Donnie Moore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Donnie Moore |
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: February 13, 1954 Lubbock, Texas |
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| Died: July 18, 1989 (aged 35) Anaheim, California |
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| debut | |||
| September 14, 1975, for the Chicago Cubs | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| August 7, 1988, for the California Angels | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 43–40 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.67 | ||
| Strikeouts | 416 | ||
| Saves | 89 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Donnie Ray Moore (born February 13, 1954 – died July 18, 1989) was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for several teams, including the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, and California Angels.
Donnie Moore is often remembered for a dramatic moment in Game 5 of the 1986 American League Championship Series. While pitching for the California Angels, he faced Dave Henderson of the Boston Red Sox. With the Angels just one strike away from winning the game and advancing to the World Series, Henderson hit a home run. This play helped the Red Sox win that game and eventually the series.
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Donnie Moore: A Baseball Career
Early Life and Baseball Start
Donnie Moore was born in Lubbock, Texas, on February 13, 1954. He was a cousin of another MLB player, Hubie Brooks. Donnie went to Paris Junior College and Ranger College. The Chicago Cubs picked him in the first round of the 1973 Major League Baseball draft.
Playing in the Major Leagues
Donnie Moore played in Major League Baseball for 13 seasons. As a pitcher, he had a record of 43 wins and 40 losses. He also earned 89 saves, which means he finished games where his team was winning. He recorded 416 strikeouts and had a 3.67 earned run average (ERA). ERA measures how many earned runs a pitcher gives up per nine innings.
In 1985, Donnie Moore was chosen to be an All-Star. This was a big achievement in his career. He had developed a special pitch called a "splitter," along with his slider and breaking ball.
The Famous Game 5 Moment
One of the most talked-about moments in Donnie Moore's career happened on October 12, 1986. It was Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. The game took place in Anaheim, California. The Angels were playing against the Boston Red Sox.
The Angels were leading the series 3–1, meaning they needed just one more win to reach the World Series. In Game 5, the Angels were ahead 5–2 as the ninth inning began. The Red Sox started to come back. Don Baylor hit a home run, making the score 5–4.
Donnie Moore came into the game with two outs. A Red Sox player was on first base. The Angels were just one strike away from winning the game and making it to the World Series for the first time ever! But then, Dave Henderson hit a home run off Moore. This gave the Red Sox a 6–5 lead.
The Angels managed to score a run in the bottom of the ninth inning, tying the game. This sent the game into extra innings. Donnie Moore stayed in the game. He stopped the Red Sox from scoring in the tenth inning. However, in the 11th inning, Henderson hit a sacrifice fly, which allowed another Red Sox player to score. The Red Sox won the game 7–6.
Even though the Angels still led the series 3–2, they lost the next two games at Fenway Park. This meant the Red Sox won the series and went to the World Series instead.
Later Career and Retirement
After the 1986 American League Championship Series, Donnie Moore faced challenges with injuries. He pitched in 41 more games over the next two seasons, saving nine games. The Angels later released him from their team.
In 1989, he signed with the Kansas City Royals. However, he only played in the minor leagues before being released in June of that year. This marked the end of his 14-year baseball career.
