1977 Profile: Ron Guidry

"Almost ready to happen, Guidry can make it as a starter or a reliever. He's the hardest thrower on the Yankee staff.
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Ron made only seven appearances for the Yankees after being called up from Syracuse, where he was 5-1 with a glittering 0.68 ERA, along with 50 strikeouts in 40 innings used exclusively as a bullpen stopper."

-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1977 Edition

"On a team laden with big-name pitchers, young Ron Guidry is out to carve a place for himself in the Yankee bullpen.
The slender left-hander was nothing less than brilliant at Syracuse in 1976, with a 5-1 record and a 0.68 ERA. He spent time with the Yankees as well, but his appearances were brief, as he spent time observing American League hitters and making notes to himself for the future.
Originally signed as a starter, the 26-year-old native of Louisiana switched to the bullpen in 1974 with glowing results. One of the best all-around athletes on the team, Ron is probably one of the three fastest runners on the Yankees, and was called upon as a pinch runner during the Championship Series last October."

-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook

"Ron Guidry did not see much action for the Yankees last season, but he did find himself a member of the American League champions, quite an honor for the outstanding 26-year-old prospect. He appeared in one of the Championship Series games as a pinch-runner, a wise choice as he is one of the fastest runners on the team.
Ron was recalled from Syracuse on May 19, optioned back on July 6 and recalled again on August 6. Despite the interruptions, his Syracuse record of 5-1 with a 0.68 ERA was sensational, and he also added nine saves.
He throws very hard, and Ron's career turned around when he became a relief pitcher in 1974. The following year at Syracuse, he struck out 76 in 63 innings.
There was no baseball team at his high school, so his development was strictly through amateur play. A Yankee fan as a youngster, Ron hurled a no-hitter at the University of Southern Louisiana.
Ron is an avid chess player. He's of French ancestry."

-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide