141:35 p.m. EST@ IndiansW 2–1Niekro (1–1)Waddell (0–1)Righetti (2)2:4412,0852–3W2
6April 162:00 p.m. ESTWhite SoxW 5–4Righetti (1–0)Spillner (0–1)–3:0853,0193–3W3
7April 181:00 p.m. ESTWhite SoxW 3–2Niekro (1–1)Bannister (0–2)Righetti (3)2:5115,1264–3W4
8April 198:00 p.m. ESTIndiansL 1–2Heaton (1–0)Guidry (1–1)Waddell (2)2:4521,2294–4L1
9April 202:00 p.m. ESTIndiansW 5–2Niekro (2–1)Román (0–2)Righetti (4)2:3720,1885–4W1
10April 212:00 p.m. ESTIndiansL 0–3Von Ohlen (2–1)Whitson (0–2)Waddell (3)2:2434,4435–5L1
11April 238:00 p.m. ESTRed SoxL 4–5 (11)Ojeda (2–0)Righetti (1–1)–3:3425,2075–6L2
12April 248:00 p.m. ESTRed SoxL 6–7Crawford (2–1)Guidry (1–2)Stanley (3)2:4223,2295–7L3
13April 258:00 p.m. ESTRed SoxW 5–1Niekro (3–1)Hurst (1–1)Righetti (5)2:4922.1796–7W1
14April 268:30 p.m. EST@ White SoxL 2–4Seaver (2–0)Whitson (0–3)James (2)3:0519,1746–8L1
15April 271:20 p.m. EST@ White SoxL 4–5 (11)Nelson (1–1)Shirley (0–1)–3:4822,7886–9L2
16April 282:30 p.m. EDT@ White SoxL 3–4Burns (3–1)Cowley (0–1)–2:4027,6376–10L3
17April 298:35 p.m. EDT@ RangersL 5–7Schmidt (1–1)Guidry (1–3)Rozema (1)2:3710,6266–11L4
18April 308:35 p.m. EDT@ RangersL 4–8Noles (2–1)Niekro (3–2)–2:1715,4166–12L5 :
May: 18–8 (Home: 10–0; Away: 8–8)
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
19May 18:35 p.m. EDT@ RangersWWhitson (1–3)Hough (1–1)Righetti (6)2:4915,5287–12W1
20May 38:00 p.m. EDTRoyalsW 7–1Rasmussen (1–1)Jackson (1–1)–2:3620,6038–12W2
21May 42:00 p.m. EDTRoyalsW 5–2Guidry (2–3)Leibrandt (3–1)–2:1422,5329–12W3
22May 52:00 p.m. EDTRoyalsW 6–2Niekro (4–2)Black (2–2)Righetti (7)2:3350,20910–12W4
23May 78:35 p.m. EDT@ TwinsL 6–8Viola (5–2)Whitson (1–4)–2:4921,70410–13L1
24May 88:35 p.m. EDT@ TwinsL 6–8Smithson (4–2)Cowley (0–2)Filson (1)2:5322,83210–14L2
25May 108:35 p.m. EDT@ RoyalsW 6–4Guidry (3–3)Leibrandt (3–2)Righetti (8)2:4834,00011–14W1
26May 114:05 p.m. EDT@ RoyalsW 11–3Rasmussen (2–1)Black (2–3)–2:3538,01112–14W2
27May 122:35 p.m. EDT@ RoyalsL 5–6Quisenberry (3–2)Righetti (1–2)–3:0431,00912–15L1
28May 138:00 p.m. EDTTwinsW 9–8Cowley (1–2)Davis (1–4)–2:5415,13613–15W1
29May 148:00 p.m. EDTTwinsW 10–7Fisher (1–0)Wardle (0–2)Righetti (9)2:4718,31914–15W2
30May 158:00 p.m. EDTRangersW 6–5 (10)Righetti (2–2)Schmidt (1–2)–3:0117,23215–15W3
31May 161:00 p.m. EDTRangersW 6–5Righetti (3–2)Stewart (0–3)–3:1121,01016–15W4
32May 1710:30 p.m. EDT@ AngelsW 6–0Niekro (5–2)Witt (2–4)–2:4061,06617–15W5
33May 183:20 p.m. EDT@ AngelsW 6–1Cowley (2–2)John (2–3)Fisher (1)2:4832,93618–15W6
34May 194:00 p.m. EDT@ AngelsL 1–4Slaton (4–2)Whitson (1–5)Moore (9)2:2939,72418–16L1
35May 2110:35 p.m. EDT@ MarinersW 11–1Guidry (4–3)Langston (5–4)–2:5816,05419–16W1
36May 2210:35 p.m. EDT@ MarinersL 1–4Young (3–5)Rasmussen (2–2)–2:1513,36319–17L1
37May 2310:35 p.m. EDT@ MarinersL 4–6Beattie (2–4)Niekro (5–3)Best (1)2:2815,79019–18L2
38May 2410:35 p.m. EDT@ AthleticsW 10–3Cowley (3–2)Codiroli (5–2)–3:0522,91920–18W1
39May 254:05 p.m. EDT@ AthleticsL 7–8Howell (2–2)Righetti (3–3)–2:5230,27320–19L1
40May 264:05 p.m. EDT@ AthleticsW 13–1Guidry (5–3)Krueger (4–4)–2:4036,96621–19W1
41May 279:15 p.m. EDT@ AthleticsL 1–2 (10)Howell (3–2)Righetti (3–4)–2:4131,29421–20L1
42May 298:00 p.m. EDTAngelsW 7–2Niekro (6–3)Slaton (4–3)–2:3025,04922–20W1
43May 308:00 p.m. EDTAngelsW 3–1Cowley (4–2)Romanick (6–2)Righetti (10)2:0917,22623–20W2
44May 318:00 p.m. EDTMarinersW 8–3Fisher (2–0)Langston (5–5)–2:4920,30924–20W3 :
June: 13–14 (Home: 8–8; Away: 5–6)
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
45June 18:00 p.m. EDTMarinersW 8–2Guidry (6–3)Young (4–6)–2:3025,10925–20W4
46June 22:00 p.m. EDTMarinersL 6–7Núñez (3–0)Rasmussen (2–3)Best (3)3:2050,15025–21L1
47June 38:00 p.m. EDTAthleticsW 5–2Niekro (7–3)Codiroli (6–3)–2:4315,22826–21W1
48June 48:00 p.m. EDTAthleticsL 0–2Birtsas (2–1)Cowley (4–3)Howell (12)2:5520,24226–22L1
—June 5AthleticsPostponed (Rain) (Makeup date: September 7)
49June 68:35 p.m. EDT@ BrewersL 1–5Darwin (5–4)Whitson (1–6)–2:1415,45226–23L2
50June 78:35 p.m. EDT@ BrewersL 9–10 (10)Searage (1–3)Righetti (3–5)–3:4224,46326–24L3
51June 82:35 p.m. EDT@ BrewersW 2–1 (13)Righetti (4–5)Gibson (5–3)Bordi (1)4:1840,91327–24W1
52June 92:35 p.m. EDT@ BrewersL 4–9Vuckovich (2–3)Niekro (7–4)Ladd (1)2:5944,62127–25L1
53June 108:20 p.m. EDTBlue JaysW 4–2Shirley (1–1)Alexander (7–3)Righetti (11)2:3320,32928–25W1
54June 118:00 p.m. EDTBlue JaysL 1–4 (11)Lamp (5–0)Fisher (2–1)–3:3722,62028–26L1
55June 128:00 p.m. EDTBlue JaysL 2–3 (10)Acker (3–0)Bordi (1–1)–3:1825,12928–27L2
56June 148:00 p.m. EDTTigersL 0–4Terrell (7–2)Rasmussen (2–4)Hernández (12)2:3735,22428–28L3
57June 154:05 p.m. EDTTigersL 8–10Morris (8–5)Niekro (7–5)Hernández (13)3:0555,62328–29L4
58June 162:00 p.m. EDTTigersW 2–1Shirley (2–1)O'Neal (1–1)–2:1436,03629–29W1
59June 177:35 p.m. EDT@ OriolesW 10–0Guidry (7–3)McGregor (5–6)–3:0734,84430–29W2
60June 187:35 p.m. EDT@ OriolesW 6–4Cowley (5–3)Davis (4–3)Fisher (2)3:1733,79431–29W3
61June 197:35 p.m. EDT@ OriolesW 10–0Whitson (2–6)Martínez (5–4)–2:4937,47032–29W4
62June 207:35 p.m. EDT@ TigersL 9–10 (10)Bair (2–0)Righetti (4–6)–3:4936,56532–30L1
63June 217:35 p.m. EDT@ TigersL 4–6O'Neal (2–1)Niekro (7–6)Hernández (14)2:3647,49932–31L2
64June 224:05 p.m. EDT@ TigersW 4–0Guidry (8–3)Petry (9–5)–2:2741,77433–31W1
