1990 Profile: Dave Righetti

"Righetti has declined as a reliever since setting the major league record with 46 saves in 1986, leading the Yankees to strongly consider returning him to the rotation. He finished with 25 saves for the second consecutive season, matching his career low, and also suffered nine blown saves for the second year in a row. A heavy workload has cost him zip on his fastball. Righetti has battled a sore arm in each of the last two spring trainings.
He is the Yankees all-time leader with 188 saves. He threw a no-hitter against Boston on July 4, 1983, then moved to the bullpen the next season.
Born in San Jose, Righetti 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 following the 1978 season."

-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1990 Edition

"Again the question is 'Where will we find Dave Righetti?' It is a debate that will seemingly rage on until the end of time. So, instead of wondering where he won't be- the bullpen or the starting rotation- let's look at where he is.
When Ron Guidry retired, he 'willed' the prestigious corner locker to Righetti, a spot occupied by such former Yankee greats as Graig Nettles and Sparky Lyle. It is an honor Rags greatly deserves.
As a starter or reliever, Righetti has symbolized what Yankee Pride is all about. Forget the no-hitter or the single-season save record. He does what it takes to succeed, no questions or complaints. To find Righetti is easy, just look to where the team needs him most.
'You have to go out, do your job, and maintain a certain level so that the team can do well,' says Rags. 'I'm concerned that the Yankees do well, that's what's most important.'
So you see, it doesn't matter whether he starts or relieves. What counts is that Dave Righetti is in Pinstripes."

-The New York Yankees Official 1990 Yearbook

"Righetti started out slowly in 1989 but quickly became a force out of the pen. Over his first four outings (April 6-16) he allowed eight runs (7 ER) and 12 hits over five innings (9.80) and was 0-1 with no saves. Rags allowed two runs on four hits on April 6 at Minnesota, and when starting the 10th inning on April 11 against Toronto allowed five runs (all earned) on six hits in taking the loss (his only loss not as the result of a blown save). He pitched five more times in April and converted four out of four saves, allowing no runs and four hits over six innings. For the month, Righetti was 0-1 with four saves (in as many chances) and a 5.73 ERA, preventing nine out of nine runners from scoring.
Righetti continued his success in May as he did not allow a run in any in any of his eight appearances (9.1 IP, 5 H). He was 0-1 with four saves in five appearances and lowered his overall ERA to 3.10. In three consecutive outings (May 6-14) he fanned six batters over six innings.
He continued strongly into June and for the month was 1-1 was seven saves in 10 opportunities. He allowed three earned runs over 17.2 innings, a 1.53 ERA, reducing his overall ERA from 3.10 to 2.37.
Dave had two more appearances before the break (one save) and his record at the break was 2-2 with 16 saves in 21 opportunities and a 2.41 ERA. From June 17-July 8 (heading into the break), he had eight straight save opportunities, converting six with one of the two blown saves resulting in his second loss (at Detroit on Lou Whitaker's game-winning homer). From June 22-July 8 Dave fanned 10 batters over 10.2 innings. He pitched six times in July and was 0-1 with one save in two opportunities and a 4.05 ERA (6.2 IP, 3 ER).
He had a busy August making 13 appearances and going 0-2 with four saves in six opportunities while posting a 4.86 ERA (16.2 IP,  9 ER). He allowed at least one earned run in six of his outings. Rags made seven September appearances and was 0-1 with five saves in six opportunities while posting a 1.17 ERA (7.2 IP, 1 ER).
For the season, Dave stranded 22 of 28 inherited baserunners (79%) and retired the first batter he faced 38 of 55 times (69%). He had 25 of the team's 44 saves and had eight saves and a 1.80 ERA in day games and 17 saves and a 3.49 ERA at night. Dave had 10 saves and a 3.16 ERA at Yankee Stadium and 15 saves and a 2.87 ERA on the road. He was successful in 25 of 34 save situations (exactly as he was in 1988), a 74% success rate.
Since being assigned to the bullpen prior to the 1984 season, he has accumulated 187 save in 251 save situations, a 75% success rate. Over that period of time, of the 64 save situations Dave was not able to convert, the Yankees went 29-35. That translates into the Yankees winning 216 of the 250 games he entered into a save situation- a .864 winning percentage.
Dave allowed a career low three home runs in 1989, bringing his career total to 57 homers allowed. In his six seasons as a relief pitcher, he has allowed 31 homers, averaging 5.2 per season, and as a reliever is currently averaging 1 home run every 18 innings pitched. In 1989 he allowed just one home run to a left-handed batter- Lou Whitaker on June 28 at Detroit- and has allowed 14 career homers to left-handed hitters.
He signed a three-year contract in December 1987. The contract extends through the 1990 season.
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 in November 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, lowering his ERA from 3.66 to 2.78. From July 29 through September 29, he went 5-0 with 10 saves.
Dave did not allow an earned run in 13 consecutive outings from August 9-31 (17.2 IP, 5 BB, 17 K), lowering his ERA from 3.26 to 2.62. He was named AL Player of the Month in August (4-0 with five saves and a 1.17 ERA 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 (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 and a 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, with a 1.31 ERA. 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.
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 and just four blown saves. 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 and just two blown saves.
At the All-Star break Righetti was 5-3 with 17 saves in 34 games, a 3.86 ERA and nine blown saves. After the All-Star break, he was 3-3 with 14 saves in 26 games, a 3.00 ERA and only four blown saves. 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.
Dave got off to a fast start in 1988, succeeding in 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 Rags went on another save tear, rolling down five straight and allowing no earned runs in 6.2 innings pitched. That string was snapped on May 30 at Oakland with his fifth blown 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), 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 was successful in 25 of 34 save opportunities in 1988, or a 74% success rate (compared to 70% in 1987).
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 188 career saves.
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 AT & T Pebble Beach golf tournament in 1989 and 1990. He's also involved with the Leukemia Society."

