Mike Armstrong
Encyclopedia
Michael Dennis Armstrong (born March 7, 1954 in Glen Cove, New York
) played Major League Baseball
from 1980 to 1987, mainly as a relief pitcher. Armstrong batted and threw right-handed. He played college baseball for the University of Miami
.
Armstrong originally was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds
in 1974. While still in the minors, Armstrong was traded to the San Diego Padres
in 1979 for Paul O'Neill. Armstrong made appearances in the majors with the Padres in 1980 and 1981, but mainly played in the minor leagues. In 1982, Armstrong was purchased by the Kansas City Royals
. With the Royals, Armstrong pitched regularly, with over 100 innings in his two years with the team and had an earned run average under 4.00. From 1984 to 1986 Armstrong played for the New York Yankees
. Armstrong was inconsistent, and did not play very often. His last year, 1987, was with the Cleveland Indians
. He pitched in 14 games for Cleveland. Armstrong's career ERA
was 4.10.
Armstrong's biggest game was the famous pine tar game between the Royals and the Yankees on July 24, 1983, when he was the winning pitcher and it took him almost a month to pick up the victory. After nearly a month, Armstrong recorded his fifth victory, which "got him over the hump." He went 10-7 that year in 58 appearances, notching career highs in wins and games. "It was wild to go back to New York and play these four outs in a totally empty stadium," Armstrong said. "I'm dressed in the uniform, and nobody's there."
The 6-foot-3 right-hander was traded to the Yankees the next year. In 1984, he pitched well - 3-2 , 3.48 ERA - for manager Yogi Berra
, but Billy Martin
was brought back in 1985 and '86. Armstrong never received much favor from him.
Armstrong was still pitching as recently as 2006 in the Athens Area Men's Baseball league in Athens Ga. A car accident left Armstrong with a rod in his leg, which made it hard for him to cover a bunt, but he still had a fastball in the mid 80's. His fastball would tail into right-handed batters, which made it hard for catchers to catch without hurting their left thumb.
Glen Cove, New York
Glen Cove is a city in Nassau County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 26,964....
) played 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...
from 1980 to 1987, mainly as a relief pitcher. Armstrong batted and threw right-handed. He played college baseball for the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
.
Armstrong originally was drafted by 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....
in 1974. While still in the minors, Armstrong was traded to the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
in 1979 for Paul O'Neill. Armstrong made appearances in the majors with the Padres in 1980 and 1981, but mainly played in the minor leagues. In 1982, Armstrong was purchased by the Kansas City Royals
Kansas 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...
. With the Royals, Armstrong pitched regularly, with over 100 innings in his two years with the team and had an earned run average under 4.00. From 1984 to 1986 Armstrong played 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...
. Armstrong was inconsistent, and did not play very often. His last year, 1987, was with 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...
. He pitched in 14 games for Cleveland. Armstrong's career 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...
was 4.10.
Armstrong's biggest game was the famous pine tar game between the Royals and the Yankees on July 24, 1983, when he was the winning pitcher and it took him almost a month to pick up the victory. After nearly a month, Armstrong recorded his fifth victory, which "got him over the hump." He went 10-7 that year in 58 appearances, notching career highs in wins and games. "It was wild to go back to New York and play these four outs in a totally empty stadium," Armstrong said. "I'm dressed in the uniform, and nobody's there."
The 6-foot-3 right-hander was traded to the Yankees the next year. In 1984, he pitched well - 3-2 , 3.48 ERA - for manager Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
, but Billy Martin
Billy Martin
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin, Jr. was an American Major League Baseball second baseman and manager. He is best known as the manager of the New York Yankees, a position he held five different times...
was brought back in 1985 and '86. Armstrong never received much favor from him.
Armstrong was still pitching as recently as 2006 in the Athens Area Men's Baseball league in Athens Ga. A car accident left Armstrong with a rod in his leg, which made it hard for him to cover a bunt, but he still had a fastball in the mid 80's. His fastball would tail into right-handed batters, which made it hard for catchers to catch without hurting their left thumb.