Dave Stewart (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dave Stewart |
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Stewart in 2009
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: February 19, 1957 Oakland, California, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 22, 1978, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| July 17, 1995, for the Oakland Athletics | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 168–129 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.95 | ||
| Strikeouts | 1,741 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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David Keith Stewart (born February 19, 1957), known as "Smoke", is an American baseball legend. He was a great pitcher, coach, and even a general manager. The Los Angeles Dodgers chose him in the 1975 baseball draft.
Stewart played in Major League Baseball from 1978 to 1995. He won three World Series championships with different teams. He had a great record of 168 wins and 129 losses. He even won 20 games in four years in a row! He played for the Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland Athletics, and Toronto Blue Jays.
Stewart was an All-Star player. He was known for his tough pitching style. He was also amazing in the playoffs. He won the World Series MVP once. He also won the League Championship Series MVP twice. After playing, he became a pitching coach. He helped manage teams like the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers. He later became a sports agent. Then, he became the general manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2014 to 2016.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Start
Growing Up in Oakland
Dave Stewart was born in Oakland, California. His dad worked at the docks. His mom worked at a food canning factory. His father didn't want him to play sports. He thought it wasn't a real job. So, his older brother taught him how to play. As a kid, Stewart spent many days at the Oakland Boys Club.
High School Sports Star
Stewart went to St. Elizabeth High School in Oakland. He was an All-American in baseball and football. In baseball, he played catcher. In football, he was a linebacker and tight end. He also played basketball. He averaged 16 points per game. He was offered 30 college scholarships for football. But he chose to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. They picked him in the 16th round of the 1975 Major League Baseball draft.
Professional Baseball Career
Starting with the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers decided to make Stewart a pitcher. They liked his strong arm. He started playing professionally in 1975. His first team was the Bellingham Dodgers. He had a tough start with a 0–5 record. But in 1977, he had a breakout season. He won 17 games and lost only 4. He had a low 2.15 earned run average (ERA). He also pitched 15 complete games.
Stewart made his major league debut in 1978. He pitched two innings for the Dodgers. He spent 1979 and 1980 in AAA. He played for the Albuquerque Dukes. In 1980, he won 15 games. He helped the Dukes win the league championship.
In 1981, Stewart joined the Dodgers' main team. He pitched as a reliever. He had a 2.49 ERA and six saves. He got his first Major League win on April 13. He helped the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series. He pitched well in the World Series. He did not allow any runs.
In 1982, he pitched as both a starter and a reliever. He had a 9–8 record. In 1983, he mostly pitched in relief. He had a 5–2 record and a 2.96 ERA.
Moving to the Texas Rangers
In August 1983, the Dodgers traded Stewart. He went to the Texas Rangers. The Rangers made him a starting pitcher. He did well at first, with a 5–2 record. But in 1984, he struggled. He had a 7–14 record. A new pitching coach helped him. He taught Stewart a new pitch. It was called a split-fingered fastball.
In 1985, the Rangers used him as a reliever. His performance was not good. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in September 1985.
Short Time with the Philadelphia Phillies
Stewart played 12 games for the Phillies. This was in 1985 and 1986. His ERA was 6.00. The Phillies released him in May 1986. Stewart later said he felt the Phillies were unfair.
Becoming a Star with the Oakland Athletics
Stewart signed with the Oakland Athletics in May 1986. He quickly joined their team. In 1986, he pitched in 29 games. He had 17 starts. He finished with a 9–5 record. He also developed a new pitch, the forkball.
Dominance and Postseason Success
In 1987, Stewart won 20 games. He had a 3.68 ERA. He struck out 205 batters. He said his pitching coach helped him a lot. In 1988, he won his first eight games. He finished the season with 21 wins. He led the American League (AL) in complete games. He also led in innings pitched.
The A's swept the Boston Red Sox in the 1988 playoffs. Stewart started two games. His manager, Tony La Russa, praised him highly. Stewart started Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. The A's lost the series to the Dodgers.
In 1989, Stewart won 21 games. He had a 3.32 ERA. He was an All-Star. He finished second for the Cy Young Award. In the 1989 playoffs, Stewart was amazing. He won both his games in the ALCS. In the 1989 World Series, he pitched a complete-game shutout. This was in Game 1 against the San Francisco Giants. The series was paused by an earthquake. When it restarted, Stewart won Game 3. The A's swept the series. Stewart was named the MVP. After the season, he signed a big contract. It was the largest in baseball at the time.