-1990 New York Yankees Information Guide

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

-1990 New York Yankees Information Guide

R.I.P. Billy Connors

Schenectady will always be proud of you, Billy.

1990 Profile: Jesse Barfield

"Barfield [hit] 23 home runs, marking the fifth time he has clouted more than 20 homers, but he is not as feared a hitter as he once was. He struck out a career-high 150 times. His effort resulted in a career high 87 walks, but he still gets himself out far too often. His greatest value is in right field where his strong, accurate arm enabled him to lead the majors with 20 assists.
Acquired from the Blue Jays on April 30 for Al Leiter, Barfield hit .240 with 18 homers and 56 RBIs as a Yankee. He was paid $1.3 million in 1989 on a long-term contract he had signed with Toronto, who drafted him in the ninth round in 1977. He signed a three-year, $5.4-million pact with the Yanks last fall.
Barfield was born in Joliet, Illinois."

-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1990 Edition

"Taking the place of Dave Winfield is an almost impossible task. Nonetheless, that was asked of Jesse Barfield last year. He responded tremendously, with timely hits and by leading major league outfielders with 20 assists.
This year, he is given a much easier job than trying to replace Winfield. The 1990 Yankees have teamed two of the best all-around players in the same outfield. Since coming here from Toronto in 1989, the 30-year-old outfielder has been everything the Yankees expected. Like Winfield, he has tremendous range in the field and can get an ovation simply for his cannon-like throwing arm. At the plate he possesses excellent power, keeping the opposition on its toes.
'It wasn't the right situation for me in Toronto,' Jesse says. 'I really like being here. I know we can win, and I want to be a part of that.'"

