April 8, 1978 marked an inauspicious beginning to New York’s title defense. Newly signed free agent Rich “Goose” Gossage coughed up a walk-off home run to the first batter he faced as a Yankee, wasting a fine start from Ron Guidry. Thus began a season-long roller coaster ride that would culminate in the storied franchise’s 22nd World Series championship. That 1978 campaign has long been remembered as one of the most thrilling in Yankees history.
The previous October, New York had finally broken its 14-year championship drought by defeating the Dodgers four games to two in the Fall Classic.