Tom Gordon

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Thomas "Tom" Gordon (born November 18, 1967 in Sebring, Florida) nicknamed "Flash," is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. Previously, he played with the Kansas City Royals (1988–95), Boston Red Sox (1996–99), Chicago Cubs (2001–02), Houston Astros (2002), Chicago White Sox (2003) and the New York Yankees (2004–05). He signed a three-year deal worth $18 million with the Phillies before the 2006 season. Gordon is known by his unique signal after striking out a batter; he points to the sky to show his appreciation. His entrance music is the theme song from the Flash Gordon movie (sung by Queen).

[edit] High school career

Gordon attended Avon Park High School in Avon Park, Florida, and was a letterman in football, basketball, rugby, and baseball. He was male athlete of the year his senior year with Tammy Warner a cross country and track runner.

[edit] Major League Career

[edit] Early Career

Flash started his career as a Royal, and was signed away by Boston where he was converted from a starter to a closer. Tom learned about pitching from pitching expert in Philadelphia suburbs. Early in his career, Gordon's nickname would trip a news "flash" alert in Associated Press newsroom software when it appeared in a day's list of "Probable Pitchers". The AP eventually changed the listing to Gordon's first name, Tom. He was referenced as the object of infatuation for the young protagonist of the 1999 Stephen King novel The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. In 1998, Gordon set the club's single-season record for saves (46) and was named to his first All-Star Team. His success continued in 1999 setting a major league record with his 54th consecutive save in June, but a nagging elbow injury limited him to just 21 appearances, which required ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (or UCL) also known as Tommy John surgery, that forced him to spend 2000 on the disabled list. After stops in Houston and both sides of Chicago, Gordon landed in New York. He was an invaluable addition to the Yankees bullpen, serving as a set-up for closer Mariano Rivera, or as a middle reliever in tough situations.

[edit] 2006-2007

At this point, Gordon had compiled a career 122-111 record with 1733 strikeouts, a 3.99 ERA, 114 saves, and 1896.2 innings in 671 games (203 as a starter).

Gordon debuted in Philadelphia as a closer during the 2006 season, replacing Billy Wagner, who signed with the Mets after the 2005 season. On May 2nd, 2007, Gordon was placed on the disabled list due to a rotator cuff inflammation, at which time he was replaced in the closer slot by former starting pitcher Brett Myers.^[1] Following both pitchers' return from the DL, Myers retained the closer position, while Gordon was shifted to a late-inning reliever. Flash was named to the 2006 NL All Star Team as the leading vote getter from the players. He quickly become a local celebrity in the city of Philadelphia and even has his own fan group known as Flash's Followers, a group of adult men who dress in superhero costumes.

[edit] 2008

Gordon has fully rehabilitated his arm and is poised for a strong return as well as high expectations for the '08 season.

[edit] Family

Gordon is the father of shortstop Devaris Strange-Gordon, the Los Angeles Dodgers' 4th-round pick in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft.

[edit] Career Highlights and Achievements

• Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award (1998)
• Led AL in saves (1998)
• Led AL in games finished (69, 1998)
• Set an MLB record with 54 consecutive saves (1998-99)
• Led AL in Holds (36) 2004
• Three-time All-Star (1998, 2004, 2006)

[edit] See also

• List of Major League Baseball saves champions
• List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
• Top 100 strikeout pitchers of all time
• Chicago White Sox all-time roster

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• Baseball Library