65June 231:30 p.m. EDT@ TigersL 1–3Tanana (3–7)Shirley (2–2)Hernández (15)2:2640,92933–32L1
66June 248:20 p.m. EDTOriolesW 5–4Cowley (6–3)Martínez (5–5)Fisher (3)2:5625,20134–32W1
67June 258:00 p.m. EDTOriolesW 7–4Whitson (3–6)Boddicker (7–7)Righetti (12)2:3930,65035–32W2
68June 268:00 p.m. EDTOriolesW 4–3Righetti (5–6)Aase (4–3)–3:0930,92936–32W3
69June 288:00 p.m. EDTBrewersW 5–2Guidry (9–3)Darwin (6–7)Righetti (13)2:5821,64937–32W4
70June 298:00 p.m. EDTBrewersL 0–6Haas (6–3)Niekro (7–7)–2:1325,36937–33L1
71June 302:00 p.m. EDTBrewersL 5–7McClure (2–0)Fisher (2–2)Fingers (9)2:5151,45937–34L2 :
July: 18–10 (Home: 10–1; Away: 8–9)
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
72July 11:35 p.m. EDT@ Blue JaysW 4–1Cowley (7–3)Alexander (7–5)Righetti (14)2:3241,47638–34W1
73July 27:35 p.m. EDT@ Blue JaysW 5–3Whitson (4–6)Key (6–3)–2:3235,20239–34W2
74July 312:35 p.m. EDT@ Blue JaysL 2–3 (10)Acker (5–2)Bordi (1–2)–3:2340,37639–35L1
75July 47:00 p.m. EDTTwinsW 3–2Guidry (10–3)Butcher (5–6)–2:1635,11040–35W1
76July 58:00 p.m. EDTTwinsW 6–3Rasmussen (3–4)Schrom (7–7)Fisher (4)2:5826,04641–35W2
—July 6TwinsPostponed (Rain) (Makeup date: July 7)
77 (1)July 71:00 p.m. EDTTwinsW 3–2 (11)Righetti (6–6)Wardle (1–3)–3:21–42–35W3
78 (2)July 74:56 p.m. EDTTwinsW 14–2Bordi (2–2)Lysander (0–2)–2:3531,54943–35W4
80July 88:10 p.m. EDTRoyalsL 2–5Saberhagen (9–4)Niekro (7–8)–2:1617,19343–36L1
81July 98:00 p.m. EDTRoyalsW 6–4Guidry (11–3)Black (5–10)Righetti (15)3:1124,52844–36W1
82July 101:00 p.m. EDTRoyalsW 6–5Righetti (7–6)Quisenberry (4–5)–2:5335,27445–36W2
83July 118:00 p.m. EDTRangersW 11–7Shirley (3–2)Cook (2–1)–3:0221,86346–36W3
84July 128:00 p.m. EDTRangersW 6–0Whitson (5–6)Sebra (0–2)–2:0221,83247–36W4
85July 132:00 p.m. EDTRangersW 3–1Niekro (8–8)Mason (5–9)Righetti (16)2:1645,27448–36W5
86July 142:00 p.m. EDTRangersW 7–1Guidry (12–3)Hooton (4–4)–2:1928,16849–36W6
56th All-Star Game in Minneapolis, MN
86July 181:15 p.m. EDT@ TwinsL 4–8Eufemia (3–0)Bordi (2–3)–3:0243,08149–37L1
87July 198:35 p.m. EDT@ TwinsW 6–4Cowley (8–3)Butcher (6–9)Righetti (17)3:0137,68750–37W1
88July 208:35 p.m. EDT@ TwinsW 8–3Guidry (13–3)Schrom (8–9)–2:3837,91951–37W2
89July 212:15 p.m. EDT@ TwinsW 5–2Niekro (9–8)Viola (10–8)–2:4630,03752–37W3
90July 228:10 p.m. EDT@ RoyalsL 4–5Jones (2–2)Rasmussen (3–5)Quisenberry (19)2:5640,93852–38L1
91July 238:35 p.m. EDT@ RoyalsL 2–5Saberhagen (11–5)Whitson (5–7)Quisenberry (20)2:4032,45052–39L2
92July 248:35 p.m. EDT@ RoyalsL 3–5Leibrandt (10–5)Cowley (8–4)Quisenberry (21)2:4531,58052–40L3
