The Baseball World Says A Sad Good-Bye to Legendary Pitcher and Coach, Mel Stottlemyre

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The Baseball World Says A Sad Good-Bye to Legendary Pitcher and Coach, Mel Stottlemyre

The moving tributes continue to come in for baseball icon Mel Stottlemyre who passed away Sunday at age 77 after a long battle with multiple myeloma. Here’s a small sampling from among the many whose lives he touched in so many positive ways: 

• “Mel was more than a pitching coach to me. He was a dear friend. Everything I accomplished in the game was because of him. He taught me so much more than balls and strikes.” -Dwight Gooden
• “Mel was a role model to us all and the toughest man I have ever met. Sometimes a manager hires a friend to be their coach, but with Mel, as with Zim, he was my coach who became a dear friend and someone who became very special to me.” –Joe Torre
• “He was more than a great pitcher and fantastic pitching coach. He was a father figure and touched so many in a positive way. We lost a great man.” –David Cone
• “He was such a wonderful man. When I think about the time I had with Mel, there’s nothing but pleasant thoughts. Even when he wasn’t feeling well, he always had a positive word. He was always very upbeat and looking to help. He’s going to be sorely missed.” –Mike Staton
• “One of the classiest men I have ever known on or off the field. A wonderful pitching coach and father figure to the young pitchers.” -Ron Darling
• “Beyond his tremendous accomplishments as a player and coach, Mel Stottlemyre was beloved for his class, dignity and fighting spirit. Mel’s popularity transcended generations, all of whom thought of him as their own. His plaque in Monument Park will forever serve to celebrate the significance of his legacy.” -Hal Steinbrenner

In the featured photo above, we see rookie Mel Stottlemyre with Yankee legend, Whitey Ford in 1964.

Mel Stottlemyre was an outstanding pitcher for 11 season in the major leagues (1964-1974), all with the Yankees. Over his career, he posted a 164-139 record (.541) with a 2.97 ERA and 1257 strikeouts. A native of tiny Mabton, Washington (pop. 900), he was a five-time All-Star and three-time 20-game winner. He led the American League in innings pitched once, and twice in complete games. In nine of his eleven seasons in the majors, he pitched over 250 innings. Mel threw 40 shutouts over his career tying him for 44 place all-time with Sandy Koufax. Known as a solid-hitting pitcher, he once hit a rare inside-the-park grand slam, the first pitcher to accomplish the feat since 1910; and on another occasion, he recorded five hits in five at-bats.

His best season was 1965 when he went 20-9 with a 2.63 ERA. He led the American League with 18 complete games in 37 starts, 291 innings pitched, and 1,188 batters faced. 

Called up in mid-season in 1964, he went 9-3 to help the Yankees win their fifth straight pennant. Just two months after his major league debut, he became a key player in the 1964 World Series, facing the Cardinals’ ace Bob Gibson three times – quite an intimidating assignment for a rookie pitcher. Mel was up to the challenge. He won Game Two to even the series; then had a no-decision in Game Five; and lost the decisive Game Seven as the Cardinals won the Series.

Following his playing days, he later commenced upon a 23-year career as a pitching coach (1984-2008), which included stints with the Mets, Astros, Yankees, and Mariners. Over time, he became one of the most successful pitching coaches of his era, garnering respect from the many pitchers who came under his tutelage. What endeared him to his pitchers was his caring nature, his attention to detail, and his ability to adjust to their individual pitching styles without overly tinkering with their mechanics.

His ten years with the Yankees under for Joe Torre included six pennants and four Yankee World Series Championships in five years. Under Stottlemyre’s guidance, the Yankee pitching staff was regarded as a major factor in the team’s success. He and bench coach Don Zimmer were Torre’s most trusted advisers and were always visible at the manager’s side during the post-season. Stottlemyre is credited with shaping the careers of Yankee stars such as Mariano Rivera, Roger Clemens, David Wells, and Andy Pettitte, among many others.

In 2015, Stottlemyre returned to Yankee Stadium for Old-Timers’ Day. The Yankees surprised him with a plaque in Monument Park. In a emotional, heartfelt speech reminiscent of Lou Gehrig’s “Luckiest Man” speech 77 years earlier, a grateful Stottlemyre shared his feelings with the crowd:

“This is, without a doubt, the biggest surprise I’ve ever had. Today, in this stadium, there is no one that’s happier to be here on this field than myself. If I never get to come to another Old-Timers’ day I will take these memories that I have today, and I’ll start another baseball club, coaching up there whenever they need me.”

I have a feeling Mel has already gotten that blessed assignment…

Mel Stottlemyre is survived by his wife Jean; and sons Mel, Jr. and Todd, who both pitched in the major leagues. Another son, Jason, died of leukemia at age 11 in 1981.

RIP Mel Stottlemyre

Gary Livacari 

Photo Credits: All from Google search

Information: Excerpts edited from Mel Stottlemyre Wikipedia page; and from the many tributes written following his passing this week.

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