Tom Acker
Tom Acker | ||
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Thomas James Acker (March 7, 1930 – January 4, 2021) was an American
Acker was signed as an
Early life
Acker was born in
Professional career
Minor leagues
Acker began his professional baseball career with the
In his only season with the Bisons, Acker compiled a 10–13 win–loss record, a 3.69 ERA, and 111 strikeouts in 29
Cincinnati Reds (1956–1959)
Acker made his MLB debut on April 20, 1956, at the age of 26,[1] relieving Hal Jeffcoat and giving up one earned run and striking out three (including Gene Baker, Acker's first batter faced) over 2 innings in a 12–1 loss to the Chicago Cubs.[2][7] Overall, he finished his first season in the major leagues with a 4–3 record and a 2.37 ERA in 83+2⁄3 innings pitched. He started 7 of the 29 games in which he pitched,[1] and recorded the only shutout of his major league career against the Philadelphia Phillies on September 19.[1][8]
Acker's 1957 season was one of his best individual years.[3][A] He finished ninth in the National League (NL) in games pitched (49) and second in hit batsmen (8).[1] If he had the requisite number of decisions to qualify, his .667 winning percentage that year would rank third in the NL.[9] He compiled a 10–5 record, a 4.97 ERA, and 67 strikeouts in 108+2⁄3 innings pitched, making six starts and saving four games that season.[1] He won both games of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 19.[10][11]
In the 1958 season, Acker recorded career-high numbers in strikeouts (90), games started (10), complete games (3),
Post-playing career
After retiring from baseball, Acker returned home to Bergen County, New Jersey, constructed a house in Wyckoff, and was employed by a trucking company. He continued to play baseball at a semi-professional level, first with the Paterson Phillies. He went on to spend seven years with the newly formed Emerson-Westwood Merchants as a pitcher and manager. His participation is credited with helping to revive interest in small-town baseball.[2]
Aside from baseball, Acker had a keen interest in horses.[2] He started working for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority at the Meadowlands Racetrack shortly after the facility opened in 1976, first as a mutuel clerk, then as a supervisor.[2][13] He retired from the position in 1992, and relocated to Virginia before finally settling in Pennsylvania.[2] He was inducted into the Fair Lawn Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.[13]
Personal life
Acker married his first wife, Trudy, during his stint in the military. Together, they had two daughters: Nancy and Janice. He also had three stepsons from his subsequent marriage to Barbara. They remained married until his death.[2] Acker died at the age of 90 on January 4, 2021, at his home in Narvon, Pennsylvania.[2]
Notes
- ^ Although Christianson and Diepeveen describe Acker's 1957 season as "[h]is best year" without qualification,[3] Acker recorded more pitching Wins Above Replacement in 1956 (2.9) than in 1957 (0.4).[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Tom Acker Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Schwartz, Paul (January 10, 2021). "Tom Acker, former Major League pitcher and Bergen County legend, dies at age 90". NorthJersey.com. North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ ISBN 9781467101066.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Tom Acker Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ "Miss Unger Engaged To Baseball Player". Herald News. Woodland Park, New Jersey. January 8, 1952. p. 6. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ McBride, Cy (May 21, 1957). "Redlegs' Tom Acker Is Visitor In City". The Palladium-Item and Sun-Telegram. Richmond, Indiana. p. 10. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ "April 20, 1956 Cincinnati Redlegs at Chicago Cubs Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 20, 1956. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ "September 19, 1956 Cincinnati Redlegs at Philadelphia Phillies Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 19, 1956. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ "1957 NL Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- ^ "May 19, 1957 Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Redlegs Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 19, 1957. Retrieved January 12, 2021. (First game of doubleheader)
- ^ "May 19, 1957 Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Redlegs Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 19, 1957. Retrieved January 12, 2021. (Second game of doubleheader)
- ^ "MLB stat definition: What is FIP?". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. February 17, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ a b Samuels, Montana (January 11, 2021). "MLB Pitcher, North Jersey Baseball Icon Tom Acker Dies At 90". Patch Media. Hale Global. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)