Joe Sparma
Encyclopedia
Joseph Blase Sparma was a quarterback
in collegiate football
(1961–1962) and a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
(1964–1970).
, Sparma attended Ohio State University
and played quarterback
on the 1961 and 1962 football
teams coached by Woody Hayes
. Sparma and his leading receiver, Paul Warfield
, led the 1961 Buckeyes
to an 8-0-1 season and a Big Ten Conference
championship Sparma accounted for 474 yards in the Buckeyes' 1961 50-20 victory over the Michigan Wolverines. Sparma quit the team after three years due to differences with coach Woody Hayes
and opted to pursue a career in Major League Baseball
.
in 1963. He played six seasons with Detroit from 1964-1969. In 1965
, Sparma was in his first full season with the Tigers, when he was assigned to be the starting pitcher against the Yankees on "Mickey Mantle
Day" in New York. When Mantle
came to bat for the first time in the game, Sparma walked off the mound, approached Mantle, and said: "You know, I've never had a chance to meet you in person, and I've always admired you." Sparma and Mantle shook hands, and Sparma went back to the mound and struck Mantle out. Mantle turned to Detroit's catcher Bill Freehan
and said: "They have a day for me and your manager's got to put some hard-throwing kid out there. Couldn't he have put in some soft-tossing left-hander for me to hit off of, so I could look like a hero in front of all those people?" (Bill Freehan, "Behind the Mask" (1970), pp. 7–8)
Sparma's best season was 1967
, when he posted a record of 16-9 with 11 complete game
s, five shutout
s, and a 3.76 ERA
.
In 1968
, Sparma lost his spot in the rotation after a run-in with manager Mayo Smith
. Sparma was pulled from a game and told Detroit sportswriter Joe Falls
that Smith "had no respect for him; didn't like him, didn't trust him, etc., etc." When Falls asked Smith for a response, Smith said he "didn't want to get into a spitting contest with a skunk." (Joe Falls
, Joe Falls
50 Years of Sports Writing (Sports Publishing 1997), p. 159.) Smith refused to start Sparma for several weeks afterward. When Sparma finally got another start on September 17, 1968, he pitched a 1-run complete game against the Yankees to clinch the Tigers' first pennant since 1945. The Sparma-Smith
feud continued, and Sparma pitched only 1/3 of an inning in the 1968 World Series
, giving up 2 earned runs for a 54.00 ERA in postseason play.
On May 31, 1969, Sparma lost a no-hitter in a nationally televised game against the Seattle Pilots
when Don Mincher
doubled with one out in the 9th inning.
During the 1969 season, Sparma was roommates with Bill Freehan
, as Freehan kept a diary that was published in 1970. In the book, Freehan wrote that Sparma and manager Mayo Smith
were usually not even on speaking terms as Sparma remained in Smith's doghouse.
Freehan also wrote memorably of Sparma's talent for ESP: "My roomie's got an ESP thing. Every now and then, he'll wake up on a morning he's supposed to pitch and say, 'I've got a good feeling. I know we're going to win.' Joe doesn't get this feeling too often, but every time he does -- every single time -- we win." (Freehan, "Behind the Mask," p. 104) Sparma had that "good feeling" on June 13, 1969, before he shut out the Royals, 6-0. On another occasion, Sparma told teammate Dick McAuliffe
of a premonition: "Mac, I know you're going to have a good day today. Something just tells me you're going to go three for five." McAuliffe went 3-for-4 in his first 4 at bats and struck out in his 5th at bat. When he came back to the dugout, McAuliffe blamed Sparma for jinxing him on the 5th at bat. In his book, Freehan wrote that McAuliffe was "actually angry" at Sparma. "He could've at least thanked Joe for the three hits." (Freehan, "Behind the Mask," p. 106)
Toward the end of the 1969 season, Sparma got into a fight in the bullpen with Fred Lasher
. On December 3, 1969, Sparma was traded to the Montreal Expos
. Sparma pitched only 27 innings for the Expos in 1970, compiling a record of 0-4. Sparma pitched his last major league game on May 12, 1970.
In 183 career games, he had a 52-52 record with a 3.94 ERA. Sparma died in Columbus, Ohio
at age 44 in 1986, after suffering a heart attack and undergoing heart bypass surgery.
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
in collegiate football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
(1961–1962) and a pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in 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...
(1964–1970).
Quarterback at Ohio State
Born in Massillon, OhioMassillon, Ohio
Massillon is a city located in Stark County in the U.S. state of Ohio, approximately 8 miles to the west of Canton, Ohio, 20 miles south of Akron, Ohio, and 50 miles south of Cleveland, Ohio. The population was 32,149 at the 2010 census....
, Sparma attended Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
and played quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
on the 1961 and 1962 football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
teams coached by Woody Hayes
Woody Hayes
Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Denison University , Miami University , and Ohio State University , compiling a career college football record of 238–72–10.During his 28 seasons as the head coach of the Ohio...
. Sparma and his leading receiver, Paul Warfield
Paul Warfield
Paul Dryden Warfield is a former professional American football wide receiver in the 1960s and 1970s known for his speed, fluid moves, grace, jumping ability and hands.- Football career :...
, led the 1961 Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
to an 8-0-1 season and a Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
championship Sparma accounted for 474 yards in the Buckeyes' 1961 50-20 victory over the Michigan Wolverines. Sparma quit the team after three years due to differences with coach Woody Hayes
Woody Hayes
Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Denison University , Miami University , and Ohio State University , compiling a career college football record of 238–72–10.During his 28 seasons as the head coach of the Ohio...
and opted to pursue a career in 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...
.
Major League Baseball Pitcher
Sparma received a $32,000 bonus to sign with the Detroit TigersDetroit 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...
in 1963. He played six seasons with Detroit from 1964-1969. In 1965
1965 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium: National League, 6-5; Juan Marichal, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
, Sparma was in his first full season with the Tigers, when he was assigned to be the starting pitcher against the Yankees on "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...
Day" in New York. When 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...
came to bat for the first time in the game, Sparma walked off the mound, approached Mantle, and said: "You know, I've never had a chance to meet you in person, and I've always admired you." Sparma and Mantle shook hands, and Sparma went back to the mound and struck Mantle out. Mantle turned to Detroit's catcher Bill Freehan
Bill Freehan
William Ashley Freehan is a former professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers...
and said: "They have a day for me and your manager's got to put some hard-throwing kid out there. Couldn't he have put in some soft-tossing left-hander for me to hit off of, so I could look like a hero in front of all those people?" (Bill Freehan, "Behind the Mask" (1970), pp. 7–8)
Sparma's best season was 1967
1967 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over Boston Red Sox ; Bob Gibson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 11 at Anaheim Stadium: National League, 2-1 ; Tony Pérez, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
, when he posted a record of 16-9 with 11 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, five 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....
s, and a 3.76 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...
.
In 1968
1968 in baseball
-The Year of the Pitcher:In Major League Baseball, the trend throughout the 1960s was of increased pitching dominance, caused by enforcing a larger strike zone beginning in 1963...
, Sparma lost his spot in the rotation after a run-in with manager Mayo Smith
Mayo Smith
Edward Mayo Smith was an American player, manager, and scout in Major League Baseball.Smith was born in New London, Missouri, but grew up in Florida. A left-handed batter who threw right-handed, Smith was a career minor league outfielder who spent many seasons in the International League with the...
. Sparma was pulled from a game and told Detroit sportswriter Joe Falls
Joe Falls
Joseph Francis Falls was an American journalist. He began his career in his native New York City. At the age of 17 in 1945, he took a job as a copyboy for the Associated Press. After an apprenticeship of eight years, Falls moved to the Detroit bureau of the AP.In Detroit, Falls flourished...
that Smith "had no respect for him; didn't like him, didn't trust him, etc., etc." When Falls asked Smith for a response, Smith said he "didn't want to get into a spitting contest with a skunk." (Joe Falls
Joe Falls
Joseph Francis Falls was an American journalist. He began his career in his native New York City. At the age of 17 in 1945, he took a job as a copyboy for the Associated Press. After an apprenticeship of eight years, Falls moved to the Detroit bureau of the AP.In Detroit, Falls flourished...
, Joe Falls
Joe Falls
Joseph Francis Falls was an American journalist. He began his career in his native New York City. At the age of 17 in 1945, he took a job as a copyboy for the Associated Press. After an apprenticeship of eight years, Falls moved to the Detroit bureau of the AP.In Detroit, Falls flourished...
50 Years of Sports Writing (Sports Publishing 1997), p. 159.) Smith refused to start Sparma for several weeks afterward. When Sparma finally got another start on September 17, 1968, he pitched a 1-run complete game against the Yankees to clinch the Tigers' first pennant since 1945. The Sparma-Smith
Mayo Smith
Edward Mayo Smith was an American player, manager, and scout in Major League Baseball.Smith was born in New London, Missouri, but grew up in Florida. A left-handed batter who threw right-handed, Smith was a career minor league outfielder who spent many seasons in the International League with the...
feud continued, and Sparma pitched only 1/3 of an inning in the 1968 World Series
1968 World Series
The 1968 World Series featured the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals against the Detroit Tigers, with the Tigers winning in seven games for their first championship since 1945, and the third in their history...
, giving up 2 earned runs for a 54.00 ERA in postseason play.
On May 31, 1969, Sparma lost a no-hitter in a nationally televised game against 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...
when Don Mincher
Don Mincher
-External links:***...
doubled with one out in the 9th inning.
During the 1969 season, Sparma was roommates with Bill Freehan
Bill Freehan
William Ashley Freehan is a former professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers...
, as Freehan kept a diary that was published in 1970. In the book, Freehan wrote that Sparma and manager Mayo Smith
Mayo Smith
Edward Mayo Smith was an American player, manager, and scout in Major League Baseball.Smith was born in New London, Missouri, but grew up in Florida. A left-handed batter who threw right-handed, Smith was a career minor league outfielder who spent many seasons in the International League with the...
were usually not even on speaking terms as Sparma remained in Smith's doghouse.
Freehan also wrote memorably of Sparma's talent for ESP: "My roomie's got an ESP thing. Every now and then, he'll wake up on a morning he's supposed to pitch and say, 'I've got a good feeling. I know we're going to win.' Joe doesn't get this feeling too often, but every time he does -- every single time -- we win." (Freehan, "Behind the Mask," p. 104) Sparma had that "good feeling" on June 13, 1969, before he shut out the Royals, 6-0. On another occasion, Sparma told teammate Dick McAuliffe
Dick McAuliffe
Richard John McAuliffe is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop and second baseman for the Detroit Tigers from to and for the Boston Red Sox from to . He was a part of the Tigers' 1968 World Series championship, and was known for his...
of a premonition: "Mac, I know you're going to have a good day today. Something just tells me you're going to go three for five." McAuliffe went 3-for-4 in his first 4 at bats and struck out in his 5th at bat. When he came back to the dugout, McAuliffe blamed Sparma for jinxing him on the 5th at bat. In his book, Freehan wrote that McAuliffe was "actually angry" at Sparma. "He could've at least thanked Joe for the three hits." (Freehan, "Behind the Mask," p. 106)
Toward the end of the 1969 season, Sparma got into a fight in the bullpen with Fred Lasher
Fred Lasher
Frederick Walter Lasher is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played six seasons with the Minnesota Twins , the Detroit Tigers , the Cleveland Indians , and the California Angels.Lasher debuted in the major leagues with the Twins at age 21 in 1963...
. On December 3, 1969, Sparma was traded to the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
. Sparma pitched only 27 innings for the Expos in 1970, compiling a record of 0-4. Sparma pitched his last major league game on May 12, 1970.
In 183 career games, he had a 52-52 record with a 3.94 ERA. Sparma died in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
at age 44 in 1986, after suffering a heart attack and undergoing heart bypass surgery.