Bret Saberhagen
Encyclopedia
Bret William Saberhagen (icon; born April 11, 1964 in Chicago Heights, Illinois
) is a former Major League Baseball
right-handed starting pitcher
.
, located in Reseda, California. Saberhagen starred in both basketball and baseball. In 1982, during Bret's senior year, he pitched a no-hitter
and was the winning pitcher in the Los Angeles City Championship game, played at Dodger Stadium
.
in the 19th round of the 1982 Major League Baseball Draft
and made his major league debut on April 4, 1984. He made an immediate impact with the team, compiling a 10–11 record and a 3.48 ERA
. The Royals made the postseason
but lost to the Detroit Tigers
. Saberhagen pitched well in his first postseason start, giving up two runs in 8 innings.
In 1985, the 21-year-old Saberhagen established himself as the ace of the staff, going 20–6 with a 2.87 ERA, leading the Royals
to a World Series
championship (and being named MVP of the Series along the way, pitching two complete games in the Series, including a shutout
in Game 7), and winning the American League
Cy Young Award
. He was also the subject of much media attention during the Series as his wife gave birth to his first son, Drew William, on the same night of the infamous Don Denkinger
call. Saberhagen developed an odd pattern of successful years in odd-numbered years (1985, 1987, 1989, 1991) and poor performances in even-numbered years. In 1986, he was 7–12 with a 4.12 ERA. In 1987, another odd-numbered year, Saberhagen had an excellent year, going 18–10 with a 3.36 ERA. That record, however, was disappointing because Saberhagen had entered the All-Star break with a 15–3 record and another Cy Young Award
seemingly in the bag. He pitched in the 1987 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
, but he suffered a shoulder injury that hampered his second-half performance.
In 1988, the pattern continued as Saberhagen went 14–16 for the Royals
with a 3.80 ERA, the second most losses in the American League. The following year, 1989, he showed flashes of his old brilliance by compiling a record of 23–6 with a 2.16 ERA, leading both leagues with 12 complete game
s, and finishing third in strikeout
s. Before his July 26, 1989 start against the Boston Red Sox
, Saberhagen had a record of 9–5. Over the next two months, he compiled a record of 14–1 with four shutouts. Only once in a game over that period did a team score more than two runs. He also led the league in innings pitched
, complete games, and strikeout to walk ratio. For his efforts, Saberhagen won his second Cy Young Award as the American League's best pitcher.
Despite a 5–7 record, Saberhagen was selected to the 1990 American League All-Star team
, primarily due to his 1989 performance. Saberhagen rewarded the selection as the winning pitcher in the 2–0 American League triumph. Saberhagen only started one post All-Star game before being shelved for most of the rest of 1990
with an injury.
In 1991
, Saberhagen went 13–8 with a 3.07 ERA. On August 26 of that year, he no-hit
the Chicago White Sox
7-0 at Royals Stadium
; to date, the no-hitter is the last thrown by a Royal. On December 11, 1991, he was traded along with Bill Pecota
to the New York Mets
in exchange for Kevin McReynolds
, Gregg Jefferies
, and Keith Miller.
He posted several solid seasons, winning 14 games for the New York Mets
in the strike shortened 1994 season and won 15 games for the Boston Red Sox
in 1998. Also in 1994, he had more wins than walks. No other pitcher (as of 2005) pitching more than 150 innings had accomplished this feat since 1919. His stint with the Mets was not without controversy; on July 27, 1993, Saberhagen sprayed bleach into a group of reporters. After admitting his role in this incident, Saberhagen donated one day's pay to charity and apologized to fans and the media.
In 1995 he joined the Colorado Rockies
as a much-heralded ace. He struggled throughout the year, plagued by injuries and unable to adjust to the high altitude. While the Rockies made the playoffs as the National League
Wild Card
team, Saberhagen lost his only start, Game 4 of the NLDS
when the Rockies were eliminated by the Braves
on their way to a World Series
win.
