Bobby Witt
Encyclopedia
Robert Andrew Witt (born May 11, 1964, in Arlington, Virginia
) was a pitcher
for the Major League Baseball
Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cleveland Indians, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Witt was drafted out of the University of Oklahoma
with the third pick of the first round by the Texas Rangers in 1985. His first professional win came in 1986 with the Texas Rangers as he had failed to win a game in the minor leagues. He was known as a hard-throwing right-hander with control problems throughout his career and many in Arlington began to call him "Witt 'n Wild" as a play on the waterpark Wet 'n Wild, which was located next to Arlington Stadium
. He led the league in walks three times and wild pitches twice. Witt retired in 2001 after winning a World Series ring with the Arizona Diamondbacks. His career record is 142 - 157 with an ERA of 4.83.
On August 2, 1987 Witt struck out 4 batters in one inning.1
He set the Texas Rangers club record set in 1970 with his 7th consecutive road win of the season, a feat that was not matched by a Rangers pitcher until Scott Feldman
did it in 2009.
On June 23, 1994, as a member of the Oakland A's, he lost his bid for a perfect game
when first base umpire Gary Cederstrom
called the Kansas City Royals
' Greg Gagne
safe in the 6th inning http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1994/B06230OAK1994.htm on a close play at first base on a bunt. Replays showed that Gagne was out. Witt went on to complete the game with only that one hit allowed and no walks.
On June 30, 1997, he became the first American League pitcher to hit a home run since Roric Harrison
on October 3, 1972. His blast was against off Ismael Valdes
of the Los Angeles Dodgers
in an interleague contest in the top of the 6th inning. The bat with which he hit this home run is now in the Baseball Hall of Fame 3.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
) was a pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cleveland Indians, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Witt was drafted out of the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
with the third pick of the first round by the Texas Rangers in 1985. His first professional win came in 1986 with the Texas Rangers as he had failed to win a game in the minor leagues. He was known as a hard-throwing right-hander with control problems throughout his career and many in Arlington began to call him "Witt 'n Wild" as a play on the waterpark Wet 'n Wild, which was located next to Arlington Stadium
Arlington Stadium
Arlington Stadium was a baseball stadium located in Arlington, Texas, United States, located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. It served as the home for the Texas Rangers from 1972 until 1993, when the team moved into The Ballpark in Arlington .-1960s:The stadium was built in 1965 as Turnpike...
. He led the league in walks three times and wild pitches twice. Witt retired in 2001 after winning a World Series ring with the Arizona Diamondbacks. His career record is 142 - 157 with an ERA of 4.83.
On August 2, 1987 Witt struck out 4 batters in one inning.1
He set the Texas Rangers club record set in 1970 with his 7th consecutive road win of the season, a feat that was not matched by a Rangers pitcher until Scott Feldman
Scott Feldman
Scott Feldman was a news anchor for News 12 Long Island for 22 years.-Early life:Feldman was born in St. Louis, Missouri, graduated from the University of Denver in 1971. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and National Guard....
did it in 2009.
On June 23, 1994, as a member of the Oakland A's, he lost his bid for a perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
when first base umpire Gary Cederstrom
Gary Cederstrom
Gary L. Cederstrom is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the American League from 1989 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He has umpired in two World Series; in 2005 and 2011...
called the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
' Greg Gagne
Greg Gagne (baseball player)
Gregory Carpenter Gagne is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball. He played 10 seasons for the Minnesota Twins from 1983 to 1992, including both of the Twins' World Series championship teams in 1987 and 1991...
safe in the 6th inning http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1994/B06230OAK1994.htm on a close play at first base on a bunt. Replays showed that Gagne was out. Witt went on to complete the game with only that one hit allowed and no walks.
On June 30, 1997, he became the first American League pitcher to hit a home run since Roric Harrison
Roric Harrison
Roric Edward Harrison is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He holds the distinction of being the last American League pitcher to hit a home run in an American League game before the introduction of the Designated Hitter.-Early years:Harrison signed with the Houston Astros out of Westchester...
on October 3, 1972. His blast was against off Ismael Valdes
Ismael Valdez
Ismael Valdez Alvarez is a Mexican former professional baseball pitcher. His professional baseball career began at age 17 when he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league organization. After a three year climb through the Dodgers farm system, Valdez made his major league debut at the age of 20...
of the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in an interleague contest in the top of the 6th inning. The bat with which he hit this home run is now in the Baseball Hall of Fame 3.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- Top 100 strikeout pitchers of all timeTop 100 strikeout pitchers of all timeIn baseball, a strikeout occurs when the batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. Strikeouts are associated with dominance on the part of the pitcher and failure on the part of the batter....