David Cone
From SoSH
| Born: | January 2, 1963 |
| Birthplace: | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Hometown: | |
| Height: | 6' 1" |
| Weight: | 190 lbs. |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | 1981: 3rd Round by the Kansas City Royals |
| College: | None |
| High School: | Rockhurst High School (MO) |
| Other Teams: | NY Mets 1987-1992, 2003 KC Royals 1986, 1993-1994 NY Yankees 1995-2000 |
| Years with Boston: | 2001 |
Contents |
Overall Career
Cone possessed a mid-90's fastball as well as above average slider and curve. In 1988 when Cone went 20-3 with a 2.22 ERA, leading the Mets to the postseason, where they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers (despite the fact that the Mets came in as heavy favorites) and the man who won the Cy Young over Cone, Orel Hershiser. Over the next dozen years, Cone became accustomed to leading teams to the postseason and became known as a "big game" pitcher.
Cone compiled an 8-3 postseason record over 21 postseason starts and was a part of five World Series championship teams (1992 with the Toronto Blue Jays and 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000 with the New York Yankees). He had a career postseason ERA of 3.80.
In addition to the 1988 campaign, Cone also enjoyed a 20-win season in 1998, setting a Major League record for the longest span between 20-win season. He led the National League in strikeouts in 1990 and 1991, but his 261 strikeouts in 1992, split between the two leagues, were a personal best. He won the American League Cy Young Award in the strike-shortened 1994 season, going 16-5 with a 2.94 ERA.
Cone was diagnosed with an aneurysm in his arm in 1996 and was on the disabled list for the majority of the year. Cone's performance faded dramatically in his final years. After pitching a perfect game on July 18, 1999, against the Montreal Expos, he seemed to suddenly lose effectiveness, and in 2000 he posted the worst record of his career, 4-14, while seeing his ERA balloon to 6.91, more than double his mark the previous year.
Cone pitched for the Red Sox in 2001. He sat out the 2002 season, but attempted a comeback in 2003 . Pitching again for the New York Mets, the results were no better - he went 1-3 in 4 starts with a 6.50 ERA. He announced his retirement soon after his last appearance for the Mets on May 28, citing a chronic hip problem.
Awards
- 1994 American League Cy Young Award
- 5-time Major League All-Star (1988, 1992, 1994, 1997 & 1999)
Achievements
- AL Wins Leader (1998)
- NL Winning Percentage Leader (1988)
- AL Innings Pitched Leader (1995)
- 2-time NL Strikeouts Leader (1990 & 1991)
- NL Shutouts Leader (1992)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 5 (1988, 1992, 1994, 1995 & 1998)
- 20 Wins Seasons: 2 (1988 & 1998)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 8 (1988-1993, 1995 & 1998)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 6 (1988, 1990-1992, 1997 & 1998)
Cone's Moments in the Sun
- Cone won a world series title with the Blue Jays in 1992 and four more with the late-1990s MFY.
- He once struck out 19 [[Philadelphia Phillies in an October 6, 1991 start for the Mets.
- With the Red Sox in 2001, David won seven starts in a row and was sitting at 7-1 before finishing the season 2-6 as the Sox tanked toward the end of the season and missed the playoffs.
Transactions
- June 8, 1981: Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 10, 1981.
- March 27, 1987: Traded by the Kansas City Royals with Chris Jelic to the New York Mets for Ed Hearn, Rick Anderson, and Mauro Gozzo.
- August 27, 1992: Traded by the New York Mets to the Toronto Blue Jays for Ryan Thompson (PTBNL) and Jeff Kent.
- October 30, 1992: Granted Free Agency.
- December 8, 1992: Signed as a Free Agent with the Kansas City Royals.
- April 6, 1995: Traded by the Kansas City Royals to the Toronto Blue Jays for Chris Stynes, David Sinnes, and Tony Medrano.
- July 28, 1995: Traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the New York Yankees for Marty Janzen, Jason Jarvis, and Mike Gordon.
- November 3, 1995: Granted Free Agency.
- December 21, 1995: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees.
- November 5, 1998: Granted Free Agency.
- November 11, 1998: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees.
- November 3, 1999: Granted Free Agency.
- December 6, 1999: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees.
- November 7, 2000: Granted Free Agency.
- January 11, 2001: Signed as a Free Agent with the Boston Red Sox.
- November 6, 2001: Granted Free Agency.
- February 13, 2003: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Mets.
External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
