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 | |||
As player
As coach
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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David Keith Stewart (born February 19, 1957), known as "Smoke", is a famous American baseball player and coach. He was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1978 to 1995. Dave Stewart won three World Series championships with different teams. He was known for his strong pitching and great performances in important playoff games. After playing, he became a pitching coach and later a general manager for baseball teams.
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Early Life and Baseball Dreams
Dave Stewart was born in Oakland, California. His dad worked on the docks, and his mom worked at a food factory. Dave's older brother taught him how to play baseball. His dad thought playing sports wasn't a good way to make a living. As a kid, Dave spent a lot of time at the Oakland Boys Club.
Stewart went to St. Elizabeth High School in Oakland. He was a star in both baseball and football. In baseball, he played catcher, and in football, he was a linebacker and tight end. He was also good at basketball. He was offered many college scholarships for football. But he chose to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers instead. The Dodgers picked him in the 16th round of the 1975 Major League Baseball draft.
Professional Baseball Career
Starting with the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers saw Dave's strong arm and decided to make him a pitcher. He started playing professionally in 1975. His first team was the Bellingham Dodgers. He then played for the Clinton Dodgers in 1977. That year, he had a fantastic season, winning 17 games and having a low earned run average (ERA) of 2.15. He also pitched 15 complete games and 3 shutouts.
Stewart made his first MLB appearance on September 22, 1978. He pitched for two innings for the Dodgers. He spent 1979 and 1980 in the minor leagues. In 1980, he won 15 games for the Albuquerque Dukes. In 1981, he joined the Dodgers' main team. He pitched as a reliever and had a good ERA of 2.49. The Dodgers won the 1981 World Series that year. Stewart pitched well in the World Series, helping his team win.
He continued to play for the Dodgers as both a starter and reliever. In 1982, he won 9 games. In 1983, he mostly pitched in relief.
Time with the Texas Rangers
In August 1983, the Dodgers traded Stewart to the Texas Rangers. The Rangers made him a starting pitcher. He won 5 games in his first 8 starts for them. In 1984, he had a tougher season.
In 1985, a new pitching coach, Tom House, taught Stewart a new pitch called a split-fingered fastball. Stewart mostly pitched in relief for the Rangers that year. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in September 1985.
Brief Stop with the Philadelphia Phillies
Stewart played a few games for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1985 and 1986. He was released by the Phillies in May 1986.
Becoming a Star with the Oakland Athletics
Stewart signed with the Oakland Athletics in May 1986. He quickly became an important pitcher for them. He developed a forkball pitch to go with his fastball and slider. In 1986, he won 9 games for the A's.
In 1987, Stewart had an amazing season, winning 20 games. He also struck out 205 batters. He gave credit to his pitching coach, Dave Duncan, for helping him improve. In 1988, he won 21 games and led the American League (AL) with 14 complete games. The A's made it to the 1988 World Series. Stewart pitched well in the playoffs, but the Dodgers won the World Series.
In 1989, Stewart won 21 games again. He was chosen to start for the American League in the All-Star Game. He finished second in voting for the Cy Young Award, which is given to the best pitcher.
In the 1989 American League Championship Series, Stewart won both games he pitched. In the 1989 World Series, he pitched a complete-game shutout in Game 1. The series was paused because of an earthquake. When it started again, Stewart won Game 3. The A's swept the series, winning in four games. Stewart was named the MVP of the series. After this, he signed a big contract with the Athletics.
In 1990, Stewart had his fourth straight 20-win season, winning 22 games. He led the league in innings pitched and complete games. 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 in MLB history that no-hitters were thrown in both leagues on the same day. The A's won their third straight pennant, and Stewart was named the ALCS MVP. The A's played in the 1990 World Series but lost to the Cincinnati Reds.
Stewart faced some injuries in 1991 and 1992. In 1992, he still won 12 games. The A's made the playoffs again. Stewart pitched a complete game victory in Game 5 of the 1992 American League Championship Series. However, the Blue Jays won the series.
Joining the Toronto Blue Jays
Stewart signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in December 1992. He was sad to leave the A's but felt the Blue Jays showed him more respect.
In 1993, Stewart won 12 games for the Blue Jays. He dealt with some injuries but was known for his strong spirit. The Blue Jays reached the ALCS. Stewart won two games in the ALCS and was named the ALCS MVP for the second time. The Blue Jays then played in the 1993 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Stewart started Game 2 and Game 6. The Blue Jays won the series, making Stewart a three-time World Series champion.
He stayed with the Blue Jays for the 1994 season. He had 7 wins before the MLB strike ended the season early.
Return to Oakland and Retirement
When the strike ended, Stewart re-signed with the Athletics in April 1995. He was the team's opening day starter. However, he struggled and decided to retire from playing baseball on July 24, 1995. He said he could no longer perform the way he wanted to.
Throughout his career, Dave Stewart was known for his excellent performance in playoff games. He started 18 postseason games and had a great 2.84 ERA. In the League Championship Series, he was especially dominant, winning all 8 of his starts.
After Playing Baseball
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| Dave Stewart's number 34 was retired by the Oakland Athletics in 2022. |
After retiring as a player, Dave Stewart worked in baseball management. In 1996, he was an assistant to the general manager for the Athletics. In 1997, he moved to the San Diego Padres in a similar role. In 1998, he became the Padres' pitching coach. He helped improve the team's pitchers, and the Padres made it to the 1998 World Series.
Stewart later worked for the Toronto Blue Jays as an assistant general manager and pitching coach. He also served as pitching coach for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002.
Stewart then started his own sports agency called Sports Management Partners. He helped many baseball players with their contracts.
On September 25, 2014, the Arizona Diamondbacks hired Stewart to be their general manager. He worked with his former manager, Tony La Russa. In 2015, the Diamondbacks signed pitcher Zack Greinke to a very large contract. Stewart said this contract could be a "franchise-changing" deal. He was the general manager for the Diamondbacks until October 2016.
In 2022, the Oakland Athletics retired his jersey number 34. This means no other player on the Athletics will wear that number.
In January 2025, Stewart rejoined the Athletics front office. He now works as a special assistant to the player development director.
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
