Bucky Dent tells TMZ Sports he's still hurting over Thurman Munson's tragic death 40 years ago ... saying, "He was a tremendous teammate and a guy we loved."
Munson -- a New York Yankees captain -- was killed when he crashed his Cessna Citation I/SP jet during flying practice in a baseball off day on Aug. 2, 1979.
Officials said he didn't take the proper steps when trying to land the plane ... and when the aircraft crashed -- Munson suffered a broken neck that led to his death.
Last Friday was the 40-year anniversary of the tragedy .