August 25, 1985, Dwight ”Doc” Gooden of the New York Mets becomes the youngest pitcher to win 20 games in a season. At 20 years, nine months, and nine days – one month younger than Bob Feller was when he won 20 games in 1939 – Gooden defeats the San Diego Padres, 9-3. Gooden would…
Rollie Fingers Essentials Positions: Relief PitcherBats: Right * Throws: RightHeight: 6′-4″ Weight: 190Born: August 25, 1946 in Steubenville, OH USAHigh School: Upland HS (Upland, CA)College/School: Chaffey College (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)Debut: September 14, 1968 1.1 IP, 4 H, 0 SO, 1 BB, 4 ERLast Game: September 17, 1985 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 1 ERHall…
Relief pitcher Bruce Sutter is elected to the Hall of Fame. With 75% of the votes cast by BBWAA members needed for election. Sutter receives 76.9%, slugger Jim Rice is second with 64.8%, followed by reliever Goose Gossage at 64.6%. Sutter, who is credited with perfecting the split-fingered fastball, which is a pitch many major leaguers use in some form today, joins Hoyt Wilhelm, Rollie Fingers and Dennis Eckersley as the only relief pitchers in Cooperstown. In a special election, seventeen Negro Leagues figures are also elected: Ray Brown, Willard Brown, Andy Cooper, Frank Grant, Pete Hill, Biz Mackey, Effa Manley, Jose Mendez, Alex Pompez, Cum Posey, Louis Santop, Mule Suttles, Ben Taylor, Cristóbal Torriente, Sol White, J.L. Wilkinson, and Jud Wilson. Manley is the first woman ever elected to the Hall, and the 18 inductees are the largest class in the Hall’s history.
On January 7, 1992, Rollie Fingers and Tom Seaver are elected to the Hall of Fame. Seaver, ‘Tom Terrific,’ the author of 311 victories, receives the highest percentage in the voting history of the BBWAA. Fingers is the all-time leader in saves and also garnered 114 wins, many of them after multiple-inning relief stints….
On July 13, 1991 At Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum the Baltimore Orioles defeat the A’s, 2 – 0, on a combined no-hitter by pitchers Starting pitcher Bob Milacki holds the home team hitless for the first six innings, he is lifted in the 6th after Willie Wilson smashes a ball off the pitcher’s index finger. He…
In his final major league game, Bruce Sutter, who missed all of last season due to shoulder problems, notches his 300th career save. The 35 year-old future Hall of Fame closer becomes the third reliever to reach the milestone when he retires the Padres in order in the 11th inning of the Braves’ 5-4 victory at Jack Murphy Stadium.
On February 21, 1986, Rollie Fingers passes up an opportunity to return to the majors. Fingers is invited to spring training by the Cincinnati Reds, who ask him to shave off his handlebar mustache to comply with team rules. Fingers refuse to do so and decides to retire. The future Hall of Fame reliever, who…
On November 14, 1985, Milwaukee Brewers release 39-year-old Rollie Fingers, who struggled with a 5.04 ERA during the season. The long-time relief ace will contemplate a comeback with the Cincinnati Reds before deciding to retire. Thus bringing an end to his 17-year Hall of Fame career. At the time he was the all-time major league…
On April 13, 1985, future Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers breaks the record for most saves in American League history. The Milwaukee Brewers’ relief ace notches his 217th save in the AL, surpassing the mark established by former Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees reliever Sparky Lyle.
Rollie Fingers of the Milwaukee Brewers becomes the first major leaguer to reach 300 career saves