Len Barker
Encyclopedia
Leonard Harold Barker III (born July 7, 1955 in Fort Knox, Kentucky), better known as Lenny Barker or Len Barker, is a former Major League Baseball
right-handed starting pitcher
. He pitched the tenth perfect game
in baseball history. Barker pitched for the Texas Rangers
(1976–78), Cleveland Indians
(1979–83), Atlanta Braves
(1983–85) and Milwaukee Brewers
(1987). During a 11-year baseball career, Barker compiled 74 wins
, 975 strikeout
s, and a 4.34 earned run average
.
, Barker (then with the Texas Rangers
) threw a pitch that sailed upward onto the screen above and behind the backstop.
Barker's best season statistically was in , when he enjoyed career-high numbers in winning games (19) and strikeout
s (181, top in the league).
. On a cold, damp night in Cleveland, Barker pitched the tenth official perfect game in baseball history, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays
, 3–0 (the game was originally reported as the ninth perfect game in major league baseball history until the league later changed the criteria for recognizing a perfect game). The final out of the game was a flyout caught by Rick Manning
in short center field. Barker's pitching was so consistent that he never once reached ball three against any Blue Jay hitter.
Barker's perfect outing, one of only twenty in the history of Major League baseball, is also the last no-hitter thrown by an Indian and remains one of the fondest memories in Cleveland sports history. "I run into people almost every day who want to talk about it," Barker said in 2006. "Everyone says, 'You're probably tired of talking about it.' I say, 'No, it's something to be proud of.' It's a special thing."
Barker was selected for the 1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
, held in Cleveland on August 9. The event was notable on two accounts: It was the first game played after a lengthy players' strike and gave Barker the opportunity to pitch two scoreless innings before 72,086 fans in his home stadium.
for Brett Butler, Brook Jacoby
, Rick Behenna
and $150,000 cash. The trade was initiated by the Braves, who were in a tight race for first in the National League West
Division with the Los Angeles Dodgers
. Butler and Jacoby went on to become All-Stars, while Barker was released from the Braves in 1985
with three years remaining on his contract. He finished his career in 1987 with the Milwaukee Brewers
.
east of Cleveland. Barker serves a pitching coach for Division II Notre Dame College
in South Euclid
.
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 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....
. He pitched the tenth 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...
in baseball history. Barker pitched for the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
(1976–78), 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...
(1979–83), 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....
(1983–85) and Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1987). During a 11-year baseball career, Barker compiled 74 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...
, 975 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 4.34 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...
.
Early career
Barker was a hard thrower, who earlier in his career struggled with his control. On April 16, 1978, in a cool Fenway ParkFenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
, Barker (then with the Texas Rangers
1978 Texas Rangers season
The 1978 Texas Rangers season involved the Rangers finishing 2nd in the American League West with a record of 87 wins and 75 losses.- Offseason :...
) threw a pitch that sailed upward onto the screen above and behind the backstop.
Barker's best season statistically was in , when he enjoyed career-high numbers in winning games (19) and 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 (181, top in the league).
1981 perfect game
Barker's most notable accomplishment as a major league pitcher occurred on May 15, 1981 as a member of the Cleveland Indians1981 Cleveland Indians season
- Offseason :* December 8, 1980: Dan Spillner was signed as a free agent by the Indians. * December 9, 1980: Gary Alexander, Víctor Cruz, Rafael Vásquez, and Bob Owchinko were traded by the Indians to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Bert Blyleven and Manny Sanguillen....
. On a cold, damp night in Cleveland, Barker pitched the tenth official perfect game in baseball history, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays
1981 Toronto Blue Jays season
The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing 7th in the American League East with a record of 37 wins and 69 losses...
, 3–0 (the game was originally reported as the ninth perfect game in major league baseball history until the league later changed the criteria for recognizing a perfect game). The final out of the game was a flyout caught by Rick Manning
Rick Manning
Richard Eugene Manning is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers...
in short center field. Barker's pitching was so consistent that he never once reached ball three against any Blue Jay hitter.
Barker's perfect outing, one of only twenty in the history of Major League baseball, is also the last no-hitter thrown by an Indian and remains one of the fondest memories in Cleveland sports history. "I run into people almost every day who want to talk about it," Barker said in 2006. "Everyone says, 'You're probably tired of talking about it.' I say, 'No, it's something to be proud of.' It's a special thing."
Barker was selected for the 1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 52nd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on August 9, 1981, at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, the home of...
, held in Cleveland on August 9. The event was notable on two accounts: It was the first game played after a lengthy players' strike and gave Barker the opportunity to pitch two scoreless innings before 72,086 fans in his home stadium.
Later career
During the 1983 season, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves1983 Atlanta Braves season
- Regular season :The 1983 season was one of hope for the Braves of Atlanta. The previous season they had won 89 games and advanced to the playoffs before succumbing to the St. Louis Cardinals in three consecutive games. This was a season to prove that the 1982 National League West Division...
for Brett Butler, Brook Jacoby
Brook Jacoby
Brook Wallace Jacoby is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and the current hitting coach of the Cincinnati Reds. Jacoby played in the major leagues from 1981 through 1992, and in Japan in 1993. He batted and threw right-handed. His father Brook Wallace Jacoby Sr...
, Rick Behenna
Rick Behenna
Richard Kipp Behenna is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves in 1983 and the Cleveland Indians from 1983 to 1985. Rick was part of one of the worst trades ever made by the Braves...
and $150,000 cash. The trade was initiated by the Braves, who were in a tight race for first in the National League West
National League West
The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
Division with the Los Angeles Dodgers
1983 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League Western Division but lost in the National League Championship Series to the Philadelphia Phillies 3 games to 1.- Offseason :* December 28, 1982: Acquired Pat Zachry from the New York Mets for Jorge Orta...
. Butler and Jacoby went on to become All-Stars, while Barker was released from the Braves in 1985
1985 Atlanta Braves season
The Atlanta Braves season was the 115th season in franchise history. The Braves failed to qualify for the postseason for the third consecutive season.-Offseason:...
with three years remaining on his contract. He finished his career in 1987 with the Milwaukee Brewers
1987 Milwaukee Brewers season
The 1987 Milwaukee Brewers season featured the team finish in third place in the American League East, with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses. The team began the season at a red-hot pace, winning their first 13 games under first-year manager Tom Trebelhorn...
.
Life after baseball
After his playing career, Barker returned to the Cleveland area and founded a construction company with a business partner. Lenny Barker and his wife Eva are the parents of Jared, Blake and Jacob. The Barker family currently resides in Geauga CountyGeauga County, Ohio
Geauga County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 93,389. It is named for a Native American word meaning "raccoon". The county seat is Chardon...
east of Cleveland. Barker serves a pitching coach for Division II Notre Dame College
Notre Dame College
Notre Dame College, also known as Notre Dame College of Ohio or simply NDC, is a Catholic, coeducational, liberal arts college in South Euclid, Ohio, USA. Established in 1922 as a women's college it has been coeducational since January 2001...
in South Euclid
South Euclid, Ohio
South Euclid is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It is an inner-ring suburb of Cleveland.-Geography:Acting almost as a central point for the east side of Cleveland, South Euclid is bordered by Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, University Heights, Beachwood, Lyndhurst, Richmond Heights,...
.
See also
- Pitchers who have thrown a perfect gamePerfect gameA 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...
- List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions