Number of Days Until Spring Training: Dave Righetti (#19)

Dave Righetti a.k.a. “Rags” was a Yankee starter from 1981-1983 and reliever from 1984-1990. He was the first pitcher in MLB history to both pitch a no-hitter and also lead the league in saves in his career. Dennis Eckersley later matched the feat.

In the strike shortened season of 1981, Rags won the AL Rookie of the Year Award and led the Yanks to the World Series where they eventually fell to the Dodgers.

His most memorable moment in Pinstripes was in the Bronx on July 4, 1983 when he gave owner Geoerge Steinbrenner a no hitter against the Boston Red Sox for his birthday. It was the first Yankee no-hitter since Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series, and the first by a Yankee left-hander since 1917. Red Sox slugger Wade Boggs was the final out after he struck out on a slider. The game is now a mainstay on the YES Network.


Because of a glut of starting pitchers in the Yankees rotation, in 1984 The Big Ragu was moved to the bullpen where he replaced Hall of Famer Goose Gossage as closer. In his 7 years in the Yankees pen, he averaged 32 saves per season and was named an All-Star in 1986 and 1987. In 1986, his 46 saves set a MLB record for the most saves in a single season. This record is still the AL record for most saves in a single season by a left hander.

Following the 1990 season, Righetti signed as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants. While with the Giants in 1991, he broke Sparky Lyle's major league record for left-handers of 238 career saves; a record that stood until 1994 when John Franco broke it. Dave is now the pitching coach for the Giants. Perhaps someday he will be back in the Bronx in that role.

If not, thank you for the memories and YES content!

On Second Thought...

As you may know, Jodie Meeks had one hell of a performance last night. In an effort to give this achievement some historical perspective, I did a little digging through NCAA records, which in turn has forced me to write a little something on Pete Maravich.

Pistol Pete was a little before my (and most of yours) time, but holy shit what this guy did on the collegiate level is fucking amazing. Here are some Pistol Pete fun facts and NCAA records for you.

Points averaged:
1968: 43.8 ppg
1969: 44.2ppg
1970: 44.5ppg

Holds the NCAA record for scoring more than 50 points (28 times)

Scored a career-high 69 points vs. Alabama (Feb. 7, 1970); 66 vs. Tulane (Feb. 10, 1969); 64 vs. Kentucky (Feb. 21, 1970); 61 vs. Vanderbilt (Dec. 11, 1969)

Pistol Pete set 11 NCAA and 34 Southeastern Conference records, as well the LSU records for points scored, scoring average, field goals attempted and made, free throws attempted and made, and assists.

Maravich made an average of 13 shots a game from what is now the three-point line; if the three-point line had existed when he played, he would have averaged 57 points a game.

Fack Youk called Pistol Pete's representatives to get a reaction to Meeks performance, but those calls were not immediately returned. However, we think his statement would go something like this:



NOW GO HOME AND GET YOUR FUCKIN' SHINE BOX!