1989 Profile: Dave Righetti

"The reliever who racked up a major league record 46 saves in 1986 suffered a dramatic loss of form. His 25 saves represented his lowest total since he went to the bullpen five years ago. Righetti blew nine save opportunities, although the Yankees went 29-5 in games in which he entered in a save situation.
Righetti missed four consecutive saves from April 20 to May 2 and endured a 12-day layoff after that as then-manager Billy Martin lost confidence in him. He earned his 151st save on July 24 at Kansas City and surpassed Rich Gossage as the Yankees' all-time saves leader. Righetti now has 163 career saves.
His heavy workload has caused him to lose zip on his fastball. He also got into trouble with walks.
Born in San Jose, California, the Rangers made Righetti the ninth player taken in the January 1977 draft. He was obtained from the Rangers with Mike Griffin, Paul Mirabella, Juan Beniquez and Greg Jemison for Sparky Lyle, Larry McCall, Dave Rajsich, Mike Heath, Domingo Ramos and cash.
Righetti threw a no-hitter against the Red Sox on July 4, 1983. He may wind up back in the rotation in 1989."

-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1989 Edition

"What does the 1989 season hold in store for Dave Righetti? Well, it'll be interesting to find out, for there is no other veteran with the type of uncertainty around him that seemingly follows this successful pitcher.
At age 30, Rags has already enjoyed more accomplishments than most pitchers can expect in an entire career. Yet with the Yankees' starting pitching troubles continuing last year, combined with Righetti's low number of saves, the question of his status was raised again when the team hired Dallas Green.
Rags has stated that he wants to remain a reliever, and it's awfully tough to question why. Sure, his July 4, 1983 no-hitter is still regarded as one of the greatest moments in Yankee history, but last year he became the Yankees' all-time save leader and in 1986 set a major league record with 46 saves. 'I want the guys who play behind me to feel like when I'm in there the game's over. Then we can go home.'
Two things are certain: Dave Righetti is a great competitor with a full complement of pitches to work with, and he is a tremendous value to the Yankees."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Dave got off to a fast start in 1988, succeeding on his first four save situations (five games) through April 19, allowing just one earned run in his first 5.1 innings pitched. In his next four straight save opportunities (April 20-May 2), however, he failed in each, going 1-0 and allowing four earned runs in 10 innings pitched, with the Yankees going 2-2. Through April he was 1-0 with four saves in seven opportunities. Dave did not make a single appearance in nine games New York played in an 11-day span from May 3 through May 13, the Yankees going 5-4.
From May 14 through May 24 he went on another save tear, rolling down five straight and allowing no runs in 6.2 innings pitched. That string was snapped on May 30 at Oakland with his fifth failed save in 14 opportunities. Dave ended May 1-0 with nine saves in 14 save opportunities and a 2.16 ERA (6 ER, 25 IP).
He appeared in 10 games in June, but in just two save opportunities, converting both. In consecutive outings, June 14 at Boston and June 21 at Detroit, he allowed six earned runs in a combined two innings, swelling his ERA from 2.35 to 3.86, yet notched back-to-back wins on June 23 and June 26, both games against Cleveland. Dave ended June 3-0 with 11 saves in 16 opportunities and a 3.79 ERA (16 ER, 38 IP).
From July 1 through July 18 he made seven appearances, none in save situations, allowing two earned runs in 5.2 innings pitched and going 0-0. From July 22 at Kansas City through July 31 at Toronto, he made six straight appearances in save situations, going 0-1 with five saves and allowing just one run in 8.1 innings pitched. He ended July 3-1 with 16 saves in 22 save situations and a 3.29 ERA (19 ER, 52 IP).
Although not charged with a blown save, Dave relinquished a 5-1 lead on August 3 at Milwaukee, allowing five runs on five hits in 0.1 innings to record his second loss. It was his single worst outing of '88, raising his overall ERA to 4.13. In his next seven appearances, August 5-19, he went 1-1 with three saves in three save situations, allowing two runs (one earned) in 8.1 innings. From August 20 through August 31, Righetti made just two appearances, August 23 against Oakland and August 26 at California- both save situations, failing in each but winning on August 23. He ended August 5-3 with 19 saves in 27 save situations with a 3.80 ERA (28 ER, 66.1 IP).
In September/October Rags appeared in 12 games, converting six of seven opportunities (including his last five straight), yielding runs in just three of those games and going 0-1 with a 2.61 ERA (6 ER, 20.2 IP). He struck out seven straight batters, three on September 19 against Baltimore and the first four he faced on September 21, also against Baltimore.
With runners on base, Rags retired the first batter he faced 21 of 35 times and overall retired the first batter in 37 of his 60 appearances. He prevented 38 of 53 inherited runners from scoring (72%)- in 1987 he prevented 29 of 38 inherited runners from scoring (also 72%), inheriting 36% more runners in '88 than in '87. He had a .257 batting average against (86-for-335).
In 1988 Righetti became the Yankees' all-time career saves leader. The record-breaking save came on July 24 at Kansas City- his 13th of the year and 151st as a Yankee. He displaced Rich Gossage, who recorded 150 saves for New York from 1978 through 1983. Righetti's total of 162 saves from '84 through '88 ties Lee Smith for second only to Jeff Reardon's 172 over that span. He currently has 163 career saves.
Dave was successful in 25 of 34 save opportunities in 1988, or a 74% success rate (compared to 70% in 1987). Since assigned to the bullpen prior to the 1984 season, he has accumulated 162 save in 217 save situations, a 75% success rate. Of the 55 save situations Dave was not able to record a save, the Yankees went 25-30. That translates into the Yankees winning 187 of the 217 games he entered into a save situation- a .862 winning percentage.
He allowed just five home runs in '88, bringing his career total to 54 homers allowed. Dave's most home runs allowed in a season as a relief pitcher was his total of nine in 1987. In his five seasons as a relief pitcher, he has allowed 28 homers (492 IP), averaging 5.6 per season, and as a reliever currently averages just 1 home run every 17.2 innings pitched. In 1988 he allowed two home runs to left-handed batters- Harold Baines on May 2 at Chicago and George Brett on July 23 at Kansas City, and has allowed just 13 career homers to left-handed batters.
Dave signed a three-year contract on December 23, 1987. The contract extends through the 1990 season.
With 31 saves in 1987, he tied Jeff Reardon for second in the AL behind Tom Henke's league leading 34, and his 60 appearances placed him ninth in the league. The Yankees were 45-15 in the games Dave pitched in, and with 31 saves and eight wins, he contributed to 43.8% of New York's 89 wins.
Rags was 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA and six saves (in seven save situations) from Opening Day through April 23, his first nine appearances. From April 24 through June 19 he went 2-3 with eight saves (in 15 save situations), allowing 20 earned runs in 30.1 innings pitched for a 5.93 ERA. Beginning with his next appearance on June 23, Righetti appeared in 33 games through the remainder of '87, allowing earned runs in just eight of those games, going 4-3 with 17 saves, a 2.28 ERA (13 ER, 51.1 IP) and just four failed save situations. Had he not allowed six earned runs in his 58th and 60th (final) appearances, his stats over those 33 games would have been 4-1 with 17 saves, a 1.35 ERA (7 ER, 46.2 IP) and just two failed save situations.
At the All-Star break, Righetti was 5-3 with 17 saves in 34 games, a 3.86 ERA (24 ER, 56 IP) and nine failed save situations. After the All-Star break, he was 3-3 with 14 saves in 26 games, a 3.00 ERA (13 ER, 39 IP) and four failed save situations. Of Dave's 31 saves, eight saved wins for starter Rick Rhoden.
Dave had a season high six strikeouts (in 2.1 IP) on May 2 at Minnesota and threw 4.1 innings on August 20 at Seattle, his longest relief outing of '87. He allowed four runs (three earned) in 2.1 innings in his last outing of '87, on October 1 at Boston, the most earned runs he had allowed in one outing since June 20, 1986 at Toronto.
With runners on base, Rags retired his first batter 18 of 27 times, and overall retired his first batter in 42 of his 60 appearances. He held [hitters] to a .262 batting average against. He was successful in 31 of 44 save situations in 1987, a 70% success rate.