After missing the entire 2000 season, Saberhagen attempted a comeback in 2001 but pitched in only three games. He retired at the end of the season.
In 2006, Saberhagen was named to the 2007 ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame. He stated if he were voted in, he would not attend the ceremony because he believes Pete Rose
should be inducted. Saberhagen finished with 7 votes, well short of the number needed to stay on the ballot next year.
In 2006, he began coaching the Calabasas High School
Coyotes Varsity baseball team, in Calabasas, California
. He was a primary contributor to the building of a first-class baseball field for the Varsity team there. His younger son Dalton played on the Freshman team at that time and Saberhagen's goal was to coach his son when he moved up to Varsity. However, a constant set of battles with the Las Virgines Unified School District administration—among other reasons—caused him to resign his coaching duties in October 2007. Prior to the 2008 season, Saberhagen returned as the head coach of the Calabasas Varsity baseball team. He currently also resides in Babylon, New York.
nearby Saberhagen’s Babylon, New York
estate. The facility’s façade was shaped like Ebbets Field
, the storied home of the Brooklyn Dodgers and designed by Steven Ray Fellman of Amityville, New York
.
Chicago Heights, Illinois
Chicago Heights is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 31,373 at the 2005 census. Chicago Heights is nicknamed 'Crossroads of the Nation'.-History:...
) is a former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right-handed starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
.
Early years
Bret Saberhagen attended Grover Cleveland High SchoolCleveland High School (Los Angeles, California)
Grover Cleveland High School is a public school serving grades 9-12. Cleveland Humanities Magnet is part of Cleveland High School. The school is located in Reseda, in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California....
, located in Reseda, California. Saberhagen starred in both basketball and baseball. In 1982, during Bret's senior year, he pitched a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
and was the winning pitcher in the Los Angeles City Championship game, played at Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
.
Baseball career
Saberhagen was drafted out of high school by the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
in the 19th round of the 1982 Major League Baseball Draft
1982 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1982 Major League Baseball draft.- Other notable players :*Barry Bonds was drafted by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 1982 amateur draft, but did not sign...
and made his major league debut on April 4, 1984. He made an immediate impact with the team, compiling a 10–11 record and a 3.48 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. The Royals made the postseason
1984 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 2, 1984 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, MissouriGame 1 was a blowout in Kansas City, as Jack Morris pitched seven innings and allowed a single run, with Willie Hernandez pitching the final two innings. The Tigers scored eight runs...
but lost to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. Saberhagen pitched well in his first postseason start, giving up two runs in 8 innings.
In 1985, the 21-year-old Saberhagen established himself as the ace of the staff, going 20–6 with a 2.87 ERA, leading the Royals
1985 Kansas City Royals season
The 1985 Kansas City Royals season ended with the Royals' first world championship win over their intrastate rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Royals won the Western Division of the American League for the second consecutive season and the sixth time in ten years...
to a World Series
1985 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 19, 1985 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri-Game 2:Sunday, October 20, 1985 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri...
championship (and being named MVP of the Series along the way, pitching two complete games in the Series, including a shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
in Game 7), and winning the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
. He was also the subject of much media attention during the Series as his wife gave birth to his first son, Drew William, on the same night of the infamous Don Denkinger
Don Denkinger
Donald Anton Denkinger is a former Major League Baseball umpire who worked in the American League from 1969 to 1998. Denkinger wore uniform number 11, when the AL adopted uniform numbers in 1980. He is best remembered for an incorrect call he made at first base in Game 6 of the 1985 World...
call. Saberhagen developed an odd pattern of successful years in odd-numbered years (1985, 1987, 1989, 1991) and poor performances in even-numbered years. In 1986, he was 7–12 with a 4.12 ERA. In 1987, another odd-numbered year, Saberhagen had an excellent year, going 18–10 with a 3.36 ERA. That record, however, was disappointing because Saberhagen had entered the All-Star break with a 15–3 record and another Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
seemingly in the bag. He pitched in the 1987 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
1987 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1987 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 58th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 14, 1987 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland,...
