Gaylord Perry
Hall of Fame pitcher known for the spitball and winning Cy Young Awards in both leagues.
Gaylord Jackson Perry (September 15, 1938 – December 1, 2022) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played for eight teams from 1962 to 1983. He was a five-time All-Star and the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues. Perry was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Pitcher
- Bats
- Right
- Born
- 15 September 1938
- Birthplace
- Williamston, North Carolina, U.S.
- Died
- 1 December 2022
- Place of death
- Gaffney, South Carolina, U.S.
- Debut league
- MLB
- Debut date
- April 14
Lore & Background
Perry gained notoriety for doctoring baseballs and for making batters think he was throwing spitballs. He titled his 1974 autobiography Me and the Spitter. He was not ejected for the practice until his 21st season in 1982. Perry pitched a no-hitter in September 1968, three weeks after a one-hitter. In 1978, he became the sixth pitcher to register 3,000 strikeouts. In 1982, he became the first pitcher in 19 years to join the 300 win club.
Reader's Guide
Perry made his major league debut with the San Francisco Giants on April 14, 1962. He played for the Giants from 1962 to 1971. He was traded to the Giants on November 29, 1971, and his second Giants tenure was 1972–1977.
Did You Know?
- Perry and his older brother Jim, who were Cleveland teammates in 1974–1975, became the first brothers to both win 200 games in the major leagues and remain the only brothers to both win Cy Young Awards.
- Perry was the first right-handed pitcher since the 1920s to surpass 5,000 innings pitched.
- Perry was one of the last pitchers to throw over 300 complete games, alongside Phil Niekro, who also surpassed that mark and retired after Perry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Gaylord Perry's most significant accomplishment at Candlestick Park?
On September 17, 1968, he threw a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals to claim one of his career highlights. This feat occurred while he formed a legendary pitching duo with teammate Juan Marichal.
Did Gaylord Perry participate in the Giants' World Series run?
Although he pitched for the team during their pennant-winning year, he was not on the roster when they played in the World Series. This remains the only instance where he was affiliated with a championship winner without playing in the finals.
How did Gaylord Perry perform in his first two seasons?
In 1962 he went 3–1, but struggled as a reliever in 1963 with a 1–6 record and a 4.03 ERA before joining the rotation. He was briefly sent back to Tacoma during that initial campaign before returning for September call-ups.
What is Gaylord Perry's total career win count?
Perry finished his professional journey with an impressive total of 314 wins across all teams he played for. This record cements his status as one of the most successful pitchers in Major League history.
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