-The New York Yankees Official 1990 Yearbook

"Barfield was acquired by the Yankees from the Toronto Blue Jays on April 30, 1989 in exchange for pitcher Al Leiter. At the time of the trade, he was hitting .200 (16-for-80) with nine of those hits being for extra bases (4 2B, 5 HR). He also had 11 RBIs and four assists as a Blue Jay.
He started the season by hitting in five straight games (6-for-20, .300) with two home runs. He dropped his average to .217 over the next nine games, going 6-for-38 (.158) with four of those hits coming on April 10 against the Yankees in New York. To his credit, Barfield had a two-assist game against the Royals on April 15. He played in seven more games for the Jays before being traded, going 4-for-22 (.182).
Jesse played in Pinstripes for the first time on May 2 in New York in right field against the Royals, singling in four at-bats off Mark Gubicza. Following that game, he went 0-for-19 over a seven-game stretch until May 8, then hit in three straight with two home runs. On May 9, Jesse hit his first home run as a Yankee, off Texas' Charlie Hough.  He struck out in seven games (10 total) from May 15-28 and hit .143 (4-for-28) in that span. He also missed four games when he suffered a mild concussion running into the fence at Oakland on May 17.
On June 4, Jesse recorded the first of his two two-homer games in Milwaukee. He hit in a season best seven straight games from June 11 (second game) through June 17, going 10-for-26 and raising his average from .210 to .246. He also reached base in 23 straight games from June 3-29, going 27-for-82 (.329) with 19 walks, raising his average from .154 to .245. For the month of June, he hit .300 with three home runs and 12 RBIs, the average being Jesse's highest for any one month.
Jesse started out July hitting in six straight (7-for-22) and 13 of 15 games (16-for-48), raising his average from .239 to a season best .261 on July 19. On July 6 against Detroit, the Yankees allowed a run in the top of the 11th inning; Jesse homered off Mike Henneman to lead off the bottom of the inning. The Yankees won when Steve Sax hit a sacrifice fly later that inning. On July 9 at Boston, Jesse had his 17th career two-homer game and drove in all five runs.
At the break he was hitting .247 with nine homers and 29 RBIs as a Yankee. On July 14 against the Royals in game 2 of a twin bill, with the Yankees trailing 7-6 entering the last of the ninth, Jesse hit a three-run homer off Steve Farr for a 9-6 win. From July 16-19, he reached base eight straight times against Kansas City, then drew a base on balls in his first plate appearance in Chicago, reaching base nine straight times (2 1B, 1 HR, 4 BB, 2 IBB) before being stopped. From July 19-28 was 6-for-30 with 16 strikeouts, fanning seven straight times from July 20-22. In July, Barfield hit .291 with six home runs and 15 RBIs.
From July 29-August 3 he hit in six straight (9-for-23), including a three-run game-tying homer on August 2  against the Twins in a game the Yankees would lose in the 10th. Barfield then had a slow spell from August 8-17, going 3-for-26 and dropping his average from .258 to .246. He hit in five straight (8-for-18) from August 18-22 and ended the month by going 5-for-37, dropping his average to .248 at the end of the month.
He started out slowly in September, going 2-for-10 over the first six games. He hit in four straight (September 24-27) but was 2-for-9 over the final three games of the season.
Jesse led the majors in outfield assists with 20 in 1989. It was his third 20+ assist season, and he now has 133 career assists. His 16 assists as a Yankee were the most since Dave Winfield's 17 in 1982.
He did not register an assist as a Yankee until his 32nd game with the club, and that came from center field on June 13 at Baltimore. He then reeled off an assist in four straight games, against Texas (June 17-18) and Chicago (June 20-21). Jesse had eight assists overall in June, all in a span of 17 games, had four in July, one in August and three in September.
Of his assists, four came at second base, six at third base and six at home plate. 11 of his 16 assists (69%) came when the Yankees were either ahead or trailing by two runs or less. 12 came at Yankee Stadium and four on the road, with the four road assists all being at home with the Yankees ahead or behind by two runs or less.
With 87 walks for the season, his career best, Jesse ranked eighth in the American League and tied for 12th in the majors. He also set a career high in strikeouts (150), and his .234 batting average was his lowest as a regular. He played 150+ games for the fourth time in five years. Jesse's 23 doubles were his fifth straight season of 20+ and his 23 homers were also a fifth straight 20+ season. Of his 18 homers as a Yankee, six were hit at the Stadium. Jesse is still the Blue Jays' all-time home run leader with 179.
He signed a three-year contract in October 1989. The contract runs through the 1992 season.
Selected in 9th round of the June 1977 draft, Barfield spent the season with Utica [Class-A New York-Penn League], helping the club to a second place finish. In 1978 he spent the season at Dunedin [Class-A Florida State League] where he slumped noticeably, batting only .206. He had his best minor league season in 1979 with Kinston [Class-A Carolina League], batting .264 with 71 RBIs, more than in his two previous seasons combined.
In 1980, Barfield led Knoxville [AA Southern League] in home runs (14) and RBIs (61). He spent his second season with Knoxville in 1981 before joining the parent club in September. In his major league debut on September 3, Jesse responded with a hit, an RBI and a stolen base. He hit his first major league home run on September 6 off Chicago's Britt Burns. Jesse hit safely through his first eight games, setting a club mark for the start of a career. In total, he hit safely in 12 of his first 13 major league games.
In 1982, Jesse was Labatt's Blue Player of the Month for April while becoming the first Blue Jay to hit a pinch-hit grand slam, on April 24. He captured Toronto's BBWAA Rookie of the Year award while setting club rookie marks in home runs (18), bases on balls (42) and slugging percentage  (.426).
Jesse tied for the club lead in home runs (27) in 1983, setting the club mark for home runs at Exhibition Stadium (22). He led the team in two-homer games (4) and set then career highs in homers, runs (58), triples (3) and RBIs (68). Jesse also led the club in outfield assists (16) with errorless streaks of 55 and 50 games.
He was the American League Player of the Week for the week ending September 4 on the basis of a .421 average, seven homers and 13 RBIs. Jesse raised his average 53 points over his last 53 games, including four home runs in eight at-bats, September 1-2.
He was platooned in right field in 1984, seeing action against left-handed pitchers. Jesse set then personal highs in doubles (14) and stolen bases (8) while leading the club with three four-hit games. He clouted five home runs in three games, July 1-6.
In 1985, Jesse set a personal high with a 16-game hitting streak from May 8-26. Among his six home runs in 10 games from May 10-21, he tied the then club mark with home runs in three consecutive games from May 19-21.
Jesse reached base safely in 24  consecutive games from August 3-27 and was named Labatt's Blue Player of the Month for August (.365, 2 HR, 17 RBI). He had seven consecutive hits and reached base nine straight times, August 8-9. Jesse set the American League record with extra-base hits in 11 consecutive games.
For the 1985 season, he was third in the American League in slugging percentage (.536), ninth in doubles (34) and 12th in game-winning RBIs (12). Jesse set then club marks in extra-hits (70) and strikeouts (143) as well as then personal highs in at-bats (539), RBIs (84), hits (156), doubles (34) and home runs (27). He was the first Blue Jay to have 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in the same season. Jesse led AL with 22 outfield assists to set the club mark. He hit safely in six of seven ALCS games.
Jesse was voted as Labatt's Blue Player of the Year and Blue Jays Player of the Year by Toronto's BBWAA.
In 1986, Jesse set a personal high with six RBIs on May 17 against Cleveland. He was Labatt's Blue Player of the Month for May (.276, 9 HR, 23 RBI), then became the first Blue Jay player to reach 100-homer mark, on June 1 off Bob James of Chicago.
Jesse's 10th career two-homer game came on July 3 against Boston, followed by his first All-Star Game appearance, going 0-for-2. He was Labatt's Blue Player of the Month for September/October (.266, 10 HR).
He led American League in home runs (40) and was among the league leaders in slugging percentage (.559, 2nd), extra-base hits (77, 2nd), total bases (329, 5th), runs (107, tied for 5th), game-winning RBIs (13, tied for 7th) and doubles (35, tied for 10th). He led the club in RBIs (108, tied with George Bell), homers, strikeouts (146) and slugging, and hit six ninth-inning home runs
Barfield led all American League outfielders with 20 assists while capturing Gold Glove honors. He won the Silver Slugger Award, was voted Blue Jays Player of the Year by Toronto's BBWAA and voted to the AP Major League All-Star team. Jesse was named to the American League All-Star team which toured Japan after the 1986 season.
Moved around in the batting order for much of 1987, Jesse's average dropped from .319 to .248 from June 10-August 26. His seventh career four-hit game came on June 16 against Detroit, followed by his eighth career four-hit game on July 16 against Milwaukee. Barfield's home run against Texas on July 23 ended a drought of 22 games, and his sacrifice hit on August 14 was his first since June 24, 1984. He delivered a pinch hit against New York on September 12, his first since September 29, 1984. His third and fourth four-hit games of the year came on September 14 against Baltimore and September 26 against Detroit. He hit no home runs in his last 21 games.
Jesse placed fifth in the AL in games (159) and at-bats (590), and tied Ruben Sierra for the league lead in assists and won his second consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award for defensive excellence. He underwent surgery on his left knee and left wrist during the off-season.
He started the 1988 season going 0-for-11 from April 11-17, then hit his second career grand slam on April 19 off Kansas City's Bret Saberhagen. He left the May 14 game at Chicago with a swelling of the left wrist and was on the disabled list from May 16-31.
His solo homer off Walt Terrell of Detroit on June 18 snapped a drought of 17 homerless games,  and his season high four RBIs at Detroit on June 19 was his first multiple RBI game since April 29. His third career grand slam came off Oakland's Rick Honeycutt on July 3. He tied a personal high with homers in three consecutive games from August 21-23.
Jesse played his 1,000th major league game on September 19, becoming the fourth player to reach the 1,000-game plateau in a Blue Jays uniform. His third grand slam of the season came on September 21 off Detroit's Paul Gibson. He tied a personal high with two stolen bases on October 1 against Baltimore.
His longest hit streak was five games, five times, and he homered in at least two consecutive games on three occasions. He was 16-for-47 (.340) with five home runs and 12 RBIs against the Tigers and 15-for-40 (.375) with two homers and 10 RBIs against the Royals. Jesse hit .209 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs through the break compared to .278 with 11 homers and 30 RBIs after the break. He led the team with 13 outfield assists.
Jesse attended Joliet Central High School (outside of Chicago) where former major leaguers Bill Gullickson, Larry Gura and Jack Perconte attended high school. His uncle played Negro league baseball.
Jesse enjoys basketball and ping-pong. His favorite team growing up was the Cubs and his favorite player was Ernie Banks."

-1990 New York Yankees Information Guide

Led American League outfielders in double plays (8), 1985.
[Led American League in home runs (40), 1986.]
Led American League outfielders in double plays (8), 1986.
Named an outfielder on The Sporting News American League Silver Slugger team, 1986.
Named an outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star Fielding Team, 1986.
Named an outfielder on The Sporting News American League All-Star Fielding Team, 1987.

-1990 New York Yankees Information Guide

R.I.P. Steve Kline

Many glittering yesterdays.

1990 Profile: Jeff Robinson

"In the age of the glorified closer, the guy who gets all the saves and the recognition, too many people forget about the man who makes all of that glory possible- the setup man. Over the off-season, the Yankees acquired one of the best young setup men in the game in Jeff Robinson.
The right-hander was forced to wear a few too many hats in Pittsburgh last year and his numbers suffered for it. But, as the Yankees predict, Robinson can flourish as a full-time middle man for closers Dave Righetti and Lance McCullers. 'I've adjusted well to that role,' says Robinson, 'and I know I'm going to be a big help for them.'"

-The New York Yankees Official 1990 Yearbook

"Jeff was 7-13 with a 4.58 ERA in 50 appearances with the Pirates in 1989. He was 5-7, 3.53 (102 IP) in 19 starts and 2-6, 7.32 (39.1 IP) with four saves in 31 relief outings. He allowed 161 hits and 14 home runs, and walked 59 and fanned 95 over 141.1 innings [1.56 WHIP]. For his career, Jeff is 27-23, 3.51 with 35 saves in 259 relief appearances (402 IP) and is 12-2, 3.20 in 53 starts (464.2 IP).
He started the 1989 season in the bullpen, making 12 relief appearances in April while posting a 2-3 record with four saves and a 4.40 ERA. He was used exclusively as a closer in April, finishing all the games he pitched.
Jeff took a loss on Opening Day in Montreal, allowing three earned runs over 1.2 innings pitched, but did not allow a run in his next four appearances (3 IP) and allowed one earned run over his next nine appearances, April 9-22 (9.2 IP). He earned his first win on April 11 against the Mets with one scoreless inning. Jeff posted two back-to-back save outings, accounting for his four 1989 saves: April 13 and 15 against New York and Montreal, and April 18 and 19 at St. Louis.
He appeared in nine games in May, all in relief, and was 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA, bringing his two-month totals to 2-5, 5.26. He took a loss on May 15 at Cincinnati, allowing a season high (for relief appearances) five earned runs on five hits; if one were to take away that outing, Jeff's ERA for May would have been 2.89.
Jeff appeared in 11 June games, including two starts, and posted a 2-1 record with a 6.57 ERA. He made seven relief appearances (10 IP) and had made 28 for the season before making his first start on June 17. His last prior start was on August 21, 1986 as a member of the Giants, 194 straight relief appearances between starts. Jeff earned the win (5.0 IP, 1 ER) at St. Louis, his first since April 22.
He made two more relief outings before winning his second start on June 28 at Chicago (7 IP, 0 ER). He won again in his third start at Los Angeles, recording a season high six strikeouts.
Jeff went 1-3 in July (5 starts, 1 relief appearance) with a 4.66 ERA and was 5-7, 5.05 at the break. He made his final relief outing on July 19 (1 IP). In his first three starts, he was 3-0, 1.42  (19 IP, 3 ER), then lost his next two starts (10 IP, 2 ER). Through July, Jeff was 5-3 in nine starts with a 1.62 ERA (50 IP).
He made six starts in August, posting a 1-2 record and 4.50 ERA. He went six-plus innings in three of his six starts. His only win of the month came on August 25 at Cincinnati (6.2 IP, 3 ER) and snapped a 0-5, 3.59 ERA slump going back to July 8.
Jeff was 1-2, 4.50 in August, identical to September, with his win coming at home against Philadelphia. He ended the season with consecutive losses at Chicago (4 IP, 2 ER) and in Pittsburgh against New York  (5 IP, 2 ER). On September 9 in New York, Jeff hit the only home run by a Pirate pitcher in '89.
