Al Worthington
| Al Worthington | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: February 5, 1929 Birmingham, Alabama |
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| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| July 6, 1953 for the New York Giants | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 2, 1969 for the Minnesota Twins | |
| Career statistics | |
| Earned run average | 3.39 |
| Win-loss record | 75-82 |
| Saves | 110 |
| Strikeouts | 834 |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Allan Fulton Worthington (born February 5, 1929 in Birmingham, Alabama), nicknamed "Red", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Giants (New York, 1953–54, 1956–57 and San Francisco, 1958–59), Boston Red Sox (1960), Chicago White Sox (1960), Cincinnati Reds (1963–64) and Minnesota Twins (1965–69). Worthington batted and threw right-handed. He has been considered the first great closer in Twins history.
Worthington began his career with the Giants pitching two shutouts in his first two major league games. After that, however, he turned in a less-than-modest starter the rest of the way and was demoted to the bullpen.
After successive transactions between the Giants, Red Sox, White Sox and Reds, Worthington landed in Minnesota, only to blossom into one of the American League's most dominant closers. His most productive season came in 1965, when he posted career-highs in saves (21) and ERA (2.13), and also won 10 games. From 1966 to 1967 he saved 32 games, and in 1968 he led the league relievers with 18 saves.
In a 14-year career, Worthington compiled a 75–82 record with 834 strikeouts, a 3.39 ERA, and 110 saves in 1,246.2 innings pitched.
Worthington would continue on with his career in baseball after his retirement from the major leagues, by accepting the head coaching position at Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Virginia. The field on the campus of Liberty University is named in his honor.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Al Worthington (Baseball Coach: 1974-86/Athletics Director: 1983-89)". Liberty Flames. Archived from the original on 2011-08-19. http://www.webcitation.org/613lfq829. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
- Bio from Cool of the Evening: The 1965 Minnesota Twins
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- 1929 births
- Living people
- Alabama Crimson Tide baseball players
- Boston Red Sox players
- Chicago White Sox players
- Cincinnati Reds players
- Minnesota Twins players
- New York Giants (NL) players
- San Francisco Giants players
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- People from Birmingham, Alabama
- Baseball players from Alabama
- Liberty Flames baseball coaches
- Nashville Vols players
- Minneapolis Millers (baseball) players
- San Diego Padres (minor league) players
- Indianapolis Indians players
- Minnesota Twins coaches
