"The secret of Bob Wickman's pitching success is not recommended for youngsters aspiring to pitch in the major leagues, or any other level for that matter. You may read this but definitely do not try this.
When he was two years old, Wickman lost the tip of his right index finger when he tried to free a pet cat from some farm machinery. And therein lies the secret of a sinker that enabled Wickman to progress to the major leagues after less than three seasons in the minors.
'I have very little pressure from the cut-off finger,' Wickman explains. 'I use it as a guide basically. I throw everything off the middle finger. It gives me a natural sink on the ball.'
That sinker helped Wickman impress the Yankees brass when he was called up last August 23 and won six of seven decisions after winning 12 games at Columbus.
Up to now, Wickman has been known as the 'throw-in,' a bonus to sweeten the pot when the Yankees sent Steve Sax to the White Sox for Melido Perez. But if his September showing is a portent, that deal may one day be known as 'the Bob Wickman trade.' "
-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook
"Wickman was acquired from the Chicago White Sox in January of 1992 along with pitchers Melido Perez and Domingo Jean in exchange for second baseman Steve Sax and cash considerations. He has taken the accelerated path to the majors, and in 1992 showed that he is a capable pitcher at the major league level.
He started the season at AAA Columbus and ended the season in Pinstripes. Wickman had his contract purchased from Columbus on August 23. At the time of his recall he sported a 12-5 record and a 2.92 ERA (157.0 IP, 131 H, 55 BB, 108 K) [1.19 WHIP]. He also had two complete games and a shutout to his credit.
Immediately placed in the starting rotation, after just 23 AAA stars and 20 AA starts, he made his debut on August 24 against Milwaukee. He did not earn a decision in a 9-8 Yankee win, as the bullpen blew a save chance when Bob left the game leading 5-4 in the sixth inning. Bob earned his first win in his next start, August 29 at Minnesota. He pitched eight innings with Farr getting the save. He endured a 23-minute power outage in the Metrodome after the top of the third inning.
He finished the season with a three-game win streak. His final start came on October 2 at Boston, with Bob allowing one run over six innings in a 6-3 Yankee win. Overall in Pinstripes, he was 6-1 with a 4.11 ERA in his eight starts.
Wickman posted five wins in September/October, tied for second most in the majors (with five others) behind Cal Eldred's six. Wick started the season 3-0, as did his teammate Sam Militello. His 6-1 start to the season was the best by a Yankee starter to begin his career since Tom Morgan started 8-1 in 1951; as Morgan's second win was in relief, the last pure starter to start better was Whitey Ford, who started 9-0 in 1950.
Steve Farr saved five of the wins and Greg Cadaret saved one. Matt Nokes (6 games) and Mike Stanley (2 games) caught when Bob pitched. He was supported with 50 runs (6.3 runs per game) and the team hit .307 with 11 home runs when he started. His ERA in innings 1-3: 4.88 (24.0 IP, 13 ER); innings 4-6: 3.68 (22 IP, 9 ER); innings 7-9:2.08 (4.1 IP, 1 ER). The Yankees were 7-1 in Wickman's eight starts.
He was 2-1, 5.09 ERA in his four home starts, 4-0, 3.29 in his four road starts. Left-handed batters hit .281, right-handers, .265. Bob handled 10 chances without an error. Between Columbus and New York he led the organization in wins (18).
In Columbus in 1992, he had a sensational first season in AAA. Wickman was a last-minute addition to the Columbus roster on April 9 when Wade Taylor was placed on the DL. He led the Clippers in innings pitched (157.0), was tied with Militello for wins (12) and was third in ERA (2.92). Columbus was 14-9 when he started and the International League hit .227 against him. He made 18 quality starts.
Wickman pitched two scoreless innings in the All-Star Game. He was the International League's Player of the Week from June 7-13 following a complete-game 3-hit shutout of Syracuse. He was the Yankee organization's Pitcher of the Month for May (6-0, 1.91) and August (3-0, 1.51), and the Topps International League Player of the Month for June (3-1, 1.67).
Wickman owns a minor league career mark of 32-19 with a 2.75 ERA. He signed a contract for the 1993 season.
The White Sox' second-round choice in the June 1990 free agent draft, Bob was signed by scouts Phil Rizzo and Lon Snipps. In 1990, his first year of professional baseball, he pitched for three clubs, combining to go 9-3 with a 1.62 ERA over 13 starts. He pitched better as he progressed, going 7-2 with a 1.38 ERA with three complete games in nine games started at Class A South Bend.
Bob started the 1991 season at Class-A Sarasota and finished at Class AA Birmingham. He earned his promotion from Sarasota after making just seven starts, going 5-1 with a 2.05 ERA. At Birmingham, he was 6-10 with a 3.56 ERA with four complete games over 20 starts.
Bob attended at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he played three years of baseball, and is the first player from UWW to reach the majors. An all-conference hitter and pitcher, he is working toward a degree in elementary education. He enjoys hunting, fishing and video games in his spare time.
Bob played baseball, basketball and football at Oconto High School. His father, Willy, played semi-pro football.
Bob is missing the tip of his right index finger, caused by a farming accident when he was just two years old. He caught the finger in a compressor."
-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide
Named International League Pitcher of the Week, June 7-13, 1992.
Named to International League mid-season All-Star team, 1992.
Named to Baseball America AAA All-Star Team, 1992.
-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide
Robert Joe Wickman "Bob" "Wick" (P) #27
Born February 26, 1969, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, resides in Abrams, Wisconsin. Height: 6-1, weight: 212. Bats right, throws right.
Married, Sue (10/24/92). Attended University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Major league service time: 43 days. Opening Day age: 24.
-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide
