Juan Pizarro
Encyclopedia
Juan Ramon Pizarro Cordova (born February 7, 1937 in Santurce, Puerto Rico) is a former major league baseball
pitcher
.
in the minors, he made his major league debut on May 4, 1957 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
at only twenty years old. He pitched seven strong innings, giving up only one run
, however, the Braves managed only two hits
off opposing pitcher Vern Law
, and Pizzarro lost his debut, 1-0. For the season, he went 5-6 with a 4.62 ERA. The Braves beat the New York Yankees
in a seven game World Series
that year; Pizarro's only appearance came in Milwaukee's 12-3 loss in game three.
He split 1958 between Milwaukee and the triple A Wichita Braves
, and was again included on the Braves' post-season roster as they faced the Yankees in the World Series for the second year in a row. This time the Yankees won the Series in seven games. Pizarro's only appearance again came in a loss in game five.
Pizarro remained with the Braves through 1960, compiling a 23-19 record and 3.93 ERA in Milwaukee. On December 15, 1960, he was traded with Joey Jay
to the Cincinnati Reds
for Roy McMillan
, then immediately sent by the Reds with Cal McLish
to the Chicago White Sox
for Gene Freese
.
, Pizarro emerged as the staff's ace, leading the Chisox with fourteen wins, 188 strikeouts and 194.2 innings pitched
. He also made fourteen appearances out of the bullpen
, and earned his first career save on August 27. He was given the opening day nod in 1962, and pitched a complete game 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. He was named to the 1963
All-Star
team, and pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the American League
.
Pizarro's best season was 1964, when he went 19-9 with a 2.56 ERA and four shutout
s. Coincidentally, it was also his best season with the bat, as he batted .211 with a career high three home runs and career high fifteen runs batted in.
From there, things rapidly deteriorated for him. Injuries limited Pizarro to just eighteen starts in 1965. In 1966, he was used primarily in relief. Despite a respectable 8-6 record and 3.76 ERA in 34 appearances, he pitched only 88.2 innings. Following the season, he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Wilbur Wood
.
, earning a career high nine saves. He was limited to "mop up duty" by manager Larry Shepard
in 1968. He appeared in twelve games with the Pirates prior to being placed on waivers; eleven were losses. The one win, Pizarro entered the game with the Pirates trailing, and earned the win himself.
The Boston Red Sox
claimed Pizarro off waivers on June 27. He was used primarily as a starter in Boston, going 6-6 with six complete games as a starter. He also earned two saves for the Bosox. At the start of the 1969 season, he, Dick Ellsworth
and Ken Harrelson
were sent to the Cleveland Indians
for Joe Azcue
, Vicente Romo
and Sonny Siebert
. Toward the end of the season, he was placed on waivers and claimed by the Oakland Athletics
.
After beginning the 1970 season with Oakland's triple A affiliate, Pizarro was released and signed a minor league contract with the California Angels. He was 9-0 for the Hawaii Islanders
when the Angels dealt him to the Chicago Cubs
for Archie Reynolds
.
at Wrigley Field
. In his next start, he shutout Tom Seaver
and the New York Mets
1-0 at Shea Stadium
. The one run was a solo shot by Pizarro in the eighth inning. Seaver had won seven in a row at that point. His previous loss came on August 1, also courtesy of a complete game by Pizarro. For the season, Pizarro went 7-6 with a 3.46 ERA.
Pizarro was 4-5 with a 3.94 ERA in 1972. He spent most of the first half of the 1973 season assigned to the Cubs' triple A affiliate, the Wichita Aeros
. After a blown save against the Atlanta Braves
on June 17, Pizarro was placed on waivers. He was claimed by the Houston Astros
on July 8.
by a game and a half over the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing Pizarro to return to the post season for the first time since 1958. His only appearance in the 1974 National League Championship Series
came in the fourth game, which the Los Angeles Dodgers
won to head to the 1974 World Series
.
with eight home runs and 66 RBIs.
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...
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...
.
Milwaukee Braves
Juan Pizarro signed with the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent in 1956. After going 27-6 with a 2.06 earned run averageEarned 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 the minors, he made his major league debut on May 4, 1957 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
at only twenty years old. He pitched seven strong innings, giving up only one run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, however, the Braves managed only two hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
off opposing pitcher Vern Law
Vern Law
Vernon Sanders Law is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for 16 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Career:Law was a member of the National League All Star Team in...
, and Pizzarro lost his debut, 1-0. For the season, he went 5-6 with a 4.62 ERA. The Braves beat 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...
in a seven game World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
that year; Pizarro's only appearance came in Milwaukee's 12-3 loss in game three.
He split 1958 between Milwaukee and the triple A Wichita Braves
Wichita Braves
The Wichita Braves were a Class AAA minor league baseball franchise based in Wichita, Kansas, that played in the American Association during the 1956-57-58 seasons as a top affiliate of the then-dominant Milwaukee Braves of the National League....
, and was again included on the Braves' post-season roster as they faced the Yankees in the World Series for the second year in a row. This time the Yankees won the Series in seven games. Pizarro's only appearance again came in a loss in game five.
Pizarro remained with the Braves through 1960, compiling a 23-19 record and 3.93 ERA in Milwaukee. On December 15, 1960, he was traded with Joey Jay
Joey Jay
Joseph Richard Jay is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1953 through 1966, Jay played for the Milwaukee Braves , Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves...
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 Roy McMillan
Roy McMillan
Roy David McMillan was a shortstop, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. From 1951 through 1966, McMillan played for the Cincinnati Reds , Milwaukee Braves and New York Mets . He batted and threw right-handed...
, then immediately sent by the Reds with Cal McLish
Cal McLish
Calvin Coolidge Julius Caesar Tuskahoma McLish was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs , Cleveland Indians , Cincinnati Reds , Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies...
to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Gene Freese
Gene Freese
Eugene Lewis Freese is a former third baseman in American Major League Baseball for 12 seasons . A journeyman, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox , Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros, batting .254 with 115 home runs in 1,115 games...
.
Chicago White Sox
Pizarro enjoyed his greatest success as a member of the Chicago White Sox. In 1961, despite being the youngest pitcher in the starting rotationStarting 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....
, Pizarro emerged as the staff's ace, leading the Chisox with fourteen wins, 188 strikeouts and 194.2 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...
. He also made fourteen appearances out of the bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
, and earned his first career save on August 27. He was given the opening day nod in 1962, and pitched a complete game 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. He was named to the 1963
1963 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1963 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 31st 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 in Cleveland, Ohio, at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, home of the American...
All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
team, and pitched a scoreless seventh inning for 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...
.
Pizarro's best season was 1964, when he went 19-9 with a 2.56 ERA and four 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. Coincidentally, it was also his best season with the bat, as he batted .211 with a career high three home runs and career high fifteen runs batted in.
From there, things rapidly deteriorated for him. Injuries limited Pizarro to just eighteen starts in 1965. In 1966, he was used primarily in relief. Despite a respectable 8-6 record and 3.76 ERA in 34 appearances, he pitched only 88.2 innings. Following the season, he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Wilbur Wood
Wilbur Wood
Wilbur Forrester Wood, Jr. is a former knuckleball pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and most notably the Chicago White Sox, where he got 163 of his 164 wins...
.
Journeyman
Though he made nine starts for the 1967 Pirates, he was mainly a relief pitcherRelief 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...
, earning a career high nine saves. He was limited to "mop up duty" by manager Larry Shepard
Larry Shepard
Lawrence William Shepard was a manager in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1968 to 1969. During his playing days, Shepard was a right-handed pitcher who played minor league baseball from 1941 through 1956, with time out for military service during World War II...
in 1968. He appeared in twelve games with the Pirates prior to being placed on waivers; eleven were losses. The one win, Pizarro entered the game with the Pirates trailing, and earned the win himself.
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"...
claimed Pizarro off waivers on June 27. He was used primarily as a starter in Boston, going 6-6 with six complete games as a starter. He also earned two saves for the Bosox. At the start of the 1969 season, he, Dick Ellsworth
Dick Ellsworth
Richard Clark Ellsworth is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Chicago Cubs , Philadelphia Phillies , Boston Red Sox , Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers . Ellsworth batted and threw left-handed. He is the father of Steve Ellsworth...
and Ken Harrelson
Ken Harrelson
Kenneth Smith Harrelson , nicknamed "The Hawk" due to his distinctive profile, is a former All-Star first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball...
were sent to 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...
for Joe Azcue
Joe Azcue
José Joaquín Azcue López is a former Cuban professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, California Angels and Milwaukee Brewers. Nicknamed "The Immortal Azcue", he was known for his...
, Vicente Romo
Vicente Romo
Vicente Romo Navarro , nicknamed "Huevo" , is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. From through , Romo played for the Cleveland Indians , Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox , San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers...
and Sonny Siebert
Sonny Siebert
Wilfred Charles Siebert is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1964 to 1975. He finished with a record of 140-114 and a 3.21 ERA. He threw a no-hitter on June 10, 1966 against the Washington Senators. He was originally drafted simultaneously by the Cleveland Indians and the St...
. Toward the end of the season, he was placed on waivers and claimed 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....
.
After beginning the 1970 season with Oakland's triple A affiliate, Pizarro was released and signed a minor league contract with the California Angels. He was 9-0 for the Hawaii Islanders
Hawaii Islanders
The Hawaii Islanders were a AAA minor league baseball team, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1961 through 1987. The Islanders were originally an affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics. They played their home games at Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu's Aloha Stadium...
when the Angels dealt him to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Archie Reynolds
Archie Reynolds
Archie Edward Reynolds is a former professional baseball pitcher. He appeared in 36 games over five seasons in Major League Baseball without earning a win. He had eight losses....
.
Chicago Cubs
Perhaps Pizarro's most memorable moment as a major leaguer occurred in 1971 as a member of the Chicago Cubs. On September 11, he shut out the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
. In his next start, he shutout Tom Seaver
Tom Seaver
George Thomas "Tom" Seaver , nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets...
and 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...
1-0 at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
. The one run was a solo shot by Pizarro in the eighth inning. Seaver had won seven in a row at that point. His previous loss came on August 1, also courtesy of a complete game by Pizarro. For the season, Pizarro went 7-6 with a 3.46 ERA.
Pizarro was 4-5 with a 3.94 ERA in 1972. He spent most of the first half of the 1973 season assigned to the Cubs' triple A affiliate, the Wichita Aeros
Wichita Aeros
The Wichita Aeros was a minor league baseball franchise based in Wichita, Kansas, that played in the AAA American Association from 1970 through 1984....
. After a blown save against the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
on June 17, Pizarro was placed on waivers. He was claimed by the 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...
on July 8.
Return to the post season
Pizarro was 2-2 with a 6.56 ERA out of Houston's bullpen in 1973. He was released the following Spring, and rejoined the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates won the National League EastNational League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
by a game and a half over the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing Pizarro to return to the post season for the first time since 1958. His only appearance in the 1974 National League Championship Series
1974 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 5, 1974 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaThe Dodgers had been winless in six games played a Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium during the regular season but they remedied that situation in postseason play. In the opening game, Don Sutton was opposed to...
came in the fourth game, which the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
won to head to the 1974 World Series
1974 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 12, 1974 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaReggie Jackson put the A's on the board first with a solo homer in the top of the second off 20-game winner Andy Messersmith...
.
Career stats
For his career, Pizarro had a .202 batting averageBatting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with eight home runs and 66 RBIs.