Atlee Hammaker
Atlee Hammaker | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Carmel, California | January 24, 1958|
Batted: Switch Threw: Left | |
MLB debut | |
August 13, 1981, for the Kansas City Royals | |
Last MLB appearance | |
August 9, 1995, for the Chicago White Sox | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 59–67 |
Earned run average | 3.66 |
Strikeouts | 615 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Men's baseball | ||
Representing United States | ||
Amateur World Series | ||
1978 Italy | Team |
Charlton Atlee Hammaker (born January 24, 1958) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball from 1981 to 1985 and again from 1987 to 1995 for the Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. During his twelve-year career, he won 59 games, lost 67 games and netted five saves.
Early life
Hammaker was born in Carmel, California, on January 24, 1958, the son of Miyake and Charles Hammaker. A middle child; he has one older brother, Aldine and one younger sister, Charlene. He is half German and half Japanese. Hammaker grew up living in many different locations due to his father's career in the United States Army, and attended Mount Vernon High School in Fairfax County, Virginia, where he played basketball, football, and baseball. After suffering a knee injury in football his sophomore year, he began focusing on basketball.
Hammaker received a full basketball scholarship to East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in Johnson City. After being talked to and convinced by the coaches at ETSU, Hammaker decided to change his focus to baseball. He attended a summer league in Alaska, and from there, was a first round pick (21st overall) in the 1979 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals.
Career
In 1983, Hammaker's best season, he led the National League with an ERA of 2.25, a WHIP of 1.039, BB/9IP of 1.67, and strikeout to walk ratio of 3.97. That year Hammaker won 10, lost 9, and made the National League All-Star team. (Through June, his record was 9–3 with an ERA of 1.52.)
1983 All-Star Game
Hammaker made the National League All-Star team in 1983, but did not fare well, surrendering seven earned runs in 0.2 inning pitched; and he gave up the only grand slam in All-Star Game history, to Fred Lynn. The American League prevailed 13–3 for their first win in twelve years.[1][2][3]
1987 NLCS
In Game 7 of the 1987 NLCS, Hammaker, pitching for San Francisco, gave up a three-run homer in the second inning to José Oquendo, a utility infielder who had hit only one home run that season. The Cardinals won 6–0 to advance to the World Series.[4][5]
Personal life
Hammaker is married and lives in Knoxville, Tennessee,[6] with his wife. He is the father of five daughters. His second daughter, Jenna, is married to major league player Yan Gomes.[7]
See also
References
- ^ "At last!". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. July 7, 1983. p. 27.
- ^ "This time, the AL breezes by". Spokane Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. July 7, 1983. p. 21.
- ^ Boswell, Thomas (July 7, 1983). "AL finally says goodbye to losing skid". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). Washington Post. p. D1.
- ^ "Oquendo's homer lifts Cards to Series". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. October 15, 1987. p. C1.
- ^ "St. Louis sends Giants packing". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). UPI. October 15, 1987. p. D1.
- ^ "For Atlee Hammaker, more ball in the family seemed like bad idea". SFGate. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/18/2806828/former-barry-star-yan-gomes-first.html
External links
- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- 1983 All Star Game box score
- 1958 births
- American baseball players of Japanese descent
- Baseball players from California
- Birmingham Barons players
- Chicago White Sox players
- East Tennessee State Buccaneers baseball players
- East Tennessee State Buccaneers men's basketball players
- Fort Myers Royals players
- Gulf Coast Royals players
- High Desert Mavericks players
- Jacksonville Suns players
- Kansas City Royals players
- Las Vegas Stars (baseball) players
- Living people
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Nashville Sounds players
- National League All-Stars
- National League ERA champions
- Omaha Royals players
- People from Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
- Phoenix Firebirds players
- Phoenix Giants players
- San Diego Padres players
- San Francisco Giants players
- Shreveport Captains players
- Wichita Wranglers players
- American men's basketball players