Bob Turley
Bob Turley | ||
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Strikeouts | 1,265 | |
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Robert Lee Turley (September 19, 1930 – March 30, 2013), known as "Bullet Bob", was an American professional baseball player and financial planner. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a pitcher from 1951 through 1963. After his retirement from baseball, he worked for Primerica Financial Services.
Turley made his MLB debut with the
Turley began working in financial planning during the baseball offseason. In 1977, he cofounded with Arthur L. Williams Jr. the company that would become Primerica. He also invested in real estate, buying and selling 27 houses in Florida.
Early life
Turley was born in Troy, Illinois.[1] He was raised in East St. Louis, Illinois. He attended East St. Louis Senior High School in East St. Louis, and played for the school's baseball squad for three years. He was used as both a starter and reliever, becoming the staff's ace pitcher by the end of his senior season, in 1948. Turley won the team's sportsmanship award that year.[2]
Bill DeWitt, the general manager of the St. Louis Browns, brought Turley to Sportsman's Park for a tryout. Turley also attended a workout camp for the New York Yankees, held in Maryville, Illinois. The day after he graduated from high school in 1948, Turley signed with the Browns as an amateur free agent.[2] He received a $600 signing bonus ($7,609 in current dollar terms).[3]
Professional career
Minor leagues and St. Louis Browns / Baltimore Orioles
Turley made his professional debut that year in
Turley played his first game in the major leagues on September 29, 1951. He lost to the
While playing for the Orioles, Turley obtained the nickname "Bullet Bob". The
New York Yankees
Turley played for the Yankees from 1955 to 1962. In the 1955 season, Turley
Turley had a disappointing season in 1956, with an 8–4 win–loss record and a 5.05 earned run average (ERA).[22] However, the Yankees again won the American League pennant. Turley appeared in Games One and Two of the 1956 World Series against the Dodgers as a relief pitcher. Facing Clem Labine in Game Six, Turley pitched a complete game, but the Yankees lost the game by a 1–0 score.[26] The Yankees defeated the Dodgers in Game Seven to win the series four games to three.[27]
In the 1957 season, Turley developed a
Fellow pitcher Sal Maglie wrote during 1958 spring training that Turley "ha[d] started to step off the mound when things get a little shaky, take a couple of deep breaths and then go back to work." Maglie thought this helped with Turley's self-control, a characteristic Maglie considered one of the three most essential to a successful pitcher.[30]
By the 1958 season, Turley changed his delivery in an effort to improve his control, by using a no-wind up
Turley earned a $35,000 salary for the 1959 season, his highest as a baseball player.[38][39] The Yankees chose Turley to be their Opening Day starting pitcher for the 1959 season, opposing Tom Brewer of the Red Sox.[40] The Yankees won the game by a 3–2 score.[41] However, Turley's fastball began to lose its effectiveness. He increased the usage of his curveball to compensate.[31] Turley finished the year with an 8–11 win–loss record. In the 1960 season, Turley had a 9–3 win–loss record,[42] and his 3.27 ERA was the seventh best in the American League.[43] He started Game Two of the 1960 World Series against the Pirates, earning the win. He also started the deciding Game Seven, which the Pirates won, taking the series.[44]
Turley suffered through discomfort in his right elbow during the 1961 season, which resulted in a 3–5 win–loss record and 5.75 ERA in only 15 games pitched.
Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, and coaching
After the 1962 season, the Yankees sold Turley to the Los Angeles Angels for cash, in the first move made by new Yankees' general manager Roy Hamey, who sought to rebuild the Yankees pitching staff.[50] The move was conditional; the Angels could return Turley if they were not satisfied with him. The Angels chose to retain Turley at the start of the 1963 season.[56] Turley struggled, winning two games while losing seven, and the Angels released him in July.[57] A week later, he signed with the Boston Red Sox.[58] Turley retired after the 1963 season, with a 101–85 win–loss record and a 3.64 ERA in 12 seasons.[21]
After the 1963 season, Turley agreed to remain with the Red Sox as their
Sign stealing
Turley got into the habit while on the bench of stealing signs when he saw the opposing pitcher throw. Using a system of whistling where be whistled if the next pitch was different from the last, he would attempt to help any Yankee who wanted the advice, with
Personal life
Turley moved from East St. Louis to Lutherville, Maryland, in 1954, when the Browns moved to Baltimore. Though he played in Baltimore for one season, he remained in Lutherville for the remainder of his baseball career, and sent his children to the local public schools.[11]
Turley began working as a
Later in his life, Turley resided in Blue Ridge, Georgia, and had a winter home on Marco Island, Florida.[3][38] Turley's hobby was real estate. He bought and sold many homes on Marco Island, including a 13,500 square feet (1,250 m2) home he built that was locally referred to as "Turley Mansion" and "Turley Castle". In total, Turley and his wife bought and sold 27 houses on Marco Island and in Naples, Florida.[3]
Turley made an appearance on It's News to Me, a
Turley's uncle, Ralph, also played professional baseball. The Yankees signed Ralph Turley in 1949 when they meant to sign Bob, and released Ralph when they discovered he was the "wrong Turley".[2] Nik Turley, a Yankees prospect, identified Bob Turley as a "distant relative".[71]
Death
Turley lived in Alpharetta, Georgia, for the last two years of his life.[3] He died on March 30, 2013, in hospice care at Lenbrook, a retirement community in Atlanta at age 82 from liver cancer.[11][38][72] Turley was cremated in Duluth, Georgia.[3]
See also
- List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders
References
- Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. October 10, 1957. p. 4. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. p. 3. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Lalonde, Roger (April 1, 2013). "Bob Turley, Cy Young winner and seasonal Marco resident, dies at 82". Naples Daily News. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Fraley, Oscar (June 4, 1958). "Turley Proof Speed Ball Isn't Enough". The Milwaukee Sentinel. United Press International. p. Part 2, Pg 5. Retrieved January 4, 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Wichita Wins 3rd Straight". The Telegraph-Herald. Associated Press. September 15, 1950. p. 13. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ "Texas League's All-Star Game Set Tonight at Houston". The Bonham Daily Favorite. United Press International. July 12, 1951. p. 4. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ a b "Bob Turley, Although Losing, Is Standout Twirler for Browns". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. September 17, 1953. p. 7. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ "Browns Get Star of Coast League – Acquire Thomas in Deal for Sanford, Maguire, Cash- Braves Drop Mueller". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 11, 1951. Retrieved September 21, 2013. (subscription required)
- ^ Phlegar, Ben (September 17, 1953). "Browns' Bob Turley Has Struck Out 48 Men In 47 Innings". Waycross Journal-Herald. p. 2. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ Hirsch, Arthur (April 14, 1994). "Where Are They Now? Turley's '54 home opener as artful as his Fla. home". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Duncan, Ian (March 30, 2013). "Bob Turley, former Orioles pitcher, dies". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- ^ a b "Bob Turley Adds Curve To Skills". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. June 22, 1957. p. 6. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ a b Marin, Whitney (June 17, 1955). "Like the Prairie Flower: Bob Turley of Yankees Seems to Grow Wilder by the Hour". The Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. p. 2. Retrieved January 4, 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Chandler, John (October 10, 1957). "Bullet Bob Turley Was Happiest Guy In Yankee Room". Ottawa Citizen. Associated Press. p. 15. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "Turley Another Bob Feller?". The Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. April 23, 1954. p. 6, part 2. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ Heft, Herb (July 11, 1954). "Is Bob Turley the New Bob Feller?". St. Petersburg Times. p. 19. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "Bob Turley Third In Hickok Voting". The Baltimore Sun. May 18, 1954. p. 19. Retrieved September 21, 2013. (subscription required)
- ^ a b "Baseball's Biggest Trade: A Revisionist's Recounting". Society of American Baseball Research. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- ^ "Bob Turley Is Sad, Pleased And Surprised". The Day. Associated Press. November 18, 1954. p. 34. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "Yankees Get Bob Turley in 12-Player Deal". The Day. Associated Press. November 18, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ a b Duncan, Ian (March 31, 2013). "Bob Turley, hard-throwing pitcher who played for Orioles and Yankees, dies at 82". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ a b Wilks, Ed (August 29, 1957). "Bullet Bob Turley Slams Door On Top-Shot Bid By White Sox". Ottawa Citizen. Associated Press. p. 11. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "1955 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- ^ "Casey Names Turley; Alston Tabs Podres For Tomorrow's Contest at Ebbets Field". Oxnard Press-Courier. United Press International. September 29, 1955. p. 16. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "1955 World Series – Brooklyn Dodgers over New York Yankees (4–3)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ Antonen, Mel (October 21, 2005). "Starters strong suit for Astros and White Sox". USA Today. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- ^ "1956 World Series – New York Yankees over Brooklyn Dodgers (4–3)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ "1957 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ a b "1957 World Series – Milwaukee Braves over New York Yankees (4–3)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ Terrell, Roy (March 17, 1958). "Part 1: Sal Maglie on the Art of Pitching". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c Wolfe, Niki (March 30, 2011). "Turley Coming to Cy Young Days Festival". Newcomerstown News. Newcomerstown, Ohio. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ "1958 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ Daily News. New York. Archived from the originalon January 30, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ "Bob Turley Recipient of Prized Hickok Belt". Gadsden Times. United Press International. January 25, 1959. p. 8. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "'Young' Award to Turley". The Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. November 13, 1958. p. 5, pt 3. Retrieved January 5, 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "1958 Awards Voting". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ "The Sporting News Pitchers of the Year & The Sporting News Major League Players of the Year". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Kimmey, Will (May 4, 1959). "Bob Turley, Yankees Pitcher". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- ^ "Substantial Raise Given Bob Turley". The Hartford Courant. January 30, 1959. p. 25A. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013.(subscription required)
- ^ Wilks, Ed (April 10, 1959). "Turley Faces Brewer In Stadium Curtain-Raiser Today". Meriden Journal. Associated Press. p. 4. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "New York Yankees Opening Day Starters". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ "Houk's Mound Plan Gets Turley's Vote". The Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. April 4, 1961. p. 2. Retrieved January 5, 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "1960 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ "1960 World Series – Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees (4–3)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ "Yankees Pleased By Turley's Work". Toledo Blade. Associated Press. February 6, 1962. p. 22. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ Cuddy, Jack (June 9, 1961). "Ralph Houk Trying to Build New Yankee Pitching Staff". The Washington Reporter. United Press International. p. 14. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "1961 World Series – New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds (4–1)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ Drebinger, John (June 6, 1961). "Yanks Take Double-Header and Send Twins to 10th, 11th Straight Defeats – Coates, Sheldon Triumph, 6–2, 6–1 Yankees Set League Mark as Blanchard, Mantle and Kubek Wallop Homers". The New York Times. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ "Turley Confident Surgery Success". The Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. February 13, 1962. p. 2, Pt 2. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ a b "Bob Turley Traded To L.A. Angels". Prescott Evening Courier. United Press International. October 30, 1962. p. 7. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ Hackleman, Jim. "Yankees Whip Tigers The Hard Way (22 Innings): Seven-Hour Battle Record In Majors". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 10. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ Sheehan, Joseph M. (July 10, 1962). "A Shorter Season Asked By Players – Representatives Also Seek 2 All-Star Games in 1963". The New York Times. Retrieved September 21, 2013. (subscription required)
- ^ "Players Ask Shortening of Schedules". The Bonham Daily Favorite. United Press International. July 10, 1962. p. 6. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "Poor Average". Edmonton Journal. January 18, 1963. p. 9. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "1962 World Series – New York Yankees over San Francisco Giants (4–3)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ "L.A. To Sign Bob, Not Sam". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. April 8, 1963. p. 3 Pt 2. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "Seven player shift by Angels; Turley dropped". The Bulletin. United Press International. July 18, 1963. p. 7. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "Red Sox Get Castoff Turley". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. July 24, 1963. p. 3–C. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
- ^ "Turley Becomes Red Sox Coach". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press International. October 19, 1963. p. 52. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ Hurwitz, Hy (October 5, 1964). "Gardner, Okrie Also Join Coaching Staff: Herman Names Maglie, Runnels". Boston Globe. p. 19. Retrieved September 21, 2013. (subscription required)
- ^ "Bob Turley Will Attempt Comeback". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. November 19, 1964. p. 16. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "Braves Name Two". Herald-Journal. Associated Press. January 14, 1966. p. 15. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "Bob Turley Resigns as Minor Loop Coach". Los Angeles Times. February 19, 1966. p. A4. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- ^ "Bob Turley Quits His Baseball Post". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. February 20, 1966. p. 14. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
- ^ "Yogi Berra, RIP". September 24, 2015.
- ^ "Former New York Yankees pitcher 'Bullet' Bob Turley still calls them as he sees them". New York Daily News. September 12, 2023.
- ^ "A Disabled Turley Still Valuable Asset". Los Angeles Times. March 13, 1988.
- ^ "Former New York Yankees pitcher 'Bullet' Bob Turley still calls them as he sees them". Daily News. New York. June 19, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- ^ Goldstein, Aaron (March 30, 2013). "Goodbye Gus Triandos and Bob Turley". The American Spectator. Retrieved January 5, 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Former St. Louis Browns Pitcher Bob Turley Dies". CBS St. Louis. March 31, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ New Jersey (September 11, 2013). "Franklin: Trenton Thunder's Nik Turley has family tree rooted in athletes". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- ^ McFadden, Robert D. (March 31, 2013). "Bob Turley, Pitcher With a Blazing Fastball, Dies at 82". The New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Baseball Almanac page