, but he suffered a shoulder injury that hampered his second-half performance.
In 1988, the pattern continued as Saberhagen went 14–16 for the Royals
1989 Kansas City Royals season
The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing second in the American League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:* November 30, 1988: Bob Boone was signed as a free agent by the Royals....
with a 3.80 ERA, the second most losses in the American League. The following year, 1989, he showed flashes of his old brilliance by compiling a record of 23–6 with a 2.16 ERA, leading both leagues with 12 complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s, and finishing third in strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s. Before his July 26, 1989 start against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Saberhagen had a record of 9–5. Over the next two months, he compiled a record of 14–1 with four shutouts. Only once in a game over that period did a team score more than two runs. He also led the league in innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
, complete games, and strikeout to walk ratio. For his efforts, Saberhagen won his second Cy Young Award as the American League's best pitcher.
Despite a 5–7 record, Saberhagen was selected to the 1990 American League All-Star team
1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 61st playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 10, 1990 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, the home of the...
, primarily due to his 1989 performance. Saberhagen rewarded the selection as the winning pitcher in the 2–0 American League triumph. Saberhagen only started one post All-Star game before being shelved for most of the rest of 1990
1990 Kansas City Royals season
The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 6th in the American League West with a record of 75 wins and 86 losses.-Offseason:* December 5, 1989: Richard Dotson was signed as a free agent by the Royals....
with an injury.
In 1991
1991 Kansas City Royals season
The 1991 Kansas City Royals season involved the Royals finishing 6th in the American League West with a record of 82 wins and 80 losses.-Offseason:* October 4, 1990: Chris Codiroli was released by the Royals....
, Saberhagen went 13–8 with a 3.07 ERA. On August 26 of that year, he no-hit
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
the Chicago White Sox
1991 Chicago White Sox season
The 1991 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 93rd season. They finished with a record 87-75, good enough for 2nd place in the American League West, 8 games behind of the 1st place Minnesota Twins, as the club opened the new Comiskey Park on April 18....
7-0 at Royals Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...
; to date, the no-hitter is the last thrown by a Royal. On December 11, 1991, he was traded along with Bill Pecota
Bill Pecota
William Joseph Pecota , is a former professional baseball player who played infield in the Major Leagues from 1986-94. Pecota was drafted by the Royals in the 10th round of 1981 amateur draft after playing at DeAnza College in Cupertino, CA, and debuted in Kansas City in 1986...
to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in exchange for Kevin McReynolds
Kevin McReynolds
Walter Kevin McReynolds is a former Major League Baseball outfielder with a 12-year career from 1983 to 1994...
, Gregg Jefferies
Gregg Jefferies
Gregory Scott "Gregg" Jefferies is a retired infielder/outfielder in Major League Baseball who had a 14-year career from 1987 to 2000.-New York Mets:...
, and Keith Miller.
He posted several solid seasons, winning 14 games for the New York Mets
1994 New York Mets season
The New York Mets' 1994 season was the 33rd regular season for the Mets. They went 55-58 and finished 3rd in the NL East. They were managed by Dallas Green. They played home games at Shea Stadium...
in the strike shortened 1994 season and won 15 games for the Boston Red Sox
1998 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:...
in 1998. Also in 1994, he had more wins than walks. No other pitcher (as of 2005) pitching more than 150 innings had accomplished this feat since 1919. His stint with the Mets was not without controversy; on July 27, 1993, Saberhagen sprayed bleach into a group of reporters. After admitting his role in this incident, Saberhagen donated one day's pay to charity and apologized to fans and the media.
In 1995 he joined the Colorado Rockies
1995 Colorado Rockies season
The Colorado Rockies' 1995 season was the 3rd for the Rockies. The team competed in the National League West, finishing with a record of 77-67, 2nd in the division. This earned the Rockies the 1995 National League Wild Card, and a first round matchup in the playoffs against eventual World Series...
as a much-heralded ace. He struggled throughout the year, plagued by injuries and unable to adjust to the high altitude. While the Rockies made the playoffs as the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Wild Card
Wild card (sports)
The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
team, Saberhagen lost his only start, Game 4 of the NLDS
1995 National League Division Series
-Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers:-Game 1, October 3:Coors Field in Denver, ColoradoGame 1 was a match-up between aces: Greg Maddux for the Atlanta Braves and Kevin Ritz for the Colorado Rockies. Ritz and Maddux worked their way out of minor trouble early on, but, in the top of the third,...
when the Rockies were eliminated by the Braves
1995 Atlanta Braves season
The 1995 Atlanta Braves season was the 125th season in the history of the franchise and 30th season in the city of Atlanta. The team finished the strike-shortened season with a record of 90–54, the best in the National League, en route to winning the World Series. For the sixth straight season,...
on their way to a World Series
1995 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 21, 1995 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta ace Greg Maddux pitched a two-hit complete game victory in his first World Series appearance ....
win.
After missing the entire 2000 season, Saberhagen attempted a comeback in 2001 but pitched in only three games. He retired at the end of the season.
Post-playing career
In , he was inducted into the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame.In 2006, Saberhagen was named to the 2007 ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame. He stated if he were voted in, he would not attend the ceremony because he believes Pete Rose
Pete Rose
Peter Edward Rose , nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989....
should be inducted. Saberhagen finished with 7 votes, well short of the number needed to stay on the ballot next year.
In 2006, he began coaching the Calabasas High School
Calabasas High School
Calabasas High School is a four-year high school in Calabasas, California, United States.Calabasas High School, which serves Calabasas,and portions of West Hills, Los Angeles, California is one of three high schools in the Las Virgenes Unified School District Calabasas High School is a four-year...
Coyotes Varsity baseball team, in Calabasas, California
Calabasas, California
Calabasas is an affluent city in Los Angeles County, California in the western United States. It is located in the hills in the southwestern San Fernando Valley and the Santa Monica Mountains between Woodland Hills, Agoura Hills, West Hills, and Malibu, California. As of the 2010 census, the city...
. He was a primary contributor to the building of a first-class baseball field for the Varsity team there. His younger son Dalton played on the Freshman team at that time and Saberhagen's goal was to coach his son when he moved up to Varsity. However, a constant set of battles with the Las Virgines Unified School District administration—among other reasons—caused him to resign his coaching duties in October 2007. Prior to the 2008 season, Saberhagen returned as the head coach of the Calabasas Varsity baseball team. He currently also resides in Babylon, New York.
Bret Saberhagen's Hit & Fun
Bret Saberhagen at one time opened and operated a sports entertainment facility featuring Major League-caliber indoor batting cages, pitching mounds, bowling, laser tag, and arcade games. The 30000 square feet (2,787.1 m²) sports center was located at 580 Montauk Highway in West Babylon, New YorkWest Babylon, New York
West Babylon is a census-designated place in the town of Babylon in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 43,452 at the 2000 census.-Geography:West Babylon is located at ....
nearby Saberhagen’s Babylon, New York
Babylon (village), New York
Babylon is a village in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 12,615 at the 2000 census.Its official name is The Incorporated Village of Babylon...
estate. The facility’s façade was shaped like Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field was a Major League Baseball park located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, USA, on a city block which is now considered to be part of the Crown Heights neighborhood. It was the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League. It was also a venue for professional football...
, the storied home of the Brooklyn Dodgers and designed by Steven Ray Fellman of Amityville, New York
Amityville, New York
Amityville is a village in the town of Babylon in Suffolk County, New York, in the United States. The population was 9,441 at the 2000 census.-History:...
.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
- List of Major League Baseball wins champions
- Top 100 strikeout pitchers of all timeTop 100 strikeout pitchers of all timeIn baseball, a strikeout occurs when the batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. Strikeouts are associated with dominance on the part of the pitcher and failure on the part of the batter....
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters