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Tommy John
Thomas Edward John Jr. (born May 22, 1943), nicknamed "the Bionic Man," is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 26 seasons between 1963 and 1989. He played for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, California Angels, and Oakland Athletics. He was a four-time MLB All-Star and has the second-most wins (288) of any pitcher since 1900 not in the Hall of Fame. Known for his longevity, John was the Opening Day starter six times – three for the White Sox (1966, 1970, and 1971) and three times for the Yankees (1981, 1982, and 1989). At the age of 18, in 1961, John was signed by the Indians, who were impressed with his curveball. After three seasons in the minor leagues for them, he was called up for the first time in 1963. He pitched two seasons for Cleveland before getting traded to the White Sox, with whom he spent seven seasons. He established himself as a major league starter i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a base on balls, walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the pitcher is assigned the number 1. The pitcher is often considered the most important player on the defensive side of the game, and as such is situated at the right end of the defensive spectrum. There are many different types of pitchers, such as the starting pitcher, relief pitcher, middle reliever, left-handed specialist, lefty specialist, setup man, and the closing pitcher, closer. Traditionally, the pitcher also bats. Starting in 1973 with the American League and spreading to further leagues throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the hitting duties of the pitcher have generally been given over t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada and is considered the premier professional baseball league in the world. Each team plays 162 games per season, with Opening Day traditionally held during the first week of April. Six teams in each league then advance to a four-round Major League Baseball postseason, postseason tournament in October, culminating in the World Series, a best-of-seven championship series between the two league champions first played in 1903. MLB is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan. Formed in 1876 and 1901, respectively, the NL and AL cemented their cooperation with the National Agreement in 1903, making MLB the oldest major professional sports league in the world. They remained le ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is the younger of two sports leagues, leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League (original), Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to Major League Baseball, major league status. It is sometimes called the Junior Circuit because it claimed Major League status for the 1901 season, 25 years after the formation of the National League (baseball), National League (the "Senior Circuit"). Since 1903, the American League champion has played in the World Series against the National League champion with only two exceptions: 1904, when the NL champion New York Giants (baseball), New York Giants refused to play their AL counterpart, and 1994, when a 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike, players' strike resulted in the cancellation of the Series. Through ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball (MLB) and most of the American minor leagues, this day typically falls during the first week of April, although in recent years it has occasionally fallen in the last week of March. Since 2023, Opening Day falls on the last Thursday of March. In Nippon Professional Baseball, this day typically falls during the last week of March. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book titled, ''Why Time Begins on Opening Day''. Pre-season exhibition games are usually played in the month before Opening Day, during spring training. A home opener is a team's first game of the season on their home field. Equivalents to Opening Day occur throughout the sport, including minor leagues, college baseball, high school, and youth leagues. Because MLB generally begins its season earlier than the other professional baseball l ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Minor League Baseball
Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB), constituted of teams affiliated with MLB clubs. It was founded on September 5, 1901, in response to the growing dominance of the National League (baseball), National League and American League, as the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL or NA). Minor League Baseball originated as simply the organization of lower tiers of professional baseball in the United States, comprising clubs that lacked the financial means to compete with the National League and later the American League. The association of minor leagues remained independent throughout the early 20th century, protected by agreements with the major leagues to ensure they were compensated when minor-league players were signed by major-league clubs. Later, Minor League Baseball evolved to be constituted entirely of farm team, affiliates of larger clubs, giving young prospects a chance to develop the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Curveball
In baseball and softball, the curveball is a type of pitch thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball, causing it to dive as it approaches the plate. Varieties of curveball include the 12–6 curveball, power curveball, and the knuckle curve. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to pitcher. The expression "to throw a curveball" essentially translates to introducing a significant deviation to a preceding concept. Grip and action The curveball is typically gripped in a manner similar to holding a cup or glass. The pitcher positions the middle finger along and parallel to one of the ball’s long seams, while the thumb is placed on the seam opposite, forming a "C shape" when viewed from above, with the horseshoe-shaped seam facing inward toward the palm. The index finger is aligned alongside the middle finger, while the remaining two fingers are folded toward the palm, with ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1989 New York Yankees Season
The 1989 New York Yankees season was the 87th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 74–87, finishing in fifth place, 14.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Dallas Green and Bucky Dent. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. Offseason * October 24, 1988: Jack Clark and Pat Clements were traded by the Yankees to the San Diego Padres for Stan Jefferson, Jimmy Jones and Lance McCullers. * November 17, 1988: Don Schulze was signed as a free agent by the Yankees. * November 23, 1988: Steve Sax was signed as a free agent by the Yankees. * November 26, 1988: Steve Kiefer was signed as a free agent by the Yankees. * December 5, 1988: Bobby Meacham was traded by the New York Yankees to the Texas Rangers for Bob Brower. * December 8, 1988: Andy Hawkins was signed as a free agent by the Yankees. * December 18, 1988: Wayne Tolleson was signed as a free agent by the Yankees. * December 20, 1988: Jamie Quirk was signed as a free agent ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1982 New York Yankees Season
The 1982 New York Yankees season was the 80th season for the Yankees. The team finished in fifth place in the American League East with a record of 79–83, finishing 16 games behind the AL Champion Milwaukee Brewers. As a result, the Yankees endured their first losing season since going 80–82 in 1973, the team's final season at the original Yankee Stadium before the 1976 renovations. The Yankees were managed by Gene Michael, Bob Lemon, and Clyde King. The Yankees played their home games at Yankee Stadium. Mel Allen, the longtime Yankees play-by-play commentator, returned for the Yankees broadcasts on SportsChannel New York with Fran Healy, with former partner Phil Rizzuto alternating with him. Allen had been a familiar face to many for several years since his return to television in 1975 as the voice-over narrator and presenter for the hit program '' This Week in Baseball''. Offseason * October 13, 1981: Eric Soderholm was released by the New York Yankees. * October 21 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1981 New York Yankees Season
The 1981 New York Yankees season was the franchise's 79th season. Games were suspended for 50 days due to the 1981 Major League Baseball strike, causing a split season. The Yankees competed as members of the American League East, finishing first in the first half of the season, and tying for fifth in the second half of the season; overall, they won 59 games while losing 48. The team advanced to the postseason due to their first-half first-place finish, where they defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in the American League Division Series and the Oakland Athletics in the American League Championship Series, capturing the Yankees' only pennant of the 1980s. The Yankees then lost the World Series in six games to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Yankees played their home games at Yankee Stadium and were managed by Gene Michael until September 5, and by Bob Lemon thereafter. Offseason * November 18, 1980: Brad Gulden was traded by the New York Yankees with $150,000 to the Seattle Mariners fo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1971 Chicago White Sox Season
The 1971 Chicago White Sox season was their 72nd season overall and 71st in the American League. They finished with a record of 79–83. Offseason * December 31, 1970: Chuck Hartenstein was purchased by the White Sox from the Boston Red Sox. * March 29, 1971: Tommy McCraw was traded by the White Sox to the Washington Senators for Ed Stroud. * March 31, 1971: Duane Josephson and Danny Murphy were traded by the White Sox to the Boston Red Sox for Tony Muser and Vicente Romo. Regular season Season standings Record vs. opponents Opening Day lineup * Lee Richard, SS * Jay Johnstone, CF * Mike Andrews, 2B * Bill Melton, 3B * Carlos May, 1B * Rick Reichardt, LF * Walt Williams, RF * Ed Herrmann, C * Tommy John, P Notable transactions * June 8, 1971: 1971 Major League Baseball draft ** Warren Cromartie was drafted by the White Sox in the 7th round, but did not sign. ** Jeff Holly was drafted by the White Sox in the 17th round. * July 7, 1971: Lee Maye was ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1970 Chicago White Sox Season
The 1970 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 70th season in the American League, and its 71st overall. They finished with a 56–106 record, their third-worst in 114 seasons of Major League Baseball, and finished in last position in the American League West, 42 wins behind the first-place Minnesota Twins. Manager Don Gutteridge was fired September 1 with the team 49–87. Bill Adair served briefly as interim manager before Chuck Tanner, manager of the White Sox' Class AAA affiliate in Hawaii, came to the mainland to assume the position with the parent club. Tanner went 3–13 to close 1970 and remained skipper on the South Side through 1975. The White Sox drew a paltry 495,355 fans to Comiskey Park, the lowest total in Major League Baseball. The lone bright spot of 1970 was the hiring of organist Nancy Faust, who was a fixture at Comiskey and its successor, U.S. Cellular Field, for 40 years.. This was their last season of 100 losses or more until 2018, when they reached th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1966 Chicago White Sox Season
The 1966 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 66th season in the major leagues, and its 67th season overall. Eddie Stanky managed the White Sox to a fourth-place finish in the American League with a record of 83–79, 15 games behind the first-place Baltimore Orioles. Regular season Season standings Record vs. opponents Opening Day lineup * Don Buford, 3B * Floyd Robinson, RF * Pete Ward, LF * Johnny Romano, C * Tommy McCraw, 1B * Ron Hansen, SS * Tommie Agee, CF * Al Weis, 2B * Tommy John, P Notable transactions * May 27, 1966: Danny Cater was traded by the White Sox to the Kansas City Athletics for Wayne Causey. * June 7, 1966: 1966 Major League Baseball draft ** Carlos May was drafted by the White Sox in the 1st round (18th pick). ** Johnny Oates was drafted by the White Sox in the 2nd round, but did not sign. ** Ken Frailing was drafted by the White Sox in the 5th round. Player signed June 25, 1966. ** Chuck Brinkman was drafted by the White Sox ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
