Donnie Moore
Donnie Moore | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: February 13, 1954 Lubbock, Texas, U.S. | |
Died: July 18, 1989 Anaheim, California, U.S. | (aged 35)|
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 14, 1975, for the Chicago Cubs | |
Last MLB appearance | |
August 7, 1988, for the California Angels | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 43–40 |
Earned run average | 3.67 |
Strikeouts | 416 |
Saves | 89 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
Donnie Ray Moore (February 13, 1954 – July 18, 1989) was an American
Early life
Moore was born on February 13, 1954, in Lubbock, Texas, and was the cousin of MLB player Hubie Brooks.[1] Moore attended Paris Junior College and Ranger College before he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the first round of the January secondary phase of the 1973 Major League Baseball draft.[2]
Playing career
In a 13-season career, Moore posted a 43–40 record with 89
Game 5 of the 1986 American League Championship Series
The game took place on October 12, 1986 in
When Moore came in to pitch, there were two outs and Rich Gedman, who had been hit by a pitch, was on first base. The Angels were one strike away from advancing to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. Dave Henderson hit a 2–2 pitch off Moore for a home run to give the Red Sox a 6–5 lead. The Angels were able to score a run in the bottom of the ninth, pushing the game into extra innings.
Moore remained in the game for the Angels; he was able to stifle a tenth inning Red Sox rally by getting Jim Rice to ground into a double play. Nonetheless, the Red Sox were able to score off Moore in the 11th inning via a sacrifice fly by Henderson. The Angels did not score in the bottom of the 11th, and lost the game 7–6. The defeat left the Angels with a 3–2 series advantage with two more games to play at Fenway Park. However, the Angels lost both games, by scores of 10–4 and 8–1.
After Game 5, Moore admitted that he made a bad pitch to Henderson. "I was throwing fastballs and Henderson was fouling them off, so I went with the split-finger, thought maybe I'd catch him off guard, but it was right in his swing."[3]
Later career
Moore was battling injury at the time of the 1986 American League Championship Series and was never able to remain injury-free afterward. After saving nine more games in 41 appearances over the next two seasons, Moore was released by the Angels. He signed with the Kansas City Royals for the 1989 season, but played only in the minor leagues before being released in June of that year, ending his 14-year career in baseball.
Shooting and suicide
On July 18, 1989, Moore had an argument with his wife Tonya and shot her three times with a .45 pistol.
References
- ^ Plaschke, Bill (April 4, 1990). "When Grief Hit, So Did He". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ "1st Round of the 1973 MLB January Draft-Secondary Phase". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ Ostler, Scott (October 13, 1986) "Moore Didn't Have Anywhere Near Enough" The Los Angeles Times, page 20
- ^ a b c d Bailey, Eric; Eng, Lily (July 19, 1989). "Donnie Moore Dies in Apparent Suicide". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
Further reading
- The Atlantic: The Myth of the Home Run That Drove an Angels Pitcher to Suicide
- Bell, Christopher: Scapegoats: Baseballers whose Careers Are Marked by One Fateful Play (c) 2002 McFarland and Company ISBN 978-0786413812
- ESPN: The Donnie Moore Story (video)
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Retrosheet Boxscore: 1986 American League Championship Series Game Five
- Baseball's 25 Greatest Moments (#24)
- Donnie Ray Moore at Find a Grave