93July 268:35 p.m. EDT@ RangersL 8–9Noles (4–6)Righetti (7–7)Schmidt (3)2:5530,06952–41L4
94July 278:35 p.m. EDT@ RangersW 14–2Niekro (10–8)Cook (2–2)–2:5040,08453–41W1
95July 287:05 p.m. EDT@ RangersL 2–8Welsh (2–2)Bystrom (0–1)–2:4522,52353–42L1
96July 297:35 p.m. EDT@ IndiansW 8–2Whitson (6–7)Blyleven (9–11)Righetti (18)2:4215,04254–42W1
97 (1)July 305:05 p.m. EDT@ IndiansW 8–5Cowley (9–4)Thompson (3–4)–3:30–55–42W2
98 (2)July 309:10 p.m. EDT@ IndiansL 2–3Romero (1–1)Shirley (3–3)Thompson (2)2:3718,27155–43L1
99July 317:35 p.m. EDT@ IndiansL 5–6Waddell (5–5)Guidry (13–4)Thompson (3)3:007,59355–44L2 :
August: 20–8 (Home: 10–3; Away: 10–5)
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
100August 17:35 p.m. EDT@ IndiansL 1–9Smith (1–0)Niekro (10–9)–2:398,29455–45L3
101August 28:20 p.m. EDTWhite SoxL 5–6 (11)Agosto (3–2)Bordi (2–4)–4:0727,11855–46L4
102August 31:20 p.m. EDTWhite SoxW 8–4Whitson (7–7)Long (0–1)Righetti (19)2:4637,72656–46W1
103August 42:00 p.m. EDTWhite SoxL 1–4Seaver (12–8)Cowley (9–5)–3:2054,03256–47L1
104August 58:00 p.m. EDTWhite SoxW 7–3Guidry (14–4)Bannister (5–9)–2:3628,32057–47W1
—August 6IndiansPostponed (Strike) (Makeup date: August 8)
—August 7IndiansPostponed (Strike) (Makeup date: September 16)
105 (1)August 85:30 p.m. EDTIndiansW 8–1Bystrom (1–1)Wardle (2–4)–3:03–58–47W2
106 (2)August 89:08 p.m. EDTIndiansW 7–6Fisher (3–3)Reed (0–4)Righetti (20)3:0925,69259–47W3
107August 97:35 p.m. EDT@ Red SoxW 10–6Bordi (3–4)Hurst (7–9)–3:1833,73960–47W4
108August 102:05 p.m. EDT@ Red SoxW 7–3Cowley (10–5)Boyd (11–10)Righetti (21)3:1533,30961–47W5
109August 112:05 p.m. EDT@ Red SoxW 5–3Guidry (15–4)Clemens (7–5)Fisher (5)3:1733,68562–47W6
110August 128:30 p.m. EDT@ White SoxW 10–4Niekro (11–9)Nelson (7–7)–2:5728,80163–47W7
111August 138:30 p.m. EDT@ White SoxL 3–4Burns (12–7)Fisher (3–3)James (20)2:5518,29463–48L1
112August 148:30 p.m. EDT@ White SoxW 10–7Fisher (4–3)James (4–5)Righetti (22)3:3821,18464–48W1
113August 168:00 p.m. EDTRed SoxW 5–4 (10)Righetti (8–7)Crawford (5–3)–3:3542,78765–48W2
114August 172:20 p.m. EDTRed SoxW 3–1Guidry (16–4)Nipper (7–9)Fisher (6)2:5740,17966–48W3
115August 182:00 p.m. EDTRed SoxW 4–2Righetti (9–7)Lollar (5–7)Fisher (7)2:5444,17067–48W4
116August 191:00 p.m. EDTRed SoxW 6–5Bystrom (2–1)Clear (1–3)Bordi (2)2:4538,16468–48W5
117August 2010:30 p.m. EDT@ AngelsW 8–5Bordi (4–4)Slaton (5–10)Righetti (23)3:0438,79169–48W6
118August 2110:30 p.m. EDT@ AngelsW 13–10 (10)Righetti (10–7)Moore (7–7)–4:0140,36370–48W7
119August 2210:30 p.m. EDT@ AngelsL 2–3Witt (11–7)Bordi (4–5)–3:2344,79670–49L1
120August 2310:35 p.m. EDT@ MarinersW 3–1Niekro (12–9)Swift (4–7)Allen (1)2:4018,82171–49W1