In 1990, Stewart won 22 games. This was his fourth straight 20-win season. He led the league in innings pitched. He also led in complete games and shutouts. On June 29, he pitched a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays. On the same day, another pitcher, Fernando Valenzuela, also threw a no-hitter. This was the first time two no-hitters happened on the same day.
The A's won their third straight pennant. They beat the Red Sox in the ALCS. Stewart was named the ALCS MVP. He started Game 1 of the 1990 World Series. The A's were favored to win. But the Cincinnati Reds won the series. Stewart pitched well in Game 4. He had a 2.77 ERA in the series.
Later Years with the A's
In 1991, Stewart had an injury. He missed three weeks. When he returned, he wasn't as dominant. He finished with an 11–11 record. The A's missed the playoffs that year.
In 1992, Stewart had elbow pain. But he still made 31 starts. He had a 12–10 record. The A's returned to the playoffs. They played the Toronto Blue Jays. Stewart pitched well in Game 1. He gave a pep talk to his teammates. He then pitched a complete game victory in Game 5. But the Blue Jays won the series.
Joining the Toronto Blue Jays
Stewart signed with the Blue Jays in December 1992. He signed a two-year contract. He was sad to leave the A's. But he felt the Blue Jays showed him more respect.
In 1993, Stewart made 26 starts for the Blue Jays. He had a 12–8 record. He had some injuries. But the Blue Jays valued his heart and competitiveness. They made it to the ALCS. Stewart won Game 2. He helped the Salvation Army on Thanksgiving Day. He then won Game 6. This sent the Blue Jays to the World Series. He was named ALCS MVP again.
In the 1993 World Series, Stewart struggled in Game 2. But he was confident for Game 6. He pitched well enough for the win. The Blue Jays won the series. They won thanks to a home run by Joe Carter.
Stewart stayed with the Blue Jays in 1994. He made 22 starts. He had a 7–8 record. The season ended early due to a strike. He had planned to retire. But he was bothered by the strike. He later said he lost his passion for baseball after it.
Back to the Oakland Athletics and Retirement
When the strike ended, he re-signed with the Athletics. This was in April 1995. He was their opening day starter. But he couldn't pitch like before. In 16 starts, he was 3–7. His ERA was 6.89. The manager decided to move him to the bullpen. Stewart chose to retire instead. He announced it on July 24, 1995. He said he couldn't perform like he wanted to anymore.
Over his career, he started 18 playoff games. He had a great 2.84 ERA. He had a 10–6 record in the playoffs. In the League Championship Series, he was especially dominant. He had an 8–0 record.
Life After Playing Baseball
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| Dave Stewart's number 34 was retired by the Oakland Athletics in 2022. |
Working in Baseball Management
After retiring, Stewart worked for the Athletics. He was an assistant to the general manager. In 1997, he joined the San Diego Padres. He became their pitching coach in 1998. He helped improve their pitching staff. The Padres made it to the 1998 World Series. Many pitchers said Stewart helped them improve.
Stewart left San Diego after the season. He interviewed for other jobs. He joined the Toronto Blue Jays as an assistant general manager. In 2000, he also became their pitching coach. In 2001, he wanted to be the general manager. But the Blue Jays hired someone else. Stewart resigned from his roles.
He then joined the Milwaukee Brewers as their pitching coach in 2002. He resigned later that year. He wanted to care for his mother. He also wanted to spend more time with family. He later coached the United States national baseball team.
Becoming a Sports Agent
Stewart started his own sports agency. It was called Sports Management Partners. He helped players get big contracts. One of his first big deals was for Eric Chavez. He also worked with players like Matt Kemp.
General Manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks
On September 25, 2014, the Arizona Diamondbacks hired Stewart. He became their general manager. He worked with his former manager, Tony La Russa. Stewart transferred his agency to others.
In 2015, the Diamondbacks signed Zack Greinke. It was a huge contract for a pitcher. It was the largest contract in the team's history. Five days later, they traded for Shelby Miller.
The Diamondbacks had a 79–83 record in 2015. In 2016, they went 69–93. On October 3, 2016, Stewart was fired. The team also fired their manager.
Jersey Retirement
The Oakland Athletics planned to retire Stewart's number 34 jersey. This was supposed to happen in 2020. But it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was finally announced that his jersey would be retired on September 11, 2022. This was a special honor. It meant his number would not be worn by any other A's player.
Personal Life
Dave Stewart has two children. Their names are Adrian and Alyse.
Images for kids
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Stewart in 2009
See also
- Black Aces, African-American pitchers with a 20-win MLB season
- List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
- Major League Baseball titles leaders
