Gaylord Perry

Date of Birth: September 15, 1938

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: December 1, 2022

Biography

Gaylord Jackson Perry was an American professional baseball player, primarily known for his career as a Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher. Born in Williamston, North Carolina, Perry grew up on a farm and showed an early aptitude for baseball. He attended Campbell University before being signed by the San Francisco Giants in 1958. Perry made his MLB debut in 1962 and quickly became known for his exceptional skills on the mound, particularly his mastery of the spitball—a pitch that was technically illegal but notoriously difficult to police. Over his 22-year career, Perry played for eight different teams, including the Giants, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and San Diego Padres, among others. He was a five-time All-Star and won the Cy Young Award twice, once in each league, a rare achievement. Perry was also known for his durability and longevity, pitching a total of 5,350 innings and striking out 3,534 batters over his career. Perry was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, a testament to his lasting impact on the game. After retiring, he remained active in the baseball community, often serving as a guest instructor and mentor for young pitchers. Perry passed away on December 1, 2022, leaving behind a legacy as one of baseball’s most colorful and skilled pitchers.

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 famous for allegedly using a spitball, which he often joked about but rarely admitted to actually throwing.

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

4. He achieved his 300th career win on May 6, 1982, while pitching for the Seattle Mariners.

5. Perry was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, his third year of eligibility.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gaylord Perry

1. “The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round.”

2. “They’ll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run.”

3. “I reckon I tried everything on the old apple, but salt and pepper and chocolate sauce topping.”

4. “I’d always have a look at the ball after they’d thrown it back to me, just to make sure they weren’t putting anything on it.”

5. “I reckon I tried everything on the old apple, but salt and pepper and chocolate sauce topping.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Gaylord Perry’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million.

Children

Gaylord Perry had four children: Allison, Amy, Beth, and Gaylord Perry Jr. His son, Gaylord Perry Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps and also pursued a career in baseball.