He pitched a season high seven innings on four occasions. He had a .229 opponents' batting average against, best on the Pirates' pitching staff. As a hitter, Jeff started the season 0-for-21 before finishing 8-for14 (.571) to finish the season with a .229 (8-for-35) average. His 19 starts were his most since starting 33 in 1984 with the Giants. Jeff was 20-19 with 17 saves and a 3.78 ERA with Pittsburgh over two-plus seasons.
Jeff was acquired by the Yankees along with pitcher Willie Smith from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for catcher Don Slaught in December 1989. He signed a two-year contract in 1989. The contract extends through the 1990 season.
Jeff was signed by the San Francisco Giants (scout Bob Miller) in the second round of the June 1983 free agent draft. He had previously been drafted by Toronto (1979) and Detroit (1982). That year he pitched six straight complete games for Class-A Fresno from July 24 to August 18. Jeff was named to Baseball America's first-year all-star team.
In 1984, Jeff made the jump from Class A to the majors in just his second pro season. He won his major league debut on April 7 against St. Louis, going six innings to combine on a 7-hit shutout. He recorded his only complete game, a 5-hit shutout against Pittsburgh on June 29. Jeff tied for the major league lead for starts by a rookie with Ron Darling, Mark Langston and Ron Romanick and tied for the NL lead in hit batsmen (7).
Jeff won six of his first seven decisions with Phoenix (Giants' AAA) in 1985, including a 3-hit 1-0 shutout of Calgary on April 26. He tied for the Pacific Coast League lead in games started. Jeff made eight appearances with San Francisco after his September 19 recall.
He was converted to a relief role in 1986 and recorded his first major league save with four scoreless innings against San Diego on April 20. He faced the minimum number of batters (31) during a 10.1 scoreless innings streak covering five outings from May 30 to June 14. Jeff's only start came on August 21 against Philadelphia (he had no decision in the Giants' 7-6 win). He played one game in the outfield, September 28 against Los Angeles, with no chances.
Jeff set career highs in games and saves in 1987. Among National League relievers, he tied for first in innings pitched with the Padres' Lance McCullers, was third in strikeouts and fourth in appearances. Jeff won the Rolaids' Award as the NL's reliever of the month for April, going 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA and four saves.
He was acquired from the Pirates with pitcher Scott Medvin in exchange for pitcher Rick Reuschel on August 21. Jeff struck out the side on nine pitches in the eighth inning at Chicago on September 7, the first Pirate ever to achieve the feat. He hit a ninth-inning game-winning home run on September 9, also at Chicago, off Lee Smith, Jeff's first career extra-base hit.
In 1988, Jeff tied for second in the National League in appearances (75), the most by a Pirate since Kent Tekulve in 1983 (76), and led major league relievers in innings pitched (124.2). He had a career high 11 wins, most by a Pirated reliever since Tekulve in 1982 (12), and second highest among major league relievers (Montreal's Jeff Parrett had 12). Jeff was second among NL relievers in strikeouts (87) behind the Padres' Mark Davis (102), and his winning percentage (.688) ranked as the league's eighth best. He was 9-1, 2.48 with six saves in 34 appearances on the road.
He won a career high six straight decisions from June 23 through August 13. His longest outing came on  August 13 when he worked five scoreless innings at Philadelphia to pick up the win. Jeff had scoreless streaks of 14.1 innings covering nine outings from June 26 to July 19 and 11.2 innings covering from August 12 to August 22.
Jeff majored in geography in Cal State-Fullerton where he was 9-4 as a junior, helping his team to a berth in the College World Series. A graduate of Troy High School in Fullerton, CA where he played baseball and basketball, he also played Little League.
Jeff is active in community relations. He enjoys surfing, fishing and watching college basketball, and collects watches. His toughest opponent was Graig Nettles and his favorite entertainer is Jack Nicholson."

-1990 New York Yankees Information Guide

Tied for National League in hit batsmen (7), 1984.
Tied for Pacific Coast League lead in games started (29), 1985.
Tied a major league record by striking out the side on nine pitches,  September 7, 1987 (eighth inning).

-1990 New York Yankees Information Guide