Dooley Womack
Encyclopedia
Horace Guy "Dooley" Womack is an American
former Major League Baseball
right-handed relief pitcher
who pitched from 1966 to 1970 for the New York Yankees
, Houston Astros
, Seattle Pilots
and Oakland Athletics
. He also played in the Cincinnati Reds
minor league system for one season.
Standing 6' 0" tall and weighing 170 pounds, Womack was never a highly-touted prospect, due in part to his unimposing size and fastball. "I admit," he once said, "I won't overpower anybody..." Despite the lack of fanfare surrounding him, Womack "went from a non-prospect to a must-use" at the beginning of his major league career, according to Harvey Frommer in his book, A Yankee Century. According to modern accounts, Womack was "...one of the best relief pitchers on two of the worst Yankee teams [1966 and 1967] in the franchise’s fabled history."
Womack began his professional career as a starting pitcher in 1958 at the age of 18 and played for 14 seasons, ending his career as a relief pitcher at the age of 31 in 1971. He spent ten seasons in the minor leagues and five in the major leagues, spending one year at the D-level, one year at the C-level, one full year and part of another at the B-level, one full year and part of another at the Single-A level, two full years at the Double-A level, two full years at the Triple-A level and most of a third year at the Triple-A level.
In total, he appeared in 349 minor league games, going 65-55 with a 3.13 ERA in 1,041 1/3 innings. He allowed 952 hits, 461 runs, 362 earned runs and 399 walks. At the plate, he was used as a pinch hitter from time to time, hitting .267 with 107 hits (including 16 doubles and five triples) in 401 at-bats.
At the major league level, Womack went 19-18 with a 2.95 ERA in 193 games, one of which he started. In 302 1/3 innings, he had 24 saves, 121 games finished and 177 strikeouts. He allowed 253 hits, 111 runs, 99 earned runs, 21 home runs, 111 walks, 33 intentional walks and 18 wild pitches. As a batter, he went 7-for-31 for a .226 batting average. He never drew a base on balls, though he did have a stolen base in 1968. His career fielding percentage was .970.
At all levels, Womack went a combined 84-73 with a 3.09 ERA in 542 games. He pitched 1,343 2/3 innings and allowed 1,205 hits.
. Prior to playing professionally, he attended Brookland-Cayce High School
in Cayce, South Carolina
. He played in the PONY League as a youth, appearing in regional league finals in 1954. He never attended college.
His brothers, Alfred Womack and Larry Womack, were minor league pitchers who never reached the major leagues. Alfred, also known as "Al," pitched in the Cleveland Indians
and Washington Senators
systems in 1955 and 1956. Larry pitched in the Yankees' system in 1968.
Womack, who acquired his nickname "Dooley" as a child from a friend of his family and claimed, "I prefer it to my real name, which is Horace," was described as having a "high voice, a serious drawl and a giddy laugh," by Maury Allen
in his book Where Have You Gone?. He was also described as a fan favorite, attributable to his smile and style.
signed the 18-year-old Womack to a contract, giving him a $2,500 bonus. He reported to the St. Petersburg Saints
of the Class-D Florida State League
the following day and on July 5, he made his first professional appearance, a start against the Cocoa Indians. In his first game, he allowed eight hits, four walks and three earned runs in seven innings, while striking out six batters, earning the victory. Offensively, he collected one hit in four at-bats and scored a run.
He pitched in 11 games for the Saints that season, making eight starts and going 6-3 with a 2.38 ERA, allowing 52 hits in 68 innings of work. He was the only pitcher on the 1958 Saints to ever make the major leagues. At the plate, he hit .276, collecting eight hits in 29 at-bats.
Prior to the start of the season, it was believed that Womack would begin 1959 with the St. Petersburg Saints, however he was released and sent to the Fargo-Moorhead Twins
of the Class-C Northern League. He spent his entire season with the Twins, going 13-9 with a 4.50 ERA in 31 games, 22 of which he started. In 172 innings, he allowed 175 hits, 18 home runs and 86 earned runs to score. He led the team in losses and home runs allowed and finished second in victories, games, games started, innings pitched, hits allowed, runs and earned runs allowed, and walks surrendered. He hit .274 offensively, with 20 hits - including five doubles - in 73 at-bats.
