About the Back: Jim was a shrewd waiver pickup by the Pirates in mid-1987, as his ERA was three runs lower in Pittsburgh than it had been in San Francisco, and he took over closer duties from Don Robinson.
Triple Play:
1. On May 12, 1985, he hit a pair of solo home runs against Bob Forsch of the Cardinals. Alas, Jim received no decision, as Mark Davis blew the save.
2. Throughout his career Gott, whose surname is the German word for "God", faced infielder Tim Teufel, whose surname is the German word for "devil", 11 times. Tim walked twice and went 2-for-9 with a home run, for a line of .222/.364/.556.
3. He taught actor Dennis Quaid how to pitch for the film The Rookie.
11-Year-Old Kevin Says: I remember when Cal Ripken, Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's record by playing in his 2,131st consecutive game. Gott, who was on the disabled list with the Pirates at the time (September 1995), appeared as a part of the postgame ceremonies to present Cal with the game ball from the first game of the streak: May 30, 1982. Jim had been the opposing pitcher that day, and had beaten Jim Palmer for his first career win. I've always thought that it was a pretty incredible and selfless gesture.
Bill James Said: "My guess is that Lasorda will keep him in the closer role, rather than moving Pedro Martinez there, because a) Gott pitched well, and b) Lasorda, like many managers, prefers a veteran in that role." Pedro, of course, was traded to the Expos for 1994, and fortunately they saw him as a starting pitcher. However, Todd Worrell wound up closing for the Dodgers.
On This Date in 1993: May 4. The Rockies outlast the Cubs 14-13 in an 11-inning slugfest in Wrigley Field. Chicago takes a 5-4 lead with a four-run rally in the seventh inning, then the Rockies put up a half-dozen runs in the very next at-bat, only to surrender the lead by giving up five in the bottom of the ninth. Chuck McElroy coughs up four Colorado runs in the top of the 11th, and Willie Blair gives three runs back in the home half before slamming the door. Sammy Sosa goes 5-for-6 with a double, a pair of homers, and five RBI in the losing cause. Joe Girardi, Jerald Clark, Charlie Hayes, and Jim Tatum all go deep for the Rox.
Whoever cropped this card brought their 'A' game. Sheesh
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ReplyDeleteAndy - Maybe the photo editor was paying homage to 1982 Fleer.
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