"The center of controversy in spring 1984, when he was moved from the rotation to the bullpen by manager Yogi Berra, Righetti's performance quieted critics of the shift. He tied for sixth in the AL in appearances (64) and ranked fourth with 31 saves. He recorded the third highest save total in Yankee history, behind Goose Gossage's 33 in 1980 and Sparky Lyle's 35 in 1972. Righetti failed to protect a lead nine times.
Righetti pitched a no-hitter against Boston on July 4, 1983, the first by a Yankee since Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series against Brooklyn. He was selected AL Rookie of the Year in 1981 after he was acquired from Texas with Mike Griffin, Paul Mirabella, Juan Beniquez and Greg Jemison for Sparky Lyle, Larry McCall, Dave Rajsich, Mike Heath and Domingo Ramos prior to the 1979 season. The Rangers signed him as a first round draft choice in 1977.
His father Leo was a shortstop in the Yankee system. Dave was born in San Jose, California.
His blazing fastball is his big strikeout pitch, making him an asset in relief, but can the Yankees afford to do without him in the rotation?"
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985 Edition
"As a starting pitcher, Dave Righetti was excellent. As a reliever, he has been brilliant. He has shown the baseball world that there are still a few select ballplayers who will set aside their own personal glory for the good of the team and still come out the better for it.
The hard-throwing left-hander, already one of the premier relievers in the game, made the transition to the bullpen like he owned the place. Righetti collected 31 saves in 40 save situations even though he spent 15 days on the disabled list in mid-season.
For now, Righetti's no-hitter days are behind him, but as a reliever he is in the position to help the club on any given day. He's a game saver, a stopper and no one can win a pennant without one of those."
-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook
"Righetti made the switch to the bullpen with extraordinary ease. He saved 31 of 40 'save situations'- only Sparky Lyle (35 saves in 1972) and Rich Gossage (33 saves in 1980) had better seasons as Yankees. His 64 games tied him for sixth on the Yankees all-time single season list. His 31 saves ranked him fourth in the AL (Quisenberry 44, Caudill 36, Hernandez 32).
He cut his left finger on the bullpen water cooler on June 17, requiring six stitches and a 15-day stay on the disabled list. Dave came on strong after the All-Star break, saving five of six games in a week, July 25-31. He notched his 500th career strikeout against the Angels' Brian Downing on September 1 at California.
In 1983 Dave pitched his July 4th no-hitter against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium and was 10-3 in the first half of the season. He struck out 11 against Chicago on August 15 and struck out seven or more on 12 occasions. In 1982, Dave suffered a slight sophomore jinx but still led the Yankee staff with 163 strikeouts, third in the AL. Righetti was named American League Rookie of the Year in 1981 and narrowly missed winning the AL ERA crown with a 2.06 ERA- he fell just 1.2 innings short of qualifying. In the '81 postseason he started and won Game 2 of the Division Series against Milwaukee and relieved in Game 5, earning the deciding win. Rags also won the clinching game of the ALCS, Game 3 in Oakland, but started and got a no-decision in Game 3 of the World Series.
Pitching for Tulsa on July 16, 1978, Righetti struck out 21 batters at Midland, striking out the side four times and having a stretch of seven straight K's. He made his major league debut on September 16, 1979 against Detroit at Yankee Stadium on Catfish Hunter Day, with no decision.
Dave grew up in San Jose where he was All-League in baseball at Pioneer High School, and also played basketball. A Giants and A's fan growing up, he played against A's 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. His brother Steve is in the Texas organization. His father is a former minor league shortstop, and the first time he saw Dave pitch professionally was in the clinching game of the ALCS in Oakland."
-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide
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