Pat Zachry
Encyclopedia
Patrick Paul Zachry is a former Major League baseball
pitcher
who had a ten year career from to .
out of Spring training
in 1976. He made his debut on April 11 out of the bullpen
, however, shortly afterwards, he was moved into the starting rotation. For the season, he had a 14-7 record, a 2.74 Earned run average
and 143 strikeout
s in 204 innings pitched
, and tied for the National League
Rookie of the Year
award with San Diego Padres
pitcher Butch Metzger
.
Zachry pitched quite well in the post-season as well, starting and winning game two of the 1976 National League Championship Series
against the Philadelphia Phillies
, and in the World Series
, he started and won game three at Yankee Stadium
, helping the "Big Red Machine" become the only team to ever sweep the entire post-season en route to winning their second consecutive world championship.
on June 15 as part of the infamous "Midnight Massacre." He, Doug Flynn
, Dan Norman
and Steve Henderson
were traded to the Mets in exchange for Tom Seaver
. The Mets also dealt Dave Kingman
to the San Diego Padres for Bobby Valentine
and Paul Siebert
, and Mike Phillips
to the St. Louis Cardinals
for Joel Youngblood
that same night. Zachry became a regular starter for the Mets over the rest of the season, winning seven games and lost just six for the last-place team.
Zachry had a 10-4 record, and was selected by Tommy Lasorda
as the sole Mets representative on the All-Star
team in , but did not play. After dropping his next two decisions, on July 24, Zachry was the starting pitcher
against the Cincinnati Reds at Shea Stadium
as Pete Rose
entered the game with a 36 game hitting streak. Rose was 0-3 until a seventh inning single
gave him a 37 game hitting streak to tie the N.L. record set by Tommy Holmes
. Four batters later, Zachry is pulled in favor of Kevin Kobel
. Frustrated, Zachry went to kick a batting helmet
sitting on the dugout
steps, missed the helmet and kicked the step—fracturing his left foot, and ending his season.
Injuries also derailed his season. When he returned to full strength, the Mets were still a last-place team, and Zachry led the league in losses with 14 in the strike-shortened season. On April 10, , Zachry took a no-hitter
into the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs
at Wrigley Field
. With two outs, pinch hitter
Bob Molinaro
singled to right to break it up. Zachry still ended up with the win, but by the end of the season, he lost his place in the starting rotation. During the off season, the Mets traded Zachry to the Los Angeles Dodgers
for Jorge Orta
.
, which the Dodgers lost to the Philadelphia Phillies
.
. After ten games with the Phillies in , all in relief
, the Phillies cut Zachry in June. He later played in the Senior Professional Baseball Association
in , and was profiled in a book by Peter Golenbock
about the league.
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...
who had a ten year career from to .
Cincinnati Reds
Zachry joined the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati 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....
out of Spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in 1976. He made his debut on April 11 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"...
, however, shortly afterwards, he was moved into the starting rotation. For the season, he had a 14-7 record, a 2.74 Earned run average
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...
and 143 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s in 204 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...
, and tied for the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Rookie of the Year
MLB Rookie of the Year Award
In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
award with 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...
pitcher Butch Metzger
Butch Metzger
Clarence Edward "Butch" Metzger is a former Major League Baseball player. Metzger was a relief pitcher, specifically a closer...
.
Zachry pitched quite well in the post-season as well, starting and winning game two of the 1976 National League Championship Series
1976 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 9, 1976 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaReds starter Don Gullett held the Phils to two hits in eight strong innings and helped his own cause with an RBI single in the sixth and a two-run double in the eighth...
against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, and in the 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...
, he started and won game three at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
, helping the "Big Red Machine" become the only team to ever sweep the entire post-season en route to winning their second consecutive world championship.
New York Mets
Zachry's record was only 3-7 in when he was traded to the New York MetsNew 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...
on June 15 as part of the infamous "Midnight Massacre." He, Doug Flynn
Doug Flynn
Robert Douglas Flynn Jr. is a former Major League Baseball infielder from -. He is best remembered for being one of the players the New York Mets acquired in the infamous "Midnight Massacre."-Cincinnati Reds:...
, Dan Norman
Dan Norman
Daniel Edmund Norman is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets and Montreal Expos...
and Steve Henderson
Steve Henderson
Steven Curtis Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who is best remembered for being one of the players the New York Mets acquired in the infamous "Midnight Massacre."-Cincinnati Reds:...
were traded to the Mets in exchange for 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...
. The Mets also dealt Dave Kingman
Dave Kingman
David Arthur Kingman , nicknamed "Kong" and "Sky King", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder, first baseman, third baseman, and designated hitter. The towering 6' 6" Kingman was one of the most feared sluggers of the 1970s and 1980s...
to the San Diego Padres for Bobby Valentine
Bobby Valentine
Robert John "Bobby V" Valentine is an American professional baseball manager and former player who is currently the manager of the Boston Red Sox. He previously managed the Texas Rangers and New York Mets as well as the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan...
and Paul Siebert
Paul Siebert
Paul Edward Siebert is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of five seasons in the majors, from until . Paul's father was former major league first baseman Dick Siebert....
, and Mike Phillips
Mike Phillips (baseball)
Michael Dwaine Phillips , is a veteran of professional baseball who played shortstop, second base, and third base in the majors from 1973-1983. The first-round draft choice of the San Francisco Giants in 1969, he saw action for the Giants, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and...
to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. 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...
for Joel Youngblood
Joel Youngblood
Joel Randolph Youngblood III is a former Major League Baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, Montreal Expos and San Francisco Giants from to . Youngblood was a versatile player who could play many different positions, as well as pinch hit...
that same night. Zachry became a regular starter for the Mets over the rest of the season, winning seven games and lost just six for the last-place team.
Zachry had a 10-4 record, and was selected by Tommy Lasorda
Tommy Lasorda
Thomas Charles Lasorda is a former Major League baseball player and manager. marked his sixth decade in one capacity or another with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers organization, the longest non-continuous tenure anyone has had with the team, edging Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully...
as the sole Mets representative on the 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 in , but did not play. After dropping his next two decisions, on July 24, Zachry was the starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
against the Cincinnati Reds 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...
as Pete Rose
Pete Rose
Peter Edward Rose , nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989....
entered the game with a 36 game hitting streak. Rose was 0-3 until a seventh inning single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
gave him a 37 game hitting streak to tie the N.L. record set by Tommy Holmes
Tommy Holmes
Thomas Francis Holmes was an American right and center fielder and manager in Major League Baseball who played nearly his entire career for the Boston Braves...
. Four batters later, Zachry is pulled in favor of Kevin Kobel
Kevin Kobel
Kevin Richard Kobel is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched all or part of six seasons in the majors, three for the Milwaukee Brewers and three for the New York Mets .-Sources:...
. Frustrated, Zachry went to kick a batting helmet
Batting helmet
A batting helmet is the protective headgear worn by batters in the game of baseball or softball. It is meant to protect the batter's head from errant pitches thrown by the pitcher...
sitting on the dugout
Dugout (baseball)
In baseball, the dugout is a team's bench area and is located in foul territory between home plate and either first or third base. There are two dugouts, one for the home team and one for the visiting team. In general, the dugout is occupied by all players not prescribed to be on the field at that...
steps, missed the helmet and kicked the step—fracturing his left foot, and ending his season.
Injuries also derailed his season. When he returned to full strength, the Mets were still a last-place team, and Zachry led the league in losses with 14 in the strike-shortened season. On April 10, , Zachry took a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
into the eighth inning against 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...
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...
. With two outs, pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
Bob Molinaro
Bob Molinaro
Robert Joseph Molinaro is a former professional baseball outfielder in the minor and major leagues in a career that lasted 18 years. His baseball career began in 1968, and lasted till 1985...
singled to right to break it up. Zachry still ended up with the win, but by the end of the season, he lost his place in the starting rotation. During the off season, the Mets traded Zachry to 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...
for Jorge Orta
Jorge Orta
Jorge Orta Núñez is a retired professional baseball player.He made his debut with the Chicago White Sox on April 15, 1972. Through the 1970s, he played usually second baseman but also third baseman and also some outfield...
.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Now a reliever, Zachry pitched two years for the Dodgers and pitched two games in the 1983 National League Championship Series1983 National League Championship Series
The National League Championship Series was a best-of-five matchup between the Western Division champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Eastern Division champion Philadelphia Phillies...
, which the Dodgers lost to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
Philadelphia Phillies
Following the season, the Dodgers traded Zachry to the Phillies for Al OliverAl Oliver
Albert Oliver, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. Over the course of his 18-year career, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Texas Rangers , Montreal Expos , San Francisco Giants , Philadelphia Phillies , Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays...
. After ten games with the Phillies in , all in relief
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...
, the Phillies cut Zachry in June. He later played in the Senior Professional Baseball Association
Senior Professional Baseball Association
The Senior Professional Baseball Association was a winter baseball league based in Florida for players age 35 and over . The league began play in 1989 and had eight teams in two divisions and a 72 game schedule...
in , and was profiled in a book by Peter Golenbock
Peter Golenbock
Peter Golenbock is a sports journalist and author. He is best known for the 1975 book Dynasty: The New York Yankees 1949–1964 about the Yankees of that era...
about the league.