121August 2410:05 p.m. EDT@ MarinersW 4–3Bystrom (3–1)Langston (7–10)Fisher (8)2:5121,48972–49W2
122August 254:35 p.m. EDT@ MarinersW 8–5Whitson (8–7)Moore (11–8)Fisher (9)3:0328,67873–49W3
123August 2610:35 p.m. EDT@ AthleticsL 2–3 (15)Langford (2–5)Shirley (3–4)–4:4442,11873–50L1
124August 2710:35 p.m. EDT@ AthleticsL 0–3John (4–5)Guidry (16–5)Ontiveros (7)2:0724,55573–51L2
125August 298:00 p.m. EDTAngelsW 4–0Niekro (13–9)McCaskill (9–9)–2:4332,16974–51W1
126August 308:00 p.m. EDTAngelsL 1–4Candelaria (3–1)Bystrom (3–2)Moore (24)3:0922,25674–52L1
127August 311:20 p.m. EDTAngelsW 10–4Righetti (11–7)Corbett (2–2)–3:0426,99175–52W1 :
September: 18–10 (Home: 14–5; Away: 4–5)
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
128September 12:00 p.m. EDTAngelsW 5–3Shirley (4–4)Holland (0–1)Fisher (10)3:0633,08076–52W2
129September 21:00 p.m. EDTMarinersW 8–7Guidry (17–5)Wills (4–7)Righetti (24)3:2726,42777–52W3
130September 38:00 p.m. EDTMarinersW 6–3Niekro (14–9)Swift (4–9)Righetti (25)2:5617,25578–52W4
131September 48:00 p.m. EDTMarinersW 4–3Bordi (5–5)Langston (7–12)Shirley (1)2:5121,60579–52W5
132September 58:00 p.m. EDTAthleticsW 7–3Whitson (9–7)Atherton (4–7)–2:5620,95480–52W6
133September 68:00 p.m. EDTAthleticsW 8–4Shirley (5–4)Codiroli (10–12)–3:0022,51981–52W7
134September 78:00 p.m. EDTAthleticsW 3–2Guidry (18–5)John (4–7)Fisher (11)2:3725,53982–52W8
135September 82:00 p.m. EDTAthleticsW 9–6Niekro (15–9)Rijo (3–2)–3:2126,80983–52W9
136September 98:35 p.m. EDT@ BrewersW 9–4 (10)Righetti (12–7)Searage (1–4)–3:447,17684–52W10
137September 108:35 p.m. EDT@ BrewersW 13–10Whitson (10–7)Burris (9–12)Shirley (2)3:107,97185–52W11
138September 118:35 p.m. EDT@ BrewersL 3–4Higuera (13–6)Bordi (5–6)–2:568,54085–53L1
139September 128:00 p.m. EDTBlue JaysW 7–5Guidry (19–5)Lavelle (4–7)Fisher (12)2:5452,14186–53W1
140September 138:00 p.m. EDTBlue JaysL 2–3Lavelle (5–7)Niekro (15–10)Henke (12)3:1353,30386–54L1
141September 148:00 p.m. EDTBlue JaysL 4–7Key (13–6)Bordi (5–7)–2:5154,36786–55L2
142September 152:00 p.m. EDTBlue JaysL 5–8Alexander (16–8)Whitson (10–8)–3:1354,69986–56L3
143September 161:00 p.m. EDTIndiansL 5–9Reed (1–5)Fisher (4–4)–3:2415,32086–57L4
144September 177:35 p.m. EDT@ TigersL 1–9Petry (15–11)Guidry (19–6)–2:2120,21386–58L5
145September 187:35 p.m. EDT@ TigersL 2–5Mahler (1–2)Niekro (15–11)Hernández (29)2:3220,31886–59L6
146September 197:35 p.m. EDT@ TigersL 3–10Tanana (9–14)Niekro (0–1)–2:4419,58886–60L7
147September 208:05 p.m. EDT@ OriolesL 2–4Flanagan (4–4)Bordi (5–8)Aase (13)2:5933,95786–61L8
