Tom Gordon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tom Gordon |
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Gordon with the New York Yankees in 2005
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: November 18, 1967 Sebring, Florida, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 8, 1988, for the Kansas City Royals | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| May 3, 2009, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 138–126 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.96 | ||
| Strikeouts | 1,928 | ||
| Saves | 158 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Thomas Gordon (born November 18, 1967), known as "Flash", is a former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). After his playing career, he became a radio color commentator for the Boston Red Sox.
Gordon played for many teams during his career. These included the Kansas City Royals (1988–1995), Boston Red Sox (1996–1999), Chicago Cubs (2001–02), Houston Astros (2002), Chicago White Sox (2003), New York Yankees (2004–05), Philadelphia Phillies (2006–2008), and Arizona Diamondbacks (2009). In 1998, he won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award. He also led the American League (AL) in saves that year. From 1998 to 1999, Gordon set an MLB record with 54 saves in a row.
Contents
- Early Life and Baseball Start
- Professional Baseball Career
- Playing for the Kansas City Royals (1988–1995)
- Time with the Boston Red Sox (1996–1999)
- Moving to the Chicago Cubs (2001–2002)
- Playing for the Houston Astros (2002)
- With the Chicago White Sox (2003)
- Joining the New York Yankees (2004–2005)
- Time with the Philadelphia Phillies (2006–2008)
- Final Season with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2009)
- Retirement from Baseball
- Career Highlights and Achievements
- Family Connections
- See also
Early Life and Baseball Start
Tom Gordon grew up in Avon Park, Florida. He was one of several children. His family had little money when he was young.
He went to Avon Park High School and played baseball there. The Kansas City Royals picked him in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft. He received a $38,000 bonus when he signed with them.
Professional Baseball Career
Playing for the Kansas City Royals (1988–1995)
Gordon started his career as a starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals. He played his first five games in 1988 when he was 20 years old. In 1989, he had a great first full season. He won 17 games and lost 9, with a 3.64 ERA. He finished second for the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award.
That year, Gordon also had 153 strikeouts. This was one of the highest totals in the American League. This earned him the nickname "Flash". He continued to get many strikeouts in 1990 and 1991. However, his wins went down, and his ERA went up. In 1992, he had a tough season, winning 6 games and losing 10. He improved from 1993 to 1995, but he never quite reached his amazing rookie form again. After the 1995 season, Gordon left the Royals and joined the Boston Red Sox.
Time with the Boston Red Sox (1996–1999)
In his first year with the Red Sox, Gordon had a 12–9 record. His ERA was 5.59, which was his highest at that time. Over the next two years, the Red Sox changed Gordon's role. He went from being a starting pitcher to a closer. A closer is a pitcher who finishes games and tries to get the final outs. This change helped his career a lot.
In 1998, Gordon set a new record for the Red Sox with 46 saves in one season. He also had 43 saves in a row. He was chosen for his first All-Star Team. His success continued into 1999. He set a major league record with his 54th consecutive save in June. But an elbow injury limited him to only 21 games. He needed surgery called Tommy John surgery. This meant he missed all of the 2000 season.
Moving to the Chicago Cubs (2001–2002)
The Chicago Cubs signed Gordon to a two-year contract in December 2000. They were changing many players on their pitching team.
Playing for the Houston Astros (2002)
In August 2002, the Cubs traded Gordon to the Houston Astros. He was not going to be the closer for the Cubs anymore. With the Astros, he became a middle reliever. This means he pitched in the middle innings of games. He finished the 2002 season healthy, which was a big achievement for him after his surgery.
With the Chicago White Sox (2003)
After the 2002 season, Gordon signed a one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox in January 2003. He helped his new team win a game against his old team, the Royals, in April. Gordon was one of the most reliable pitchers in the White Sox bullpen that year. In September, another pitcher named Éric Gagné broke Gordon's record of 54 consecutive saves. Gordon was not upset by this, saying he didn't even know whose record he had broken before. Gordon had a good year, winning 7 games and saving 12.
Joining the New York Yankees (2004–2005)
After playing for teams in Houston and Chicago, Gordon joined the New York Yankees. He was a very important part of their bullpen. He often pitched as a set-up man for the team's closer, Mariano Rivera. He also pitched in tough situations as a middle reliever.
By this time, Gordon had a career record of 122 wins and 111 losses. He had 1733 strikeouts and 114 saves.
Time with the Philadelphia Phillies (2006–2008)
Gordon signed a three-year deal with the Phillies before the 2006 season. He started as the closer for the Phillies in 2006. In May 2007, he had to go on the disabled list because of a shoulder injury. When he returned, Brett Myers became the closer, and Gordon pitched in later innings. Gordon was chosen for the 2006 National League All-Star Team.
In 2008, Gordon was ready for the season after recovering from his arm injury. However, in July 2008, he was placed on the disabled list again due for elbow soreness. He was out for the rest of the season. Even though he didn't play, he earned his only World Series ring when the Phillies won the 2008 World Series.
Final Season with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2009)
In February 2009, Gordon signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He started the season on the disabled list to finish recovering from his elbow injury. In May, just a week after he started playing, Gordon hurt his hamstring. He had only played in three games for the team. In August, the Diamondbacks released him. Gordon did not want to retire, saying he still felt he could play.
Retirement from Baseball
On August 9, 2010, Tom Gordon said he was "fine" with retiring from baseball. He retired as the only pitcher in MLB history to have over 100 wins, over 100 saves, and over 100 holds.
Career Highlights and Achievements
- Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award (1998)
- Led the American League in saves (1998)
- Led the American League in games finished (69, 1998)
- Set an MLB record with 54 consecutive saves (1998–99)
- Led the American League in Holds (36) in 2004
- Three-time All-Star (1998, 2004, 2006)
- Only pitcher in MLB history with 100 wins, 100 saves, and 100 holds.
- World Series Champion (2008)
Family Connections
Tom Gordon has sons who also play professional baseball.
- His oldest son, Dee, played for the Washington Nationals.
- His youngest son, Nick, was picked by the Minnesota Twins in the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. He joined the Twins' major league team in 2021.
Gordon is also the guardian of Cleveland Guardians minor league pitcher Juan Hillman.
One of Tom Gordon's brothers, Anthony Gordon, and his cousin, Clyde "Pork Chop" Pough, also played professional baseball.
See also
In Spanish: Tom Gordon para niños
- List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders
