Jim Rooker
Jim Rooker | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Lakeview, Oregon, U.S. | September 23, 1942|
Batted: Right Threw: Left | |
MLB debut | |
June 30, 1968, for the Detroit Tigers | |
Last MLB appearance | |
May 2, 1980, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 103–109 |
Earned run average | 3.46 |
Strikeouts | 976 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
James Phillip Rooker (born September 23, 1942) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher and broadcaster.
A left-hander, Rooker pitched for the Detroit Tigers (1968), Kansas City Royals (1969–1973) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1974–1980).
Early career
Signed as an amateur free agent by the Detroit Tigers, Rooker spent seven years in the Detroit
Rooker improved his record to 10–15 in 1970; one of the losses came in a 12-inning game against the New York Yankees on June 4 after Horace Clarke broke up[1] Rooker's bid for a no-hitter leading off the ninth with a single then came around to score after a Bobby Murcer double. After winning only seven games against 13 losses over the next two seasons Rooker was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Gene Garber.[2]
Pittsburgh Pirates
Rooker enjoyed his best seasons in Pittsburgh, posting a 10–6 record in 1973 and a 15–11 record with a 2.78 earned run average in 1974. The wins and ERA were a career best, as was his strikeout total (139). The Pirates won the National League East title the latter year, and Rooker pitched in Game 2 of the 1974 National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He gave up two runs in seven innings but was not involved in the decision; the Dodgers won the game, then went on to win the series. In 1975 Rooker went 13–11 with a 2.97 ERA as the Pirates won the NL East title again; once again, however, the Pirates were defeated in the 1975 National League Championship Series, this time by the Cincinnati Reds. In game 2 of that series Rooker gave up four runs in as many innings, including a two-run home run to Tony Pérez in the first inning.
The Pirates did not win the NL East title in 1976 or 1977 (the Philadelphia Phillies won it in both seasons), but Rooker maintained his consistency during those two seasons, with a 15–8 and 14–9 record respectively. At the end of September in 1977, he broke his arm in a car accident.[3][4] In 1978 he slumped to 9–11 and his ERA rose to 4.24—the highest it had been since 4.38 in 1972.
Rooker won the 1979 World Series with the Pirates. His career nearing the end, Rooker posted a 4–7 record in the regular season as a spot starter. Starting game 5 of the World Series with the Pirates trailing the Baltimore Orioles three games to one, Rooker gave up one run in five innings and left the game trailing by that 1–0 score. Pittsburgh rallied to score seven runs over the next three innings and got four shutout innings from Bert Blyleven to win the game 7–1, then won the next two games to take the Series.
In his career Rooker won 103 games against 109 losses, with 976 strikeouts and a 3.46 ERA in 18101⁄3 innings pitched.
A good hitting pitcher in his career, Rooker compiled a .201
"If we don't win, I'll walk back to Pittsburgh"
After his playing career, Rooker, well known for speaking his mind as a player, joined the Pirates’ radio and television broadcast team, with whom he worked as a
Rooker's most famous moment as a broadcaster came on June 8, 1989, during a Pirates’ road game against the
Personal life
Rooker loves dogs and is an avid dog trainer.[citation needed]
Rooker went into politics after his baseball career. He ran for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as well as the United States Congress, but lost both races.[7]
Rooker writes children's literature. He has written three books with plots that combine reading and baseball. The books are titled Paul the Baseball, Matt the Batt, and Kitt the Mitt, and were published by Mascot Books in September 2009.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "The Bulletin - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
- ^ "Toledo Blade - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
- ^ Gurney, Jack (March 3, 1978). "Kison in '77: He Won the Fight, Lost the War". The Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
- ^ "Jim Rooker 1977 Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
- ^ "The Long Walk Home". Philly Sports History. June 8, 2011. Archived from the original on October 20, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
- ^ How to score 10 runs in the first inning and lose | Dorktown, retrieved 2022-08-08
- ^ "Where are they now: Jim Rooker". old.post-gazette.com.