148September 211:20 p.m. EDT@ OriolesW 5–2Cowley (11–5)Davis (10–8)Fisher (13)3:1733,87387–61W1
149September 222:05 p.m. EDT@ OriolesW 5–4Guidry (20–6)Dixon (8–4)Righetti (26)2:4633,04588–61W2
150September 248:00 p.m. EDTTigersL 1–9Tanana (10–14)Niekro (15–12)–2:2216,70288–62L1
151September 258:00 p.m. EDTTigersW 10–2Niekro (1–1)Morris (15–11)–2:4717,01089–62W1
—September 26TigersCancelled (Rain)
—September 27OriolesPostponed (Rain) (Makeup date: September 29)
152September 282:00 p.m. EDTOriolesW 4–0Guidry (21–6)Stewart (5–6)–2:5830,48690–62W1
153 (1)September 291:00 p.m. EDTOriolesW 4–0Cowley (12–5)McGregor (13–14)Righetti (27)2:33–91–62W3
154 (2)September 294:08 p.m. EDTOriolesW 9–2Bordi (6–8)Havens (0–1)Scurry (1)2:3730,29192–62W3
155September 308:00 p.m. EDTOriolesW 5–4Allen (1–0)Aase (9–6)–3:1615,04193–62W4 :
October: 4–2 (Home: 2–1; Away: 2–1)
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
156October 18:00 p.m. EDTBrewersW 6–1Niekro (2–1)Cocanower (5–8)Righetti (28)2:3015,10194–62W5
157October 28:00 p.m. EDTBrewersL 0–1Higuera (15–8)Shirley (5–5)–2:1011,87994–63L1
158October 38:00 p.m. EDTBrewersW 3–0Guidry (22–6)Leary (1–4)Fisher (14)2:3215,22695–63W1
159October 47:35 p.m. EDT@ Blue JaysW 4–3Scurry (1–0)Henke (3–3)Righetti (29)2:5547,68696–63W2
160October 51:35 p.m. EDT@ Blue JaysL 1–5Alexander (17–10)Cowley (12–6)–2:3844,60896–64L1
161October 61:35 p.m. EDT@ Blue JaysW 8–0Niekro (16–12)Cerutti (0–2)–2:2544,42297–64W1 :
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Postponement Bold = Yankees team member :

## Player stats
### Batting
#### Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
| C | Butch Wynegar | 102 | 309 | 69 | .223 | 5 | 32 |
| 1B | Don Mattingly | 159 | 652 | 211 | .324 | 35 | 145 |
| 2B | Willie Randolph | 143 | 597 | 137 | .276 | 5 | 40 |
| 3B | Mike Pagliarulo | 138 | 380 | 91 | .239 | 19 | 62 |
| SS | Bobby Meacham | 156 | 481 | 105 | .218 | 1 | 47 |
| LF | Ken Griffey, Sr. | 127 | 438 | 120 | .274 | 10 | 69 |
| CF | Rickey Henderson | 143 | 547 | 172 | .314 | 24 | 72 |
| RF | Dave Winfield | 155 | 633 | 174 | .275 | 26 | 114 |
| DH | Don Baylor | 142 | 477 | 110 | .231 | 23 | 91 |

#### Other batters

Note: G = Games pitched; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
| Ron Hassey | 92 | 267 | 79 | .296 | 13 | 42 |
| Dan Pasqua | 60 | 148 | 31 | .209 | 9 | 25 |
| Billy Sample | 59 | 139 | 40 | .288 | 1 | 15 |
| Andre Robertson | 50 | 125 | 41 | .328 | 2 | 17 |
| Dale Berra | 48 | 109 | 25 | .229 | 1 | 8 |
| Omar Moreno | 34 | 66 | 13 | .197 | 1 | 4 |
| Henry Cotto | 34 | 56 | 17 | .304 | 1 | 6 |
| Rex Hudler | 20 | 51 | 8 | .157 | 0 | 1 |
