Mike Armstrong (baseball)

Michael Dennis Armstrong (born March 7, 1954) played Major League Baseball from 1980 to 1987, mainly as a relief pitcher. Armstrong batted and threw right-handed. He played college baseball for the University of Miami.

Armstrong originally was drafted by the Cleveland Indians but did not sign; however, he was then drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1974. While still in the minors, Armstrong was traded to the San Diego Padres in 1979. Armstrong made appearances in the majors with the Padres in 1980 and 1981, but mainly played in the minor leagues. In 1982, Armstrong was purchased by the Kansas City Royals. With the Royals, Armstrong pitched regularly, with over 100 innings in his two years with the team and had an earned run average under 4.00.

Armstrong played in the pine tar game between the Royals and the Yankees on July 24, 1983, when he was the winning pitcher and it took him almost a month to pick up the victory. After nearly a month, Armstrong recorded his fifth victory, which "got him over the hump." He went 10-7 that year in 58 appearances, notching career highs in wins and games. "It was wild to go back to New York and play these four outs in a totally empty stadium," Armstrong said. "I'm dressed in the uniform, and nobody's there."^[1]

The 6-foot-3 right-hander was traded to the Yankees the 1983 season.^[2] Armstrong pitched only two appearances during 1984 spring training due to a sore elbow and as a result Yankees owner George Steinbrenner filed a grievance with Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn.^[3] Despite efforts to get another pitcher other than him from the Royals, Armstrong remained with the Yankees though he spent most of his time with their AAA Columbus farm club from 1984 to 1986.^[4] Armstrong finished his Major League career with the Cleveland Indians in 1987.

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)