Dave Righetti
Dave Righetti | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: San Jose, California, U.S. | November 28, 1958|
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
MLB debut | |
September 16, 1979, for the New York Yankees | |
Last MLB appearance | |
September 18, 1995, for the Chicago White Sox | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 82–79 |
Earned run average | 3.46 |
Strikeouts | 1,112 |
Saves | 252 |
Teams | |
As player
As coach | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
David Allan Righetti (born November 28, 1958), nicknamed "Rags", is an American professional baseball coach and former player. A left-handed pitcher, Righetti played in Major League Baseball from 1979 through 1995 for the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago White Sox. He served as the pitching coach for the Giants from 2000 through 2017.
Righetti began his career as a
Early life
Righetti was born in
Righetti attended
College career
Righetti enrolled at San Jose City College, where he continued his development as a pitcher on the school's baseball team.[1] He was named the junior college player of the year, beating out teammate Dave Stieb.[citation needed]
Professional career
Draft and minor leagues
At Cottrell's urging, the Rangers selected Righetti on January 11, 1977, in the first round (10th overall pick) of the amateur
In 1978, Righetti pitched for the
New York Yankees (1979–1990)
Righetti made his major league debut with the Yankees on September 16, 1979, wearing uniform number 56. In this game against the
Though Righetti pitched well in spring training in 1981, the Yankees did not have room for him on their roster, so he began the season with Columbus. After he pitched to a 5–0 record and 1.00 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 45 innings, the Yankees recalled Righetti from Columbus in May 1981.
In 1982, Righetti pitched to an 8.53 ERA during spring training. Steinbrenner sought to demote Righetti to the minor leagues, but stated he "got outvoted then". Through June 1982, Righetti had pitched to a 5–5 win–loss record with a 4.23 ERA. Though his 77 strikeouts were fourth-best in the American League, his 62 walks were considered a problem. The Yankees demoted Righetti to the minor leagues, for what Steinbrenner termed a "2+1⁄2-week intensive brushing up".[citation needed] Sammy Ellis, Righetti's pitching coach with Columbus, said that Righetti had been rushing his pitching motion, which was likely due to anxiety.[11] Working with Ellis, Righetti made four starts for the Clippers, recording 33 strikeouts in 26 innings, before he was recalled to New York. Righetti finished the 1982 season with 11 wins in 27 starts, with a 3.79 ERA and 162 strikeouts and 108 walks. His strikeouts were third-best in the AL, while his walks led the league.[5]
On July 4, 1983, Righetti threw a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. It was the first Yankee no-hitter since Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series, and the first by a Yankee left-hander since 1917. Righetti recorded a swinging strikeout against Wade Boggs to end the game. Twenty-five years later, Righetti reminisced about the game:
My biggest worry, because I had a tendency to fall toward third base, was him (Boggs) tapping a ball between me and Mattingly and me trying to get to first base...I threw a lot of fastballs during the at bat, but the last slider I ended up throwing, he happened to miss it. Thank goodness.[12]
In 1984 Righetti was moved to the Yankees' bullpen to replace Goose Gossage, who signed with the San Diego Padres in the offseason, as their closer. Despite the move being due to the Yankees having an excess of starters, many criticized the decision, arguing that Righetti was more valuable pitching as a starter, where he would accrue more innings.[citation needed]
Entering his first game as a relief pitcher with the
Righetti became a free agent after the 1987 season. Amid rumors that Righetti would sign a three-year contract worth $20 million with the
Righetti struggled with the Yankees early in the 1988 season, blowing four consecutive save opportunities, resulting in boos from the Yankee Stadium crowds. He then recorded five saves in consecutive opportunities.[17]
Righetti became concerned with the direction the Yankees were taking, as they had traded away Rickey Henderson, Jack Clark, and Dave Winfield.
San Francisco Giants (1991–1993)
After the 1990 season, Righetti signed as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants, receiving a four-year contract worth $10 million.[18] While with the Giants in 1991, he broke Lyle's major league record for left-handers of 238 career saves; Righetti's record stood until 1994, when John Franco surpassed his eventual total of 252.
Righetti saved 24 games in 1991. He lost the closer role during the 1992 season to Rod Beck.[19] Righetti made a start on June 10, 1992, his first start since September 1983.[20] He pitched in middle relief for the Giants in the 1993 season.
Oakland Athletics (1994)
Released by the Giants after the 1993 season, Righetti signed as a free agent with the Oakland Athletics. After beginning 1994 with the Athletics, he was released.
