Jack Aker
Encyclopedia
Jackie Delane Aker is an American
former Major League Baseball
right-handed relief pitcher
. Aker was used exclusively in relief. He appeared in 495 games, none as a starter, and was one of the American League
's best closers
of his era. He is of Potawatomi Indian ancestry. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/legendary/american_indian_baseball_players.shtml
(1964–1968), Seattle Pilots
(1969), New York Yankees
(1969–1972), Chicago Cubs
(1972–1973), Atlanta Braves
(1974), and New York Mets
(1974). During an 11-year baseball career, Aker compiled 47 wins
, 404 strikeout
s, a 3.28 earned run average
, and 123 saves, an impressive total at the time.
On September 10, 1965, Aker pitched 6.1 innings of relief, allowing just one run, to earn the W in a 10-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles
His best season came in 1966 with the A's, when he led the American League
in saves (32, a major league record until 1970) and games finished
(57), had a 1.99 ERA, finished 13th in the MVP voting, and was named AL
Fireman of the Year by The Sporting News
.
On September 7, 1966, Aker earned save #30 for the season with 3.2 innings of shutout
relief vs. the California Angels
.
On April 29, 1967, he pitched the last 8.1 innings of a 15-inning loss to the Boston Red Sox
, striking out a career-high 8 and allowing just two runs.
On April 24, 1968, Aker in just the eighth baseball game ever played at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, pitched the last 5 innings, allowing no runs and earning the W, in an 11-inning win over the New York Yankees
After a series of run-ins with A's owner Charles O. Finley
, Aker, the team's union player representative, was made available in the expansion draft for the 1969 season, and was picked up by the Seattle Pilots
. As one of their original players, on April 8, 1969, he earned a save in the first game in franchise history, a 4-3 win over the California Angels
.
After his playing days ended, Aker managed in the minor leagues from 1975–1985, winning the Governor's Cup (International League
Championship) with the 1982 Tidewater Tides (Mets organization
), and was the Cleveland Indians
pitching coach from late 1985 to 1987. He left pro baseball after the 1988 season to teach children, and for 20 years offered camps, clinics, and baseball instruction through his "Jack Aker Baseball" academy. In 1997, he was honored by President Clinton
with a "Giant Steps Award" for coaching for his work teaching at-risk Native American
children on reservations
in Arizona
and New Mexico
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
right-handed 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...
. Aker was used exclusively in relief. He appeared in 495 games, none as a starter, and was one of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
's best closers
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
of his era. He is of Potawatomi Indian ancestry. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/legendary/american_indian_baseball_players.shtml
Career
He was originally signed as an outfielder by the Kansas City Athletics and led the Nebraska State League in stolen bases in his first year, 1959, before being converted to pitching before the 1960 season. He made it to the majors as a side-arming sinkerballer, pitching for the Kansas City/Oakland AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
(1964–1968), Seattle Pilots
Seattle Pilots
The Seattle Pilots were an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington for one season, . The Pilots played home games at Sick's Stadium and were a member of the West Division of Major League Baseball's American League...
(1969), New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
(1969–1972), Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(1972–1973), Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(1974), and New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
(1974). During an 11-year baseball career, Aker compiled 47 wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
, 404 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, a 3.28 earned run average
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...
, and 123 saves, an impressive total at the time.
On September 10, 1965, Aker pitched 6.1 innings of relief, allowing just one run, to earn the W in a 10-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
His best season came in 1966 with the A's, when he led the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in saves (32, a major league record until 1970) and games finished
Games finished
In baseball statistics, a relief pitcher is credited with a game finished if he is the last pitcher to pitch for his team in a game. A starting pitcher is not credited with a GF for pitching a complete game...
(57), had a 1.99 ERA, finished 13th in the MVP voting, and was named AL
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Fireman of the Year by The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
.
On September 7, 1966, Aker earned save #30 for the season with 3.2 innings of shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
relief vs. the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
.
On April 29, 1967, he pitched the last 8.1 innings of a 15-inning loss to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, striking out a career-high 8 and allowing just two runs.
On April 24, 1968, Aker in just the eighth baseball game ever played at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, pitched the last 5 innings, allowing no runs and earning the W, in an 11-inning win over the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
After a series of run-ins with A's owner Charles O. Finley
Charles O. Finley
Charles Oscar Finley , nicknamed Charlie O or Charley O, was an American businessman who is best remembered for his tenure as the owner of the Oakland Athletics Major League Baseball team. Finley purchased the franchise while it was located in Kansas City, moving it to Oakland in 1968...
, Aker, the team's union player representative, was made available in the expansion draft for the 1969 season, and was picked up by the Seattle Pilots
Seattle Pilots
The Seattle Pilots were an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington for one season, . The Pilots played home games at Sick's Stadium and were a member of the West Division of Major League Baseball's American League...
. As one of their original players, on April 8, 1969, he earned a save in the first game in franchise history, a 4-3 win over the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
.
After his playing days ended, Aker managed in the minor leagues from 1975–1985, winning the Governor's Cup (International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
Championship) with the 1982 Tidewater Tides (Mets organization
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
), and was the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
pitching coach from late 1985 to 1987. He left pro baseball after the 1988 season to teach children, and for 20 years offered camps, clinics, and baseball instruction through his "Jack Aker Baseball" academy. In 1997, he was honored by President Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
with a "Giant Steps Award" for coaching for his work teaching at-risk Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
children on reservations
Indian reservation
An American Indian reservation is an area of land managed by a Native American tribe under the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs...
in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
.
Persoonal
As of 2008. Aker was living in Arizona with his wife, former sportswriter Jane Charnin-Aker. In 2001, Charnin-Aker won $250,000 on the network version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." Their son, Joshua Charnin-Aker, appeared on "Jeopardy!" Kids Week in 2002, competed in the 2008 U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials, has qualified for the 2012 Trials, and was an All-American swimmer for Stanford University. Another son, Matthew Aker, is the head baseball coach at Greensboro College in North Carolina. Their youngest son, Adam Charnin-Aker, plays baseball for perennial powerhouse Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, AZ.Quotes
- Jack Aker, who's been our active player representative, called a meeting today to elect a permanent player rep and alternate. Aker has quite a bit of experience in that area. He was the player rep in Kansas City when the players had all that trouble with Charley FinleyCharles O. FinleyCharles Oscar Finley , nicknamed Charlie O or Charley O, was an American businessman who is best remembered for his tenure as the owner of the Oakland Athletics Major League Baseball team. Finley purchased the franchise while it was located in Kansas City, moving it to Oakland in 1968...
(sic) and he's the most qualified guy on the team. He was elected with no opposition." -- Jim BoutonJim BoutonJames Alan "Jim" Bouton is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. He is also the author of the controversial baseball book Ball Four, which was a combination diary of his season and memoir of his years with the New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, and Houston Astros.-Amateur and college...
in Ball FourBall FourBall Four is a book written by former Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Bouton in . The book is a diary of Bouton's 1969 season, spent with the Seattle Pilots and then the Houston Astros following a late-season trade. In it Bouton also recounts much of his baseball career, spent mainly with the...
(March 31, 1969)
See also
External links
- Baseball Almanac
- Retrosheet
- Homepage of "Jack Aker Baseball".