"How important was starter Jimmy Key to last season's Yankee squad? Let's count the ways.
The lefty led the team in wins (18), ERA (3.00), shutouts (2), innings pitched (236.2) and strikeouts (173). In addition, Key was 11-3 in 22 starts following Yankee losses; was the American League's Pitcher of the Month for April with a 3-0 mark and 0.93 ERA; was named to the 1993 American League All-Star team; and finished fourth in the Cy Young Award voting. Not bad for a guy who was third on the Yankees' Most Wanted Free Agent List.
After coming over from the Toronto Blue Jays, the lefty was considered a quality number-three pitcher but turned into the staff's ace. Considering that in his 10 no-decisions he left the game with a lead six times, Key was staring a 20-plus win season in the face.
'When I go on the field, I'm going to find a way to keep us in the game,' says Key. 'To me, when you're a starting pitcher, that's your job.' "
-The New York Yankees Official 1994 Yearbook
"The Yankees hope for another big season from this 1993 Cy Young contender whom they signed as a free agent prior to last season.
The veteran rewarded the Yankees by achieving a career high in victories. Key owned an 11-2 record with a 2.31 ERA at the All-Star break and was named to the All-Star team for the third time. He finished the season tied with the White Sox' Alex Fernandez for third in victories (18), was third in ERA (3.00) and was third in winning percentage (.750).
Key bears close watching after working his highest number of innings since 1987. He's the only major league pitcher to post 12 or more victories in each of the last of the last nine seasons.
He's a smart, poised pitcher who has never allowed a grand slam. He won the ERA title with a 2.76 mark for the Blue Jays in 1987 and placed second to Roger Clemens in the Cy Young voting that year.
Born April 22, 1961, in Huntsville, Alabama, he was Toronto's third-round choice in the 1982 draft."
-Tony DeMarco, Fort Worth Star Telegram and Tom Pedulla, Gannett Newspapers, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1994 Edition
"Key became the ace of the staff in his first year as a Yankee by putting together one of the best seasons of his career. He went 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA, four complete games and two shutouts in 34 starts. He was among the American League leaders in nine pitching categories and established career highs in wins and strikeouts (173). Key finished fourth in the Cy Young voting behind Jack McDowell, Randy Johnson and Kevin Appier.
He began the season 3-0 with a 0.93 ERA and a shutout to earn AL Pitcher of the Month honors. It was his best start since going 4-0 in 1991.
Jimmy was the Yankees' ninth consecutive different Opening Day starter and earned the 9-1 win by throwing just 71 pitches in 8.0 innings. He improved his career Opening Day record to 4-0 with a 2.42 ERA (26.0 IP, 7 ER).
In the Yankees' 5-4 loss to Kansas City on April 15, he left the game after 8.0 innings (3 H) with a 4-0 lead, but the Royals scored five runs in the ninth off Steve Howe and Steve Farr. On April 21 at Oakland, Rickey Henderson led off the fourth inning with a home run, snapping Key's 23-inning scoreless streak that began on April 5. It was the longest scoreless streak of Jimmy's career and the seventh longest by a Yankee. On April 27 at California, he hurled his second career 1-hitter (the other on August 22, 1986, at Chicago) and his first complete game of the season in a 5-0 Yankee win.
Jimmy was named American League Pitcher of the Month for April after going 3-0 with a 0.93 ERA and a shutout. Other April highlights included the 1-hitter and the 23-inning scoreless streak (4/5-21). His scoreless streak was the longest by a Yankee starter since Andy Hawkins in 1989 (23.0 IP), and the longest by a Yankee left-handed starter since Tom Underwood in 1980. Jimmy's previous best was 21.0 innings with Toronto. After the 23-inning streak was stopped, Jimmy had a 16.2-inning scoreless streak from April 21-May 2.
He became the first Yankee to win a Player of the Month award since Dave Winfield in April 1988, the first Yankee pitcher since Dave Righetti in August 1985 and the first Yankee starting pitcher since Ron Guidry in August 1981.
In a 7-6, 12-inning Yankee loss at Detroit on May 7, Key left the game after 7.0 innings pitched with a 6-2 lead after New York had a 6-0 lead after six innings. He lost his first decision of the season in his eighth start, a 4-1 loss on May 12 at Milwaukee. It was Jimmy's first loss since September 8, 1992, ending a streak in which he had gone 10-0, 1.80 in 16 games and 14 starts.
His season ERA didn't go over 2.00 until his 5-2 loss at Boston on May 23 (2.18 ERA). Key recorded his second shutout and second complete of the season on May 28 against Chicago, throwing a 3-hitter in a 4-0 win. He struck out Bo Jackson in the second inning for the 1,000th strikeout of his career.
In six June starts Key went 5-0 with a 3.08 ERA, winning four straight from June 13-28. He earned the 5-0 win over Minnesota on June 18 but left that game when he began to develop a blister on his left index finger. On June 23 at Toronto he made his first start against his former team and getting the 4-3 win. John Olerud went 0-for-4 in that game, snapping his 26-game hitting streak, the longest in the majors in 1993.
In a 7-6 Yankee loss at Oakland on July 4th, Key left the game with a 6-2 lead but the A's scored five runs in the eighth off Bobby Munoz and Steve Farr. On July 9 at California, he threw his second complete game of the season against the Angels, giving up five hits in a 3-2 New York win.
At the break, Jimmy was 11-2, 2.31 with three complete games and two shutouts to earn his third All-Star Game selection. In the American League's 9-3 win at Baltimore's Camden Yards he pitched one inning (2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K). Key was the first Yankee pitcher selected for the midsummer classic since Scott Sanderson in 1991 and the first Yankee left-hander chosen since Dave Righetti in 1987.
In the 10-3 Yankee win over Oakland on July 16, Key tied his career high (1987) with his eighth straight win. That winning streak was snapped in a 10-3 loss to Seattle on July 21, his first loss since May 23, and he lost again in a 5-2 New York loss at Detroit on July 28, the only time all season Jimmy lost consecutive starts and consecutive decisions.
He threw his fourth complete game of the season in a 5-4 win over Toronto on August 5 (6 H). In an 8-4 loss at Cleveland on August 28, he pitched his shortest outing of the season (3.1 IP, 10 H, 6 ER). His ERA jumped to 3.02 from 2.79 as a result of that outing.
Key was the winning pitcher in the 4-3 win over Boston on September 18, when fan interference allowed the Yankees to score three runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. He tied his career high with 10 strikeouts (6.0 IP) in that game. In his final start of the season he was the winning pitcher in an 8-3 Yankee victory at Baltimore on September 29 for his career high 18th victory, the most by a Yankee since Dennis Rasmussen won 18 in 1986.
Key was named the left-handed pitcher on the Sporting News All-Star team. His 18 wins ranked second in the American League among left-handed pitchers (Randy Johnson, 19). The Yankees had a record of 24-10 in his 34 starts, and Key had a record of 11-3 in 22 starts following New York losses. He pitched at least seven innings in 20 of 34 starts and made 27 quality starts (6.0 IP and no more than 3 ER). Jimmy led the team with 18 wins, a 3.00 ERA, 34 starts, two shutouts, 236.1 innings pitched, 26 homers and 173 strikeouts, and tied with Jim Abbott with four complete games. He became the first Yankee with two shutouts since Scott Sanderson in 1991. He established career highs in wins, strikeouts and home runs allowed.
He led the American League in fewest walks per nine innings and his eight-game winning streak (5/28-7/16) tied for the longest in the league. He was third in ERA and winning percentage (.750), tied for fourth in wins, tied for fifth in shutouts, eighth in strikeouts, tied for eighth in homers and ninth in innings pitched.
In his 10 no-decisions in 1993, Jimmy left six games with leads, including three games (4/15, 5/7, 7/4) with four-run leads. The Yankees scored 197 runs (5.8 runs/start) in his 34 starts and hit .301 with 41 homers. Jimmy was caught by Mike Stanley (17 games), Matt Nokes (16) and Jim Leyritz (1). The bullpen stranded six of the eight runners he left on base. His ERA in innings 1-3 was 2.82 (102.0 IP, 86 H, 32 ER); innings 4-6, 2.76 (98.0 IP, 99 H, 30 ER); innings 7-9, 4.17 (36.2 IP, 34 H, 17 ER). Opposing batters hit .246 against Key in 1993, including .256 (6HR) by left-handed batters and .245 (20 HR) by right-handed batters
He went 2-2, 4.41 in seven day starts and 16-4, 2.64 in 27 night starts. He went 16-4, 2.84 in 30 starts on grass fields and 2-1 4.28 on turf. Five times Jimmy allowed two home runs in a game and on August 28 at Cleveland allowed three home runs. He has not allowed a grand slam in his career (1932.1 IP), the most innings among active pitchers.
Key became just the fifth Yankee pitcher to win at least 17 games in his first season with the club (Hunter 23 in 1975, Figueroa 19 in 1976, Ellis 17 in 1976, John 21 in 1979). He is the only pitcher in the majors with at least 12 wins in each of the last nine major league seasons. His 73 wins in the last five seasons is tied for tenth (with Jack McDowell) and is the fourth highest by a left-hander (Tom Glavine 86, Chuck Finley 75, Mark Langston 74). Entering the 1994 season, Key ranks 20th among active pitchers in wins and seventh among active left-handers in wins.
