Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Mel Stottlemyre for the Hall of Fame!

Say what?  Mel?  Mel Sr.?

Mel Stottlemyre joined the New York Yankees August 12, 1964: 9-3 2.06 ERA.  Without Stottlemyre the Yanks probably would have not won their last AL pennant under the old pre common draft dynasty.  In the WS against St. Louis Stottlemyre started games 2, 5, 7 all against Gibson.  Stottlemyre beat Gibson in game 2.  Gibson won game 5 in ten innings; Pete Mikkelsen took the loss.  Gibson beat Stottlemyre in game 7.

Mel Stottlemyre was 20-9 in 1965, 21-12 in 1968, 20-14 in 1969.  He was an all-star in 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970.  Arm trouble cut his career short: 164-139 2.97 ERA.

So, Mel Stottlemyre for the Hall of Fame?  No, not as a pitcher.  As a pitching coach.

Stottlemyre was the pitching coach for five WS champions: Mets 1986 , Yankees 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000.

If a manager had that record he would be elected to the Hall of Fame.  So why not a coach?  It's better than inducting owners and executives.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I like your idea that Stottlemyre should be in the Hall of Fame as a pitching coach.