MLB World Remembers The Legendary Gaylord Perry
Hall-of-Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry, who pitched 22 seasons in Major League Baseball, passed away this morning at the age of 84.
Perry pitched 10 seasons with the San Francisco Giants, four with both the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians, two each with the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners, and one each with the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees.
The right-hander was best known for his famous pitch, the spitball.
He won two Cy Young Awards and was a five-time All-Star.
On Twitter, fellow Hall-of-Famer Fergie Jenkins bid farewell to his friend and former teammate, sending thoughts and prayers out to the right-hander’s family and loved ones.
Saddened to get the call that Gaylord Perry passed away this morning. A great friend and a great teammate. My thoughts go out to the Perry family. We’ll miss you Gaylord. pic.twitter.com/u7I0IUQALE
— Fergie Jenkins (@fergieajenkins) December 1, 2022
MLB World Bids Farewell To Gaylord Perry
Over his 22-year career, Perry won 314 games and had a lifetime ERA of 3.11.
He also posted a 90 career WAR.
The Hall-of-Famer made his debut in 1962.
He was inducted into the Hall in 1991.
Several of Perry’s former teams posted farewell messages on Twitter.
The Rangers farewell message can be seen in the tweet below.
We are saddened by the passing of Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry. Our sincere condolences are with Gaylord’s family at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/AhS7M7e2TG
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) December 1, 2022
Few, if any could hit Perry’s spitball.
It was almost as if it was it his own personal secret.
Daniel Brown of The Athletic recalled a time when Perry’s five-year-old daughter was asked if he threw a “greaseball.”
She responded by saying, “it’s a hard slider.”
A reporter once asked Gaylord Perry’s daughter, Allison, if her daddy threw a greaseball. “It’s a hard slider,” she responded.
She was 5. https://t.co/rrMbOUPOSV
— Daniel Brown (@BrownieAthletic) December 1, 2022
Perry was certainly a legend and worthy of his place in Cooperstown, but his most famous moment did not come while he was pitching.
July 20, 1969, marked the day when a man finally stepped foot on the moon.
Giants manager Alvin Dark had said that a man would land on the moon before Perry ever hit a home run.
Hours after the landing, Perry hit his first career home run.
RIP to the spitball king Gaylord Perry, who won 314 games.
His most insane moment came at bat.
Giants manager Alvin Dark said that man would land on the moon before Perry would hit a HR.
On July 20, 1969, man landed on the moon.
Hours later, Perry hit his 1st home run. pic.twitter.com/jMAcALGV42
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 1, 2022
The right-hander will be sorely missed and fondly remembered for a legendary career.