Joey Jay
Encyclopedia
Joseph Richard Jay (born August 15, 1935 in Middletown, Connecticut
) is a former starting pitcher
in Major League Baseball
. From 1953 through 1966, Jay played for the Milwaukee Braves
(1953–55, 1957–60), Cincinnati Reds
(1961–66) and Atlanta Braves
(1966). He was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed.
In a 13-season career, Jay posted a 99-91 record with 999 strikeout
s and a 3.77 ERA
in 1546.1 innings
.
In July 2008 he was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.
player to advance to the major leagues, Jay was one of the first 'bonus baby' players in the major leagues. This resulted when he signed a significant contract ($20,000) with the Braves, which forced the Braves to keep Jay on their major league roster for two seasons because of the contract's amount. Following the end of his two years, he was sent to the minors to gain experience, but this failed to get him past the likes of Warren Spahn
, Bob Buhl
and Lew Burdette
on the Braves' rotation. He went 7-5 for the Braves in his best season (1958), but a broken finger kept him out of the World Series.
after the 1960 season for infielder Roy McMillan
.
Jay took full advantage of the trade, as he became a key figure in the Reds' stunning revival in 1961. Jay won twenty-one games (the first Red to win twenty since Ewell Blackwell
in 1947), tied for the league lead in wins and shutouts, and pitched a one-hitter as the Reds surged to their first National League pennant since 1940. However, the Reds faced the legendary New York Yankees
, with Roger Maris
having just hit sixty-one home runs, and fell in five games (the only Red win was in Series game #2 with Jay on the mound in Yankee Stadium
, a feat which Jay would claim was his greatest achievement in his career).
On May 1, 1962, at the Polo Grounds
, off New York Mets
pitcher Sherman Jones
, Jay hit a three-run HR (base runners were Wally Post
and Leo Cardenas
), in the 6th inning, for his first MLB home run. At Crosley Field
, on May 28, 1962, Jay hit his only other career home run, off Houston Colt 45s
pitcher Bob Tiefenauer, in the 5th inning, a two-run blast (Don Zimmer
was on base). Here's the catch, this was the debut season for both the Mets and the Colt45s, and in each case. Jay's home runs were the first round-tripper ever hit against both teams, by a pitcher.
Jay would also win twenty-one games in 1962, but his productivity slipped after that, finishing 7-18 in 1963. His sub-par 1964 season (11-11) proved disastrous as the Reds just missed claiming the National League title. He would finish his career by returning to the Braves for their initial season in Atlanta in 1966.
Jay currently lives in Tampa, FL.
Middletown, Connecticut
Middletown is a city located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, along the Connecticut River, in the central part of the state, 16 miles south of Hartford. In 1650, it was incorporated as a town under its original Indian name, Mattabeseck. It received its present name in 1653. In 1784, the central...
) is a former starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
in 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...
. From 1953 through 1966, Jay played for the Milwaukee 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....
(1953–55, 1957–60), Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1961–66) and 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....
(1966). He was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed.
In a 13-season career, Jay posted a 99-91 record with 999 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 and a 3.77 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...
in 1546.1 innings
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
.
In July 2008 he was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.
Bonus Baby
In addition to being the first Little LeagueLittle League
Little League Baseball and Softball is a non-profit organization in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S...
player to advance to the major leagues, Jay was one of the first 'bonus baby' players in the major leagues. This resulted when he signed a significant contract ($20,000) with the Braves, which forced the Braves to keep Jay on their major league roster for two seasons because of the contract's amount. Following the end of his two years, he was sent to the minors to gain experience, but this failed to get him past the likes of Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
, Bob Buhl
Bob Buhl
Robert Ray Buhl was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Milwaukee Braves , Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies...
and Lew Burdette
Lew Burdette
Selva Lewis Burdette, Jr. was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves...
on the Braves' rotation. He went 7-5 for the Braves in his best season (1958), but a broken finger kept him out of the World Series.
Second Chance with Cincinnati
The Braves, feeling that Jay would never reach his "bonus baby" potential, traded him to the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
after the 1960 season for infielder Roy McMillan
Roy McMillan
Roy David McMillan was a shortstop, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. From 1951 through 1966, McMillan played for the Cincinnati Reds , Milwaukee Braves and New York Mets . He batted and threw right-handed...
.
Jay took full advantage of the trade, as he became a key figure in the Reds' stunning revival in 1961. Jay won twenty-one games (the first Red to win twenty since Ewell Blackwell
Ewell Blackwell
Ewell Blackwell was a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. Nicknamed "The Whip" for his sidearm, snap-delivery, Blackwell played for the Cincinnati Reds for most of his career ....
in 1947), tied for the league lead in wins and shutouts, and pitched a one-hitter as the Reds surged to their first National League pennant since 1940. However, the Reds faced the legendary 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...
, with Roger Maris
Roger Maris
Roger Eugene Maris was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During the 1961 season, he hit a record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs...
having just hit sixty-one home runs, and fell in five games (the only Red win was in Series game #2 with Jay on the mound in Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
, a feat which Jay would claim was his greatest achievement in his career).
On May 1, 1962, at the Polo Grounds
Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
, off 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...
pitcher Sherman Jones
Sherman Jones
Sherman Jarvis Jones , nicknamed "Roadblock," was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who went on to a career in Kansas politics....
, Jay hit a three-run HR (base runners were Wally Post
Wally Post
Walter Charles Post was a right fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1949 through 1964, Post played for the Cincinnati Reds & Redlegs , Philadelphia Phillies , Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians...
and Leo Cardenas
Leo Cárdenas
Leonardo Lazaro Cárdenas Alfonso was a prominent shortstop in American Major League Baseball for 16 years...
), in the 6th inning, for his first MLB home run. At Crosley Field
Crosley Field
Crosley Field was a Major League Baseball park located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the home field of the National League's Cincinnati Reds from 1912 through June 24, 1970, and the original Cincinnati Bengals football team, members of the second and third American Football League...
, on May 28, 1962, Jay hit his only other career home run, off Houston Colt 45s
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...
pitcher Bob Tiefenauer, in the 5th inning, a two-run blast (Don Zimmer
Don Zimmer
Donald William "Popeye" Zimmer is a former infielder, manager, and coach in Major League Baseball, currently serving as a senior advisor to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball organization...
was on base). Here's the catch, this was the debut season for both the Mets and the Colt45s, and in each case. Jay's home runs were the first round-tripper ever hit against both teams, by a pitcher.
Jay would also win twenty-one games in 1962, but his productivity slipped after that, finishing 7-18 in 1963. His sub-par 1964 season (11-11) proved disastrous as the Reds just missed claiming the National League title. He would finish his career by returning to the Braves for their initial season in Atlanta in 1966.
Jay currently lives in Tampa, FL.
External links
- Baseball Library - profile and chronology
- Baseball Reference - career statistics and analysis