Floyd Bannister

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Floyd Franklin Bannister (born June 10, 1955 in Pierre, South Dakota) is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who pitched for the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals, and the California Angels. This left-hander attended Arizona State University and was known for striking out a few hitters in his time, amassing 1723 over his career, an average of 147 a year. His career high was 209 strikeouts in 1982. Drafted by the Houston Astros, first overall pick of the 1976 amateur draft.

In a 15-year career, Bannister compiled a 134-143 record, with a 4.06 ERA in 431 games (363 starts). He had 62 complete games in his career, along with 16 shutouts. Bannister also played in the 1982 All-Star Game.

Armed with a strong fastball, an excellent slider, and above average curveball, Bannister recorded an average of 6.49 strikeouts per nine innings in his career, but was also shuffled between six different teams in his 15 year career. He gave up more than 30 home runs in four different seasons and was followed by criticism for a reluctance to move hitters off the plate by pitching inside.

His son, Brian Bannister, made his first Major League start on April 5, 2006 for the New York Mets and is currently pitching with the Kansas City Royals.