Righetti was selected to and played on his second consecutive American League All-Star team. He won his second consecutive Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award, compiling 72 points to edge out Minnesota's Jeff Reardon, and tied with Reardon for his second straight Sporting News Fireman of the Year Award. 1987 was his third season, out of four in the bullpen, that he recorded better than 30 saves, and the sixth 30+ save season by a reliever in club history. His 31 saves equaled his 1984 figure as the fourth highest single save total in Yankee history.
Righetti was selected by the Texas Rangers organization in the 1st round (ninth player selected) of the free agent draft in January 1977. He struck out 21 batters for Tulsa on July 16, 1978 at Midland, striking out the side four times and having a stretch of seven straight strikeouts. He was traded to the Yankees on November 10 with pitchers Mike Griffin and Paul Mirabella and outfielders Juan Beniquez and Greg Jemison for pitchers Sparky Lyle, Larry McCall and Dave Rajsich, catcher Mike Heath, shortstop Domingo Ramos and cash. Named to the Topps National Association Class AAA All-Star team in 1979, Righetti made his major league debut on September 16 against Detroit at Yankee Stadium on Catfish Hunter Day, getting a no-decision.
He had a disappointing season at Columbus in 1980, hampered by control problems, but did strike out 139 in 142 innings pitched. He was 3-0, 1.80 in the instructional league.
Dave 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 3 of the ALCS at Oakland, but started and got a no-decision in Game 3 of the World Series.
In 1982 Dave suffered a slight sophomore jinx but still led the Yankee staff with 163 strikeouts, third in the AL. In 1983, he beat Boston at Yankee Stadium, 4-0, on July 4th with a no-hitter (nine innings pitched, no runs, no hits, four walks, nine strikeouts with Righetti throwing 132 pitches). It was sunny and hot, with the temperature in the 90s. Only four Red Sox reached base, all via walks, including one removed by a double play (Jim Rice) and one picked off first by Righetti (Reid Nichols). It was the first no-hitter by a Yankee since Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series, the first regular season no-hitter by a Yankee since Allie Reynolds no-hit Boston on September 28, 1951 at Yankee Stadium, and the first no-hitter by a Yankee southpaw since George Mogridge no-hit Boston at Fenway Park on April 24, 1917.
Dave was 10-3 in the first half of the '83 season and ended the year 7-3 against the American League East. He pitched career highs in starts, complete games, innings pitched, wins and strikeouts. He hurled back-to-back shutouts, June 29 against Baltimore (his first major league shutout) followed by the no-hitter. Dave struck out 11 White Sox on August 15 and struck out seven or more on 12 occasions.
He moved to the bullpen in 1984 and registered saves in 31 of 40 save situations. At the time, only Sparky Lyle (35 in 1972) and Rich Gossage (33 in 1980) had more saves in a season as Yankees. Dave got his 500th career strikeout against the Angels' Brian Downing on September 1 at California.
His 74 appearances in 1985 set a new Yankee record, breaking Lyle's mark of 72, set in 1977. Dave began that season impressively, not allowing any runs in his first seven outings, going 1-0 with four saves in 8.1 innings. He had a rough stint from May 25 through June 20, going 1-4 with just two saves (17.1 IP, 14 ER, 7.27 ERA). Beginning with his next appearance, he went 8-1 with 18 saves through the season's end (60.1 IP, 14 ER, 2.09 ERA), lowering his ERA from 3.66 to 2.78. From July 29 through September 29, he went 5-0 with 10 saves. Dave was named AL Player of the Month in August (4-0 with five saves and a 1.17 ERA, 23 IP, 14 H, 3 ER and 22 K's). He recorded saves in each of his last four games of the season.
He allowed just five home runs in 107 innings pitched in 1985. Dave finished 60 of his 74 appearances (81%) and was 9-1 with a 2.24 ERA at Yankee Stadium. Opposing batters combined for a .231 average against him. He struck out a season high four batters three times: May 30 against California, June 30 against Milwaukee and September 5 against Oakland.
In 1986, just his third season out of the bullpen, Dave established a new major league single-season save record of 46, breaking the record of 45, previously set by Dan Quisenberry in 1983 and later matched by Bruce Sutter in 1984. In addition to Righetti, Quisenberry (who also had 44 in '84) and Sutter, the only other relievers to record 40+ saves are Dennis Eckersley (45 in 1988), Jeff Reardon (41 in 1985) and Steve Bedrosian (40 in '87).
Righetti's 36th save, notched on September 9 at Toronto, broke the Yankee save record of 35 set in 1972 by Sparky Lyle. His 39th save, recorded on September 14 against Boston, broke John Hiller's major league record of 38 saves by a left-hander, set in 1973. He saved both ends of a doubleheader in Boston on October 4, notching saves 45 and 46 and setting the new all-time mark. Dave matched his own Yankee record for games in a single season, appearing in 74 for the second consecutive year. He failed to finish just six of those 74 appearances.
He was successful in 46 of 56 save opportunities. Eight of his 'blown saves' came in his first 32 outings (24 save opportunities), and nine came in his first 36 games (26 save opportunities). Dave failed in three of five save situations from April 19 through April 27 (five games), then failed in four of six save situations from May 24 through June 9 (seven games). After a June 20 appearances at Toronto (0.2 IP, three hits, four earned runs including a George Bell ninth-inning grand slam), he did not allow more than one run in any of his remaining 43 games (67.0 IP, 10 ER, 1.34 ERA, with New York 37-6).
In nine games from May 2 through May 22, he was 1-0 with five saves, allowing just four hits and no runs in 11.2 innings, with the five saves coming in consecutive outings, May 5-13. He recorded saves in four consecutive appearances, June 10-14, with just two hits and no runs in 4.2 innings pitched. In 15 games from June 21 through August 1, he was 3-0 with eight saves (22.1 IP, 2 ER, 0.81 ERA).
Dave lost back-to-back games (neither a save situation) on August 2 at Cleveland and August 8 against Milwaukee, allowing one run in each contest, then notched saves in six consecutive outings, August 8-22, allowing no runs in 10.2 innings pitched. He was also awarded saves in 10 straight appearances, August 28-September 15, allowing just one earned run in 15.1 innings pitched (0.59 ERA). Dave closed out '86 with saves in his final four games, September 30-October 4, allowing no runs in 4.2 innings pitched.
Between July 1, the date of his ninth blown save, and September 23, the date of his tenth and final blown save, he recorded saves in 24 consecutive save opportunities. Beginning on July 3, Dave was successful on 29 of 30 save opportunities, spanning his final 38 games (9 ER, 62 IP, 1.31 ERA, 44 H, 13 BB, 1 HR, 36 K [.919 WHIP]. He saved 21 and won one of New York's final 28 wins. Rags had a .226 batting average-against in '86.
His 46 saves were a major factor in the Yankees tying the American League record of 58 team saves, first set by the Minnesota Twins in 1970. With 46 saves he secured 51 percent of the Yankees' 90 wins; add to the 46 saves his eight wins and he directly contributed to 54 of those 90 wins, or 60 percent. Overall, the Yankees were 60-14 in games Righetti pitched, a .811 winning percentage.
Righetti finished fourth in the BBWAA voting for the Cy Young Award, finishing behind Roger Clemens, Ted Higuera and Mike Witt, with Righetti receiving five second place and five third place votes. He finished 10th in the BBWAA voting for AL MVP, tallying 71 votes, and won the AL Rolaids Relief Man Award. Rags was named to the AP All-Star team and selected AL Fireman of the Year by the Sporting News.
Dave grew up in San Jose, CA where he was All-League in baseball at Pioneer High School, and also played basketball. An A's and Giants fan growing up, with Willie McCovey his favorite player, 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 Jays pitcher Dave Stieb, and won Junior College Player of the Year honors in 1977. His brother, Steve, played in the Texas organization from 1977-79. His father, Leo, is a former Yankee minor league shortstop and first saw Dave pitch professionally in the clinching game of the ALCS at Oakland in 1981.
During the '86-'87 off-season, Dave posed with Magic Johnson for the anti-drug poster 'Anyone can be a pro. It takes a special person to say no.' Dave also teamed with PGA touring pro Dave Edwards in the 1989 AT & T Pebble Beach golf tournament."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide

Named American League Rookie Pitcher of the Year by the Sporting News, 1981.
Named American League Rookie of the Year by the BBWAA, 1981.
Pitched 4-0 no-hit victory against Boston, July 4, 1983.
Associated Press All-Star team, 1986.
Set major league single-season save record, 46, 1986.
The Sporting News American League Fireman of the Year, 1986.
American League All-Star, 1986 & 1987.
Rolaids Relief Man of the Year, 1986 & 1987.
The Sporting News American League Co-Fireman of the Year, 1987.

