Pete Falcone: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 32: | Line 32: | ||
==Early years== |
==Early years== |
||
As a senior at [[Lafayette High School (New York City)|Lafayette High School]] in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York]], Falcone was drafted by the [[Minnesota Twins]] in the thirteenth round of the [[1972 Major League Baseball Draft]], but opted to attend and [[Kingsborough Community College]] instead. He was then drafted by the [[Atlanta Braves]] in the second round of the January {{by|1973}} secondary amateur draft, but declined again. Finally, when drafted by the [[San Francisco Giants]] in the first round (3rd overall) of the June 1973 secondary draft, Falcone signed. |
As a senior at [[Lafayette High School (New York City)|Lafayette High School]] in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York]] (the same high school as [[Hall of Fame]]r [[Sandy Koufax]]), Falcone was drafted by the [[Minnesota Twins]] in the thirteenth round of the [[1972 Major League Baseball Draft]], but opted to attend and [[Kingsborough Community College]] instead. He was then drafted by the [[Atlanta Braves]] in the second round of the January {{by|1973}} secondary amateur draft, but declined again. Finally, when drafted by the [[San Francisco Giants]] in the first round (3rd overall) of the June 1973 secondary draft, Falcone signed. |
||
Falcone impressed immediately, going 8–1 with a 1.50 [[earned run average]] and 102 [[strikeout]]s in 72 [[innings pitched]] for the [[Pioneer League]]'s [[Great Falls Giants]] in his first professional season. He followed that up with 207 strikeouts in {{by|1974}} pitching in the [[California League]] and [[Texas League]]. |
|||
In 1973, in his first minor league season, he was 8–1 for [[Great Falls]] with a 1.50 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 72 innings. In his minor league career he was 22–14, with a 2.89 ERA, and an average of 11 strikeouts per 9 innings. |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
==Major leagues== |
|||
A strange set of circumstances led to Falcone making his [[major league debut]] in the second game of a April 13, {{mlby|1975}} [[Doubleheader (baseball)|doubleheader]] with the Atlanta Braves. Falcone had been in [[Spring training]] with the Giants as a non-roster invitee, but had not made the club. Just as the season was set to begin, [[Ron Bryant]], who was set to be the Giants' fourth [[starting pitcher|starter]], unexpectedly retired. He was replaced in the rotation by Falcone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AuxKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ICMNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5472,1451690&dq|title=Giants' Bryant retires From Baseball at Age 27|newspaper=[[Oxnard Press-Courier]]|date=April 5, 1975}}</ref> (Bryant would eventually rethink his retirement, but was dealt to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] on May 9 without appearing in another game for the Giants)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uRdLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-SINAAAAIBAJ&pg=3344,3394622&dq|title=Reds Rip Cards, Nolan Wins 7th|newspaper=Oxnard Press-Courier|date=June 13, 1975}}</ref> |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
He went 12–11 his rookie season with the Giants (1975), but lost to teammate [[John Montefusco]] in Rookie Pitcher of the Year voting. In December 1975 he was traded by the Giants to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] for [[Ken Reitz]]. |
|||
Fellow [[rookie]] [[John Montefusco]] was masterful in the first game, pitching a [[complete game]] [[shutout]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN197504131.shtml|title=San Francisco Giants 5, Atlanta Braves 0|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|date=April 13, 1975}}</ref> The second game began with [[Ralph Garr]] [[hit (baseball)|hitting]] a [[triple (baseball)|triple]] to [[left field]]. Falcone settled down nicely afterwards, however. Aside from a two run [[home run]] by [[catcher]] [[Vic Correll]], Falcone also held the Braves' batters at bay. With the score tied 2-2 in the eighth, [[Garry Maddox]], [[Derrel Thomas]] and [[Bobby Murcer]] hit consecutive [[single (baseball)|singles]] to give the Giants a 4-2 lead. [[Randy Moffitt]] pitched the ninth to record the [[save (baseball)|save]], and give Falcone the win in his major league debut.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN197504132.shtml|title=San Francisco Giants 4, Atlanta Braves 2|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com|date=April 13, 1975}}</ref> |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
The most memorable start of his rookie season also came in the second game of a doubleheader with the Braves. Falcone held the Braves hitless through seven [[innings]], and struck out [[Cito Gaston]] to lead off the eighth. [[Larvell Blanks]] followed with a ground out to short to put Falcone four [[out (baseball)|outs]] away from being the first [[National League]] rookie to pitch a [[no-hitter]] since [[Burt Hooton]] in {{mlby|1972}}. The next batter, Vic Correll, drew a [[base on balls|walk]]. |
|||
Words were exchanged between Correll and Giants [[first baseman]] [[Willie Montañez]] at first base, culminating with Correll taking a swing at Montañez. Both benches emptied, and Montañez was ejected from the game. When order was finally restored, Falcone had lost his concentration. The following batter, [[Rod Gilbreath]], singled to center, breaking up the no-hitter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=H5VDAAAAIBAJ&sjid=la4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3295,5675864&dq|author=Fred McMane|date=June 23, 1975|title=Giants Rookie Pitcher, Falcone, Has Dream Shattered by Fight|newspaper=[[Williamson Daily News]]}}</ref> |
|||
Falcone seemed to be at his best against the Braves his rookie season. On May 6, he also held the Braves hitless through the first six innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ATL/ATL197505060.shtml|title=San Francisco Giants 7, Atlanta Braves 1|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com|date=May 6, 1975}}</ref> Overall, he compiled a 21-11 record, 4.17 ERA and 131 strikeouts as a rookie. Seeking to improve their [[infield]] defensively, the Giants sent Falcone to the St. Louis Cardinals for [[Gold Glove]] [[third baseman]] [[Ken Reitz]] at the [[Winter meetings]] after the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RhYzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MzIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=1218,2236633&dq|title=Giants Trade Falcone for Cardinal Infielder|newspaper=[[Lodi News-Sentinel]]|date=December 9, 1975}}</ref> |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
Falcone repeated as a 12-game winner in 1976. He kept batters to a .196 [[Batting Average with Runners in Scoring Position]]. In December 1978 he was traded by the Cardinals to the Mets for Kim Seaman and [[Tom Grieve]]. |
Falcone repeated as a 12-game winner in 1976. He kept batters to a .196 [[Batting Average with Runners in Scoring Position]]. In December 1978 he was traded by the Cardinals to the Mets for Kim Seaman and [[Tom Grieve]]. |
||
==New York Mets== |
|||
On May 1, 1980, Falcone tied a Major League record by striking out the first six batters of the game, versus the [[Philadelphia Phillies]]. The Mets lost 2–1, as Falcone pitched 7 innings with 8 strikeouts. |
On May 1, 1980, Falcone tied a Major League record by striking out the first six batters of the game, versus the [[Philadelphia Phillies]]. The Mets lost 2–1, as Falcone pitched 7 innings with 8 strikeouts. |
||
Falcone was especially good at not allowing hits when runners were in scoring position, keeping batters in such circumstances to a .210 batting average in 1979, a .220 batting average in 1981, and a .211 batting average in 1982. |
Falcone was especially good at not allowing hits when runners were in scoring position, keeping batters in such circumstances to a .210 batting average in 1979, a .220 batting average in 1981, and a .211 batting average in 1982. |
||
==Atlanta Braves== |
|||
In December 1982 he signed a two-year, $650,000 contract as a free agent with the Braves.[http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:dtRijqXNrPgJ:query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html%3Fres%3D9E00E2DB1738F932A15751C1A964948260+%22pete+falcone%22+braves+mets&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=10&gl=us] |
In December 1982 he signed a two-year, $650,000 contract as a free agent with the Braves.[http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:dtRijqXNrPgJ:query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html%3Fres%3D9E00E2DB1738F932A15751C1A964948260+%22pete+falcone%22+braves+mets&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=10&gl=us] |
||
He kept batters to a .235 [[Batting Average with Runners in Scoring Position]] in 1983, and a .228 batting average in 1984. |
He kept batters to a .235 [[Batting Average with Runners in Scoring Position]] in 1983, and a .228 batting average in 1984. |
||
==Career stats== |
|||
In September 1984 Falcone, then 30 years old, said he planned to retire after the season. “I’m just tired of baseball,” Falcone said in an interview with ''The [[Atlanta Journal]]''. “I’m tired of the life style, and I can’t see any reason to go on doing it. The game is a game, and a certain part of it is enjoyable, but everything else, forget it.” John Mullen, the Braves’ [[general manager]], expressed surprise at Falcone’s statement. “I hate to see a guy that young with that kind of arm retire,” Mullen said.[http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:OuT1JzIjMOIJ:query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html%3Fres%3D9F05E5DE173BF93BA2575AC0A962948260+%22pete+falcone%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=43&gl=us] |
In September 1984 Falcone, then 30 years old, said he planned to retire after the season. “I’m just tired of baseball,” Falcone said in an interview with ''The [[Atlanta Journal]]''. “I’m tired of the life style, and I can’t see any reason to go on doing it. The game is a game, and a certain part of it is enjoyable, but everything else, forget it.” John Mullen, the Braves’ [[general manager]], expressed surprise at Falcone’s statement. “I hate to see a guy that young with that kind of arm retire,” Mullen said.[http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:OuT1JzIjMOIJ:query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html%3Fres%3D9F05E5DE173BF93BA2575AC0A962948260+%22pete+falcone%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=43&gl=us] |
||
| Line 62: | Line 69: | ||
==External links== |
==External links== |
||
{{reflist}} |
|||
{{Baseballstats|mlb=|espn=539 |
{{Baseballstats|mlb=113987|espn=539|br=f/falcope01|fangraphs=1003910&position=P|cube=Pete-Falcone|brm=falcon001pet}}, or [http://ultimatemets.com/profile.php?PlayerCode=0291 The Ultimate Mets Database] |
||
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
||
Revision as of 13:23, 17 June 2013
| Pete Falcone | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: October 1, 1953 Brooklyn, New York | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| debut | |
| April 13, 1975, for the San Francisco Giants | |
| Last appearance | |
| September 17, 1984, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| Career statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 70-90 |
| Earned run average | 4.07 |
| Strikeouts | 865 |
| Teams | |
Peter Frank Falcone (born October 1, 1953), is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher.
Early years
As a senior at Lafayette High School in Brooklyn, New York (the same high school as Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax), Falcone was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the thirteenth round of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft, but opted to attend and Kingsborough Community College instead. He was then drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the January 1973 secondary amateur draft, but declined again. Finally, when drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the first round (3rd overall) of the June 1973 secondary draft, Falcone signed.
Falcone impressed immediately, going 8–1 with a 1.50 earned run average and 102 strikeouts in 72 innings pitched for the Pioneer League's Great Falls Giants in his first professional season. He followed that up with 207 strikeouts in 1974 pitching in the California League and Texas League.
San Francisco Giants
A strange set of circumstances led to Falcone making his major league debut in the second game of a April 13, 1975 doubleheader with the Atlanta Braves. Falcone had been in Spring training with the Giants as a non-roster invitee, but had not made the club. Just as the season was set to begin, Ron Bryant, who was set to be the Giants' fourth starter, unexpectedly retired. He was replaced in the rotation by Falcone.[1] (Bryant would eventually rethink his retirement, but was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals on May 9 without appearing in another game for the Giants)[2]
Fellow rookie John Montefusco was masterful in the first game, pitching a complete game shutout.[3] The second game began with Ralph Garr hitting a triple to left field. Falcone settled down nicely afterwards, however. Aside from a two run home run by catcher Vic Correll, Falcone also held the Braves' batters at bay. With the score tied 2-2 in the eighth, Garry Maddox, Derrel Thomas and Bobby Murcer hit consecutive singles to give the Giants a 4-2 lead. Randy Moffitt pitched the ninth to record the save, and give Falcone the win in his major league debut.[4]
The most memorable start of his rookie season also came in the second game of a doubleheader with the Braves. Falcone held the Braves hitless through seven innings, and struck out Cito Gaston to lead off the eighth. Larvell Blanks followed with a ground out to short to put Falcone four outs away from being the first National League rookie to pitch a no-hitter since Burt Hooton in 1972. The next batter, Vic Correll, drew a walk.
Words were exchanged between Correll and Giants first baseman Willie Montañez at first base, culminating with Correll taking a swing at Montañez. Both benches emptied, and Montañez was ejected from the game. When order was finally restored, Falcone had lost his concentration. The following batter, Rod Gilbreath, singled to center, breaking up the no-hitter.[5]
Falcone seemed to be at his best against the Braves his rookie season. On May 6, he also held the Braves hitless through the first six innings.[6] Overall, he compiled a 21-11 record, 4.17 ERA and 131 strikeouts as a rookie. Seeking to improve their infield defensively, the Giants sent Falcone to the St. Louis Cardinals for Gold Glove third baseman Ken Reitz at the Winter meetings after the season.[7]
St. Louis Cardinals
Falcone repeated as a 12-game winner in 1976. He kept batters to a .196 Batting Average with Runners in Scoring Position. In December 1978 he was traded by the Cardinals to the Mets for Kim Seaman and Tom Grieve.
New York Mets
On May 1, 1980, Falcone tied a Major League record by striking out the first six batters of the game, versus the Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets lost 2–1, as Falcone pitched 7 innings with 8 strikeouts.
Falcone was especially good at not allowing hits when runners were in scoring position, keeping batters in such circumstances to a .210 batting average in 1979, a .220 batting average in 1981, and a .211 batting average in 1982.
Atlanta Braves
In December 1982 he signed a two-year, $650,000 contract as a free agent with the Braves.[1]
He kept batters to a .235 Batting Average with Runners in Scoring Position in 1983, and a .228 batting average in 1984.
Career stats
In September 1984 Falcone, then 30 years old, said he planned to retire after the season. “I’m just tired of baseball,” Falcone said in an interview with The Atlanta Journal. “I’m tired of the life style, and I can’t see any reason to go on doing it. The game is a game, and a certain part of it is enjoyable, but everything else, forget it.” John Mullen, the Braves’ general manager, expressed surprise at Falcone’s statement. “I hate to see a guy that young with that kind of arm retire,” Mullen said.[2]
In his career in 325 games Falcone was 70–90 with 865 strikeouts and a 4.07 ERA. In his career, Falcone kept batters to a .234 Batting Average with Runners in Scoring Position.[3] He was in the top 10 in the NL four times in wild pitches: 1975 9–10th; 1979 10–4th; 1980 9–6th; and 1982 10–8th.
Senior Professional Baseball Association
In 1989, he played for the Orlando Juice of the Senior Professional Baseball Association, and posted a 10–3 record.[4]
External links
- ^ "Giants' Bryant retires From Baseball at Age 27". Oxnard Press-Courier. April 5, 1975.
- ^ "Reds Rip Cards, Nolan Wins 7th". Oxnard Press-Courier. June 13, 1975.
- ^ "San Francisco Giants 5, Atlanta Braves 0". Baseball-Reference.com. April 13, 1975.
- ^ "San Francisco Giants 4, Atlanta Braves 2". Baseball-Reference.com. April 13, 1975.
- ^ Fred McMane (June 23, 1975). "Giants Rookie Pitcher, Falcone, Has Dream Shattered by Fight". Williamson Daily News.
- ^ "San Francisco Giants 7, Atlanta Braves 1". Baseball-Reference.com. May 6, 1975.
- ^ "Giants Trade Falcone for Cardinal Infielder". Lodi News-Sentinel. December 9, 1975.
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or The Ultimate Mets Database