Cleveland Great Lemon Dies at 79

Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Lemon, a seven-time 20-game winner with the Cleveland Indians and manager of the New York Yankees during their 1978 World Series title run, has died at 79.

Lemon, who died Tuesday night in Long Beach, led the American League in victories three times and won two games in the 1948 World Series--the last time the Indians were champions. He finished with a 207-128 record and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976.

Two years later, Lemon, who also managed for Kansas City and the Chicago White Sox, took over the Yankees at midseason when Billy Martin resigned.

New York overcame a 14-game deficit, beat Boston in a one-game playoff at Fenway Park to win the AL East, then overcame Kansas City in the AL playoffs and defeated the Dodgers to win its second consecutive World Series title.

Lemon remained on the Yankees’ payroll as a scout and advisor to New York owner George Steinbrenner until his death.

“It is with tremendous sadness that I was informed today of the passing of Bob Lemon,” Steinbrenner said. “He was an idol of mine when he pitched for the Cleveland Indians and he has been a true friend of mine for many, many years.”

Lemon, a seven-time All-Star, began his playing career as a third baseman with the Indians in 1941. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he became a pitcher, one of the most successful in Indian history.

The right-hander twice won 23 games. In 1948, sometimes pitching on one day’s rest, he went 20-14 with a 2.82 earned-run average and led the AL with 20 complete games and 10 shutouts.