THE 1979

relieving in the ninth inning of a scoreless duel with the and he ended the 1981 season with a record of 6-9 and , gave up two runs and took the loss. a 4.02 ERA. On August 21, 1979, Whitson duked it out with After the season Whitson was traded to the By Mike Huber Giants Roger Metzger. In practice for . and Metzger From April through July 1982, Whitson went,-1 for the the was taking some big cuts, refining his bunting Tribe, entirely in relief, but in late July he developed A PITCHER WHO SPENT HIS International League. His were down, and suggested Whitson concentrate on players argued, and the spat continued into a sore wrist. By August he was placed in the rotation, 15-year major-league career playing for five teams, by mid-June he had but one victory against five defeats, skills. The started his last nine games for Cleveland, going Ed Whitson was an All-Star in 1980 and amassed a with a 4.35 ERA. On June 3o he suffered his ninth the clubhouse when Whitson evidently said, "I've and he knocking him 3-I. His season record was 4-2. He had picked up two 126-123 career record in 2,240 . The loss in a row, losing to Charleston, 4-2. The Sporting had enough," and decked Metzger, seconds? Both players saves and had pitched a complete game shutout in 6-foot-3 right-hander was a starter for the first half News hinted on August 6,1977, that Whitson might unconscious for about five a season of the Pirates' 1979 championship team, but he might be superstitious: "After suffering through nine straight downplayed the event, and the Giants snapped a one of his late-season starts, and he posted ERA of 3.26. best be remembered for his temper and his rocky losses, he changed his uniform number from 18 to 20 six-game losing streak that night. For the second offseason in a row, Whitson was tenure with the in the mid-198os. and immediately won his next two starts to up his Whitson ended 1979 with a 5-8 record for the Eddie Lee Whitson was born on May 19, 1955, in record to 3-9."2 Giants, posting a 3.95 ERA, and a combined 7-11 record traded in 1982, this time to the , his in four seasons. The Padres envisioned Johnson City, Tennessee, to Starlin and Anna Mae Whitson finished the International League season (4.10). He had 17 starts in 18 appearances. When the fourth team starting rotation. San Diego ( Johnson) Whitson. Starlin worked as a logger. 8-13 with a 3.84 ERA, and was a September call-up Pirates players divided their postseason money, they Whitson as a key to their Eichelberger and first Starlin "took off" when Eddie was 7 years old, to the Pirates. He made his major-league debut on awarded Whitson $7,000. traded Juan baseman Broderick Perkins to Cleveland for Whitson. leaving a deserted wife and nine children. Eddie's September 4 at Dodger Stadium in . In 11/3 After the season, on November 24, Whitson and fans. siblings were Bradford, Buford, Eugene, Dennis, innings, he allowed a on three walks and a sacrifice Kathleen A. Mulholland were married in Franklin The stirred some disquiet among Cleveland Martha, Trula, Randy, and Susan. Anna Mae and fly, but recorded his first major-league . County, Ohio. In 1980 he was strictly a starter. By Pete Franklin, a talk-show host in Cleveland, told Starlin were divorced on June 4, 1981, exactly 16 years Whitson's first big-league start (and first victory) June 7 he was just 2-7, both victories shutouts over his listeners that the Indians were trading away an after they were married. came via conditions out of his control on September the . By July i he had won five straight established right-handed starter for "Pancake" Perkins Ed Whitson was a star pitcher at Unicoi County 17, 1977, in Montreal. First, there was a rain delay games and evened his record at 7-7. Two weeks later, and "Hamburger" Eichelberger.6 However, Cleveland High School in Erwin, Tennessee. On June 5,1974, the of over two hours before the contest started. Then, Whitson was at the All-Star Game. had general Phil Seghi said, "I look at it this way. right-handed fastball pitcher was drafted by Pittsburgh scheduled starter was scratched after been named to the team, but when the Giants placed We are trading a no bill for two s5 bills. Whitson and in the sixth round of the amateur draft. Pirates scout developing stiffness in his left shoulder while he was Blue on the disabled list with a herniated cervical disc, Eichelberger have good arms. But we also get Perkins, Ken Beardslee signed him to a contract and paid him getting ready in the . Manager Whitson was named to the squad. 4 who will do a lot for our bench."7 a $5,000 bonus.' substituted Whitson as the starter. In his five innings, Shortly after the All-Star Game, Whitson developed Whitson's first season with the Padres also got off To start his professional career, the 19-year-old Whitson gave up five hits and three runs. Goose a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand and to a slow start. He missed the exhibition season with April i5 Whitson was assigned to the Pirates' rookie-level team Gossage pitched four innings of scoreless relief as the sat out from July 22 until August 15. He finished the pulled muscles in his rib cage. In a game on in the Gulf Coast League, where he went 1-4 with a Pirates won, 6-3. That was Whitson's only decision in 1980 campaign with a record of 11-13 and an ERA of against the , Whitson suffered 4.3o ERA in eight games. In 1975 he was moved up to his month with the Pirates. 3.10 in 34 starts (2112/3 innings pitched). an injured cartilage in his left knee and was placed Charleston (South Carolina) of the Class-A Western Whitson started 1978 with Columbus but was called Whitson had another slow start in the 1981 season, on the disabled list. He was expected to be gone from Carolinas League and finished with an 8-15 mark and up in late May. Pitching in 43 games, all in relief, he which was interrupted by a players' strike. He was the the team for three to six weeks, but ended up having a 5.07 ERA. posted a 5-6 record with four saves. losing pitcher in his first four decisions. On June 2, knee surgery. When he returned, Whitson became a Whitson continued his minor-league career with In the Pirates magical 1979 season, Whitson started pitching against the Cincinnati Reds, Whitson felt target for the long ball. A player on another team told Salem (Virginia), in the Class-A Carolina League seven games and relieved in 12 (2-3, 4.37) before being some numbness in his right arm. The strike allowed him that he was "tipping his pitches,"8 which had led in 1976. By July 4 he was 6-4 with a 1.71 earned-run traded on June 28, along with Fred Breining him to rest his arm for two months, but his problems to 16 home runs in 74 innings pitched. After finding average and had struck out 78 batters in 84 innings. and , to the for Continued after play resumed. In an August 18 start this out, Whitson pitched eight innings in his next He finished the season with a mark of 15-9, earning and and pitcher against Pittsburgh, Whitson hyperextended his elbow start without yielding a . Class-A all-star status. . After acquiring Madlock, the third- trying to bunt. After the game, he told reporters, "I The next season, 1984, brought new success for In 1977 Whitson went to with the place Pirates, 612/ games behind first-place Montreal, twisted my arm trying to bunt. I felt a click on every Whitson. He developed a palmball by accident in Pirates, but by the beginning of April, he was sent turned their season around and eventually won the pitch I threw after that, but I won't miss a turn."5 the 1983 season. "The palmball developed in the last to the Columbus (Ohio) Clippers of the Triple-A pennant and the . On June 30 Whitson, Whitson continued to be part of the starting rotation, half of the season, when I couldn't use [my] finger,"9 WHEN POPS LED THE FAMILY THE 1979 PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Before 58,346 fans in San Diego, 2o. Martin told reporters After he pitched to and retired one batter in Yankee Whitson allowed from a start on September just five hits in eight innings as the Padres won, 7.1. that Whitson had arm trouble and Ed told reporters Stadium on July 2, Whitson's ERA. stood at 7.54 in The Padres then rallied for comeback wins in never felt better. The fight became an all-out brawl, 14 appearances. Games he Four and Five to secure the NL 1986, Whitson had had enough. The pennant, and went to with Whitson kicking and punching Martin. At one By July 9, their first World Series. Whitson started Game Two point, players and Ron Hassey and Padres got him back, trading Tim against the favored at Jack Murphy Gene Michael tried to break it up. The peacemakers Stoddard to the Yankees for Whitson, and New York Stadium, down one game to none, and the Tigers pushed Whitson outside, but Martin followed. When agreed to absorb the remaining 31/2 years of Whitson's him hard. After three pitches, Detroit led,'-o. After it was all over, Martin was bleeding from his nose and contract. Whitson was rescued by returning to San II pitches, it was 3-o. After 17 pitches, Whitson was had suffered a broken right arm. It was the second Diego. pulled for . Whitson had allowed five night in a row that Martin had been involved in an In four full seasons from 1987 to 199o, Whitson singles while only retiring two batters. The Padres altercation at the hotel bar. Whitson was sent to his posted double-digit victories (ro, 13, 16, and 14). He had came back to win this game, 5-3, but the Tigers beat home in New Jersey and told to stay away from Martin. been a starter (except for two games at the end of the the Padres in three straight games in Detroit to claim The Yankees did not suspend Whitson. Instead, Martin 1987 season). In 1990 Whitson posted a record of 14-9 the World Series title. told the press, Whitson would skip his start at Yankee with a career-best 2.60 earned-run average. He hit his After the Series Whitson became a free agent Stadium "to avoid being booed by the fans."" Martin only major-league home run on April 25, 199o, in a and was signed by the New York Yankees to a five- was fired after the season ended. shutout of the Chicago Cubs in San Diego. The 1990 year contract for $4.25 million. The fifth starter in the Early the next season, 1986, 'Whitson was told Padres named Whitson as their Pitcher of the Year. Yankees' 1985 rotation, Whitson had his traditionally he would be pitching only on the road—away from The next season, 1991, was Whitson's last in the slow start. He allowed 13 runs and 16 hits in eight-plus . Mike Downey, in The , major leagues. Again plagued with injuries, he pitched innings in his first two starts. Only five of the runs wrote, "The treatment Whitson gets in New York is in only 13 games, going 4-6, managing 782/3 innings in he told reporters. He had cut a finger on his pitching were earned, as the New Yorkers made five errors rude, crude, and lewd. His own fans treat him like an 12 starts and one relief appearance. He gave up 93 hits hand opening a soda bottle. This forced him to hold behind Whitson. enemy. Like Khadafy in pinstripes. ... All I know is that (13 home runs), and his earned-run average shot up the baseball farther back in his hand. Whitson was 1-6 with a 6.23 ERA when he started Ed Whitson is not being allowed to pitch in his home to 5.03, the highest of his career as a starting pitcher. Although known for having a temper, Whitson on June II against the at Yankee ball park anymore, which is like telling Patrick Ewing In July he had shoulder surgery. In his final game, on was ejected from only one major-league game. That Stadium. Whitson pitched into the roth inning and he can play anyplace except Madison Square Garden, September 29, he allowed five hits and three runs in game, on August 12, 1984, in Atlanta's Fulton County gave up just one run, but the Blue Jays won 4-I in ii or like telling Louie Carnesecca he can coach at St. one-third of an inning in relief against the Reds. The Stadium was memorable and deplorable. Whitson was innings. This night against Toronto seemed special. Joe's, St. Jim's, St. Louie's, St. Eva Marie's — anyplace 36-year-old pitcher had a torn ligament in his right ordered by San Diego manager to hit The fans had been booing Whitson all season, yet in but St. John's."4 It wasn't quite that bad. In his two elbow. The Padres decided not to renew his contract. Braves' pitcher Pascual Perez in retaliation for Perez this game, they were chanting, "Ed-die, Ed-die" in seasons with the Yankees, Whitson had a 15-10 record, When he retired after the 1991 campaign, Whitson plunking Alan Wiggins in the first inning. But in the the eighth inning. "I didn't know what was going on," good enough for a .600 winning percentage. However, had pitched in the major leagues for 15 seasons. His second inning, Whitson's three inside pitches failed said Whitson. "One of the guys told me all the beer it did bother him. "It's like working in an office and won-loss record was 126-123, and his ERA was 3.79. to connect with Perez, and both teams were warned. vendors here are named Eddie and the fans were just your boss comes in and says, 'You suck,' after you've He pitched 35 complete games, of which rz were After Whitson fired three more "close ones" at Perez in yelling for beer."" As the season continued, Whitson tried your best,"Whitson said. "Now multiply that by shutouts. As a batter, he had nine doubles and 27 the fourth, home-plate Steve Rippley ejected was getting verbally abused and heckled by the fans. He 50,00o bosses, all of them telling you that you suck, RBIs, in addition to his round-tripper. As a pitcher, he both Whitson and Williams. In the end, 13 players, 2 even began to receive hate mail. He stopped bringing and imagine what that feels like."" New York manager posted one career postseason victory. One sportswriter coaches, and z managers were ejected."' his wife to the stadium. had reduced Whitson to duty as a mop-up commented wryly of Whitson's retirement: "One of The Padres had a franchise season in 1984, going to Whitson was involved in a notorious incident pitcher and he did not let him start in Yankee Stadium the Padres' all-time leading pitchers retired this week, the World Series. Whitson finished the season with a on September 22, 1985. In a cocktail lounge at the until after June 2, 1986.16 He started only a handful and it hardly made it off page 17 of area newspapers. record of 14-8 and posted a 3.24 earned-run average. It Cross Keys Inn in , where the Yankees were of games on the road. In his own defense, Whitson Newscasts mentioned it after hockey, of all things."" was his second winning season. The Padres faced the staying, Whitson and Yankees manager said,"I'm throwing consistent strikes. I'm getting the Whitson's elbow did not get better, and he stayed Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship became involved in a brawl. The "knock-down, drag Palmball over. The only reason I haven't been able to retired, settling in Dublin, Ohio, his offseason home, Series, and Whitson started Game Three, after the out battle" began at about 12:20 A.M. and continued use it is I haven't been pitching. I respect Lou Piniella's spending time with his family. The Whitsons have Cubs had won the first two games in the then best- into the hotel lobby and then out into the street.' decision on what he did, but it was hurting me. You two children. Jennifer A. Whitson was born in 1982 of-five NLC S. Evidently, Whitson was upset about being scratched can't get your ERA down if you're not being used."7 and Andrew M. "Drew" Whitson was born in 1992. WHEN POPS LED THE FAMILY