Since losing to Chicago on September 2, 1992, Key has started 41 games (43 appearances), including six starts to end the 1992 season, three postseason appearances in 1992 (with one start) and 34 starts in 1993. Since that loss to the Sox, Jimmy is 25-6 with a 2.79 ERA (283.2 IP).
He signed a four-year free agent contract in December 1992. The contract extends through the 1996 season.
Key was one of four Blue Jay starters to post double figures in wins in 1992. His 13 wins tied for third most in the American League among left-handed pitchers (tied with Mark Langston, Frank Tanana and Viola) behind Dave Fleming (17) and John Smiley (16). He ranked second on the staff in innings and third in shutouts.
Opponents hit .248 against Jimmy, including a .176 batting average (23-for-131) by left-handed batters and .261 by right-handed batters. Only two of the 24 home runs he allowed were to left-handed hitters, Ken Griffey, Jr. and Harold Baines.
He posted a 5-1 record with a 2.22 ERA during the September stretch run. He pitched three scoreless relief innings in the playoffs against Oakland. Key pitched twice (one start) in the World Series against Atlanta and was 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA, including a win in relief in the sixth and deciding game in Atlanta.
Key ranks third all-time among Blue Jays pitchers in wins (116) and is the winningest left-hander in Blue Jays history. He ranks third in innings pitched (1695.2), strikeouts (944), games started (250), shutouts (8) and ERA (3.42).
He was selected by the Blue Jays in the third round of the 1982 June free agent draft. He was scouted by Tim Wilkin. He started the 1983 season at AA Knoxville and was 2-1 with a 0.70 ERA in April, earning organizational Pitcher of the Month honors. Jimmy threw a 2-hitter on April 14 at Savannah. He was promoted to AAA Syracuse where he went 5-8.
Key was invited to spring training in 1984 as a non-roster invitee. He was the only Blue Jays rookie to remain on the 25-man roster the entire season. He made his major league debut on April 6 at California, earning the win in an 11-5 victory. His first big league save came on April 13 at Texas in a 3-2 win.
His first major league season was spent in the bullpen. Key set the club rookie mark for saves (10) and the team record for games (63), ninth best in the American League.
1985 was his first year in the starting rotation. Jimmy ranked among AL leaders in ERA (3.00, 4th), winning percentage (.700, 5th) and fewest walks per nine innings (2.1, 10th). He did not lose consecutive starts all season.
Jimmy made his starting debut on April 12, losing at Baltimore, 7-2. On May 1, he beat the Angels, 6-3, becoming the first Blue Jays left-handed starter to win since Paul Mirabella on October 4, 1980, at Boston, a span of 614 games. On May 20 Key tossed his first complete game against Chicago in a 6-1 win. On June 6 against Detroit he carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning and left after the tenth inning pitching a 2-hit shutout.
From May 1 to June 27 he won six straight decisions. From June 1 to 16 he pitched 18 consecutive scoreless innings. Key pitched in the All-Star Game, retiring the only batter he faced.
After starting 1986 0-3 with a 13.50 ERA in his first seven starts, Jimmy was 14-8 with a 2.70 ERA the rest of the way. He finished tied for fifth in the AL in starts (35) and 11th in ERA (3.57). He was 9-4 against clubs with a better than .500 record. The only home run he allowed by a left-handed batter was hit by Rich Gedman.
Jimmy threw his first career shutout against Chicago on May 22, tossing a 1-hitter. He allowed only a 5th inning single to Ozzie Guillen. He was 3-2 with a 2.09 ERA in June earning Labatt's Blue Pitcher of the Month honors. On July 10 against Seattle, he fanned a career best-tying 10 batters.
In 1987 Key was 17-8 with a league leading 2.76 ERA, finishing second in the AL Cy Young voting to Roger Clemens, and was named to Baseball America's AL all-star team. He was the Labatt's Blue Pitcher of the Year and earned three monthly Labatt's honors. He was named Alabama's Pro Athlete of the Year.
Key posted a career best six-game winning streak from July 16-September 25. For the season he averaged a team leading 7.1 innings per outing.
He pitched the 1988 season opener at Kansas City, earning the win in a 5-3 victory and becoming the first Blue Jay pitcher to win consecutive Opening Day starts. After an April 13 loss to the Yankees, Jimmy experienced soreness in his left elbow.
He was on the 15-day disabled list on April 15, undergoing arthroscopic surgery on May 4. The surgery, performed by Dr. James Andrews, removed two bone chips. Placed on the 21-day disabled list on May 16, Jimmy was on a medical rehabilitation stint at Dunedin from June 10-27.
Upon activation Jimmy won his first four starts. He was 3-1 with a 2.24 ERA in July, earning Labatt's Player of the Month honors. Jimmy finished fourth in the league in winning percentage (.706) and tied for eighth in shutouts (2). He participated in the Major League tour of Japan after the season.
