1987 New York Yankees season


The New York Yankees' 1987 season was the 85th season for the Yankees. The team finished in fourth place with a record of 89-73, finishing 9 games behind the Detroit Tigers. New York was managed by Lou Piniella. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.

Offseason

The Yankees hit 10 grand slams, the most by an MLB team in 1987. Six of those were hit by Don Mattingly, who set a record for most grand slam home runs in one season with six. His record was matched by Travis Hafner during the 2006 season. Mattingly's Grand Slams in 1987 were also the only six Grand Slams of his career. In addition, Mattingly had tied Dale Long's major league record by hitting home runs in eight consecutive games, as well as stroking an extra base hit in ten consecutive games. Mattingly had a record 10 home runs during this streak.
In June 1987, it was reported that Mattingly injured his back during some clubhouse horseplay with pitcher Bob Shirley though both denied this. Nevertheless, he finished with a.327 batting average, 30 home runs, and 115 RBIs, his fourth straight year with at least 110 RBIs.
On July 13, 1987, George Steinbrenner told manager Lou Piniella that the acquisition of Steve Trout would win the Yankees the pennant. Trout never won a game for the Yankees, going 0–4 in 14 games.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Notable transactions

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
PosPlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
C11328469.243423
1B141569186.32730115
2B120449137.305767
3B150522122.2343287
SS12134977.221122
LF146529131.2481678
CF10231287.279944
RF156575158.2752797
DH5915944.2771228

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
8224.18201
581.12500

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGIPWLERASO
33187.21364.0363
30181.216103.86107
22117.2583.6796
848424.8828
422.2226.3528

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGIPWLERASO
35154.21173.61100
722103.2710
619.1135.5914

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGWLSVERASO
553374.9536
233215.7346
80103.6516

Awards and records

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Columbus, Fort Lauderdale