Centennial Memory #11
9/29/2010 12:00:00 AM | General
Thurman Munson Selected in First Round of MLB Draft
Former KSU catcher Thurman Munson became the first Golden Flash selected in the first round (fourth overall) of the Major League Baseball draft in 1968 by the New York Yankees.
Munson lettered for the Flashes in 1967 and '68. He hit .367 with three home runs, 16 RBI and 23 runs scored in '67 and followed that up with a .413 average, three homers, 30 RBI and 24 runs scored in '68, earning All-America honors.
Munson quickly became a staple of the Yankee line-up. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1970 and Most Valuable Player in 1976. Munson was also selected to the All-Star game six times. He helped guide the Bronx Bombers to three American League pennants and two World Series titles.
Munson was named the eighth captain of the New York Yankees in 1976, which he remained until he tragically passed away in a plane crash in 1979.
For his efforts at Kent State, Munson was named as a catcher on Collegiate Baseball Magazine's all-time collegiate baseball "Dream Team. He was elected into the Varsity "K" Hall of Fame in 1980.
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