Charlie Kerfeld

Charles Patrick "Charlie" Kerfeld (born September 28, 1963 in Knob Noster, Missouri) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Almost all of his career was spent with the Houston Astros.

Kerfeld was the Astros' first pick (5th overall) in the secondary phase of 1982 draft, and fared well his first year at Asheville, and his second at Columbus, with sub 3.00 ERA's and 30 wins. He led the 1983 Sally League in wins, complete games, and innings pitched, while finishing second in strikeouts, earning Pitcher of the Year honors. Though he struggled initially at the triple-A level, he eventually found his bearings and even earned a July 1985 call-up to the major league club at the tender age of 21.

Kerfeld made the big league roster out of spring training in 1986, and had a career year posting an 11-2 record and a 2.69 ERA as the setup man for closer Dave Smith. His unexpected performance that year was a key reason the Astros won the National League Western Division title that season. He led the National League in won-loss percentage and finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year balloting. Kerfeld capped his season by pitching four innings and giving up a run in the NLCS. He took the loss in game five when Gary Carter slapped Kerfeld's twelfth-inning pitch for a single, scoring Wally Backman, after umpire Fred Brocklander's bad call had forced extra innings.

Kerfeld began 1987 with the Astros, but was sent down to Tucson on April 26 after 11 games after posting an 0 - 2 record and a 9.24 ERA. He went 4 - 4 at Tucson with a 4.74, and was briefly recalled to Houston before going on the DL for two months with calcium deposits in his elbow. He pitched effectively in three games in late September, and looked to be rounding back into his stellar '86 form. Unfortunately, this would not be the case.

Kerfeld, battling elbow, neck and weight problems struggled in the minors in 1988 and '89. He was on the Astros' Opening Day 1990 roster, but appeared in only five games, going 0 - 2 with a horrendous 16.20 ERA. His last game for the Astros was April 19, 1990. Ten days later, Kerfeld was traded to the Atlanta Braves for outfielder Kevin Dean and pitcher Lee Johnson. He pitched 30 innings in relief for the Braves that season, but was released during the offseason. He was signed by the Detroit Tigers and pitched briefly for their AA affiliate the London Tigers in 1991, but retired following that season.

Kerfeld remained in baseball managing in the minor leagues, including a brief stint with the Abilene Prairie Dogs of the Texas-Louisiana League. He was the Western League manager of the year in 1998 and in 2001-02.

A fan favorite, Kerfeld was known for his quirky sense of humor and bullpen antics. He is best remembered for his lucky Jetsons tee shirt (which he wore under his uniform when he pitched) and for occasionally donning a rubber Coneheads mask in the bullpen along with fellow relievers Larry Andersen and Dave Smith.

When Kerfeld, whose uniform number was 37, learned that Jim Deshaies had signed for $110,000 in 1987, he asked for and received $110,037.37 plus 37 boxes of orange Jell-O. Coming to the ballpark, he wore such things as pink high-tops or a Rambo fatigue outfit.

As of 2006, he currently serves as a special assistant to Philadelphia Phillies general manager Pat Gillick.

Kerfeld's famous post game interview

Kerfeld gained fame for giving a drunken interview live to Bill Worrell and HSE in the Astros locker room after they clinched the NL West on September 25, 1986. The display was typical of his good nature and gregarious manner. Kerfeld was seen drinking a Busch beer during the interview, and then later pouring it on Nolan Ryan while Ryan was giving an interview with Milo Hamilton. Ryan retaliated by spraying champagne in Kerfeld's face. The clip can be found on the website YouTube.

Charlie or Charley?

Sometime around the 1987 season Kerfeld's first name began to appear in print as "Charley." The was no explanation offered for the change and it became a source of befuddlement to players and fans alike. For the rest of his career, and to the present day, his name is often seen spelled in both forms.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference
• Video of 1986 Post-Game Interview with HSE's Bill Worrell
• Baseball Cube career highlights