1981 Profile: Dave Righetti

"In school, children are taught economics and the law of supply and demand. The theory holds true in baseball, too. Southpaw power pitchers like Dave Righetti are always in demand.
Although last season was an off-year for this 6'3", 195-pound flamethrower, his reputation as a fine prospect was not altered by the fact that he stuck out 139 in 142 innings. Any scout can tell you that's a mighty impressive economic stat.
But the 22-year-old San Jose, California native still took his already superlative assortment of pitches to the Instructional League this off-season to try and add some polish. Maybe, just maybe, the extra work will pay off and Dave will soon be supplying the kind of talent that'll make a Yankee pennant the best bet in town. Economically speaking, that's a pretty sound investment."

-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook

"Righetti had a disappointing season at Columbus in 1980, going 6-10 with a 4.63 ERA. He struck out 139 in 142 innings but was hampered by control problems as he walked 101. His best outing was on May 15, a 2-hit 13-strikeout win over Richmond. Dave pitched in the Instructional League in the fall and was 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA, striking out 40 in 35 innings and allowing only 15 hits and 15 walks.
He had an impressive first Yankee season in 1979. Named to the Topps-National Association Class AA All-Star team at West Haven (4-3, 1.96), he was called up to Columbus on June 28 and threw a seven-inning 2-hitter and a nine-inning 1-hitter in his first two starts at triple-A. Dave was called up to the Yankees on September 16 and made his debut that afternoon on Catfish Hunter Day before 40,000 fans. He allowed the Tigers three hits and three runs in five innings, leaving a tie game. He made two other impressive starts, a loss at Minnesota and a no-decision against Cleveland.
Righetti spent his first two years in the Texas organization after he was drafted by Paddy Cottrell in the sixth round in January 1977 (129th pick overall). He went 11-3 with a 3.14 ERA at Asheville with 101 strikeouts in 109 innings at age 18. The next season he struck out 127 in 91 innings at Tulsa including a record-breaking 21-K performance on July 16 against Midland; he struck out the side four times in that one and had a stretch of seven straight strikeouts.
Dave grew up in San Jose where was All-League in baseball at Pioneer High School and also played basketball. He played against Red Sox third baseman Carney Lansford in American Legion ball. He attended San Jose City College, where he was a teammate of Blue Jay pitcher Dave Stieb, and won JC Player of the Year honors in 1977.
He grew up a San Francisco Giant fan. His brother Steve is in the Texas organization."

-1981 New York Yankees Media Guide