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)
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