Tom Gordon
Tom Gordon | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Sebring, Florida, U.S. | November 18, 1967|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 8, 1988, for the Kansas City Royals | |
Last MLB appearance | |
May 3, 2009, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 138–126 |
Earned run average | 3.96 |
Strikeouts | 1,928 |
Saves | 158 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
Thomas Gordon (born November 18, 1967), nicknamed "Flash," is an American former professional baseball right-handed pitcher and current radio color commentator for the Boston Red Sox. Gordon played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals (1988–1995), Boston Red Sox (1996–1999), Chicago Cubs (2001–02), Houston Astros (2002), Chicago White Sox (2003), New York Yankees (2004–05), Philadelphia Phillies (2006–2008), and Arizona Diamondbacks (2009). In 1998, he won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award and led the American League (AL) in saves and games finished. In 1998–99, Gordon set a then-MLB record with 54 consecutive saves.
Early life
Gordon was one of several children born to Annie and Thomas Gordon.
Professional career
Kansas City Royals (1988–1995)
Gordon began his career as a starting pitcher with the Kansas City Royals, first appearing in five games at the age of 20 late in the 1988 season. He became an immediate sensation in Kansas City the following year, posting a 17–9 record and a 3.64 ERA in his first full season, finishing second in the 1989 Rookie of the Year balloting. Gordon also recorded 153 strikeouts that year, the tenth highest total in the American League, which earned him the nickname "Flash."
Gordon continued to post top-10 strikeout totals during the 1990 and 1991 seasons, but his number of wins dropped each year and his ERA crept upwards. Finally, in 1992, Gordon had one of the worst season of his career, posting a 6–10 record and a 4.59 ERA. He bounced back with seasons of 11 to 12 wins from 1993 to 1995, but he never quite regained his rookie form. Prior to the 1996 season, Gordon left Kansas City and signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox.
Boston Red Sox (1996–1999)
In his first season in Boston, Gordon had a 12–9 record and a 5.59 ERA – the highest ERA of his career to that point. Over the next two years, however, the Red Sox converted Gordon from a starting pitcher to a
Chicago Cubs (2001–2002)
The Chicago Cubs, who were in the process of massively overhauling their pitching staff, signed Gordon to a two-year, $5 million contract on December 15, 2000.[3]
Houston Astros (2002)
On August 22, 2002, the Cubs, who had little interest in retaining Gordon as a closer after obtaining
Chicago White Sox (2003)
Gordon, a free agent after the 2002 season, signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the
New York Yankees (2004–2005)
After subsequent stops in Houston and both sides of Chicago, Gordon landed in New York. He was an invaluable addition to the Yankees
At this point, Gordon had compiled a career 122–111 record with 1733 strikeouts, a 3.99 ERA, 114 saves, and 1,896.2 innings in 671 games (203 as a starter).
Philadelphia Phillies (2006–2008)
He signed a three-year deal worth $18 million with the Phillies before the 2006 season. Gordon debuted in Philadelphia as a closer during the 2006 season, replacing Billy Wagner, who signed with the Mets after the 2005 season. On May 2, 2007, Gordon was placed on the disabled list due to a rotator cuff inflammation, at which time he was replaced in the closer slot by former starting pitcher Brett Myers.[13] Following both pitchers' return from the DL, Myers retained the closer position, while Gordon was shifted to a late-inning reliever. Flash was named to the 2006 NL All Star Team as the leading vote getter from the players.
Gordon had fully rehabilitated his arm and was prepared for the '08 season.
However, on July 6, 2008, Gordon was placed on the 15-day disabled list for tenderness in his right elbow. Fellow reliever Brad Lidge praised Gordon calling him "a stud" and said that the Phils were hoping for him to return to the team after his 15-day stint. Prior to being placed on the disabled list, Gordon recorded a 13.45 earned run average giving up six runs in four total innings since June 11. He eventually was ruled out for the season, but was able to earn his only World Series ring on the bench in the 2008 World Series.
Arizona Diamondbacks (2009)
On February 6, 2009, Gordon agreed to a one-year, $500,000 contract with the
Retirement
On August 9, 2010, Gordon said that he still thinks he has what it takes to compete, but that he's "fine" with retirement.[17]
He retired as the only pitcher in MLB history to have over 100 wins, over 100 saves, and over 100 holds.[18]
Career highlights and achievements
- Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award(1998)
- Led AL in saves (1998)
- Led AL in games finished (69, 1998)
- Set an MLB record with 54 consecutive saves (1998–99)
- Led AL in Holds (36) 2004
- Three-time All-Star (1998, 2004, 2006)
- Only pitcher in MLBhistory with 100 wins, saves, and holds.
- World Series Champion (2008)
Family
Gordon has five children with four different women, none of whom he married.
His oldest son,
Gordon is the guardian of Cleveland Guardians minor league pitcher Juan Hillman.[20]
One of Gordon's brothers, Anthony Gordon and his cousin Clyde "Pork Chop" Pough, played professional baseball.
In popular culture
Gordon is mentioned by name in the title, and frequently referred to in the Stephen King novel The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders
References
- ^ a b Rowland, Kate (9 August 2010). "Baseball's 'Flash' Gordon fine with retirement". Highlands Today. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ a b Nightengale, Bob (June 4, 2014). "Nightengale: MLB draft highlights Gordons' special bond". USA Today. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ "Cubs come to terms with reliever Tom Gordon". Abilene Reporter-News. Associated Press. December 15, 2000. p. 4E. Retrieved November 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cubs, Astros complete Gordon trade". Abilene Reporter-News. Associated Press. September 12, 2002. p. 2. Retrieved November 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ de Jesus Ortiz, Jose (September 22, 2002). "Astros summary: A wanted man". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ de Jesus Ortiz, Jose (September 27, 2002). "Astros summary: Healthy at the end". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ de Jesus Ortiz, Jose (January 21, 2003). "Roundup: White Sox bolster bullpen with addition of ex-Astro Gordon". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ Armour, Nancy (April 17, 2003). "No violence, but no win either". The Salina Journal. Associated Press. p. C5. Retrieved November 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Dodgers' Gagne sets save record". The Salina Journal. Associated Press. September 4, 2003. p. B4. Retrieved November 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Tom Gordon Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ "Philadelphia Phillies place closer Tom Gordon on disabled list". Archived from the original on 2008-01-02. Retrieved 2007-08-26.
- ^ "Gordon agrees to 1-year, $500,000 deal". ESPN. Associated Press. February 6, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ "Gordon strains hammy on tag at plate". ESPN. Associated Press. May 3, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ "D-backs release Gordon". ESPN. Associated Press. August 12, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ "Baseball's 'Flash' Gordon fine with retirement". 9 August 2010.
- ISBN 978-0-7864-6471-5. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ Nightengale, Bob (July 15, 2006). "Gordon ready to lead". USA Today. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ "Juan Hillman, Gordon family share a special bond". Major League Baseball. Retrieved 2017-08-30.
- ^ Dahn, Jeff (May 28, 2010). "'Flash' Gordon makes the scene". Perfect Game. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- "Passing the Torch: Exclusive Interview with the 'Flash' Gordon Family", Legends on Deck
- Tom Gordon at Baseballbiography.com