| Scott Bradley | 19 | 49 | 8 | .163 | 0 | 1 |
| Juan Bonilla | 8 | 16 | 2 | .125 | 0 | 2 |
| Juan Espino | 9 | 11 | 4 | .364 | 0 | 0 |
| Victor Mata | 6 | 7 | 1 | .143 | 0 | 0 |
| Keith Smith | 4 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 0 | 0 |

### Pitching
#### Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
| Ron Guidry | 34 | 259.0 | 22 | 6 | 3.27 | 143 |
| Phil Niekro | 33 | 220.0 | 16 | 12 | 4.09 | 149 |
| Joe Cowley | 30 | 159.2 | 12 | 6 | 3.95 | 97 |
| Ed Whitson | 30 | 158.2 | 10 | 8 | 4.88 | 89 |
| Marty Bystrom | 8 | 41.0 | 3 | 2 | 5.71 | 16 |
| Joe Niekro | 3 | 12.1 | 2 | 1 | 5.84 | 4 |

#### Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
| Bob Shirley | 48 | 109.0 | 5 | 5 | 2.64 | 55 |
| Dennis Rasmussen | 22 | 101.2 | 3 | 5 | 3.98 | 63 |
| John Montefusco | 3 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 | 10.29 | 2 |

#### Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
| Dave Righetti | 74 | 12 | 7 | 29 | 2.78 | 92 |
| Brian Fisher | 55 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 2.38 | 85 |
| Rich Bordi | 51 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 3.21 | 64 |
| Neil Allen | 17 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2.76 | 16 |
| Mike Armstrong | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.07 | 11 |
| Don Cooper | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.40 | 4 |
| Rod Scurry | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2.84 | 17 |
| Dale Murray | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13.50 | 0 |

## Awards and honors

* Don Baylor – Roberto Clemente Award
* Ron Guidry – Gold Glove
* Rickey Henderson – American League Leader Stolen Bases (80)
* Rickey Henderson – Major League Baseball Leader Runs Scored (146)
* Rickey Henderson – Silver Slugger Award
* Don Mattingly – American League Most Valuable Player
* Don Mattingly – American League Leader RBI (145)
* Don Mattingly – Gold Glove
* Don Mattingly – Silver Slugger Award
* Dave Winfield – Silver Slugger Award
* Dave Winfield – Gold Glove
All-Star Game
* Don Mattingly, first base
* Dave Winfield, outfield
* Rickey Henderson, outfield

## Farm system

| Level | Team | League | Manager |
| AAA | Columbus Clippers | International League | Doug Holmquist and Stump Merrill |
| AA | Albany-Colonie Yankees | Eastern League | Barry Foote |
| A | Fort Lauderdale Yankees | Florida State League | Bucky Dent |
| A-Short Season | Oneonta Yankees | New York–Penn League | Buck Showalter |
| Rookie | GCL Yankees | Gulf Coast League | Carlos Tosca |
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Oneonta, GCL Yankees