In his first month in the majors, second baseman Duane Kuiper started for the first time behind a veteran pitcher. "If you make an error behind me today, you'll never play another day in the big league," he said. Do you know what I'm talking about?
He did more than throw a spit ball. Like most great pitchers, he was mean, fearless and hated to lose, he was a big, strong, rough farmer from North Carolina. Even if it meant angering someone, he spoke freely. He played for eight teams, during which time he asked to be traded, threatened to retire, nearly fought with teammate Frank Robinson, and was thrown out of the game in the Pine Tar Game. From his debut with the San Francisco Giants at the age of 22 to his final season with the Kansas City Royals at the age of 44, there was never any doubt about how much he loved the game.
Even if his 1974 memoir is titled "Me and The Spitter", it seems unfair that he is best remembered for throwing a spitball. To some, that made him an overachiever. He was probably underestimated.
The pitcher won 314 games with a 3.11 earned run and 3,534 strikeouts Walter Johnson and Tom Seaver are the only pitchers who can match those numbers. In 1972 and 1978 he won the Cy Young Award for Cleveland and San Diego, respectively, making them the first pitchers to win the award in each league. He and Jim are the only brothers who have ever won a Cy Young. In the 1960's and 70's, GaylordPerry won more games than any other pitcher It took three tries, but he was elected to the Hall of Fame.
Willie Stargell said that he was tough. He was a pleasure to work with. He was upset.
The spitball was a pitch that was learned from teammate Bob Shaw. opponents complained about him loading up The New York Yankees manager pulled the cap off the pitcher. One of his catchers said that he only threw two or three spitters per game when he really needed a big out. The pitcher appeared to touch his cap, his hair, and his jersey. "I wanted the hitters to think that I might throw a spitter," he said. I would have a better chance of getting them out if I messed with them. I really liked getting them out.
He was also very strong. He threw 5,35013 hours, sixth most of all time, and 36 fewer than Nolan Ryan. Over the course of nine years, he threw at least 300 in a season seven times. He averaged over 300 innnings per season for a decade. He had 53 shutouts, tied for 16th with Jim Palmer. The great Bob Gibson was in the top 20 with a 1.181 WHIP.
In the 1960's and 70's there were many great pitchers in the National League. Juan Marichal was one of the top players on the team. Some people didn't appreciate Gaylord. I thought we would win every time he threw the ball.
He finished with a career batting average of.131 with six home runs. The Giants manager was told in 1964 that the pitcher could hit a home run one day. Dark said a man will land on the moon before a home run is hit.
It was five years ago at 1:17 pm. The first men to set foot on the moon were NeilArmstrong and Buzz Aldrin. He hit his first major league home run, a blast off the Dodgers' Claude Osteen, in the third quarter of the game.
In the third year after he was traded to the Giants, he was dealt to Cleveland for ace Sam McDowell, who would go on to win 19 games. It would be 180, by the way. In honor of the 10 years he spent in San Francisco, a statue of him was unveiled at the park.
He used to call games for the Giants and once had someone take a picture of him saluting the statue. The middle finger was the first salute he gave after the veteran pitcher threatened him. There was a salute to a great pitcher.
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