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide

DAVE RIGHETTI ENTERS A NEW ERA
"On the right side of the Yankee clubhouse, where two rows of lockers meet, there is a large space in the corner. It used to house a lounge chair, spittoon, tape deck and refrigerator, all belonging to former inhabitant Ron Guidry.
Before this oversized space became Gator's Corner, it belonged to Yankee captain Graig Nettles, and before that, Cy Young winner Sparky Lyle. There were the only three to occupy that prestigious corner, created when the Stadium was remodeled in 1976. Prior to that, Whitey Ford used to hang his gear there, though it was a regular locker before the new Stadium. All these names from the past shared more than a corner of the clubhouse. Ford was to his teams what Guidry, Nettles and Lyle were to theirs. They were all leaders on Yankee championship teams.
It is only fitting that next year Dave Righetti will be hanging his cleats in the corner, having been given the locker, the tape deck and the fridge from his teammate. It is fitting just because he and Guidry were friends. But when Guidry retired on July 12, as the only remaining member of the last Yankee World Series-winning team in 1978, Rags became the last link from today to the last pennant-winning team of 1981.
'For me the retirement of Guidry marked the end of an era,' says Righetti. 'He was the last guy that I played together with in the 1981 World Series. My association with that group ended with Gator. There's nobody left to sit down and talk about those days with here, not even the coaches are the same.'
When Rags got the news of Gator's retirement he was in Atlantic City, enjoying some R&R with his wife Kandice during the All-Star break. They cut the trip short for a day so Rags could be in New York for Guidry's announcement. 'It was emotional, especially when his wife Bonnie started to cry at the podium,' said Rags of the press conference. 'But the way he handled it made it easier. I just wanted to be there to show a sign of our friendship and because of all the things he's done for me. I wanted to say thank you in my own way, by being there.'
The ride from Atlantic City was a quiet one, recalled the pitcher. When he wasn't sleeping he was deep in thought, reflecting on days gone by. 'The memories and all the good times were rushing through my head. It was kind of weird. I was just staring off into space. My wife finally tapped me and smiled. She knew how much he meant to me, so she knew what I was thinking. There wasn't a lot of talking.'
At age 30, Righetti already has a lot of good memories to reflect on in his more than eight years in the bigs. Though he made his major league debut in 1979, making three starts before returning to Columbus in 1980, he really made an impact in 1981. He went 8-4, was the A.L. Rookie of the Year, and just missed winning the ERA title.
As a young phenom, he began to establish himself as an instrumental part of the club, helping the Yankees with two wins in the strike-created divisional playoffs and another victory in the ALCS. And while he had a tough outing in the World Series (the Yankees lost the Series 4-2), Righetti was a star on the horizon.
'When I first came up there a lot of championship players here, like Munson, Reggie, Hunter, and on and on,' remembered Righetti. 'It was such a veteran team that it was really tough to make it up. Back then, a whole group of guys didn't come up at once. You came up alone, and so when you finally made it, you felt special. It was really great to be able to contribute to a team like that.'
A lot has changed since then. In 1983, Righetti went 14-8 including a no-hitter on July 4th versus Boston. The next year he became a closer out of the bullpen. In 1986 he set the major league single-season save record (46), made the All-Star team in 1986 and '87, and in 1988 became the Yankees' all-time save leader.
He has also seen a lot of changes in the team. 'It's been tough, all the changes over the years, as we've been going through a transitional period. There are only a couple of constants left- me and Donnie (Mattingly), that's about it. It's been hard.'
Righetti, the straight shooter that he is, is quick to add that the constant changes over the years are not the reasons why the team hasn't been back to the Fall Classic. He doesn't believe in such excuses. But at the same time, he also places a great deal of importance on continuity.
'Look at any winning franchise, and you see how important continuity is. It's a feeling of knowing what the other person is going to do, learning the manager's moves; it's a lot easier to deal with things when you know what to expect.
'It's tough to maintain team chemistry with all of the changes we've had,' Rags continued. 'When you go to battle with guys, you want to know them. To do that you have to go through the worst of times together, and I think we've done that. We've improved a lot as a team, but continuity takes time. Hopefully, if most of these guys stay around here, we can continue to improve on that this year and next.'
Yankee teams in recent years have been marked by change. The 1989 squad, representing a who's who in baseball, has been coming together as a team. Righetti believes this team has the makeup to be a winner.
'Who knows if a team has the right makeup until they play together? Who knew the Twins would win it when they did, or that the Orioles would be in first place this year, or even that the old Yankee teams would get the way they did?
'As a team it'll take us some time, but we have just as good a chance as any other. We're in second place and we have to catch the leader. We've lost a lot of games but we're still in the race. Some years we've won 95-plus games and haven't won. This year we don't have to.'
Righetti is the last link to the past. He has remained through all of the changes. He has enjoyed the triumphs and survived the failures.
'In some ways this team is better than the teams of the past. We play better defense and have greater team speed. We're quicker in the infield. They didn't have a Donnie or an Espy,' he added.
A lot has changed. Righetti has developed along the way as a team leader. Once a young kid from the farm, just trying to make the club, he's now a veteran leader.
'You have to go out and play, do your job and maintain a certain level so that the team can do well,' says Righetti. 'If they call you a leader, then that's fine, but you don't walk around one day saying I'm a leader. I'm more concerned with doing well on the field, that's what's more important.'
Righetti has been doing the job for a number of years. He remembers the thrill of the World Series and is determined to get back there again. As he said about 1981, 'It's been so long, I can hardly remember it.'"

-Charles J. Alfaro, Yankees Magazine (1989 New York Yankees Scorebook & Souvenir Program)

1989 Profile: John Candelaria

"Candelaria led a poor Yankee staff with 13 victories, despite not pitching after August 24 with torn cartilage in his right knee. His six complete games marked his highest total since 1980.
Candelaria won six decisions in as many starts from May 4 to June 11, including a 2-hit 13-strikeout masterpiece against Oakland on May 22. He generally has outstanding control.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Candelaria was the Pirates' second round pick in the June 1972 draft. He signed as a free agent with the Yankees prior to last season."