To begin the 1961 season, Womack worked as a reliever for the Binghamton Triplets
of the Single-A Eastern League, pitching in five games and going 0-1 record with a 0.75 ERA. In 12 innings, he allowed eight hits while walking five batters. He was then sent to the Greensboro Yankees, with whom he pitched 27 games and made five starts, going 7-5 with a 4.47 ERA, finishing third on the team in hits allowed, with 107 in 86 2/3 innings. Combined, he went 7-6 with a 4.01 ERA in 32 games. He batted .229 in 48 at-bats.
and went 3-2 with a 1.94 ERA. In 102 innings, he allowed 84 hits and 37 walks while striking out 70 batters. Of all pitchers on the squad with at least 10 innings of work, he had the lowest ERA, WHIP
(1.186), walks per nine innings pitched ratio (3.3) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (1.89). He led the league in ERA. He hit .261 in 23 at-bats.
Pitching for the Augusta Yankees - now classified as Double-A - again in 1963, Womack went 3-8 with a 3.75 ERA in 41 games, six of which he started. In 108 innings, he allowed 106 hits and 27 walks while striking out 57 batters. He finished second on the team in appearances, behind Pete Mikkelsen
, and tied for third in losses. At the plate, he hit .323 in 31 at-bats.
of the Double-A Southern League
and went 10-7 with 13 saves a 2.32 ERA in 50 relief appearances. In 124 innings, he allowed 96 hits and 43 walks, while striking out 96 batters. Despite being a relief pitcher, Womack led the team in victories, also pacing the squad in games pitched and strikeouts. He finished second on the team in ERA, innings pitched and hits allowed and second in the league in appearances, behing Dennis Higgins
. He batted .291 in 55 at-bats at the plate and was used as a pinch hitter frequently.
Prior to the start of the 1965 season, Womack claimed that he was ready to pitch at the Triple-A level, the highest level of professional American baseball below the major leagues. "I've had three pretty good years in a row," he said, "I feel I can do the job." Womack received his wish, as he was assigned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens
on May 3. He went 10-4 with a 2.17 ERA in 34 games that season, making a return to the starting rotation as he started 13 games, of which six he completed. In 145 innings, he allowed 110 hits and 41 walks, striking out 73 batters. Though he did not lead the International League
or his team in any categories, he finish second on the squad in victories (tied with Jack Curtis
), winning percentage (.714), shutouts (three), innings pitched, walks and wild pitches (five, tied with Tom Dukes
). Following the season, to ensure no other team could claim him, the Yankees added Womack to their 40-man roster and on October 19, he was promoted to the New York Yankees.
had dubbed him a "possible valuable pitching [asset]." He earned a spot on the team's Opening Day roster out of that year's spring training, in part because the team was depleted by injuries.
He made his major league debut against the Detroit Tigers
on April 14 at the age of 26. He appeared in relief of Pedro Ramos
and pitched three innings, allowing one hit and no runs while hitting
two batters (Al Kaline
and Willie Horton) consecutively. He was then relieved by Jack Cullen
. He did not receive a decision. On July 10, he made the first - and only - start of his career, facing the Washington Senators
. In three innings, he allowed five runs on five hits and one walk, earning the loss.
He pitched 42 games that season, going 7-3 with a 2.64 ERA. In 75 innings, he allowed 52 hits and 23 walks, while striking out 50 batters. He led the team in WHIP (1.00) and hits per nine innings ratio (6.2), while finishing second in winning percentage (.700), ERA and hit by pitch (tied, three) and third in games finished (26), saves (four), home runs per nine inning ratio (0.7) and strikeouts per nine innings ratio (6.0). He began the season by not allowing a run in his first six appearances and later in the season had a stretch of 26 innings without allowing an earned run.
Following the season, Womack pitched for the Leones de Ponce
of the Puerto Rico Baseball League.
On May 14, he was the winning pitching when Mickey Mantle
hit his 500th career home run. Of the event, Womack said, "Most guys wouldn't have even thought of the pitcher at such an important time. His home run won the ball game for me, and after the game he came over and shook hands and thanked me for the opportunity to celebrate."
