Charlie Kerfeld
Encyclopedia
Charles Patrick "Charlie" Kerfeld (born September 28, 1963, in Knob Noster, Missouri
) is a former Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
. Almost all of his career was spent with the Houston Astros
.
, and fared well his first year at Asheville, and his second at Columbus, with sub 3.00 ERA's and 30 wins. He led the 1983 Sally League
in wins, complete games, and innings pitched, while finishing second in strikeout
s, earning Pitcher of the Year honors. Though he struggled initially at the triple-A level, he eventually found his bearings and even earned a July 1985 call-up to the major league club at the age of 21.
Kerfeld made the big league roster out of spring training in 1986
, and had a career year posting an 11-2 record and a 2.69 ERA
as the setup man for closer Dave Smith. His unexpected performance that year was a key reason the Astros won the National League
Western Division title that season. He led the National League in won-loss percentage and finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year balloting. Kerfeld capped his season by pitching four innings and giving up a run in the NLCS
. He took the loss in Game 5 when Gary Carter
slapped Kerfeld's twelfth-inning pitch for a single, scoring Wally Backman
.
Kerfeld began 1987 with the Astros
, but was sent down to Tucson
on April 26 after 11 games after posting an 0 - 2 record and a 9.24 ERA. He went 4 - 4 at Tucson with a 4.74, and was briefly recalled to Houston before going on the DL
for two months with calcium deposits in his elbow. He pitched effectively in three games in late September, and looked to be rounding back into his stellar '86 form. Unfortunately, this would not be the case.
Kerfeld, battling elbow, neck and weight problems struggled in the minors in 1988 and '89. He was on the Astros' Opening Day
1990 roster
, but appeared in only five games, going 0 - 2 with a horrendous 16.20 ERA. His last game for the Astros was April 19, 1990. Ten days later, Kerfeld was traded to the Atlanta Braves
for outfielder Kevin Dean and pitcher Lee Johnson. He pitched 30 innings in relief for the Braves that season, but was released during the offseason. He was signed by the Detroit Tigers
and pitched briefly for their AA affiliate the London Tigers
in 1991, but retired following that season.
mask in the bullpen along with fellow relievers Larry Andersen and Dave Smith.
When Kerfeld, whose uniform number was 37, learned that Jim Deshaies
had signed for $
110,000 in 1987. He asked for and received $110,037.37 plus 37 boxes of orange Jell-O
.
Coming to the ballpark, he often wore such things as pink high-tops and a Rambo cammies outfit.
On March 1, 1987 Kerfeld declared he would buy up 3,000 tickets per game to give away to charity causes. Without a discount, which the Astros didn't discuss, the cost for the seats would total as much as $1.6 million dollars. Unable to afford that on a $110,000 salary, Kerfeld backed down from the offer.
in the Astros locker room after they clinched the NL West on September 25, 1986. The display was typical of his good nature and gregarious manner. Kerfeld was seen drinking a Busch beer during the interview, and then later pouring it on Nolan Ryan
while Ryan was giving an interview with Milo Hamilton
. Ryan retaliated by spraying champagne in Kerfeld's face. The clip can be found on the website YouTube.
of the Texas-Louisiana League. He was the Western League
manager of the year in 1998 and in 2001-02.
As of 2010, he currently serves as Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Philadelphia Phillies
.
Knob Noster, Missouri
Knob Noster is a city in Johnson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,462 at the 2000 census. It is located adjacent to Whiteman Air Force Base. Knob Noster State Park is nearby.-History:...
) is a former 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...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. Almost all of his career was spent with the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
.
Career
Kerfeld was the Astros' first pick (5th overall) in the secondary phase of 1982 draft1982 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1982 Major League Baseball draft.- Other notable players :*Barry Bonds was drafted by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 1982 amateur draft, but did not sign...
, and fared well his first year at Asheville, and his second at Columbus, with sub 3.00 ERA's and 30 wins. He led the 1983 Sally League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
in wins, complete games, and innings pitched, while finishing second in strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s, earning Pitcher of the Year honors. Though he struggled initially at the triple-A level, he eventually found his bearings and even earned a July 1985 call-up to the major league club at the age of 21.
Kerfeld made the big league roster out of spring training in 1986
1986 Houston Astros season
-Regular season:* Kevin Bass had a twenty game hit streak during the season.* Dave Smith set a club record with 33 saves in one season.* September 24, 1986: Jim Deshaies set a record for the most strikeouts to start a game...
, and had a career year posting an 11-2 record and a 2.69 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
as the setup man for closer Dave Smith. His unexpected performance that year was a key reason the Astros won the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Western Division title that season. He led the National League in won-loss percentage and finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year balloting. Kerfeld capped his season by pitching four innings and giving up a run in the NLCS
1986 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 8, 1986 at Astrodome in Houston, TexasGame 1 featured a pitching duel between eventual NLCS Most Valuable Player Mike Scott and Dwight Gooden. Scott allowed just five hits and walked one while striking out 14 in a complete-game effort as the host Astros prevailed 1–0...
. He took the loss in Game 5 when Gary Carter
Gary Carter
Gary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
slapped Kerfeld's twelfth-inning pitch for a single, scoring Wally Backman
Wally Backman
Walter Wayne Backman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. He is best known for his time with the New York Mets from - and was a member of their 1986 World Series-winning team...
.
Kerfeld began 1987 with the Astros
1987 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros' 1987 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* October 24, 1986: Matt Keough was released by the Astros....
, but was sent down to Tucson
Tucson Toros
The Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
on April 26 after 11 games after posting an 0 - 2 record and a 9.24 ERA. He went 4 - 4 at Tucson with a 4.74, and was briefly recalled to Houston before going on the DL
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
for two months with calcium deposits in his elbow. He pitched effectively in three games in late September, and looked to be rounding back into his stellar '86 form. Unfortunately, this would not be the case.
Kerfeld, battling elbow, neck and weight problems struggled in the minors in 1988 and '89. He was on the Astros' Opening Day
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book...
1990 roster
1990 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* December 6, 1989: Bill Gullickson was signed as a free agent by the Astros....
, but appeared in only five games, going 0 - 2 with a horrendous 16.20 ERA. His last game for the Astros was April 19, 1990. Ten days later, Kerfeld was traded to the Atlanta Braves
1990 Atlanta Braves season
The Atlanta Braves season of 1990 was the team's 25th in Atlanta, and the 115th in franchise history as a member of the National League. The Braves won 65 and lost 97, en route to their sixth place finish in the NL West, 26 games behind the World Champion Cincinnati Reds...
for outfielder Kevin Dean and pitcher Lee Johnson. He pitched 30 innings in relief for the Braves that season, but was released during the offseason. He was signed by the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and pitched briefly for their AA affiliate the London Tigers
London Tigers
The London Tigers were a professional AA baseball team that played in the Eastern League from 1989 to 1993. They played at Labatt Memorial Park in London, Ontario, and were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers.-History:...
in 1991, but retired following that season.
Antics
A fan favorite, Kerfeld was known for his quirky sense of humor and bullpen antics. He is remembered for his lucky Jetsons tee shirt (which he wore under his uniform when he pitched because the Jetsons' dog was named Astro) and for occasionally donning a rubber ConeheadsConeheads
The Coneheads is a sketch on Saturday Night Live which originated on the January 15, 1977 episode, and starred Dan Aykroyd as father Beldar, Jane Curtin as mother Prymaat, and Laraine Newman as daughter Connie.-Summary:...
mask in the bullpen along with fellow relievers Larry Andersen and Dave Smith.
When Kerfeld, whose uniform number was 37, learned that Jim Deshaies
Jim Deshaies
James Joseph "Jim" Deshaies , also known as "JD", is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball and currently a TV commentator with the Houston Astros.- Major-league career :...
had signed for $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
110,000 in 1987. He asked for and received $110,037.37 plus 37 boxes of orange Jell-O
Gelatin dessert
Gelatin desserts are desserts made with sweetened and flavored gelatin. They can be made by combining plain gelatin with other ingredients or by using a premixed blend of gelatin with additives...
.
Coming to the ballpark, he often wore such things as pink high-tops and a Rambo cammies outfit.
On March 1, 1987 Kerfeld declared he would buy up 3,000 tickets per game to give away to charity causes. Without a discount, which the Astros didn't discuss, the cost for the seats would total as much as $1.6 million dollars. Unable to afford that on a $110,000 salary, Kerfeld backed down from the offer.
Kerfeld's famous post game interview
Kerfeld gained fame for giving a drunken interview live to Bill Worrell and HSEFSN Southwest
Fox Sports Southwest is a regional sports network that operates in all or parts of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arkansas...
in the Astros locker room after they clinched the NL West on September 25, 1986. The display was typical of his good nature and gregarious manner. Kerfeld was seen drinking a Busch beer during the interview, and then later pouring it on Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
while Ryan was giving an interview with Milo Hamilton
Milo Hamilton
Leland Milo Hamilton is an American sportscaster, best known for calling play-by-play for seven different Major League Baseball teams since 1953...
. Ryan retaliated by spraying champagne in Kerfeld's face. The clip can be found on the website YouTube.
Charlie or Charley?
Sometime around the 1987 season Kerfeld's first name began to appear in print as "Charley." The was no explanation offered for the change and it became a source of befuddlement to players and fans alike. For the rest of his career, and to the present day, his name is often seen spelled in both forms.Post-baseball career
Kerfeld remained in baseball managing in the minor leagues, including a brief stint with the Abilene Prairie DogsAbilene Prairie Dogs
The Abilene Prairie Dogs were a minor-league baseball team in the former Texas-Louisiana League. Beginning in 1995, the Prairie Dogs, , began play at Abilene Christian University's Crutcher Scott Field...
of the Texas-Louisiana League. He was the Western League
Western Baseball League
The Western Baseball League was an independent baseball league based in the Western United States and Western Canada. It's member teams were not associated with any Major League Baseball teams. It operated from 1995 to 2002....
manager of the year in 1998 and in 2001-02.
As of 2010, he currently serves as Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.