Pete Mikkelsen
Encyclopedia
Peter James Mikkelsen was a relief pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played from 1964
through 1972
for the New York Yankees
(1964–65), Pittsburgh Pirates
(1966–67), Chicago Cubs
(1967–68), St. Louis Cardinals
(1968) and Los Angeles Dodgers
(1969–72). Mikkelsen batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Staten Island, New York.
A sinker-ball
specialist, Mikkelsen filled various relief roles coming out from the bullpen
, as a closer
or a middle reliever
, and as a set-up man
as well. He reached the majors in 1964 with the New York Yankees, spending two years with them before moving to the Pirates, Cubs, Cardinals and Dodgers. He finished 7-4 with a 3.56 ERA
and 12 saves
in his rookie
season, but in the 1964 World Series
against St. Louis he allowed a Tim McCarver
game-winning three-run home run
in the 10th inning of Game Five. His most productive season came in 1966 with Pittsburgh, when he posted a 3.07 ERA and set career-highs with nine wins
, 14 saves, 76 strikeout
s, 126 innings
, and 71 games pitched
. He also gave four years of good service for the Dodgers with 24 wins and 20 saves in 155 appearances. In 1969-70 he averaged a 2.76 ERA for each season.
In a nine-season career, Mikkelsen posted a 45-40 record with a 3.38 ERA and 49 saves in 364 games.
Pete missed the start of the 1970 season after contracting mononucleosis.
Mikkelsen died in Mabton, Washington
, at the age of 67.
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...
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...
who played from 1964
1964 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over New York Yankees ; Bob Gibson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 7 at Shea Stadium: National League, 7–4; Johnny Callison, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Minnesota...
through 1972
1972 in baseball
-Labor strife and more moving:1972 was tainted by a players' strike over pension and salary arbitration. The strike erased the first week and a half of the season, and the Leagues decided to just excise the lost portion of the season with no makeups. As a result, an uneven number of games were...
for 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...
(1964–65), Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1966–67), 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...
(1967–68), St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1968) and 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...
(1969–72). Mikkelsen batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Staten Island, New York.
A sinker-ball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
specialist, Mikkelsen filled various relief roles coming out from the bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
, as a closer
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...
or a middle reliever
Middle relief pitcher
In baseball, middle relief pitchers are relief pitchers who commonly pitch in the 6th or 7th innings or in situations where several innings worth of work is required . In the National League, a middle reliever often comes in after the starting pitcher has been pulled for a pinch hitter...
, and as a set-up man
Setup pitcher
In baseball, a setup pitcher is a relief pitcher who regularly pitches before the closer. They commonly pitch the 7th and/or 8th innings, with the closer pitching the 9th....
as well. He reached the majors in 1964 with the New York Yankees, spending two years with them before moving to the Pirates, Cubs, Cardinals and Dodgers. He finished 7-4 with a 3.56 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...
and 12 saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
in his rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
season, but in the 1964 World Series
1964 World Series
The 1964 World Series pitted the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals against the American League champion New York Yankees, with the Cardinals prevailing in seven games. St...
against St. Louis he allowed a Tim McCarver
Tim McCarver
James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:...
game-winning three-run home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
in the 10th inning of Game Five. His most productive season came in 1966 with Pittsburgh, when he posted a 3.07 ERA and set career-highs with nine 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...
, 14 saves, 76 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, 126 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...
, and 71 games pitched
Games pitched
In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while...
. He also gave four years of good service for the Dodgers with 24 wins and 20 saves in 155 appearances. In 1969-70 he averaged a 2.76 ERA for each season.
In a nine-season career, Mikkelsen posted a 45-40 record with a 3.38 ERA and 49 saves in 364 games.
Pete missed the start of the 1970 season after contracting mononucleosis.
Mikkelsen died in Mabton, Washington
Mabton, Washington
Mabton is a city in Yakima County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,286 at the 2010 census. Incorporated during the first few years of the 20th century, it is located at the eastern edge of the Yakama Indian Reservation.-History:...
, at the age of 67.