Tommie Sisk
Encyclopedia
Tommie Wayne Sisk is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
pitcher who played from 1962 to 1970 for the Pittsburgh Pirates
, San Diego Padres
and Chicago White Sox
.
Originally signed by the Pirates as an amateur free agent by the Pirates in 1960, he quickly made his way to the big leagues. July 19, 1962 was the date of his major league debut, in which the 20 year old did not fare too well. Although he started the game, he did not last more than two innings. After 1⅓ innings pitched, three walks, two hits and three runs surrendered, he was out of the game, which was against the hapless 1962 New York Mets
.
He improved during his first season (in which he was the seventh youngest player), however, posting a 4.08 ERA in five games, three of which he started.
1963 was perhaps his best year as a reliever. In 57 games, he posted a 2.92 ERA in 108 innings of work. He walked 45 batters, struck out 73 and had a 1-3 record. His 57 games in 1963 were the fourth most in the league.
Although when most young athletes suffer from a slump it is the sophomore slump
they suffer, Sisk was a tad different in that he suffered a "junior slump". In his third year in the big leagues, he really struggled - in 42 games, he posted a 6.16 ERA, allowing 91 hits in 61⅓ innings of work.
He was used as both a starter and reliever in 1965 and 1966. He appeared in 38 games in the former year, starting 12 of those. He went 7-3 with a respectable 3.40 ERA. He spun a two-hitter that year, on September 20 against the team he made his big league debut against, the New York Mets
. Although they got the better of him in their first matchup, Sisk was their master on the 20th of September, 1965. The only two hits he allowed were a second inning single by John Stephenson
and a ninth inning triple by Johnny Lewis.
In the latter year, he was used more as a starter, appearing in 34 games and starting 23 of those games. He went 10-5 with a 4.14 ERA. He had the sixth best won-lost percentage in 1966, at .667.
1967 was perhaps the best season of his entire career. Used almost entirely as a starter (37 games, 31 started), he posted a 13-13 record with 11 complete games, 2 shutouts and a 3.34 ERA. In 207⅔ innings, he allowed only six home runs and 196 hits. His 3.34 ERA was the best on his team, among all pitchers with at least 10 games started. He was tenth in the league in complete games that year. He was also fifth in the league in walks allowed (with 78) and ninth in losses.
Sisk went 5-5 with a 3.28 ERA in 1968. He appeared in 33 games, starting only 11 of them.
On March 28, 1969, Sisk was traded with Chris Cannizzaro
to the Padres for Ron Davis
and Bobby Klaus
. With the Padres in 1969, he posted a 2-13 record in 53 games, 13 of which he started. His ERA was 4.78. The Padres as a whole struggled that year - they finished the season with a 52-110 record. Fellow reliever Gary Ross
went 3-12, while starters Clay Kirby
and Joe Niekro
went 7-20 and 8-17, respectively.
He was traded to the White Sox on March 30, 1970 for Jerry Nyman
. He appeared in 17 games for the White Sox that year, almost entirely as a reliever (he only started one game). He posted a 1-1 record and a 5.40. He played his final big league game on June 14, 1970.
Interestingly, the day after he played his final big league game, he was traded with Buddy Bradford
to the Cleveland Indians
for Barry Moore and Bob Miller
.
Overall, Sisk went 40-49 in his nine year career. He appeared in 316 games, 99 of which he started. Of the 99 games he started, he completed 19 of those and shutout four of his complete games. He had 63 games finished and 10 saves. In 928⅓ innings of work, he allowed 937 hits, 457 runs, 404 earned runs, 57 home runs and 358 walks. He struck out 441 batters and had a 3.92 ERA. He was a poor batter, hitting .094 in 235 career at-bats.
He currently resides in Provo, Utah.
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...
pitcher who played from 1962 to 1970 for the 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...
, San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
and Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
.
Originally signed by the Pirates as an amateur free agent by the Pirates in 1960, he quickly made his way to the big leagues. July 19, 1962 was the date of his major league debut, in which the 20 year old did not fare too well. Although he started the game, he did not last more than two innings. After 1⅓ innings pitched, three walks, two hits and three runs surrendered, he was out of the game, which was against the hapless 1962 New York Mets
1962 New York Mets season
The New York Mets season was the first regular season for the Mets, as the National League returned to New York for the first time since . They went 40-120 and finished tenth and last in the National League, games behind the NL Champion San Francisco Giants, who once called New York home...
.
He improved during his first season (in which he was the seventh youngest player), however, posting a 4.08 ERA in five games, three of which he started.
1963 was perhaps his best year as a reliever. In 57 games, he posted a 2.92 ERA in 108 innings of work. He walked 45 batters, struck out 73 and had a 1-3 record. His 57 games in 1963 were the fourth most in the league.
Although when most young athletes suffer from a slump it is the sophomore slump
Sophomore slump
A sophomore slump or sophomore jinx refers to an instance in which a second, or sophomore, effort fails to live up to the standards of the first effort...
they suffer, Sisk was a tad different in that he suffered a "junior slump". In his third year in the big leagues, he really struggled - in 42 games, he posted a 6.16 ERA, allowing 91 hits in 61⅓ innings of work.
He was used as both a starter and reliever in 1965 and 1966. He appeared in 38 games in the former year, starting 12 of those. He went 7-3 with a respectable 3.40 ERA. He spun a two-hitter that year, on September 20 against the team he made his big league debut against, the 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...
. Although they got the better of him in their first matchup, Sisk was their master on the 20th of September, 1965. The only two hits he allowed were a second inning single by John Stephenson
John Stephenson (baseball)
John Herman Stephenson is a retired American professional baseball player who was a catcher in the Major Leagues from 1964-1973. He played for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, and California Angels. In 1964, he was the last out of Jim Bunning's perfect game...
and a ninth inning triple by Johnny Lewis.
In the latter year, he was used more as a starter, appearing in 34 games and starting 23 of those games. He went 10-5 with a 4.14 ERA. He had the sixth best won-lost percentage in 1966, at .667.
1967 was perhaps the best season of his entire career. Used almost entirely as a starter (37 games, 31 started), he posted a 13-13 record with 11 complete games, 2 shutouts and a 3.34 ERA. In 207⅔ innings, he allowed only six home runs and 196 hits. His 3.34 ERA was the best on his team, among all pitchers with at least 10 games started. He was tenth in the league in complete games that year. He was also fifth in the league in walks allowed (with 78) and ninth in losses.
Sisk went 5-5 with a 3.28 ERA in 1968. He appeared in 33 games, starting only 11 of them.
On March 28, 1969, Sisk was traded with Chris Cannizzaro
Chris Cannizzaro
Christopher John "Chris" Cannizzaro was a catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Mets , Pittsburgh Pirates , San Diego Padres , Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
to the Padres for Ron Davis
Ron Davis (outfielder)
Ronald Everette Davis is a former right-handed Major League Baseball outfielder who played in 1962 and from 1966 to 1969 for the Houston Colt .45s/Houston Astros, St...
and Bobby Klaus
Bobby Klaus
Robert Francis Klaus is a former right-handed Major League Baseball infielder who played from 1964 to 1965 for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets. He is the brother of the late MLB infielder Billy Klaus....
. With the Padres in 1969, he posted a 2-13 record in 53 games, 13 of which he started. His ERA was 4.78. The Padres as a whole struggled that year - they finished the season with a 52-110 record. Fellow reliever Gary Ross
Gary Ross (baseball)
Gary Douglas Ross is an American former professional baseball player, a right-handed pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1968–1977. He played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and California Angels. Born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Ross stood tall and weighed .Ross appeared in 283 Major...
went 3-12, while starters Clay Kirby
Clay Kirby
Clayton Laws Kirby Jr. born in Washington, D.C. was a pitcher for the San Diego Padres , Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos .Kirby led the National League in losses in 1969....
and Joe Niekro
Joe Niekro
Joseph Franklin Niekro was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was the younger brother of pitcher Phil Niekro, and the father of Minor League Baseball pitcher Lance Niekro. A native of Blaine, Ohio, Niekro attended Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, Ohio and attended West...
went 7-20 and 8-17, respectively.
He was traded to the White Sox on March 30, 1970 for Jerry Nyman
Jerry Nyman
Gerald Smith "Jerry" Nyman is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1968 to 1970 for the Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres. He attended Brigham Young University....
. He appeared in 17 games for the White Sox that year, almost entirely as a reliever (he only started one game). He posted a 1-1 record and a 5.40. He played his final big league game on June 14, 1970.
Interestingly, the day after he played his final big league game, he was traded with Buddy Bradford
Buddy Bradford
Charles William Bradford is a former outfielder for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals...
to 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...
for Barry Moore and Bob Miller
Bob Miller (1957-1974 pitcher)
Robert Lane "Bob" Miller was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. Miller was never a star pitcher, but his ability to fill in as a starting pitcher or relief pitcher, as needed, allowed him to have a career that spanned 18 years in Major League Baseball...
.
Overall, Sisk went 40-49 in his nine year career. He appeared in 316 games, 99 of which he started. Of the 99 games he started, he completed 19 of those and shutout four of his complete games. He had 63 games finished and 10 saves. In 928⅓ innings of work, he allowed 937 hits, 457 runs, 404 earned runs, 57 home runs and 358 walks. He struck out 441 batters and had a 3.92 ERA. He was a poor batter, hitting .094 in 235 career at-bats.
He currently resides in Provo, Utah.