Johnny Podres: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 20:48, 5 May 2008
John Joseph Podres (September 30 1932 – January 13 2008) was an American left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who spent most of his career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. He is perhaps best remembered for being named the Most Valuable Player of the 1955 World Series, pitching a shutout in Game 7 against the New York Yankees to help bring the Dodgers their first World Series title. He later led the National League in earned run average and shutouts in 1957, and in winning percentage in 1961.
Early life
Podres was born in Witherbee, New York, and grew up a Brooklyn Dodgers fan. He signed with the Dodgers out of high school, and made his debut in 1953.[1]
Major league career
Podres helped his Dodgers teams win the World Series in 1955, 1959 and 1963. His performance in the 1955 Series was especially remarkable. After the Dodgers lost the first two games to the New York Yankees, Podres pitched a complete game 7-hit victory on his 23rd birthday in Game 3. In the climactic Game 7, Podres pitched a shutout, winning 2-0, to bring Brooklyn its first and only World Series championship. Podres was given the first-ever World Series MVP Award by Sport magazine and presented with a red two-seater Corvette. Later he was honored as the Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated magazine.
In his 15-season career, Podres compiled a 148-116 record with 1435 strikeouts, a 3.68 ERA, and 24 shutouts in 440 games. He was at his best in the World Series, losing his first Series game (in 1953), then winning four straight decisions over the next decade. In six Series games, he allowed only 29 hits in 38⅓ innings, with a 2.11 ERA adorning his 4-1 won/loss record.
Post-retirement
When his playing career ended after stints with the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres, Podres served as the pitching coach for the Padres, Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies. Among the pitchers he worked with were Frank Viola and Curt Schilling.[1]
He died at age 75 in Glens Falls, New York, after being hospitalized for heart and kidney ailments and a leg infection.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Johnny Podres, Series Star, Dies at 75", The New York Times, January 14, 2008.
External links
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference
- BaseballLibrary - profile, career highlights and SABR bibliography
- 1932 births
- 2008 deaths
- Major league pitchers
- Brooklyn Dodgers players
- Los Angeles Dodgers players
- Detroit Tigers players
- San Diego Padres players
- National League All-Stars
- Major league players from New York
- National League ERA champions
- People from Essex County, New York
- People from Warren County, New York
- Polish-Americans