In his third consecutive Opening Day assignment in 1989, Key won in Kansas City, 4-3, on April 3. He also beat KC in Toronto's final home opener at Exhibition Stadium, winning 3-0 on April 14. On April 24 at Oakland, he fanned a career best tying 10 batters. He pitched back-to-back complete games on May 10 and 15 against Seattle and Cleveland. Key won a season best four straight games from May 10-26 and held opponents to three earned runs or less in nine of his first 12 starts.
The Blue Jays starter in their SkyDome opener on June 5 against Milwaukee, he took the loss in a 5-3 Toronto defeat. From May 31-August 3, Jimmy had a tough stretch, going 1-11 with a 5.74 ERA in 13 starts. Included was a career worst seven-game losing skid from June 25-August 3. From August 4-19 he was on the 15-day DL with mild inflammation of the left shoulder.
Upon his return Jimmy went 4-0 in his first four starts and won his first five decisions. He was 6-1 with a 3.40 ERA in his first nine starts after being reactivated.
Jimmy was the winning pitcher in the club's only victory in the ALCS (Game 3), a 7-3 win on October 6 against Oakland. For the regular season, he ranked first in the American League in fewest walks per nine innings (1.1) and 10th in starts (33).
He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder on October 24. Performed by Dr. Andrews, the surgery was to repair a partial tear of the left rotator cuff.
Key went 4-1 in his first six starts of 1990. On May 22 at Oakland, he pulled a muscle in his right hamstring and was on the disabled list from May 23-June 22. Included was a three-start rehabilitation stint at Dunedin.
He posted a 2.12 ERA in July, followed by a 3-1 August that earned him Labatt's Blue Pitcher of the Month honors. On August 7 against Detroit, Key pitched a season high 8.1 innings. On September 14 against Baltimore, he pitched five innings of no-hit ball before leaving with a slight twinge in his right hamstring.
Jimmy won four of his last five decisions and was 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA in 17 starts upon activation from the DL. He had a 4:1 strikeout to walk ratio, tops among Blue Jay starters. He allowed just 22 walks in 154.2 innings, best on the club, and left-handed hitters batted hit just .182 against him.
In 1991 Jimmy was 4-0 with a 1.86 ERA in April. His highlights included a 2-hit shutout of the Brewers on April 14. From May 12-June 13 he won six consecutive decisions.
On June 13 against Cleveland he pitched another 2-hit shutout. Key made his 200th career start on June 29 against Seattle. He left in the 5th inning leading 2-0, when he was hit on the index finger by an Omar Vizquel line drive. From June 13-30, he had a string of 33.1 walkless innings.
Key was 3-1 with a 1.65 ERA in June, earning Labatt's Blue Pitcher of the Month honors. He was 10-4 with a 2.23 ERA at the break and made his second All-Star Game appearance, on July 9 at SkyDome, earning the win. On August 26 at Baltimore, he earned career win No. 100.
He was 13-6 while not allowing a home run and 11-6 on four days rest. His road earned run average of 2.64 was second best in the American League.
Jimmy attended Clemson University, where he met his wife Cindy. Both were at Clemson on athletic scholarships, Jimmy for baseball and Cindy for swimming. He was majoring in parks and recreation administration.
He was an All-Conference player in 1982 as a pitcher/designated hitter, leading the club in innings (116.0) and ERA (2.79) while compiling a 9-3 record. He was team MVP, named first-team Atlantic Coast Conference pitcher and designated hitter and was selected to the All-Regional team.
Jimmy had a career .300 batting average while hitting a school best 21 doubles. He pitched in the College World Series as a freshman and in the Regionals on two occasions.
He and Cindy made a substantial donation to H.E.L.P., an organization aiding New York City's homeless. The donation was matched by the Yankees.
Jimmy enjoys hunting and fishing."
-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide
Named American League Pitcher of the Year by the Sporting News, 1987.
Named left-handed pitcher on the Sporting News American League All-Star Team, 1987.
Led American League pitchers in earned run average (2.76), 1987.
Named left-handed pitcher on the Sporting News American League All-Star Team, 1993.
Led American League pitchers in fewest walks per nine innings (1.6), 1993.
Tied American League pitchers for longest winning streak, (8), 1993.
Named American League Pitcher of the Month, April 1993.
-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide
James Edward Key "Jimmy" (P) #22
Born April 22, 1961, in Huntsville, Alabama, resides in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Height: 6-1, Weight: 185. Bats right, throws left. Attended Clemson University.
Married, Cindy (9/24/83), and father of Jordan (5).
Major league service: 10 years, 0 days. Opening Day age: 32.
-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide
