Gaylord Perry

Date of Birth: September 15, 1938

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: December 1, 2022

Biography

Gaylord Perry was an American professional baseball player who played as a right-handed pitcher. Born and raised in Williamston, North Carolina, Perry became known for his exceptional skills on the mound and his use of the spitball, a pitch that was technically illegal but notoriously difficult to detect. Perry’s illustrious career spanned over two decades, from 1962 to 1983, during which he played for eight Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, most notably the San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and San Diego Padres. Perry made his MLB debut with the San Francisco Giants in 1962 and quickly established himself as a formidable pitcher. He won his first Cy Young Award in 1972 while playing for the Cleveland Indians, and his second in 1978 with the San Diego Padres, making him the first pitcher to win the award in both leagues. Perry was known for his durability and consistency, achieving over 300 career wins and accumulating more than 3,500 strikeouts. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s greats.

5 Interesting Facts about Gaylord Perry

1. Gaylord Perry was the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in both the American and National Leagues.

2. He was notorious for his use of the spitball, a pitch that was outlawed but difficult to detect, leading to considerable controversy throughout his career.

3. Perry authored an autobiography titled “Me and the Spitter,” where he candidly discussed his use of the illegal pitch.

4. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, recognizing his significant contributions to the sport.

5. Perry’s brother, Jim Perry, was also a successful MLB pitcher, and they are one of the few sibling pairs to each win a Cy Young Award.