Ron Guidry

From SoSH

Ronald Ames "Louisiana Lightning" Guidry was a left handed pitcher for the New York Yankees from 1975 until his retirement in 1988. During his career Guidry won 170 games and lost only 91. Guidry's number was retired in 2003 and he has served as the Yankees pitching coach since 2006.

Contents 1 Career Overview 2 Awards 3 Achievements 4 Transactions 5 External Links

Career Overview

Ron Guidry, nicknamed Louisiana Lightning and Gator, was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1971 draft. Standing at only 5’11 many people felt he was too small to be a good major league pitcher and as a result didn’t get a shot until six years after he was drafted at age 26.

He made his first appearance for the Yankees in 1975 pitching 2 scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox. He pitched in 10 games that season starting only one. The next season Guidry pitched in only 7 games all in relief. Finally, in 1977 Guidry became a full time starter in late April and compiled a record of 16-7 with a 2.82 ERA in 210.2 innings. He went 2-0 in the post season as the Yankees beat the LA Dodgers in the World Series. The next season in 1978 Guidry had the best season of his career and won the American League Cy Young Award going 25-3 with a 1.74 ERA. Guidry led the league in wins, ERA, WHIP, and shutouts. He also registered 16 complete games in 273.2 innings pitched. Guidry went 10-1 in his last 12 starts throwing 5 shutouts and helping the Yankees come back from a 6.5 game deficit at the start of September. The Yankees ended the season tied with the Red Sox and played a one game playoff for the division. Guidry pitched 6.1 innings giving up 2 earned for the victory. The Yankees went on to win the 1978 World Series for their second in as many years. In 1979 Guidry again led the league in ERA and won 18 games, but the Yankees finished 4th and out of the playoffs. The next season Guidry won 17 games and lost 10, but posted a 3.56 ERA, his highest since he became a starter. The next season Guidry began to have arm problems and pitched in only 23 games. After 1981 Guidry often struggled with health and was never quite the same pitcher. Despite this, Guidry did put up two very solid seasons in 1983 and 1985. In 1983 he was 21-9 with 21 complete games and 3.42 ERA. This season Guidry also topped 250 innings for the first time since 1978. In 1985 went 22-6 and placed second in the Cy Young Award voting to Bret Saberhagen. The next three seasons Guidry struggled with his health and won only 16 total games. Finally, in 1989 Guidry announced his retirement.

In 2003 the Yankees retired Ron Guidry’s number 49 and dedicated a plaque to him in Monument Park. Guidry replaced Mel Stottlemyre as Yankees pitching coach following the 2005 season.

Awards

• 1978 American League Cy Young Award Winner
• 1978 Major League Pitcher of the Year
• 1978 Sporting News Pitcher of the Year
• 1984 Roberto Clemente Award Winner
• 5-time AL Gold Glove winner - P (1982-1986)
• 4-time AL All-Star (1978, 1979, 1982, 1983)

Achievements

• 2-time AL ERA Leader (1978 & 1979)
• 2-time AL Wins Leader (1978 & 1985)
• 2-time AL Won-Loss Percentage Leader (1978 & 1985)
• 2-time AL WHIP Leader (1978 & 1981)
• AL Complete Games Leader (1983)
• AL Shutouts Leader (1978)
• 15 Win Seasons: 6 (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983 & 1985)
• 20 Win Seasons: (1978, 1983 & 1985)
• 200 Strikeout Seasons: 2 (1978 & 1979)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 7 (1977-1980, 1982, 1983 & 1985)

Transactions

• June 8, 1971: Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1971 amateur draft.
• November 13, 1981: Granted Free Agency.
• December 15, 1981: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees.
• November 12, 1986: Granted Free Agency.
• May 1, 1987: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees.
• December 20, 1988: Granted Free Agency

External Links

• Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
• Ron Guidry Career Overview Baseball-Library.com