David Cone facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Cone
Cone at the 2009 Old-Timers' Day
Pitcher
Born: (1963-01-02) January 2, 1963 (age 62) Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Batted: Left Threw: Right
debut
June 8, 1986, for the Kansas City Royals
Last appearance
May 28, 2003, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	194–126
Earned run average	3.46
Strikeouts	2,688
Teams
Kansas City Royals (1986) New York Mets (1987–1992) Toronto Blue Jays (1992) Kansas City Royals (1993–1994) Toronto Blue Jays (1995) New York Yankees (1995–2000) Boston Red Sox (2001) New York Mets (2003)
Career highlights and awards
5× All-Star (1988, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999) 5× World Series champion (1992, 1996, 1998–2000) AL Cy Young Award (1994) MLB wins leader (1998) 3× MLB strikeout leader (1990–1992) Pitched a perfect game on July 18, 1999

David Brian Cone (born January 2, 1963) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher. He is now a color commentator for the New York Yankees and ESPN. David Cone was picked by the Kansas City Royals in the 1981 MLB draft. He started playing in MLB in 1986 and played until 2003 for five different teams. Cone threw the ball with his right hand but batted with his left.

David Cone was famous for his special split-finger fastball pitch. He won the Cy Young Award in 1994, which is given to the best pitcher. He was also chosen as an All-Star five times. From 1990 to 1992, he led all of MLB in strikeouts. In 1999, he pitched a perfect game, which is a very rare achievement in baseball.

He was part of five teams that won the World Series. He won in 1992 with the Toronto Blue Jays. Then, he won four times in a row with the New York Yankees from 1996 to 2000. After his playing career, he became a well-known baseball announcer.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

David Cone was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He went to Rockhurst High School. There, he played quarterback on the football team and point guard on the basketball team. His high school did not have a baseball team. So, David played summer baseball in a league called the Ban Johnson League.

When he was 16, he tried out for the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals. He was also asked to play college football and baseball. After high school, he went to the University of Missouri. The Kansas City Royals then drafted him in the third round of the 1981 MLB draft.

Professional Baseball Journey

Starting Out with the Kansas City Royals (1981–1986)

David Cone started his professional career in the minor leagues. He had a great start, winning 22 games and losing only 7 in his first two seasons. In 1983, he had an injury and didn't play. When he came back in 1984, he played for the Double-A Memphis Chicks.

In 1986, while playing for the Triple-A Omaha Royals, he became a relief pitcher. He made his first MLB appearance on June 8, 1986, for the Kansas City Royals. He pitched a few games for the Royals before going back to the minor leagues. He returned to the Royals later that year.

Becoming a Star with the New York Mets (1987–1992)

Before the 1987 season, David Cone was traded to the New York Mets. In his first year in New York City, he played in 21 games.

In 1988, Cone started the season as a relief pitcher. But by May, he became a starting pitcher. His first start was a complete game shutout, meaning he pitched the whole game and didn't let the other team score. He had a fantastic first half of the season, earning his first All-Star selection. For the whole season, Cone won 20 games and lost only 3. He finished third in the voting for the National League Cy Young Award.

The Mets won their division easily that year. They faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in the playoffs. Cone wrote a column for a newspaper during the playoffs, which caused some discussion. The Mets asked him to stop writing it. Even though Cone pitched well in later games, the Dodgers won the series.

On April 30, 1990, in a game against the Atlanta Braves, Cone made a mistake. He thought time had been called during an argument with the umpire. While he was holding the ball, two Braves runners scored.

Cone played for the Mets for over five seasons. He was one of their best pitchers, leading the National League in strikeouts in 1990 and 1991. In 1991, he changed his uniform number to 17 to honor his former teammate Keith Hernandez. On August 30, he threw an "immaculate inning" by striking out all three batters on just nine pitches.

Cone's jersey from his 19 strikeout game on October 6, 1991.

On October 6, 1991, in the last game of the season, Cone tied a National League record. He struck out 19 Philadelphia Phillies batters in a 7–0 shutout game. This was one of the highest strikeout totals ever in a nine-inning game.

In 1992, Cone was the only Mets player chosen for the 1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. The Mets were not doing well that year. So, on August 27, 1992, they traded Cone to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Winning a World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays (1992)

With the Toronto Blue Jays, Cone continued to pitch well. He had 261 strikeouts that year, which was a career-high and led all of MLB. The Blue Jays won their division and made it to the playoffs.

Cone went to the postseason for the second time in his career. The Blue Jays won the 1992 American League Championship Series and then the 1992 World Series. This gave David Cone his first World Series ring. It was also the first time a Canadian team won the World Series.

Cy Young Award with the Kansas City Royals (1993–1994)

After the 1992 season, Cone returned to his hometown team, the Kansas City Royals. In 1993, he pitched 254 innings and had a good earned run average (ERA). In 1994, he had an even better season, winning 16 games and losing 5. He won the American League Cy Young Award that year, recognizing him as the best pitcher in the American League.

Back to the Blue Jays, then to the Yankees (1995)

In 1995, the Royals traded Cone back to the Toronto Blue Jays. He played well for Toronto, but the team was not doing great. So, on July 28, 1995, the Blue Jays traded Cone to the New York Yankees.

Becoming a Yankees Legend (1995–2000)

When David Cone joined the New York Yankees, they were on a winning streak. Cone quickly became their top pitcher. He won 9 games and lost 2, helping the Yankees make it to the playoffs. In the playoffs, the Yankees lost to the Seattle Mariners.

The Yankees signed Cone to a new contract. In 1996, Cone was diagnosed with an aneurysm in his arm, which is a problem with a blood vessel. He had to miss most of the year. When he came back in September, he pitched a no-hitter for seven innings.

The Yankees made the playoffs again in 1996. Cone pitched well in the 1996 World Series against the Atlanta Braves. He helped the Yankees win their first World Series in 18 years.

In 1998, Cone had an amazing season, winning 20 games and losing 7. This set a record for the longest time between 20-win seasons for a pitcher. He helped the Yankees win their playoff games and then win Game Three of the 1998 World Series against the San Diego Padres.

Cone pitching on July 29, 1999

In 1999, David Cone pitched the 16th perfect game in baseball history. This happened on July 18 against the Montreal Expos. A perfect game means no opposing player reaches base in any way during the entire game. This was a very special day because it was "Yogi Berra Day" at Yankee Stadium. Don Larsen, who also pitched a perfect game for the Yankees in the 1956 World Series, was there. After Cone's perfect game, Larsen and Yogi Berra hugged him in the clubhouse.

After his perfect game, Cone's pitching was not as strong. In 2000, he had a tough year, winning only 4 games and losing 14. Even so, he was brought in to pitch in Game Four of the 2000 World Series. The Yankees won the World Series that year, giving Cone his fifth championship ring.

Playing for the Boston Red Sox (2001)

After the 2000 season, David Cone knew his time with the Yankees was over. In 2001, he played for the Boston Red Sox, a big rival of the Yankees. He had a decent season, winning 9 games and losing 7. One game was a very close 1–0 loss against Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina. Mussina almost pitched a perfect game in that match.

Comeback with the New York Mets (2003)

Cone did not play in 2002. But in 2003, he tried to make a comeback with the New York Mets. He pitched in four games, winning 1 and losing 3. He announced his retirement soon after, on May 28, because of a hip problem.

How David Cone Pitched

David Cone copied his pitching style from another famous pitcher, Luis Tiant. This style helped him save his arm, but it put a lot of stress on his hips.

Career Highlights and Records

David Cone had a very successful career. Here are some of his achievements:

• He is the New York Yankees' all-time leader in strikeouts per 9 innings pitched.
• He holds the Yankees' record for most strikeouts per 9 innings pitched in a single season (10.25 in 1997).
• He struck out 19 batters in one game on October 6, 1991.
• He is the only pitcher to win 20 games in a season for both the New York Mets (1988) and the New York Yankees (1998).

Life After Playing Baseball

After retiring from baseball in 2001, David Cone became a color commentator for the YES Network. He left for a short time to spend more time with his family. In 2011, he returned to the YES Network. He is now the Yankees' main color commentator, working with former teammate Paul O'Neill and Michael Kay.

In 2022, Cone also joined the Sunday Night Baseball broadcast team for ESPN. He is known for talking about advanced baseball statistics during his broadcasts.

On July 17, 2009, David Cone spoke to the Senate Judiciary Committee. He supported the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. He talked about how her decision helped end the baseball strike in 1994.

Images for kids

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  Cone pitching at Yankee Stadium during the 2010 Old-Timers' Day