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
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
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