Toronto Blue Jays (1994)
Righetti signed as a free agent with the Toronto Blue Jays in May 1994.[21] Righetti had a 0–1 win–loss record and 6.75 ERA for the Blue Jays.[22]
After that season, Righetti was released by the Blue Jays.[22]
Chicago White Sox (1995)
In 1995, Righetti signed as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox. On November 9, 1995, he was again granted free agency; but no team signed him. Righetti retired to end his 16-year career, finishing with 252 saves, a 3.46 ERA, and a record of 82–79 in 718 games.
Coaching career
In 2000, Righetti became the pitching coach for the Giants. Righetti's pitchers helped the Giants win the 2002 National League pennant, although the Giants would lose the World Series in seven games to the Anaheim Angels.
Despite uncertainty if he would return to the Giants for the 2007 season due to a managerial change, Righetti announced in early November 2007 that he would remain with the Giants in his present role.
After 18 seasons of working under managers Dusty Baker, Felipe Alou, and Bruce Bochy, Righetti was removed from his role as pitching coach on October 21, 2017, and moved into a front-office role with the Giants.[25] He served as the bullpen coach for the United States national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.[26]
Personal life
Righetti and his wife had triplets (two daughters and one son), who were born in 1991; Righetti's sister-in-law served as a
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Lieber, Jill (April 16, 1990). "The Relief Is Not So Sweet: To Be a New York Yankee Was Dave Righetti's Dream, But Life as a Pinstriped Reliever Has Been Harsh". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
- ^ The Milwaukee Journal via Google News Archive Search
- ^ "Mercury News: Search Results". June 16, 1991.
- ^ Emery, Mark (March 23, 2015). "Righetti roped career-making strikeout gem: Tulsa lefty broke Texas League record by fanning 21 over nine innings". MiLB.com. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Gammons, Peter (February 13, 1983). "Dave Righetti hopes to be back on course". Reading (Pa.) Eagle. Retrieved February 14, 2017 – via Google News Archive.
- ]
- ^ Lakeland (Fla.) Ledger. pp. 1D, 5D. Retrieved February 14, 2017 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Nashua (N.H.) Telegraph. December 1, 1981. Retrieved February 14, 2017 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Schulman, Henry (June 2, 2006). "Rookie really has Righetti's number / S.F. pitching coach gives up No. 19 to honor Frandsen's late brother, DJ". SFGate. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
- ^ The Telegraph via Google News Archive Search
- Spokane (Wash.) Spokesman-Review. Retrieved February 14, 2017 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Curry, Jack (June 27, 2008). "Twenty Five Years Later, Dave Righetti's No-Hitter". The New York Times.
- ^ "Righetti Sparkles in Reliever Debut". Portsmouth (Ohio) Daily Times. April 5, 1984. p. 11. Retrieved February 14, 2017 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Martinez, Michael (September 5, 1990). "Baseball; Righetti Agent Sees Lengthy Talks Ahead". The New York Times. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
- ^ Gainesville Sun via Google News Archive Search
- Lewiston (Me.) Daily Sun. p. 17. Retrieved October 30, 2012 – via Google News Archive.
- Newburgh, N.Y. Retrieved February 14, 2017 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Chass, Murray (February 24, 1991). "Baseball; Righetti Relishes Escape – New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
- ^ "Less Is More for Giants' Beck : Baseball: He loses 30 pounds and adds enough speed to his fastball to be an effective closer". Los Angeles Times. August 20, 1992. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ "BASEBALL; Reds Spoil Righetti's Start". The New York Times. June 11, 1992. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
- ^ "Blue Jays sign Dave Righetti". Toronto Star. May 14, 1994. p. E.1. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
- ^ a b "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASEBALL; Blue Jays Release Righetti – New York Times". The New York Times. October 13, 1994. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
- ^ Schulman, Henry (November 2, 2006). "Giants to bring back Righetti / New scout to focus on players from the Pacific Rim". The San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ Wolfersberger, Jesse (March 8, 2011). "Dave Righetti: Lord of the HR/FB rate". Fangraphs.
- ^ "Giants reassign Dave Righetti from pitching coach to front-office role". ESPN.com. October 21, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
- ^ "Which Giants are competing in World Baseball Classic | KNBR". www.knbr.com.
- ^ "Sports People: BASEBALL; Righetti Is a Father – New York Times". The New York Times. July 21, 1991. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)