1967 Profile: Mel Stottlemyre

"The turnabout last year of Mel Stottlemyre from 20-game winner to 20-game loser was a baffling one - the Yankee demise notwithstanding. Mel is still one of the most sought-after pitchers in the league. His troubles started early in the year when he pitched well but couldn't get any runs. Or errors killed him. Then he seemed to go sour.
His best pitch is his sinker, but last year it seemed to rise and that's when the hitters began teeing off. His fastball was adequate and he was trying to develop a changeup. Some observers feel he'd be better off in the National League, where the umpires give you the low strike. Still, Mel apparently needs more variety to return to the 20-9 form he flashed in '65."

-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1967

"After a sensational first season-and-a-half with the Yankees, Mel Stottlemyre had a turn-about record last year. A 20-game winner in 1965, Mel was a 20-game loser (while winning 12) last season.
In fairness to Mel, it must be pointed out that the tall right-hander from Grandview, Washington was the victim of four 2-1 losses; on seven occasions his Yankees teammates gave him only a single run to work with and in two others the Yanks were shut out.
Control, Mel says, was his major problem. And then, too, he is working on another pitch to go with his slider and low fastball.
'He's one of the very best pitchers in the league, no matter what his record was last year,' said Manager Ralph Houk. Every other manager in the league agrees. His selection to the A.L. All-Star team last summer is proof of the respect in which Mel is held. At 25, many great seasons should be ahead for Mel Stottlemyre."

-The New York Yankees Official 1967 Yearbook

MY GREATEST THRILL
"Pitchers remember most vividly their big days with the bat, and I guess I'm no exception. On September 26, 1964 - my first year in the majors, I pitched a 7-0, 2-hit shutout at Washington. But I remember even more getting five hits in five at-bats that same day."

-Mel Stottlemyre, The New York Yankees Official 1967 Yearbook

Signed by Yankee organization on June 10, 1961.
Led International League in ERA (1.42 mark), 1964.
Led International League pitchers in fielding (1.000), 1964
Purchased by Yankees from Richmond, August 11, 1964.
Hurled a 7-0, 2-hit shutout at Washington, September 26, 1964- and had five hits in five at-bats in the same game.
Named Most Valuable Player in International League, 1964.
Led American League in complete games (18), 1965.
Led Yankees in games started (37), complete games, shutouts (4), wins (20), innings pitched (291) and ERA (2.63), 1965.
Led Yankees in games started (35), shutouts (3) and innings pitched (251), 1966.
Ten of his twenty losses in 1966 were by one run.

-1967 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide