Timeline - 1970s

Aug. 8, 1972: The Yankees sign a 30-year lease to play in a remodeled Yankee Stadium to be completed in 1976.

Jan. 3, 1973: A limited partnership, headed by George M. Steinbrenner III as its managing general partner, purchases the Yankees from CBS.

Sept. 30, 1973: Ralph Houk resigns as manager.

Apr. 6, 1974: The Yankees begin the first of two seasons at Shea Stadium, playing the first home game outside Yankee Stadium since 1922 (go 90-69 there in 1974-75).

Dec. 31, 1974: Free agent Catfish Hunter signs a then-record five-year contract.

Aug. 1, 1975: Billy Martin replaces Bill Virdon for his first of five stints as manager.

Apr. 15, 1976: Remodeled Yankee Stadium opens with an 11-4 win over Minnesota Twins. The Twins' Dan Ford hits the first home run.

Oct. 14, 1976: Chris Chambliss' ninth-inning home run off Mark Littell in Game Five of the ALCS vs. Kansas City gives the Yankees their 30th pennant.

Nov. 29, 1976: Free agent Reggie Jackson signs a five-year contract.

Oct. 18, 1977: Reggie Jackson hits three home runs in Game Six of the World Series vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium.

June 16, 1978: Ron Guidry establishes a franchise record by striking out 18 batters in the Yankees' 4-0 win vs. California at Yankee Stadium.

July 24, 1978: Billy Martin resigns as manager.

July 25, 1978: Bob Lemon is named manager, replacing Billy Martin.

July 29, 1978: On Old Timer's Day, the Yankees announce that Billy Martin will return as Yankee manager in 1980 and Bob Lemon will become general manager.

Oct. 2, 1978: The Yankees, 14 games behind Boston at one point, defeat the Red Sox, 5-4, at Fenway Park in only the second playoff game in AL history. Bucky Dent's homer over the Green Monster completed the comeback, clinching the pennant for the Pinstripes.

June 18, 1979: Billy Martin returns as Yankee manager, replacing Bob Lemon.

Aug. 2, 1979: Yankees Captain Thurman Munson dies in a plane crash in Canton, Ohio, at age 32 (his number "15" is immediately retired).