Jack Fisher
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John Howard Fisher (born March 4, 1939 in Frostburg, Maryland) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. The right-hander was signed by the Baltimore Orioles as an amateur free agent on June 24, 1957. He played for the Orioles (1959-1962), San Francisco Giants (1963), New York Mets (1964-1967), Chicago White Sox (1968), and Cincinnati Reds (1969). Nicknamed "Fat Jack", he stood 6'2" and weighed 215 lbs.
Fisher was used primarily as a starting pitcher during his 11-year MLB career. He is known for giving up a few historic home runs. One was Ted Williams's 521st in his final major league at bat. (September 28, 1960). Another was Roger Maris's 60th home run of the 1961 season. (September 26, 1961) Also, he gave up the first home run in Shea Stadium history, to Willie Stargell. (April 17, 1964)
He made his major league debut in relief on April 14, 1959 against the New York Yankees at Memorial Stadium. He pitched three innings in the 13-3 loss, giving up seven hits, two walks, four runs (two earned), and striking out five. His first strikeout victim was All-Star catcher Elston Howard, the second batter he faced.
Fisher's best season was 1960, when he had his only winning record (12-11) and was tied for fourth in the American League with three shutouts. From August 24 to September 14 he pitched 29.2 consecutive scoreless innings and ended the year with a 3.41 earned run average, one of his lowest.
His busiest seasons were with the early New York Mets. In four seasons (1964-1967) with the perennial losers he won 38 games, lost 73, and had an ERA of 4.58 in 931.2 innings pitched. (The Mets played .355 ball during this time.) Fisher led the National League twice in losses (1965 and 1967) and three times in earned runs allowed (1964, 1965, and 1967). In 1967, however, Fisher pitched the lowest-hit complete game of his career, a two-hit shutout over the Philadelphia Phillies (June 21 at Connie Mack Stadium).
Pitching for the White Sox in 1968, he had a record of 8-13 with a 2.99 ERA, the lowest of his career. In 1969 he was 4-4 with Cincinnati and was traded to the California Angels in the off-season. He was released by the Angels on April 7, 1970 (Opening Day), and his big league career was over at the age of 31.
Career totals include a record of 86-139 in 400 games pitched, 265 games started, 62 complete games, 9 shutouts, 65 games finished, 9 saves, and an ERA of 4.06. In 1975.2 innings he struck out 1017 and walked 605. He had a batting average of .125 in 594 at bats with one home run, hit against Bobby Locke of the Cleveland Indians on August 7, 1960.
[edit] Trivia
- Fisher led Carolina League pitchers with 124 bases on balls while playing for the Wilson Tobs in 1958.
- He ranked sixth in the American League with 7.92 hits allowed/9IP in 1960.
- He tied for the A.L. lead with 10 wild pitches in 1961.
- held All-Stars Hank Bauer, Bill Freehan, Jim Fregosi, Roger Maris, Don Mincher, Tony Oliva, Reggie Smith, Tony Taylor, Zoilo Versalles, and Leon Wagner to a .137 collective batting average (22-for-161)
- held Hall of Famers Luis Aparicio, Orlando Cepeda, Tony Perez, and Carl Yastrzemski to a .168 collective batting average (19-for-113)
[edit] Reference
- 1968 Baseball Register published by The Sporting News
