"In pitching more than he ever has before - 274 innings - Fritz Peterson wound up with his worst season since 1967. Still, he posted a 15-13 record and a fair 3.05 ERA. Basically, Fritz was inconsistent last season despite a 'secret' pitch which he added to his varied repertoire. The left-hander's strength rests in his superior control which is unusual in one who throws a curve, fastball, slider, screwball and now a mystery pitch which is described as knuckleball curve.
But one of his biggest problems is relaxing against the weak hitters who regularly beat him. If Fritz can maintain his concentration all season, he should return to the 20-game form he displayed in 1970."
-Brenda Zanger, Major League Baseball 1972
"Fritz has remarkable control to go with a variety of pitches that enable him to keep hitters off stride. He's not an overpowering pitcher but effective nevertheless.
Fritz reached the 20-victory mark for the only time in his career on the final night of the 1970 season and couldn't bear to watch the end of the game as reliever Lindy McDaniel got the last two outs. He kept the ball and uniform as souvenirs of the occasion.
Born February 8, 1942 in Chicago, he holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Northern Illinois, where he teaches in the off-season."
-Hal Bock, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1972 Edition
"In six Yankee seasons, Fritz Peterson has reached such peaks as a 20-victory year, an All-Star selection, membership on the list of all-time Yankee pitching leaders, and inclusion among the American League ERA leaders. But it was the baseball writers' Good Guy Award that really tells the story of this man, for Fritz Peterson is one genuine, good guy.
Unless he's at work - bearing down on American League hitters with razor-sharp control - Fritz is one continuous smile, always ready for a laugh (his day is complete if he can put one over on Mel Stottlemyre or Mike Kekich). He's always ready to meet the fans (if he's too hurried for an autograph, a pleasant and wave keep 'Fritz Fans' happy).
Pete is firmly established as a key member of one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. His contributions on the mound indicate that with the right breaks, Fritz could get a start in next fall's World Series. But his contributions off the field make everyone a better person for it."
-The New York Yankees Official 1972 Yearbook
"The Yankees' top left-hander since Whitey Ford, Peterson was a 20-game winner in 1970. He has 260 or more innings each of the last three years. He has a lifetime ERA of only 2.96. Fritz has a fantastic career ratio of three strikeouts for every walk allowed and has never walked more than 43 men in a season. Last year Fritz lost four one-run games by scores of 1-0, 2-1 (twice) and 3-2.
A good fielding pitcher, Peterson has developed one of the best pick-off moves in baseball. He has accomplished the feat 14 times.
A hockey enthusiast, Pete once played semi-pro hockey in the Chicago area. He has a master's degree from Northern Illinois University where he teaches Phys-Ed. in the off-season."
-1972 New York Yankees official spring training scorebook
"Although he didn't quite match his 20 win season of 1970, Fritz had a respectable 15-13 mark last year with a 3.05 ERA and is considered one of the better left-handers in baseball. His lifetime ERA is under 3.00 after six full seasons in the majors. The crafty left-hander has five or six different pitches with fantastic control as attested by his lifetime ratio of three strikeouts to every walk (729 strikeouts to 237 walks).
Fritz has now taken his place among the all-time top twenty Yankee pitchers in games, 20th with 219; innings pitched with 1,414, 15th on the list; his 84 wins place him 16th; his 629 strikeouts, 15th; 15 shutouts ties him with Waite Hoyt for the 14th spot, and his 2.96 ERA is eighth.
Fritz matched his career high of 16 complete games last year, including a 2-hitter on September 17 against the Indians. He lost four tough one-run games by scores of 1-0, 2-1 twice, and 3-2. He's a good fielding pitcher who has one of the best pickoff moves in the game. He's caught 14 runners off base in his career, with a high of four in 1968.
A graduate of Northern Illinois University where he also received his Master's degree, Fritz teaches there during the off-season. In his spare time, he watches the Chicago Black Hawks as he is a hockey enthusiast and once played on a semi-pro club."
-1972 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
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