Hits and Runs XIV (Pitcher’s Edition)

Jul 14, 2024

“All pitchers are liars or crybabies.” ~ Yogi Berra, Hall of Fame catcher.

It's that time again. If you’re a long-time subscriber, you are familiar with this themed post; if you’re a newer subscriber (welcome) or reader, I occasionally write these to clear out notes that I don’t feel can be a complete article. Today, I’m trying a slightly different content, it’s the “Pitcher Edition”. I hope you enjoy it.

Happy 77^th birthday to former Cy Young Award-winning pitcher and White Sox Colour Analyst Steve Stone.

(Found on Facebook. Assuming Public Domain.)

“Pitching is the art of instilling fear.” ~ Sandy Koufax

Sandy Koufax started 42 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1963 and the Dodgers won 36 of them. Unbelievable.

“Oh, no! This is my lucky shirt. I’ve had it since I was in New Orleans, and I ain’t washed it. ~ Dazzy Vance. When opposing players wanted him to change his long sleeve undershirt. They accused him of cutting the shirt so strips would flap up when he pitched the ball, distracting the hitter.

Gaylord Perry’s 5-year-old daughter Allison was asked by a reporter while he was interviewing the family during a game, ‘Does your daddy throw a spit ball?’ Allison replied, “It’s a hard slider.” CLASSIC.

The New York Yankees acquired pitcher Phil Bickford. The Yankees have a strict appearance policy regarding hair length and facial hair. This has been in effect since the 1976 season. The Yankees had Bickford shave and get his hair cut and then Designated for Assignment him after five games. Bickford elected to become a free agent and after clearing waivers he did re-sign a minor league contract with the Yankees the next day.

“I would change policy, bring back natural grass and nickel beer. Baseball is the bellybutton of our society. Straighten out baseball and you straighten out the rest of the world.” ~ “Spaceman” Bill Lee from the Los Angeles Times on February 3, 1977.

Denton “Cy” Young started 815 games in his career and pitched an astonishing Complete Game in 749 of those games. Perhaps today’s pitchers should be told that stat.

“I had a good look at the first pitch I ever saw from (Don) Drysdale. If I had not ducked, it would have hit me right between the eyes.” ~ Richie Ashburn

Greg Maddux threw 109 complete games in his career. He threw under 100 pitches in 26 of those games.

“The key to pitching is to have the ability to throw a strike when they’re taking and throw a ball when the hitter is swinging.” ~ Greg Maddux

Charles “Old Hoss” Radbourn threw 678 innings during the 1883 season. 73 complete games, winning 59 of those games. (It may have been 60 victories, stats varied in those days.) He also is credited as being the first player to be photographed flipping the bird in a team picture in the 1886 season. Check out a full post on Old Hoss, CLICK HERE.

“If we lose today, it will be over my dead body. They’ll have to leave me face down on the mound.” ~ Luis Tiant

Chris Bassitt, a starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays after striking out A’s left fielder Miguel Andujar in the 8^th inning at the Oakland Coliseum on June 7, 2024, picked up some dirt from the pitching mound and put it in his pocket. When asked about it he said, “I don’t know if I’ll ever see this place again.” The Oakland Athletics have been cleared to move to Las Vegas. Bassitt understands the game and significant events within it.

Bob Gibson started nine World Series games and completed eight of them.

“Have you ever thrown a ball 100 miles an hour? Everything hurts. Even your ass hurts.” ~ Bob Gibson

In his career, Randy Johnson faced the Chicago Cubs 15 times. He went 13-0 against them with 143 strike outs in 103.2 innings and an ERA of 1.91.

“Pitching is about dominating your opponent, mentally and physically.” ~ Randy Johnson

The Philadelphia Phillies had a 59-97 record in 1972. Steve Carlton had 27 of those victories.

“Everything I was, physically and mentally, that’s what I put on that field.” ~ Steve “Lefty” Carlton

David Well was a huge fan of Babe Ruth. He bought a babe Ruth Yankees cap for $35,000 and then wore it in a game. He was forced to take it off as it didn’t “match” the rest of the player’s uniform. He was also fined $2,500 which he paid in one-dollar bills.

“I started having a crazy idea in the fourth inning that Richard Nixon was the home plate umpire, and once I thought I was pitching a baseball to Jimi Hendrix, to me was holding a guitar and swinging it over the plate.” ~ Dock Ellis, after throwing a No Hitter while on LSD.

Walter Johnson was a dominant Hall of Fame pitcher. But he could also hit. In 1925, his batting average was .433, still a record for pitchers. He also had a career 24 home runs.

“I think back to playing the accordion, there was no reason to believe I would be a baseball player.” ~ John Smoltz

On July 5, 1985, at approximately 3am, the Atlanta Braves who were out of position players in the 18th inning sent a relief pitcher, Rick Camp to bat. He was a .60 hitter. Camp with an 0-2 count hit a solo home run to re-tie the game at 11 apiece. Unfortunately, the N.Y. Mets wound up winning the game 16-13 in 19 innings.

“Ain’t no man can avoid being born average, but there ain’t no man got to be common.” Satchel Paige

Ed Walsh, a Hall of Fame pitcher would lick the baseball to throw his spitball. Connie Mack, the manager of the Philadelphia Athletics once had the ball boy cover their game ball with horse manure. Walsh, after licking the ball vomited all over the mound.

“I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain’t never been seen by this generation.” ~ Satchel Paige

August 24, 1919, Ray Caldwell, a journeyman pitcher was hurling his first game for the Cleveland Indians against the Philadelphia Athletics. Caldwell had two outs in the 9^th when lightning flashed off Lake Erie into Cleveland’s League Park, hitting Ray. He went down and was unconscious for about five minutes. His teammates weren’t sure if he was even alive. Caldwell suddenly comes to and insists on getting the last out. He gets Jumping Joe Dugan to ground out and wins the game. Odds of being hit by lighting on the pitcher’s mound are estimated at 1-in-15,300.

“I ain’t never had a job, I just always played baseball.” ~ Satchel Paige

This past Wednesday, the 10^th of July, Michael Kopech of the Chicago White Sox threw an “Immaculate Inning” to get the save in a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Twins. He came in and threw 9 pitches to strike out the side. The last time a White Sox pitcher did this was on August 22, 1923, by Sloppy Thurston (save that one for trivia night).

“I had two pitches. Fast and faster. At my best I could throw it through a car wash and never get it wet.” ~ J.R. Richard

If you are new to “Comments” feel free to browse the Archives for past articles. If you enjoyed this one, please click on the previous posts of this theme, “Hits and Runs”, “Hits and Runs II”, “Hits and Runs III”, “Hits and Runs IV” “Hits and Runs V”. “Hits and Runs VI”, “Hits and Runs VII”, “Hits and Runs VIII”, “Hits and Runs IX”, “Hits and Runs X”, “Hits and Runs XI”, “Hits and Runs XII” and “Hits and Runs XII”.

Thanks for your support,

~ Coach Mike

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