Thanks to Bill Morten for providing insightful .org/boxesetc/r984/Bo8mATLI984.htm and youtubt genealogical information and Rod Nelson of SABR's com/watch?v=HZgw-ujI8UI Chuck Tanner and the Bullpen Scouts Committee. II The Sporting News, June 24, 1985: 16. 12 The Sporting News, September 30, 1985: 32. By Rory Costello NOTES 13 William Juliano, "Considering Kuroda; Remembering Ed According to Rod Nelson of SABR's Scouts Committee, Whitson," captainsblog.info/2ors/r2h7/considering-kuroda- "THE BEST CREW I'VE HAD IN MY NINE The pendulum swung back in the early/mid-I97os, Whitson in a remembering-ed-whitson/so534/. SABR questionnaire in 2002 named Beardslee as put it, "It was a time of reversing the years as a major-league manager."' Chuck Tanner said though. As Treder scout who signed him. 14 The Sporting News, April 28,1986: 5. that in August 1979 about his corps of relief pitch- the trends that had been gathering momentum for 2 The Sporting News,_.ews, August 6,197T 34. 15 Ian O'Connor, "Whit's wisdom to Javy: 'I've been there,'" the Pittsburgh Pirates, led by , several decades, of shorter pitching stints and more 3 The ers on Sporting News, September 8,1979: 32. sports.espn.go.com/m1b/columns/story?columnist=oconnor_ Tanner visible ian&ic1=5149683. , and . "Our guys are specialized roles."' Here too played a The Sporting News, July 26,1980: 21. 4 to the situations in which we need them," the role. In 1972, when he was named AL Manager of r6 Whitson had started a game at Yankee Stadium on suited 5 The Sporting News, September 5,1981: April 9,1986, 47. against the Kansas skipper said a little less than a year later. "That's why the Year, he gave more than 40 starts apiece to three City Royals, but he allowed four runs (three 6 The Sporting News, December 6, 1982: 5o. earned) in 22/3 innings, getting the loss. After that, he pitched we won all the chips last year."2 pitchers: (49), (40, and three 7 Ibid. times in April and May in New York, all in relief. Having a deep bullpen and seeking the best match- Tom Bradley (40). That trio accounted for 64 percent 17 The Sporting News, July 21, 1986: 8 The Sporting News, August 22,1983: 13. 14. ups in tight spots are the norm today. The conven- of the innings pitched for the White Sox that year. 18 Dave Distel, "Whitson Always forming. Cincinnati Reds 9 The Sporting News, July 30, 1984: .5. Was a Real Pro,"Los Angeles tional notions about how to build and utilize pitching Still, an undercurrent was Times, November I, 1992. staffs were in a new stage of development in 1979, manager was earning the nickname though—and Chuck Tanner was one of the thinkers "Captain Hook" because he often lifted his starting who fostered the ongoing evolution. pitchers early and relied on his bullpen. However, "Fancy starters and 20-game winners are impressive the movement also gained force through Tanner. In to some," Tanner told veteran Montreal sportswriter January 1973, as the was preparing Dink Carroll. "But you can still have a good pitching to introduce the designated-hitter rule, he predicted staff without them."3 On various occasions over the that relief pitching would become even more important years, Tanner sounded the same chord: "Give me as a result. "Under the new rule," he said, "I can bring a five-six-inning pitcher and we'll win."4 He never in a guy like in the sixth inning and not won another pennant in his remaining eight-plus worry about having to lift him for a later."7 seasons as a big-league skipper. Yet his views—and Tanner was also early to turn pitching prospects his success with the '79 Pirates—still influenced the into relievers. The prime example is Rich "Goose" game. Tanner also had experimental ideas that were Gossage, who'd had a brilliant season as a starter in years ahead of their time. Class-A ball in 1971 but went to the pen as a rookie The concept of situational relievers had germinated with the White Sox in 1972. "Chuck was totally re- while Tanner was still an active player. In zoos Steve sponsible for me being a relief pitcher," said Gossage in Treder wrote a two-part series for The Hardball Times zoo 8, shortly after he had been elected to the Baseball about the LOOGY, or (L)eft-handed (0)ne (0) Hall of Fame. He added that in those days the bullpen ut (G)u(Y). By Treder's definition, the first major- largely was considered "a junk pile where old starters league pitcher to be used as such was Leo Kiely of went."' the Kansas City A's in 1960. Various others followed Both Gossage and Forster made spot starts for in the 196os, most notably Jack Spring (Los Angeles Tanner from 1972 through 1974, but in 1975 he focused Angels, 1963) and Bill Henry (San Francisco Giants, them on the bullpen. "Tanner might have been ahead 1966).Tanner was not far behind. In his first full season of his time, but his decision was rooted in both long- as a big-league manager-1971, with the Chicago term vision and short-term expediency. He knew it White Sox—he had two short-stint lefties in his would be a shock to a hitter's system to see Gossage bullpen. They were 19-year-old rookie Terry Forster grunting and snorting in 98-mph increments after and Don Eddy.5