He was the team's closer that season, going 5-6 with 18 saves and a 2.41 ERA in 65 games, tying Pedro Ramos for the club record in pitching appearances. In 97 innings, he allowed 80 hits and 35 walks, while striking out 57 batters. He led the team in appearances, games finished (48), saves and intentional walks (14) and finished second on the squad in ERA. He was second in the league in appearances, behind Minnie Rojas
, and fourth in appearances and saves.
Dissatisfied by contract offers proposed by the Yankees, Womack and fellow pitcher Al Downing did not initially report to spring training in 1968 - they were holding out for a better offer. Womack's holdout was short-lived, however, as within a couple of days he came to terms with the New York club and reported to camp.
The Yankees, who no longer had pitchers like Whitey Ford
, Allie Reynolds
and Vic Raschi
on their roster, were counting on Womack to perform well in the upcoming campaign. "[The days of Ford, Reynolds and Raschi] were the Golden Days in New York," said The Sun on April 23, 1968, "...now...it's time for guys like Dooley Womack to begin prospecting at Yankee Stadium."
To begin the 1968 season, Womack posted a 5.56 ERA through his first six appearances and through his first 26 games, his ERA was 4.54. However, he posted a 1.61 ERA in his final 19 appearances of the season, en route to a 3-7 record with a 3.21 ERA on the year. In 45 appearances, he pitched 61 2/3 innings, striking out 26 batters and walking 29. He was not the team's main closer, as Steve Hamilton
and Lindy McDaniel
shared the role, though he managed to save two games and finish 36. He was the team's main reliever, however, leading the club in appearances and games finished, as well as intentional walks (tied, nine). He was fifth in the league in games finished and led the league's pitchers in fielding percentage.
On June 3, Womack started the American League's first triple play
of the season. Facing the Minnesota Twins
in the top of the eighth inning, Twins' batter Johnny Roseboro
hit a line drive back to Womack, who threw to third baseman Bobby Cox
, doubling up baserunner Tony Oliva
. Cox then threw to first baseman Mickey Mantle
, who put out baserunner Bob Allison
. This was the last triple play the team would turn until they performed the feat on April 22, 2010 against the Oakland Athletics.
for outfielder Dick Simpson
. He appeared in 30 games for the Astros that season, going 2-1 with a 3.51 ERA. On August 24, he was traded to the Seattle Pilots
with pitcher Roric Harrison
for pitcher Jim Bouton
and in nine games with the Seattle squad, he went 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA. Of the transaction, Bouton said, "Maybe it's me for a hundred thousand and Dooley Womack is just a throw-in. I'd hate to think that at this stage of my career I was being traded even-up for Dooley Womack." In total, Womack went 4-2 with a 3.29 ERA in 39 relief appearances that year. In 65 2/3 innings, he allowed 64 hits and 23 walks, whiling striking out 40 batters.
Following the 1969 season, Womack was sent back to the Astros in an unknown transaction. On December 16, he was traded with pitcher Pat House
to the Cincinnati Reds
for utility player
Jim Beauchamp
.
He spent most of the 1970 season with the Reds' Triple-A farm team, the Indianapolis Indians
. In 47 relief appearances, he went 6-3 with 14 saves and a 2.19 ERA, leading the team in saves. In 74 innings, he allowed 59 hits and 29 walks, while striking out 53 batters.
On August 17, 1970, he was purchased by the Oakland Athletics
from the Reds, making two appearances with the Oakland team. He posted a 15.00 ERA in three innings, allowing four hits, two home runs and five runs while striking out three batters. He played his final major league game on September 27 against the California Angels, striking out the last batter he faced, Jim Fregosi
.
In 1971, he pitched in the minor leagues, going 2-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 36 relief appearances for the Athletics' Triple-A team, the Iowa Oaks. He led the team in wild pitches with 12 and tied Jim Panther
for second on the squad in intentional walks, with seven. He was forced to retire after tearing his rotator cuff, an injury he suffered in September 1970.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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 relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
who pitched from 1966 to 1970 for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, Seattle Pilots
Seattle Pilots
The Seattle Pilots were an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington for one season, . The Pilots played home games at Sick's Stadium and were a member of the West Division of Major League Baseball's American League...
and Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. He also played in the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
minor league system for one season.
Standing 6' 0" tall and weighing 170 pounds, Womack was never a highly-touted prospect, due in part to his unimposing size and fastball. "I admit," he once said, "I won't overpower anybody..." Despite the lack of fanfare surrounding him, Womack "went from a non-prospect to a must-use" at the beginning of his major league career, according to Harvey Frommer in his book, A Yankee Century. According to modern accounts, Womack was "...one of the best relief pitchers on two of the worst Yankee teams [1966 and 1967] in the franchise’s fabled history."
Womack began his professional career as a starting pitcher in 1958 at the age of 18 and played for 14 seasons, ending his career as a relief pitcher at the age of 31 in 1971. He spent ten seasons in the minor leagues and five in the major leagues, spending one year at the D-level, one year at the C-level, one full year and part of another at the B-level, one full year and part of another at the Single-A level, two full years at the Double-A level, two full years at the Triple-A level and most of a third year at the Triple-A level.
In total, he appeared in 349 minor league games, going 65-55 with a 3.13 ERA in 1,041 1/3 innings. He allowed 952 hits, 461 runs, 362 earned runs and 399 walks. At the plate, he was used as a pinch hitter from time to time, hitting .267 with 107 hits (including 16 doubles and five triples) in 401 at-bats.
At the major league level, Womack went 19-18 with a 2.95 ERA in 193 games, one of which he started. In 302 1/3 innings, he had 24 saves, 121 games finished and 177 strikeouts. He allowed 253 hits, 111 runs, 99 earned runs, 21 home runs, 111 walks, 33 intentional walks and 18 wild pitches. As a batter, he went 7-for-31 for a .226 batting average. He never drew a base on balls, though he did have a stolen base in 1968. His career fielding percentage was .970.
At all levels, Womack went a combined 84-73 with a 3.09 ERA in 542 games. He pitched 1,343 2/3 innings and allowed 1,205 hits.
Early and personal life
Womack was born on August 25, 1939 in Columbia, South CarolinaColumbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
. Prior to playing professionally, he attended Brookland-Cayce High School
Brookland-Cayce High School
Brookland-Cayce High School in Cayce, South Carolina is a public high school offering education for grades 9 – 12, serving the surrounding communities of West Columbia, Cayce, South Congaree, Pine Ridge, and parts of Gaston....
in Cayce, South Carolina
Cayce, South Carolina
Cayce is a city in Lexington and Richland counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina, along the Congaree River. The population was 12,150 at the 2000 census...
. He played in the PONY League as a youth, appearing in regional league finals in 1954. He never attended college.
His brothers, Alfred Womack and Larry Womack, were minor league pitchers who never reached the major leagues. Alfred, also known as "Al," pitched in the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
and Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
systems in 1955 and 1956. Larry pitched in the Yankees' system in 1968.
Womack, who acquired his nickname "Dooley" as a child from a friend of his family and claimed, "I prefer it to my real name, which is Horace," was described as having a "high voice, a serious drawl and a giddy laugh," by Maury Allen
Maury Allen
Maury Allen was an American sportswriter, actor, and former columnist for the New York Post and the Journal-News. He was also a voter for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Allen wrote 40 books on American sports icons...
in his book Where Have You Gone?. He was also described as a fan favorite, attributable to his smile and style.
Before the major leagues
Womack spent eight seasons in the minor leagues before making his major league debut.1958-1959
On June 25, 1958, Yankees scout Ted PetoskeyTed Petoskey
Frederick Lee "Ted" Petoskey was a three-sport athlete at the University of Michigan, a Major League Baseball player, a collegiate coach in three sports and an athletic director....
signed the 18-year-old Womack to a contract, giving him a $2,500 bonus. He reported to the St. Petersburg Saints
St. Petersburg Saints
The St. Petersburg Saints were a minor league baseball team that operated out of St.Petersburg, Florida. The team began as a semi-pro team and as early as October 1908, the semi-pro Saints played the Cincinnati Reds in a post-season exhibition game. By 1914, the Saints were receiving regular...
of the Class-D Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
the following day and on July 5, he made his first professional appearance, a start against the Cocoa Indians. In his first game, he allowed eight hits, four walks and three earned runs in seven innings, while striking out six batters, earning the victory. Offensively, he collected one hit in four at-bats and scored a run.
He pitched in 11 games for the Saints that season, making eight starts and going 6-3 with a 2.38 ERA, allowing 52 hits in 68 innings of work. He was the only pitcher on the 1958 Saints to ever make the major leagues. At the plate, he hit .276, collecting eight hits in 29 at-bats.
Prior to the start of the season, it was believed that Womack would begin 1959 with the St. Petersburg Saints, however he was released and sent to the Fargo-Moorhead Twins
Fargo-Moorhead Twins
The Fargo-Moorhead Twins were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1933 to 1942 and from 1946 to 1960. They played in the Northern League and were affiliated with the Cleveland Indians from 1934 to 1940 and from 1953 to 1957, the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1947 to 1948 and the New York...
of the Class-C Northern League. He spent his entire season with the Twins, going 13-9 with a 4.50 ERA in 31 games, 22 of which he started. In 172 innings, he allowed 175 hits, 18 home runs and 86 earned runs to score. He led the team in losses and home runs allowed and finished second in victories, games, games started, innings pitched, hits allowed, runs and earned runs allowed, and walks surrendered. He hit .274 offensively, with 20 hits - including five doubles - in 73 at-bats.
1960-1961
In 1960, Womack was the Greensboro Yankees' Opening Day starter and led the squad to a 7-3 victory in its first game, striking out eight batters and allowing eight hits and three walks. He started eight of his 22 appearances that year, going 5-6 with a 4.12 ERA. In 91 2/3 innings, he allowed 99 hits, 42 earned runs and 20 unearned runs in an injury-shortened season, while giving up 29 walks. He finished second on the team in losses. He also hit .271 in 59 at-bats. He was the only Greensboro pitcher to eventually make the major leagues.To begin the 1961 season, Womack worked as a reliever for the Binghamton Triplets
Binghamton Triplets
The Binghamton Triplets were a minor league baseball team in Binghamton, New York, affiliated with the New York Yankees ; the team also had brief affiliations with the Kansas City Athletics and the Milwaukee Braves...
of the Single-A Eastern League, pitching in five games and going 0-1 record with a 0.75 ERA. In 12 innings, he allowed eight hits while walking five batters. He was then sent to the Greensboro Yankees, with whom he pitched 27 games and made five starts, going 7-5 with a 4.47 ERA, finishing third on the team in hits allowed, with 107 in 86 2/3 innings. Combined, he went 7-6 with a 4.01 ERA in 32 games. He batted .229 in 48 at-bats.
1962-1963
In 1962, Womack fully transitioned to the bullpen and spent his entire season there, not making a single start. He pitched in 45 games for the Single-A Augusta Yankees of the South Atlantic LeagueSouth Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
and went 3-2 with a 1.94 ERA. In 102 innings, he allowed 84 hits and 37 walks while striking out 70 batters. Of all pitchers on the squad with at least 10 innings of work, he had the lowest ERA, WHIP
Walks plus hits per inning pitched
In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is a measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base...
(1.186), walks per nine innings pitched ratio (3.3) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (1.89). He led the league in ERA. He hit .261 in 23 at-bats.
Pitching for the Augusta Yankees - now classified as Double-A - again in 1963, Womack went 3-8 with a 3.75 ERA in 41 games, six of which he started. In 108 innings, he allowed 106 hits and 27 walks while striking out 57 batters. He finished second on the team in appearances, behind Pete Mikkelsen
Pete Mikkelsen
Peter James Mikkelsen was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1964 through 1972 for the New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs , St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers . Mikkelsen batted and threw right-handed...
, and tied for third in losses. At the plate, he hit .323 in 31 at-bats.
1964-1965
In 1964, Womack pitched for the Columbus Confederate YankeesColumbus Confederate Yankees
The Columbus Confederate Yankees are a former minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Georgia. The team played for three seasons from to in the Double-A Southern League....
of the Double-A Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
and went 10-7 with 13 saves a 2.32 ERA in 50 relief appearances. In 124 innings, he allowed 96 hits and 43 walks, while striking out 96 batters. Despite being a relief pitcher, Womack led the team in victories, also pacing the squad in games pitched and strikeouts. He finished second on the team in ERA, innings pitched and hits allowed and second in the league in appearances, behing Dennis Higgins
Dennis Higgins
Dennis Dean Higgins is a former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of seven seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals...
. He batted .291 in 55 at-bats at the plate and was used as a pinch hitter frequently.
Prior to the start of the 1965 season, Womack claimed that he was ready to pitch at the Triple-A level, the highest level of professional American baseball below the major leagues. "I've had three pretty good years in a row," he said, "I feel I can do the job." Womack received his wish, as he was assigned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
on May 3. He went 10-4 with a 2.17 ERA in 34 games that season, making a return to the starting rotation as he started 13 games, of which six he completed. In 145 innings, he allowed 110 hits and 41 walks, striking out 73 batters. Though he did not lead the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
or his team in any categories, he finish second on the squad in victories (tied with Jack Curtis
Jack Curtis (baseball)
Jack Patrick Curtis is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for three seasons. He played for the Chicago Cubs from 1961 to 1962, the Milwaukee Braves in 1962, and the Cleveland Indians in 1963....
), winning percentage (.714), shutouts (three), innings pitched, walks and wild pitches (five, tied with Tom Dukes
Tom Dukes
Thomas Earl Dukes is a retired professional baseball player who played 6 seasons for the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, and California Angels of Major League Baseball.-References:...
). Following the season, to ensure no other team could claim him, the Yankees added Womack to their 40-man roster and on October 19, he was promoted to the New York Yankees.
Major league debut
Though earlier in his career Womack was not considered a prospect, by 1966 Yankees general manager Ralph HoukRalph Houk
Ralph George Houk , nicknamed The Major, was an American catcher, coach, manager, and front office executive in Major League Baseball...
had dubbed him a "possible valuable pitching [asset]." He earned a spot on the team's Opening Day roster out of that year's spring training, in part because the team was depleted by injuries.
He made his major league debut against 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...
on April 14 at the age of 26. He appeared in relief of Pedro Ramos
Pedro Ramos
Pedro Ramos Guerra was a Major League pitcher with a 15-year career from 1955 to 1967, and again from 1969 to 1970...
and pitched three innings, allowing one hit and no runs while hitting
Hit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch , or hit batsman , is a batter or his equipment being hit in some part of his body by a pitch from the pitcher.-Official rule:...
two batters (Al Kaline
Al Kaline
Albert William "Al" Kaline is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Kaline played his entire 22-year baseball career with the Detroit Tigers. Kaline still works for the Tigers as a front office official. Because of his lengthy career and...
and Willie Horton) consecutively. He was then relieved by Jack Cullen
Jack Cullen
John Patrick Cullen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Cullen played for the New York Yankees in , and . In 19 career games, he had a 4-4 record with a 3.07 ERA. He batted and threw right-handed....
. He did not receive a decision. On July 10, he made the first - and only - start of his career, facing the Washington Senators
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. In three innings, he allowed five runs on five hits and one walk, earning the loss.
He pitched 42 games that season, going 7-3 with a 2.64 ERA. In 75 innings, he allowed 52 hits and 23 walks, while striking out 50 batters. He led the team in WHIP (1.00) and hits per nine innings ratio (6.2), while finishing second in winning percentage (.700), ERA and hit by pitch (tied, three) and third in games finished (26), saves (four), home runs per nine inning ratio (0.7) and strikeouts per nine innings ratio (6.0). He began the season by not allowing a run in his first six appearances and later in the season had a stretch of 26 innings without allowing an earned run.
Following the season, Womack pitched for the Leones de Ponce
Leones de Ponce (baseball)
This article is about the Ponce baseball team. For the basketball team of the same name, see Ponce Lions .The Leones de Ponce are a baseball team in the Puerto Rico Baseball League. The organization is based in the municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico. The team plays at the Francisco Montaner Stadium...
of the Puerto Rico Baseball League.
Last years with the Yankees
In February 1967, prior to the team's first spring training workouts, Womack signed a major league contract with the Yankees.On May 14, he was the winning pitching when Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
hit his 500th career home run. Of the event, Womack said, "Most guys wouldn't have even thought of the pitcher at such an important time. His home run won the ball game for me, and after the game he came over and shook hands and thanked me for the opportunity to celebrate."
He was the team's closer that season, going 5-6 with 18 saves and a 2.41 ERA in 65 games, tying Pedro Ramos for the club record in pitching appearances. In 97 innings, he allowed 80 hits and 35 walks, while striking out 57 batters. He led the team in appearances, games finished (48), saves and intentional walks (14) and finished second on the squad in ERA. He was second in the league in appearances, behind Minnie Rojas
Minnie Rojas
Minervino Alejandro "Minnie" Rojas Landin was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the California Angels from through . Rojas batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Remedios, Villa Clara, Cuba....
, and fourth in appearances and saves.
Dissatisfied by contract offers proposed by the Yankees, Womack and fellow pitcher Al Downing did not initially report to spring training in 1968 - they were holding out for a better offer. Womack's holdout was short-lived, however, as within a couple of days he came to terms with the New York club and reported to camp.
The Yankees, who no longer had pitchers like Whitey Ford
Whitey Ford
Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:...
, Allie Reynolds
Allie Reynolds
Allie Pierce Reynolds was a pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Biography:...
and Vic Raschi
Vic Raschi
Victor John Angelo "Vic" Raschi was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He was responsible for allowing Hank Aaron's first career home run....
on their roster, were counting on Womack to perform well in the upcoming campaign. "[The days of Ford, Reynolds and Raschi] were the Golden Days in New York," said The Sun on April 23, 1968, "...now...it's time for guys like Dooley Womack to begin prospecting at Yankee Stadium."
To begin the 1968 season, Womack posted a 5.56 ERA through his first six appearances and through his first 26 games, his ERA was 4.54. However, he posted a 1.61 ERA in his final 19 appearances of the season, en route to a 3-7 record with a 3.21 ERA on the year. In 45 appearances, he pitched 61 2/3 innings, striking out 26 batters and walking 29. He was not the team's main closer, as Steve Hamilton
Steve Hamilton
Steven Absher Hamilton was a Major League Baseball and NBA player....
and Lindy McDaniel
Lindy McDaniel
Lyndall Dale McDaniel, known as Lindy is a right-handed former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who had a 21-year career from 1955 to 1975. During McDaniel's career he witnessed approximately 3,500 major league games , had more than 300 teammates, and played under eight different managers...
shared the role, though he managed to save two games and finish 36. He was the team's main reliever, however, leading the club in appearances and games finished, as well as intentional walks (tied, nine). He was fifth in the league in games finished and led the league's pitchers in fielding percentage.
On June 3, Womack started the American League's first triple play
Triple Play
A triple play is a baseball play in which three outs are made as a result of continuous action without any intervening errors between outs.Triple play may also refer to:...
of the season. Facing the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in the top of the eighth inning, Twins' batter Johnny Roseboro
Johnny Roseboro
John Junior Roseboro was a Major League Baseball catcher and coach, who was born in Ashland, Ohio.-Career:A left-handed-hitter, Roseboro had a lifetime .249 batting average with 104 home runs and 548 RBI in 1585 games played with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers , Minnesota Twins and...
hit a line drive back to Womack, who threw to third baseman Bobby Cox
Bobby Cox
Robert Joseph "Bobby" Cox is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. He first led the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1981, and then managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985. He later rejoined the Braves in 1985 as a general manager...
, doubling up baserunner Tony Oliva
Tony Oliva
Tony Pedro Oliva is a former Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter. He played his entire 15-year baseball career for the Minnesota Twins . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
. Cox then threw to first baseman Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
, who put out baserunner Bob Allison
Bob Allison
William Robert "Bob" Allison was born in Raytown, Missouri and was a Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played in the American League for the Washington Senators / Minnesota Twins from to ....
. This was the last triple play the team would turn until they performed the feat on April 22, 2010 against the Oakland Athletics.
Astros, Pilots, Reds and Athletics
On December 4, 1968, Womack was traded to the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for outfielder Dick Simpson
Dick Simpson
Richard Charles Simpson is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder and center fielder. He played from 1962-1969 for the Los Angeles/California Angels, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, New York Yankees and Seattle Pilots. However, Simpson did not quite live up to...
. He appeared in 30 games for the Astros that season, going 2-1 with a 3.51 ERA. On August 24, he was traded to the Seattle Pilots
Seattle Pilots
The Seattle Pilots were an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington for one season, . The Pilots played home games at Sick's Stadium and were a member of the West Division of Major League Baseball's American League...
with pitcher Roric Harrison
Roric Harrison
Roric Edward Harrison is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He holds the distinction of being the last American League pitcher to hit a home run in an American League game before the introduction of the Designated Hitter.-Early years:Harrison signed with the Houston Astros out of Westchester...
for pitcher Jim Bouton
Jim Bouton
James Alan "Jim" Bouton is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. He is also the author of the controversial baseball book Ball Four, which was a combination diary of his season and memoir of his years with the New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, and Houston Astros.-Amateur and college...
and in nine games with the Seattle squad, he went 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA. Of the transaction, Bouton said, "Maybe it's me for a hundred thousand and Dooley Womack is just a throw-in. I'd hate to think that at this stage of my career I was being traded even-up for Dooley Womack." In total, Womack went 4-2 with a 3.29 ERA in 39 relief appearances that year. In 65 2/3 innings, he allowed 64 hits and 23 walks, whiling striking out 40 batters.
Following the 1969 season, Womack was sent back to the Astros in an unknown transaction. On December 16, he was traded with pitcher Pat House
Pat House
Patrick Lory House is a former left-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played from 1967 to 1968 for the Houston Astros. He was 6'3" tall and weighed 185 pounds....
to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for utility player
Utility player
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include association football , baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo and softball....
Jim Beauchamp
Jim Beauchamp
James Edward Beauchamp was a Major League Baseball first baseman and outfielder who played from to for the St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Colt .45s/Astros, Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Mets. He attended Grove High School in Grove, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University...
.
He spent most of the 1970 season with the Reds' Triple-A farm team, the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
. In 47 relief appearances, he went 6-3 with 14 saves and a 2.19 ERA, leading the team in saves. In 74 innings, he allowed 59 hits and 29 walks, while striking out 53 batters.
On August 17, 1970, he was purchased by the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
from the Reds, making two appearances with the Oakland team. He posted a 15.00 ERA in three innings, allowing four hits, two home runs and five runs while striking out three batters. He played his final major league game on September 27 against the California Angels, striking out the last batter he faced, Jim Fregosi
Jim Fregosi
James Louis Fregosi is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and manager. During an 18-year baseball career, he played from 1961–1978 for four different teams, primarily the Los Angeles and California Angels. In that franchise's first eleven years of play, he became its first star as the team's...
.
In 1971, he pitched in the minor leagues, going 2-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 36 relief appearances for the Athletics' Triple-A team, the Iowa Oaks. He led the team in wild pitches with 12 and tied Jim Panther
Jim Panther
James Edward Panther is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched three seasons in the majors for three different teams: for the Oakland Athletics, for the Texas Rangers, and for the Atlanta Braves.-Sources:...
for second on the squad in intentional walks, with seven. He was forced to retire after tearing his rotator cuff, an injury he suffered in September 1970.
Jersey numbers and salaries
| Year | Team | Jersey Number(s) | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | New York Yankees | 58 | Unknown |
| 1967 | New York Yankees | 58 | Unknown |
| 1968 | New York Yankees | 58 | $22,500 |
| 1969 | Houston Astros | 37 | $23,500 |
| 1969 | Seattle Pilots | 41 | See above |
| 1970 | Oakland Athletics | 16, 3* | $15,000 |
- Womack was the last pitcher to wear a single-digit number until Atlee HammakerAtlee HammakerCharlton Atlee Hammaker is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played the majority of his career for the San Francisco Giants from 1982 to 1990. He also played for the Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres, and Chicago White Sox...
wore number 7 in 1985.