-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1989 Edition

"For John Candelaria, wearing the Pinstripes has been sweet and sour. The Yankees are expecting more of the former, which is why they exercised their option on the pitcher for 1989.
For the pitching-hungry Yankees, there was really no decision, as the veteran of more than 14 seasons has repeatedly proven his ability to accept a challenge. Before the 1988 season, the Mets offered Candelaria a job, but couldn't guarantee it would be as a starter. So the Brooklyn native returned home, with the Yankees, and showed the baseball world he could still get it done.
The crafty left-hander led the team in almost every pitching category a year ago, even with his season ending on August 24 due to cartilage problems in his right knee. 'I believe I'm a winning person,' says the big southpaw. 'My goal when I go to the mound is to pitch well, and to try and get us a win.'
With the injury behind him, this quiet veteran is back to offer a level of pitching consistency the Yankees need. Candy survived a shuffling of the Yankee pitching staff and will be counted on heavily to repeat his sweet success from last year."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Despite having his season end after his August 24 start due to cartilage problems in his right knee, Candelaria led the Yankees in almost all pitching categories, including wins, posting a record of 13-7.
His debut as a Yankee came on April 6 in New York against Minnesota, getting a no-decision in a 5-3 Yankee win. Candelaria's first Yankee win came in his second start, on April 12 at Toronto, winning a complete game, 12-3 decision- it was his first complete game win since a 3-0 victory on August 9, 1986 against Seattle while with California, having 32 starts between. He lost consecutive starts for the only time in '88 on April 17 at Milwaukee and April 23 against Toronto by scores of 3-6 and 2-3, respectively.
Beginning with his next start, April 29 at Texas, John reeled off seven wins and a save in his next eight appearances. From April 29 through June 11 he won all seven starts, along with a save in relief, allowing 11 earned runs in 53 innings (1.87 ERA) including three complete games and a shutout. Through June 11, covering his first 12 games (11 starts), John was 8-2 with a 2.57 ERA (23 ER, 80.2 IP).
His first shutout of the year came on May 22 against Oakland, yielding just two hits while striking out 13 while winning 2-0. It was his 12th career shutout and first since the August 9, 1986 complete game. The 13 strikeouts were the most by a Yankee since Ron Guidry struck out 14 on July 11, 1987, and the most Candy had recorded since striking out 13 (his regular season career high) on June 26, 1975 against the Cubs, though he did strike out 14 in Game 3 of the '75 NLCS against the Reds. The 2-hitter was his best career low-hit game since his 1976 no-hitter. The last Yankee to throw a 2-hitter was Tommy John on August 8, 1987. Candelaria's only other nine-inning 2-hitter came on April 25, 1976 at San Francisco, though he did throw a rain-shortened 2-hitter in June of 1977.
He made his only relief outing of 1988 on May 2 at Chicago when he was summoned to get the final out. He struck out Steve Lyons to end the game and record his first American League save and first save since 1985.
John's win streak was snapped with a loss at Cleveland on June 17. The last time he won seven (or more) consecutively was when he matched his career best eight-game winning streak in 1983 (he also won eight straight in 1976).
In 13 starts beginning on June 17, he went 5-5 with a 4.23 ERA (36 ER, 76.1 IP). His second shutout came on July 2 at Chicago, tossing another 2-hitter. After allowing a first inning leadoff single to Gary Redus, he retired the next 22 batters he faced before allowing an eighth inning single to Dave Gallagher, then retired the final five batters. Redus, who stole second, was the only Chicago player to reach scoring position. Candelaria struck out 12 in his 13th career shutout and third career 2-hitter. He was the only Yankee besides Rick Rhoden (April 5 against Minnesota) to throw a complete game shutout in 1988.
John now has at least 10 wins in 11 of his 14 major league seasons. His .650 winning percentage ranked 10th in the AL and he now has a .617 career winning percentage (164-102). His 3.38 ERA (59 ER, 157 IP) led Yankee starters and was the lowest by a Yankee starter since Guidry's 3.27 in 1985. Candy reduced his ERA by almost 1.5 runs compared to '87, going from 4.81 to 3.38. He led the Yankees with 121 strikeouts, his highest total since 133 in 1984 and the eighth time he reached the 100 strikeout plateau. John also led the Yankees with six complete games, his most since pitching seven in 1980, and finished fourth on the club with 157 innings pitched, his highest total since 185.1 in 1984.
He was ejected from three games this past season. On April 17 at Milwaukee he was ejected by umpire Drew Coble in the fifth inning for hitting Bill Schroeder, and was also ejected from his start on May 4 at Kansas City by umpire Durwood Merrill after the seventh inning for arguing. He was ejected again by Coble, in Cleveland on August 13, in a game he was not pitching for arguing from the bench.
John left three games with injuries: May 29 at Seattle (sore left elbow); July 30 at Toronto (slight stiffness, left elbow); and his final start on August 24 at Oakland (cartilage problems in his right knee, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year). He pitched only 1.1 inning in his August 24 start before being forced to leave, his shortest outing as a starter since September 18, 1987 while with the Mets. John underwent arthroscopic surgery on October 13 to repair a tear of the medial meniscus in his right knee. The surgery was performed by Dr. Lewis Yocom in Los Angeles.
The Yankees went 17-8 in the 25 games he pitched. Opponents had a .248 batting average against him- lefties hit .144 while righties hit .268. In New York John was 7-5 in 15 games, with a shutout, a 3.28 ERA and a .264 batting average against, while on the road he was 6-2 in 10 games, with a shutout, a save, a 3.55 ERA and a .220 batting average against.
He displayed outstanding control, striking out 121 in 157 innings pitched while walking just 23 (10 in his last nine starts). Candy went 25 innings without yielding between May 10 and June 11 and also went 24.1 innings between June 22 and July 14 without a walk.
Of the 79 pitchers in major league history who have stood 6'6" or better (Candy measures 6'6"), Candelaria has the most wins, 164, with Ron Reed in second place with 146.
John is signed through the 1989 season. The Yankees exercised his option on October 2, 1988.
In 1975 John started Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, going 7.2 innings (no decision) and allowing three hits while striking out 14 including seven of the first ten batters he faced. In 1976 he tossed a no-hitter on August 9 against Los Angeles.
John went 20-5 in 1977 and became the first Pirate to win 20 games since Vernon Law in 1960, and the first Pirate lefty to win 20 since Wilbur Cooper in 1924. He led the National League with an .800 winning percentage and a 2.25 ERA and was the first pitcher since Sandy Koufax in 1965 to record 20 wins and lead the league in win-loss percentage and ERA. His 231 innings pitched ranked first among Pirate pitchers. Three times he knocked in the game winning run. John went 10-3 in the first half of '77 and was named to his only All-Star team (the game was played at Yankee Stadium), but did not appear [in the game].
Hampered by lower back pains in 1978 which contributed to his 12-11 record, John was also bothered by a nagging left forearm which extended his rest between starts. He got the Bucs off to a fine start with a 1-0 shutout win over the Cubs on Opening Day and strung together five straight wins from May 27-June 21. In ten of his losses the Pirates scored three runs or less.
John led the 1979 Pirates in wins, complete games and in fewest walks, while his ERA was 12th in the league. Between June 19 and September 11, he won nine 11 starts including back-to-back complete games on July 14 and July 20 and on August 28 and September 2; in those nine wins he had a 1.60 ERA and six complete games. John was 1-1 in the World Series against Baltimore, losing Game 3 but winning Game 6 as he teamed with Kent Tekulve to shut out the Orioles 4-0.
He led the Pirates in starts, complete games and fewest walks in 1980. In 1981, he suffered torn bicep muscle on May 10 at St. Louis and was disabled for the remainder of the season. He underwent rehabilitation under the guidance of Dr. Paul Bauer, a San Diego orthopedist.
John's 2.94 ERA in 1982 was sixth best in the league, and he was second on the club in wins and strikeouts. He went 5-0 in July and was tabbed National League Pitcher of the Month and was NL Player of the Week for the week ending July 25. In 1983 he finished sixth in the NL with 15 wins and 157 strikeouts. He won his 100th career game against Philadelphia on June 17 of that year, becoming the 15th pitcher in Pirate history to reach that plateau. John was 12-2 in his last 14 decisions, from June 7 through August 3, and was 12-1 against the East.
His 2.72 ERA in 1984 was fifth in the NL, and in his 12 wins he allowed just 12 earned runs in 80.1 innings pitched for a 1.57 ERA; his ERA was 4.20 in his 11 losses (31 ER, 66.1 IP), and in his 10 no-decisions his ERA was 2.56 (11 ER, 38.2 IP). He walked two or fewer batters in 24 of his 28 starts and allowed just 22 walks in his final 26 appearances (21 starts, 141.1 IP).
John struck out 11 on April 13 at St. Louis, recorded his 1,000th career strikeout on May 11 at Atlanta and fanned 12 Reds on May 23, his most strikeouts since he struck out 12 Mets on June 1, 1976. He threw a 4-hit shutout on July 3 at Los Angeles and homered off Tim Lollar on July 19 in Pittsburgh, the first home run of his professional career. John underwent successful surgery following the season for the removal of a bone spur in his left elbow.
He made 37 appearances with the Pirates in 1985, all in relief. His longest outing as a Pirate was three innings. On August 2 John was traded to the California Angels with pitcher Al Holland and outfielder George Hendrick for pitcher Pat Clements, outfielder Mike Brown and a player to be named later (pitcher Bob Kipper).
John made his California debut as a starter on August 4 against Minnesota, posted his first win as an Angel on August 11 at Minnesota and captured six of his first seven decisions. He threw a complete game shutout against the White Sox on September 19- it was his first complete game since July 19, 1984 against San Diego and his first complete game shutout since his 4-hitter against Los Angeles on July 3 of that year. John was 5-2 with a 2.88 ERA against the West.
He enjoyed a successful but painful season in 1986. Despite some discomfort in his left elbow he made four spring training starts, going 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA (2 ER, 14 IP). He made his first start on April 9 at Seattle and lasted just two innings before leaving with further discomfort. John was placed on the 15-day disabled list with cracked calcification of the left elbow on April 15 (retroactive to April 11) and underwent surgery by Dr. Lewis Yocum at Centinela Hospital on April 16 to remove a bone spur in the elbow.
John was sent to California's Class-A affiliate in Palm Springs for rehabilitation, appearing in two games and combining for two earned runs in seven innings with two walks and eight strikeouts. He was reactivated from the DL on July 8 and made his first start that night, allowing no runs in five innings pitched, and in his first 15.2 innings pitched struck out 14 with only two earned runs.
He won his first three decisions after his return, and six of his first seven. John's first loss of the season was an 8-1 setback to Roger Clemens on July 25 in Anaheim, and his other loss came on August 20 at Detroit, losing 3-0 to a Walt Terrell 1-hitter.
John threw his second shutout as an Angel, and the 11th of his career on August 9 against Seattle, tossing a 3-hitter and winning 3-0 on the 10-year anniversary of his no-hitter against Los Angeles. He struck out a season high 10 in that game. John pitched his 2,000th career inning on September 21 and was the pitcher of record in California's 8-3 win against Texas on September 26 to clinch the division title.
The Angels finished 13-3 in games John pitched. He walked two batters or less in 12 [of 16] starts and retired the first batter he faced in an inning in 69 of 95 opportunities. He allowed just four homers in 91.2 innings pitched and had .208 batting average against.
John began 1987 by winning his first four decisions with California. In his next start on May 13 at Detroit, his eighth start and appearance, he lasted just 2.2 innings and allowed seven runs (earned) on five hits in a 10-7 loss; he suffered his first loss of '87 and his ERA ballooned from 2.82 to 3.99. On May 15 John was placed on the 15-day disabled list for personal reasons, enabling him to undergo rehabilitation for alcohol dependency.
He was re-activated from the DL on May 29 and returned to the mound on May 31, but lost his second straight decision. In June he went 1-1 in three starts, combining to allow 13 earned runs in 17.2 innings pitched (6.62 ERA). On June 19 John was again placed on the 15-day disabled list for personal reasons, but this time remained on the DL until August 5. He again checked himself into St. Joseph's Hospital (Orange County, CA) to undergo rehabilitation for alcohol dependency.
Upon his latest return, John went 2-2 with a 4.10 ERA in six starts in August. Included was a 6-hit, eight inning performance against the Yankees in Anaheim on August 25 which he won 5-1. Prior to his trade to the Mets he made two September starts for California, going 1-1.
John was dealt to the Mets on September 15 in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jeff Richardson and left-handed pitcher Shane Young. His first start for New York came on September 18 at Pittsburgh, lasting just 1.1 inning and allowing five runs on eight hits, but he got a no-decision in a 10-9 Mets loss. John went 2-0 in his final two starts down the stretch, however, combining to allow three runs in 11 innings (2.45 ERA).
John played high school basketball at New York's LaSalle Academy where he was All-City in 1971 and '72, and also made All-American in '72. He was one of the most sought after high school players in the nation during his senior year. He did not play high school baseball during his junior and senior years due to a lack of facilities. John was invited to a tryout for the 1972 Puerto Rican Olympic basketball team (his parents are natives of Puerto Rico), but elected to sign a baseball contract with the Pirates.
John enjoys travel."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide

Pitched 2-0, no-hit victory over Los Angeles Dodgers, August 9, 1976.
Tied for NL lead in home runs allowed with 29 in 1977.
Named American League Comeback Player of the Year, 1986.

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide

1989 Profile: Bob Brower

"A forgotten man with the Texas Rangers a year ago, Bob Brower finds himself competing for a starting job with the Yankees in 1989. The departure of Claudell Washington opens a spot in the lineup, one which Brower hopes to fill. He comes to the Yankees hungry for an opportunity.
Brower starts this season at age 29, with just over two years of big league experience. His time is now, and Brower is so determined he spent his winter break improving his game playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic.
Not known for his power, Brower is more of a versatile outfielder. He can hit for average, steal a base and drive in a few runs. Brower has the credentials to help a club in a lot of ways, even if he isn't a starter, which is why he is hoping to become a  valuable addition to the Yankees."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Bob was acquired by the Yankees from the Texas Rangers on December 5, 1988 in exchange for shortstop Bobby Meacham. He played in only 82 games for the Rangers in 1988 and batted .224 (45-for-201) with a home run and 11 RBIs. He did have 10 stolen bases in 15 attempts. He underwent arthroscopic surgery before the start of the 1988 season, on January 6 to repair torn cartilage in his right shoulder. He was ready by spring training but began the regular season on the 15-day disabled list, having been placed on the DL on March 28 with a pulled right calf muscle.
Brower was activated on April 27 and made his first appearance that day as a designated hitter against Minnesota. He had a four-game hitting streak from May 3-7, his longest hitting streak of the year, batting .500 (6-for-12) in that span, including a 3-for-5 game on May 6 against the Yankees. That streak was broken when he was forced to leave the game of May 10 after the second inning with tightness in his right calf, having gone 0-for-1. In his first game back on May 14, Brower went 2-for-4 to raise his overall season average to .375 (9-for-24) after nine games, his high point of the year.
That three-hit game on May 6 was one of nine multiple-hit games in 1988, including four three-hit games, the other three coming on June 3 at Chicago, June 21 against Seattle on June 28 at Seattle. Bob had four multiple-hit games in an eight-game stretch from June 21 through July 3, batting .370 (10-for-27) in that span.
In the final game of that stretch, on July 3 against Baltimore, Bob hit his only home run of the season, a grand slam off Don Aase. It was his second career grand slam. In that game he also matched his career high with six RBIs (accounting for more than half of his 11 RBIs for the season) and it was the Ranger team high for 1988.
Bob finished the season by batting .091 (2-for-22) in his last 14 games to lower his average from .240 on September 5 to his final .224 mark.
He twice had two stolen bases in a game, on July 8 at Baltimore and on September 4 at Toronto. He was successful in six of his last seven stolen base attempts.
For the year, he started 15 games in left field, 26 games in center field, one in right field and six games as the designated hitter.
Brower signed a contract for the 1989 season.
In 1987, his first full major league season, Brower placed second on the Rangers in sacrifice hits (9), fourth in stolen bases (15) and tied for fifth in home runs (14), the latter being his professional career high. He started a total of 80 games in the outfield, including 25 of the last 31 contests beginning on September 2. He was bothered at times by a jammed right wrist and a sore right shoulder.
Bob had a good start, batting .282 (11-for-39) in 16 games, but batted just .210 (13-for-62) in 38 contests over the next two months. He finished strong, batting .324 (25-for-77) in his last 26 games; included in that stretch was a career-high six-game hitting streak from September 6-11 when he batted .455 (10-for-22).
He had 22 multi-hit games in '87, with a career high of four hits on July 26 at Cleveland. His 14 home runs broke his previous pro high of 13 in 1986 at Oklahoma City.
Brower hit the first inside-the-park grand slam in Ranger history off Eric Plunk of the A's on June 21 (second game) at Oakland. He was the first American Leaguer to accomplish that feat since Minnesota's Tom Brunansky, also a rookie, on July 19, 1982. Brower also hit a two-run homer off Dennis Lamp in that game to give him a career high six RBIs, and the two homers and six RBIs both were one shy of the Texas single-game club records.
He had one other two-homer game, July 26 at Cleveland. He homered to lead off the Texas half of the first inning four times, including his first major league home run on April 28 off the Yankees' Dennis Rasmussen. In addition to his six-RBI game, Brower had four RBIs once and three in a game twice. He singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning on August 5 against Boston.
Brower was signed by the Rangers as a free agent on July 1, 1982 by scout Joe Branzell after an outstanding career at Duke University where he graduated in 1982. He started 1983 at Burlington and had six hits on June 7 against Beloit, the only six-hit game in professional baseball that year. Bob was promoted to Tulsa on June 13. At Tulsa in 1984 he was second in the Texas League in steals (54) and was fourth in triples (9).
In 1985 Bob led the American Association in triples and tied for fourth in games (133). He hit for the cycle against Buffalo on May 27, including the game-winning triple in the 11th inning.
While playing for Oklahoma City in 1986, Bob was selected as the American Association 'Star of Stars' by the Howe News Bureau and as the Rangers overall Minor League Player of the Year. He led the A.A. in runs (130), at-bats (550) and walks (94), was tied for the top spot in games (140) and hits (158), tied for second in total bases (236) and was third in steals (53). His run total was an Oklahoma City club record and the highest in the American Association since 1953. Bob was also selected to the league's All-Star team and led the AA in putouts (366) and chances (382).
He was recalled by Texas on September 1 and made his big league debut that night at Boston, scoring the winning run. He doubled off Minnesota's Bill Latham on September 13 for his first major league hit. Brower had an outstanding winter ball season at La Romana in the Dominican Republic, winning the league's MVP award while batting .316 with four homers and a league high 37 RBIs.
He went to Duke on a football scholarship. He lettered four times in baseball and three times in football. In 1981 Bob led the nation in triples and was a first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection. He gained 130 yards rushing against North Carolina in 1979 to earn ACC 'Offensive Back of the Week' honors. In 1981 he caught 12 passes against Virginia, one shy of the school record. Bob also played a summer in the Alaskan Baseball League.
Bob played baseball, basketball, football and ran track at James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia where he graduated in 1978. He earned all-regional honors in all four sports in his senior year. He participated in Little League, Babe Ruth League and Clark Griffith League programs.
Bob's hobbies are hunting, fishing and music."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide

Led American Association in bases on balls received with 94 in 1986.
Led American Association outfielders in total chances with 382 in 1986.

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide

1989 Profile: Charles Hudson

"A man for all reasons is the best way to describe Charles Hudson's first two years in Pinstripes. His versatility can be a saving grace to a staff. Since coming over from the Phillies, this veteran of over five major league seasons has shown brilliance as both a starter and reliever, as well as inconsistency.
Much of his trouble last year could be explained by his being frequently shuttled between the rotation and the bullpen, leading to tendinitis in his right shoulder which put him on the disabled list for over a month. The injury may have hampered his numbers but not his confidence. 'I love to start and I can also pitch in relief,' Hudson explains. 'All I need is the opportunity, and I know I'll be successful.'
Hudson can do a lot of things for the Yankees, but in order to be healthy and more effective in 1989, he needs a more defined role with the club. Whatever that may be, Hudson will be up for the challenge."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Hudson made 28 appearances, including 12 starts, for the Yankees in 1988. He finished with a record of 6-6 with two saves and a 4.49 ERA. His .235 batting average against was the third lowest on the team.

In his 12 starts, Hudson was 4-4 with a 5.45 ERA (41 ER, 67.2 IP) with 24 walks, 32 strikeouts and a .247 batting average against. In 16 relief outings (including 10 games finished), he was 2-2 with two saves and a 2.79 ERA (12 ER, 38.2 IP) with 12 walks, 26 strikeouts and a .215 batting average against.

Charles retired 11 of the first 16 batters he faced as a reliever (including six out of nine with runners on base) and prevented 13 of 18 inherited runners from scoring. He started the season by appearing in seven games out of the bullpen, going 2-1 with a save and a 3.50 ERA. His seven innings of relief work on April 18 at Minnesota was the second longest stint by a Yankee reliever in 1988; he was credited with the Yankees' 18-5 win over the Twins and notched a season high five strikeouts. On April 26 against Kansas City, Charles pitched a scoreless inning in the Yankees' 5-4 win to record his first major league save in 43 relief appearances to that date.

He originally found his way into the starting rotation when Rick Rhoden was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 29, and made six straight starts between May 3 and June 7. As a starter during that span, Hudson was 3-1 with a 3.83 ERA (17 ER, 40 IP). His only complete game of the season came on May 15 in New York against California, winning 9-2. In his June 7 start against Boston he matched his season high of five strikeouts and was credited with the Yankees' 4-3 win.

Hudson pitched at least six innings in five of those six starts and went at least seven innings in three of those starts. Overall at that point in the season he was 5-2 in 13 appearances (six starts) with a 3.72 ERA (24 ER, 58 IP).

Following those six starts he returned to the bullpen where he made five straight appearances from June 12-22, going 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA (4 ER, 9.1 IP). He recorded what would be his sixth and final win of the season on July 4th at Texas, going seven innings and allowing three hits and two runs (earned), and was the winning pitcher in the Yankees' 13-2 win. In his next outing, a relief appearance against Kansas City on July 9, Charles recorded his second save of the year in the Yankees' 5-3 win.

Charles was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 19 with tendinitis in his right shoulder. At the time he was 6-3 with two saves and a 3.33 ERA (31 ER, 83.2 IP) in 22 games (eight starts). Transferred to the 21-day DL on July 31, he was activated on August 22. He made a start against Oakland that night and was the loser in the Yankees' 9-2 defeat, allowing five runs (all earned) on three hits and four walks in 2.2 innings pitched. His next start on August 27 at California was even shorter, lasting 1.1 inning, giving up 10 hits and nine earned runs (the most earned runs allowed by a Yankee starter in 1988) as the Angels defeated the Yankees 12-0. In a relief role on August 12 at Cleveland, Charles gave up a two-run homer to Luis Medina, the first batter he faced, before pitching 4.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts in a no-decision. His last decision came in a start in place of Tommy John on August 17 at Boston, going 7.1 innings and allowing four hits and three runs (earned) in a 3-1 Yankee loss. In all, since his return from the DL, Charles went 0-3 in six games (four starts) with a 8.74 ERA (22 ER, 22.2 IP).
Charles signed a contract for the 1989 season.
He was acquired by the Yankees in December 1986 from the Phillies with pitcher Jeff Knox in exchange for outfielder Mike Easler and infielder Tom Barrett. He began the 1987 season strongly, going 6-0 in his first eight games with a 2.02 ERA (13 ER, 58 IP). His 6-0 start was the best by any Yankee pitcher since Tommy John began 1980 with a 7-0 record. Of those eight games (through May 15), seven were starts, with his first appearance of the year in a relief role on April 8 at Detroit. In that game, Charles pitched 4.1 innings in relief of Tommy John, retiring all 13 batters he faced with three strikeouts, and received credit for the Yankees' 6-5 win over the Tigers.

That earned Charles a start for his Yankee Stadium debut, on April 13 against Cleveland (the home opener), and he threw a complete game, allowing the Indians just three hits (all solo home runs) while recording 10 strikeouts to receive credit for the Yankees' 11-3 victory. The 10 strikeouts was his season high and matched his career strikeout high, set on October 2, 1985 at Montreal while with the Phillies. In addition, the 3-hitter matched his career low-hit game, July 20, 1983 while with the Phillies.

In his next outing on April 19 against Kansas City, also at Yankee Stadium (Game 1), Charles recorded New York's first complete game shutout of the year, blanking the Royals on seven hits, three walks and seven strikeouts, winning 5-0. It was the first nine-inning shutout of his career, having thrown a rain-shortened shutout as a Phillie in 1984, and the first complete game shutout by a Yankee at Yankee Stadium since Ed Whitson shut out Texas 6-0 on July 12, 1985. With that complete game, Charles became the first Yankee to throw back-to-back complete games since Phil Niekro did so on September 13 and 18, 1985.

When Tommy John, Pat Clements and Dave Righetti combined on a 1-0 shutout in Game 2 of that doubleheader following Charles' shutout, it marked the 14th time in their history the Yankees won a doubleheader via shutouts in both games, with the previous instance occurring on September 25, 1977 when Ron Guidry and a combined Ed Figueroa-Sparky Lyle shutout stopped the Blue Jays at Toronto. Charles threw back-to-back complete games again on May 4 at Chicago, winning 6-1, and on May 10 against Minnesota, also winning 6-1; that game also marked his third complete game in his first three Yankee Stadium starts.

In his next seven appearances (five starts) after his 6-0 start, however, from May 20 through July 19, Charles went 1-2 with a 7.50 ERA (20 ER, 24 IP). Included in those games was an 0-2 record and a 9.47 ERA (20 ER, 19 IP) in his five starts. As a result he was optioned to Columbus on June 20. At the time of his option, Charles was 6-2 with a 3.62 ERA.

While with the Clippers he appeared in five games (two starts), going 0-2 with a 6.07 ERA. Charles was recalled from Columbus on July 6, and in his 20 games with the Yankees through the end of the season following his recall (including four starts), he went 4-5 with a 3.59 ERA.

He threw 21 scoreless innings in six outings between August 3 and August 24, and ran the string to a career high 22.1 innings before a run was scored on August 28. Included in that span was eight shutout innings in relief of Tommy John (who was forced to leave after one inning pitched with a stomach disorder) on August 19 at Seattle, gaining credit for the win as John and Hudson combined for an 8-0, 5-hit shutout.

In his final five outings of the year (two starts, three relief appearances) he was 2-1, allowing seven earned runs in 30 innings pitched (2.10 ERA). Charles threw his second shutout of the season on September 29 against Boston, limiting the Red Sox to four hits in a 6-0 Yankee win, becoming the first Yankee pitcher to throw two complete game shutouts in Yankee Stadium [in the same season] since both Dave Righetti and Ron Guidry threw two apiece in 1983. In his next start on October 4 against Baltimore, his last one in 1987, he threw another complete game, a 4-2 loss but his sixth complete game of the year and the third time in '87 he had back-to-back complete games.

His six complete games and two shutouts led the Yankees and he was second on the club with 100 strikeouts. Charles finished with a record of 11-7 in 35 games (16 starts) and a 3.61 ERA, and his 11 wins was the third highest total on the team. His six complete games led the Yankees and was the most by a Yankee pitcher since Ron Guidry (11) and Phil Niekro (7) in 1985. He achieved single season bests in wins and complete games. Charles allowed 19 home runs, 12 of which (including the first five) were solo. As a starter he was 6-5 with a 4.12 ERA (45 ER, 98.1 IP), while as a reliever he was 5-2 with a 2.88 ERA (18 ER, 56.1 IP).
In 1981, his first pro season, Charles was 5-5 with a 3.83 ERA in 14 games with Helena. He posted a 15-5 record and a 1.85 ERA in 1982 with Peninsula of the Carolina League. He led the league in ERA, wins and shutouts, was named Carolina League Pitcher of the Year and was a Carolina League All-Star.
Charles recorded his first major league win at Pittsburgh on June 19, 1983. On July 20 against Houston, he had a no-hitter through 8.1 innings broken up by Craig Reynolds' bloop single, eventually giving up three hits, which is tied for the lowest-hit complete game of his career. He also had a career high five-game winning streak.
He beat the Dodgers 7-2 in Game Three of the '83 National League Championship Series, allowing just four hits in nine innings while becoming the first rookie to hurl a complete game in NLCS history. Charles was 0-2 with an 8.64 ERA in two starts in the '83 World Series against the Orioles. He was named to the Baseball Digest Rookie Team.
Charles posted his first career shutout on July 5, 1984 against Atlanta in a rain-shortened seven-inning game. He suffered a fractured rib on August 9 and missed 22 days of the season. He started switch-hitting in '84 and doubled off Dennis Eckersley in his first major league at-bat as a left-handed hitter on July 30.
In 1985 Charles set season highs in games (33), innings pitched (193.0) and strikeouts (122). He struck out a career high 10 batters at Montreal on October 2 and had the second longest consecutive scoreless inning streak on the Phillie staff (16.2 innings).
He started the season in the bullpen, where he was 0-2 with a 2.60 ERA, and moved into the starting rotation on May 14, replacing Jerry Koosman. Charles was 8-11, 3.85 ERA in 26 starts. He experienced six one-run losses and four two-run losses, and in his 11 losses as a starter the Phillies scored 27 runs, an average of 2.45 per game. He was the starting pitcher in the Phils' record-setting 26-7 game against the Mets on June 11 and had three hits on August 18 at Chicago.
He was used by the Phillies as a reliever in his first two games in 1986, going 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA, then made 23 straight starts. Charles was sent back to the bullpen on September 2 for the remainder of the season. As a starter in those 23 games he was 6-10 with a 5.24 ERA and gave up all 20 of his homers as a starter. The Phillies scored just 25 runs in his 10 losses, an average of 2.5 runs per game. In his 10 games as a reliever, he was 1-0 with no saves and a 3.10 ERA.
Through June 10 Charles was 4-3 with a 3.88 ERA over his first 11 games, but had a career high six-game losing streak from June 15 through July 10 with a 7.16 ERA. Over his next five starts, from July 20 through August 9, he was 3-1 with a 3.03 ERA. Charles made three more starts after that without a decision and then came out of the bullpen in his final eight appearances without a decision or a save.
In his 9-3 victory at Cincinnati on July 20, he had season highs of eight innings pitched and seven strikeouts; he also went eight innings in a 2-0 loss to Montreal on June 15. Charles' best outing came on May 31 against San Diego, hurling seven shutout innings and giving up five hits to gain credit for the Phillies' 1-0 victory. His longest outing as a reliever was three innings, on three occasions: April 7 at Cincinnati (Opening Day), September 8 at Chicago and September 17 against St. Louis. Overall in 1986 he was 7-10 with a 4.94 ERA.
Charles is a graduate of South Oak Cliff (Dallas, TX) High School where he played baseball. He was converted from shortstop to pitcher at Prairie View A & M (TX) University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management. Charles pitched in the NAIA playoffs in 1980 and 1981.
His hobbies are backgammon, chess and dominoes and his favorite spectator sports are basketball and football. His favorite team growing up was the Dallas Cowboys, his favorite player was Drew Pearson and his favorite ballpark is Dodger Stadium. His favorite entertainers are Eddie Murphy, Clint Eastwood and Stevie Wonder."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide

1989 Profile: Wayne Tolleson

"For some major leaguers, the off-season can be very long. After the relaxation of winter passes, players become antsy in anticipation of the new season. No Yankee could be more anxious to play ball in 1989 than Wayne Tolleson, whose 1988 effort amounted to 21 games.
It could hardly be called a season since the gutsy little infielder was disabled four times. Known as a go-getter since he first joined the Yankees in 1986, Tolly showed that same determined spirit in shaking off injury after injury.
Once regarded as the team's starting shortstop, Tolleson will be looking to help the club as a utility infielder. Having played second, third and short for more than six years in the bigs, a healthy Wayne Tolleson can be very valuable in 1989."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Tolleson underwent arthroscopic surgery on December 9 to repair frayed rotator cuff muscles in his right shoulder. The surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews of the Alabama Sports Medicine Clinic in Birmingham. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 4 to open the 1988 season, the first of four separate stints on the DL last year.
He was assigned to Columbus on 20-day rehabilitation on April 16, transferred to the 21-day DL on May 7 and was again assigned to Columbus for 20-day rehabilitation on May 19. In six games with the Clippers, Wayne batted .185 (5-for-27) with four runs and an RBI with a stolen base and an error.
Wayne was activated from the 21-day DL on June 10 and made his 1988 debut that day against Baltimore in Yankee Stadium, going 1-for-5 in a start at second base. His double on June 12 against Baltimore was his first extra-base hit since May 27, 1987, going 79 games and 215 at-bats between extra-base hits. He was forced to leave the game on June 19 at Cleveland with a strained left hamstring and was placed on the 15-day DL on June 20.
Up to that point Tolleson had played in eight games, batting .313 (10-for-32) with three runs scored, two doubles and three RBIs while hitting safely in six of those eight games (including four multi-hit games). He was transferred to the 21-day DL on July 1 and was activated on July 14. Tolleson played in one game, July 16 against Chicago, going 0-for-3 with a run scored before straining his left hamstring again, and was placed back on the 15-day DL the following day.
He was transferred to the 21-day DL on July 25 and was activated on August 11. He played three games from August 11-13, going 0-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, before leaving the August 13 game at Minnesota after again straining his left hamstring and was placed back on the 15-day DL for the fourth time on August 14.
Wayne was activated from the disabled list for a fourth and final time on September 11. He played in nine games following that activation, going 5-for-20 (.250) with three runs and an RBI. Wayne started the last six games of the season (four at second base and two at third). In his final game, October 2 at Detroit, he went 3-for-4 with a run scored, Wayne's first three-hit game since July 1, 1987 at Toronto.
He stole his only base of the year on September 27 at Baltimore. He finished the season with a .254 average (15-for-59) with eight runs scored, two doubles and five RBIs.
He signed a two-year contract on December 16, 1988. The contract runs through the 1990 season.
Tolleson got off to a fast start in 1987, hitting .361 (22-for-61) on April 26 after his first 18 games, and as late as May 8 was hitting .300 (27-for-90) after his 27th game. He was still hitting as high as .270 (40-for-148) on May 27 after 44 games. Wayne slumped after that, hitting just .184 (37-for-201) in 77 games for the rest of the season, and finished with a .221 batting average (77-for-349) for the year.
He hit three doubles in a five-game span from April 12-15, accounting for three of the four doubles he hit all season. Wayne hit his only home run (a solo shot) off Mike Morgan at Seattle on May 15 and had a six-game hitting streak from May 20-27, batting .364 (8-for-22) during that span with an RBI in each of the last five games of that streak.
He had just five extra-base hits all season (the homer and four doubles), with the last extra-base hit coming on May 27 followed by 204 at-bats without an extra-base hit. He had three RBIs on June 26 against Boston, matching his single-game career high; he did not, however, have an RBI after July 20, covering 53 at-bats in his final 30 games (20 games with a plate appearance). Wayne had 15 multi-hit games and had four game-winning RBIs in '87.
He was suffering from a sore right shoulder during the second half of the season and was placed on the 15-day disabled list on August 20 (retroactive to August 19) because of that injury; at that point, he was hitting .224 in 112 games. Wayne was activated from the DL on September 4 and went 1-for-10 in the nine games he played after his activation. He had only one hit in his final 27 at-bats (.037), beginning with his last at-bat on August 5. His last plate appearance came on September 11 at Toronto.
Batting right-handed, Tolleson hit .218 (24-for-110) with five RBIs, while batting left-handed he hit .222 (53-for-239) with 17 RBIs. He was successful in five out of eight stolen base attempts.
He played 119 games at shortstop and had a fielding percentage of .970, committing only 15 errors in 498 chances, and was eighth in fielding among American League shortstops playing 100 or more games. Tolleson went 21 games, June 8-30, without committing an error. He made three appearances at third base, including one start on July 1 at Toronto.
In 1986 Tolleson was acquired by the Yankees from the White Sox on July 29 along with Ron Kittle and Joel Skinner in exchange for Ron Hassey, Carlos Martinez and a player to be named later (catcher Bill Lindsey).
In 81 games with the Sox before the trade, he was hitting .250 (65-for-260) with three home runs and 29 RBIs. After going hitless in his first game of the year, he put together a 10-game hitting streak from April 9-19, including two hits apiece in each of the last five games of that streak, batting .395 (15-for-38) in that span with nine RBIs. Tolleson matched his single-game career high with three RBIs on April 14 at Detroit. He hit his first home run of the season on April 29 against Baltimore off Scott McGregor and victimized McGregor again on May 12 at Baltimore for his second homer. He put together another 10-game hitting streak from May 7-17, batting .385 (15-for-39), and hit his third and final homer of the season on June 1 at Toronto off Jimmy Key.
Wayne slumped in June, hitting only .172 (10-for-58) in the month. He hit .224 (32-for-143) lefty and .282 (33-for-117) righty with Chicago. He started 70 games with the White Sox, 60 at third base and 10 at shortstop.
He hit safely in his first nine games as a Yankee, from July 30-August 7, batting .485 (16-for-33) in that span. Wayne tied his single-game career high with four hits (4-for-5) on August 2 at Cleveland and scored three runs the following game, August 3 at Cleveland, notching his first and only game-winning RBI as a Yankee in '86. Through August 23, after 22 games as a Yankee, he was hitting .338 (27-for-80). Over his next 17 games, from August 24 through September 11, he hit just .143 (8-for-56), dropping his average to .257, his low as a Yankee.
From that point, beginning on September 12, he hit safely in 16 of his final 21 games, batting .329 (26-for-79) in that span with eight runs, four doubles and eight RBIs to finish with a .284 (61-for-215) average as a Yankee in 60 games. In those games he hit .283 (36-for-127) lefty and .284 (25-for-88) righty.
Wayne tied his single-game career high with four hits (4-for-4) on September 13 at Boston, and in the following game, September 14 at Boston, he collected three RBIs. He had 19 multiple hit games, including his two four-hit contests.
Overall in his combined total of 141 games, he hit .265 (126-for-475) with three homers and 43 RBIs. He batted .252 (68-for-270) lefty and .283 (58-for-205) righty. With the Yankees, he stole four bases in eight attempts, and for the year was 17-for-27 in stolen base attempts. After joining the Yankees, he played in all but one of the club's remaining 61 games and started 59 times, including 53 starts at shortstop, five at third base and one at second base.
Wayne committed eight errors in 81 games with the White Sox and six errors in 60 games with the Yankees. He went 17 straight games, from August 5 through August 24, without an error and committed just two errors in 35 games from August 5 through September 13. For the season Wayne's overall fielding percentage was .971; with the White Sox it was .960 and with the Yankees, it was .979.
In 72 games at third base for Chicago and New York, his fielding percentage was .954. In 74 games at shortstop with those two clubs, his fielding percentage was .981, ranking him fourth among American League shortstops with 10 or more games. Tolleson was the sixth Yankee to start a game at shortstop in 1986.
Tolleson hit .269 at Asheville in his first season of pro ball in 1978, and in 1979 batted .234 for Tulsa in his first year in the AA Texas League. In 1980 he was second in the Texas League with 46 steals (his pro career high) and was named to the league's all-star team. Wayne became a switch-hitter that year.
He hit .261 in 107 games at Wichita in 1981 and made his major league debut in September. Wayne had a fine spring training in 1982 and opened the season with the Rangers. He played sparingly and was optioned to Denver on April 26, then was recalled by Texas on July 23 and went 0-for-23 in his first 12 games.
Wayne started the 1983 season as a utility infielder but became the starting second baseman in late April when a knee injury sidelined Mike Richardt. He was hitting .288 through July 24 but batted just .211 in his last 53 games. He had a nine-game hitting streak. Wayne recorded his first major league triple and his first major league home run in the same game - June 11 at Minnesota. He was second on the club with 33 steals and was successful on all eight of his third base steal attempts.
He started the 1984 season well, hitting .297 (22-for-74) in his first 21 games through April 28, but batted just .189 over his final 97 games and slipped to .132 in his last 30 contests, beginning on July 22. Wayne led the Rangers with 22 steals and had two thefts in a game four times. He was successful on 84.6 of his 26 steal attempts, the second best ratio in the AL (20 or more attempts) behind Willie Wilson's 90.3 percent. He also had a .979 fielding percentage (10 errors in 477 total chances) in 109 games at second base.
In his final season with the Rangers in 1985, Wayne topped all Texas regulars with his .313 batting average, the first .300-plus season of his professional career. After hitting .213 in 1984, his 100-point batting average improvement was the most in the major leagues. He finished fifth in the American League among all hitters with 200 or more official trips to the plate.
Wayne hit .333 from the left side in 231 at-bats. He hit .354 at Arlington Stadium and .262 on the road. His best month was April (.385) and his worst month was September/October (.250). Wayne had a 10-game hitting streak, August 30 through September 10, and also had a nine-game streak in late May and early June.
Six of his 18 RBIs were game winners. He tied the Texas club record with two triples in one game, August 11 against Baltimore.
Tolleson appeared in 123 games, 81 at shortstop, 29 at second base and 12 at third base. He was obtained by the White Sox along with Dave Schmidt from the Texas Rangers in November 1985 in exchange for Scott Fletcher, Edwin Correa and Jose Mota.
Born, raised and still residing in Spartanburg, South Carolina, he starred in basketball and football at Spartanburg High and was a prep teammate of NFL quarterback Steve Fuller. Tolleson played baseball and football for four seasons at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. He was named All-America as a wide receiver and led the NCAA in pass receptions as a senior, graduating from Western Carolina in 1978."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide