Dave Stewart (baseball player)

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Dave Stewart
Pitcher
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 22, 1978 for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Final game
July 17, 1995 for the Oakland Athletics
Career statistics
Record     168-129
ERA     3.95
Strikeouts     1741
Teams
Career highlights and awards

David Keith Stewart (born February 19, 1957 in Oakland, California) is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was known for the way he used to stare down batters when pitching to them.

[edit] Early life

Stewart attended Saint Elizabeth High School in Oakland, California.

[edit] Early career

Stewart was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 16th round of the 1975 amateur draft and made his major league debut on September 22, 1978. He did not find his niche in the major leagues until some time later. After some time in the minor leagues, he resurfaced in the majors again in 1981. Teams were unsure how he would be best utilized, and Stewart split time starting and relieving for the Dodgers, Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies in the early to mid-1980s. His nickname at the time was Dave "Smoke" Stewart. In 1986, the Oakland Athletics signed him after he was released by the Phillies.

[edit] 1987-1990

In 1987 he won 20 games while posting an impressive 3.68 ERA and striking out 205 batters. His new-found stardom would not be short-lived as he won 20 or more games in each of the next three seasons (1988-1990) and led a powerful Athletics club to the World Series each of those years. Remarkably, he pitched over 250 innings in each of those four seasons. In 1989, the Athletics won the World Series championship, with Stewart being named World Series MVP. In 1990, the A's won their third straight pennant, beating the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series, and Stewart was named the ALCS MVP. However, Oakland would shockingly be swept in the World Series by a decidedly underdog Cincinnati Reds squad.

Stewart was also a part of the 1992 Oakland Athletics team which lost in the ALCS to the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto went on to win the World Series that year, catching Stewart's eye and prompting him to sign with them in 1993. The Blue Jays made it to the ALCS once again, and triumphed over the Chicago White Sox 4 games to 2, with Stewart winning ALCS MVP honours for the second time in his career. The Blue Jays then went on to defeat the Phillies 4 games to 2 in the World Series.

On June 29, 1990, while with Oakland, Stewart pitched a no-hitter against his future team, the Blue Jays, at SkyDome. Hours later, Dodger Fernando Valenzuela no-hit the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium — the first time in major league history that no-hitters had been thrown in both leagues on the same day.

Over his career, he started 18 games in the postseason, compiling a stellar 2.84 ERA and 10-6 record. Stewart has a 7-1 career record against Roger Clemens.

[edit] Accomplishments

  • All-Star (1989)
  • World Series MVP Award (1989)
  • American League Championship Series MVP (1990, 1993)
  • Finished 8th in AL MVP voting (1990)
  • Finished 2nd in AL Cy Young voting (1989)
  • Finished 3rd in AL Cy Young voting (1987, 1990)
  • Finished 4th in AL Cy Young voting (1988)
  • Career 168-129 record
  • Three World Series championships (1981 - Los Angeles, 1989 - Oakland, 1993 - Toronto)
  • Roberto Clemente Award (1990)

[edit] Teams

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Orel Hershiser		 World Series MVP
1989		 Succeeded by
José Rijo
Preceded by
Orel Hershiser		 Babe Ruth Award
1989		 Succeeded by
Billy Hatcher
Preceded by
Rickey Henderson		 American League Championship Series MVP
1990		 Succeeded by
Kirby Puckett
Preceded by
Roberto Alomar		 American League Championship Series MVP
1993		 Succeeded by
Orel Hershiser
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