"Lindy suffered through an off-season in 1971 but is still rated one of baseball's top relief pitchers. He has more appearances than any other active pitcher except Hoyt Wilhelm.
A deeply religious man, he attends church every Sunday before reporting to the ballpark. He is a lay preacher in the Church of Christ.
Born in Hollis, Oklahoma, December 13, 1935, Lindy was a $50,000 bonus baby with the St. Louis Cardinals and mainly a starting pitcher for his first three major league seasons. He then switched to relief in 1959 and has been a bullpen specialist ever since, standing second only to Wilhelm in career victories by a reliever with 99.
He was named Lindy after Lucky Lindy, Col. Charles A. Lindbergh."
-Hal Bock, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1972 Edition
"Baseball is third in Lindy McDaniel's life. His devotion to God and to his family take precedence. But don't think for a minute that it makes Lindy anything but a total competitor when he takes the mound.
Anyone entering his 17th major league season doesn't have to be told to bear down. Lindy is among the all-time great relief pitchers, trailing only Hoyt Wilhelm and Roy Face in most departments.
In 1968 when he came to New York from San Francisco, the Yanks were the Comeback Team of the Year and Lindy's 1.76 ERA was a vital factor. In 1969, Lindy and the Yankees slipped. But in 1970 his 29-save season helped the Yanks finish second. Lindy had his troubles in 1971 following minor, but debilitating surgery, and so, too, did the Yankees. If his career patterns hold true - every other season is a big one - the Yanks can look forward to a winning season for themselves. That's how important this man can be."
-1972 New York Yankees Official Yearbook
"He's done it before and he can do it again. That is, come back from an off season. This veteran right-hander of 17 years in the major leagues has come back from adversity so many times you have to believe he has more lives than the proverbial cat. Lindy got off on the wrong foot in spring training last year mainly due to the removal of an infected gland in his neck and never did fully regain his form.
He's one of the all-time top relief pitchers the game has produced. He is second in relief victories with 99 (Hoyt Wilhelm leads with 123) and is third in lifetime saves (Wilhelm-216, Elroy Face-194). His 29 saves in 1970 tied a Yankee record. The Fireman of the Year award, which is presented to the best relief pitcher each season, was given to Lindy twice, in 1960 and 1963, and he came in a close second to Ron Perranoski in 1970.
Signed by the St. Louis Cardinals for a reported $50,000 bonus in 1955, he began his professional career in the major leagues, mainly as a starter. He was switched to relief pitching after his one brief stint in the minor leagues at Omaha in 1958. He also began his career as a side-armer ... and when he had trouble with his effectiveness, switched to a three-quarter delivery ... and now comes directly overhand, with his most effective pitch being a devastating forkball, a good pitch for a reliever as it induces batters to hit the ball into the ground.
Lindy is from a baseball family. Two of his brothers, Von and Kerry, also played in the Cardinal organization. His father, a farmer, nicknamed his son Lindy after the famous flyer Charles A. Lindbergh. He's called 'Preacher' as that is his winter occupation. The Preacher is a religious man of strong convictions."
-1972 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
No comments:
Post a Comment