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{{short description|American baseball player}}
{{Short description|American baseball player (1936–2022)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Ralph Terry
| name = Ralph Terry
|image=Ralph Terry.jpg
| image = Ralph Terry.jpg
|caption=Terry in 1964
| caption = Terry in 1964
|position=[[Pitcher]]
| position = [[Pitcher]]
|bats=Right
| bats = Right
|throws=Right
| throws = Right
|birth_date={{Birth date|1936|01|09}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1936|1|9}}
|birth_place=[[Big Cabin, Oklahoma]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Big Cabin, Oklahoma]], U.S.
|death_date={{death date and age|2022|3|16|1936|1|9}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2022|3|16|1936|1|9}}
|death_place= [[Larned, Kansas]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Larned, Kansas]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
| debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=August 6
| debutdate = August 6
|debutyear=1956
| debutyear = 1956
|debutteam=New York Yankees
| debutteam = New York Yankees
|finalleague = MLB
| finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=April 22
| finaldate = April 22
|finalyear=1967
| finalyear = 1967
|finalteam=New York Mets
| finalteam = New York Mets
|statleague = MLB
| statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
| stat1label = [[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=107–99
| stat1value = 107–99
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
| stat2label = [[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=3.62
| stat2value = 3.62
|stat3label=[[Strikeout]]s
| stat3label = [[Strikeout]]s
|stat3value=1,000
| stat3value = 1,000
|teams=
| teams =
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|1956}}–{{mlby|1957}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|1956}}–{{mlby|1957}})
* [[Kansas City Athletics]] ({{mlby|1957}}–{{mlby|1959}})
* [[Oakland Athletics|Kansas City Athletics]] ({{mlby|1957}}–{{mlby|1959}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|1959}}–{{mlby|1964}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|1959}}–{{mlby|1964}})
* [[Cleveland Indians]] ({{mlby|1965}})
* [[Cleveland Guardians|Cleveland Indians]] ({{mlby|1965}})
* [[Kansas City Athletics]] ({{mlby|1966}})
* [[Oakland Athletics|Kansas City Athletics]] ({{mlby|1966}})
* [[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|1966}}–{{mlby|1967}})
* [[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|1966}}–{{mlby|1967}})
|highlights=
| highlights =
* 2× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1962 Major League Baseball All-Star Game (first game)|1962]], [[1962 Major League Baseball All-Star Game (second game)|1962²]])
* 2× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1962 Major League Baseball All-Star Game (first game)|1962]], [[1962 Major League Baseball All-Star Game (second game)|1962²]])
* 2× [[World Series]] champion ({{wsy|1961}}, {{wsy|1962}})
* 2× [[World Series]] champion ({{wsy|1961}}, {{wsy|1962}})
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}}
}}


'''Ralph Willard Terry''' (January 9, 1936 – March 16, 2022) was an American right-handed [[starting pitcher]] who played for four teams from 1956 to 1967, most notably the [[New York Yankees]]. He was a member of the Yankees pitching rotation on five consecutive league champions from 1960 to 1964, enjoying his best season in 1962 when he was named to his only [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] team, going on to lead the [[American League]] with 23 [[win–loss record (pitching)|victories]]. In the [[1962 World Series]] he was named the [[World Series Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] after posting wins in two of the last three games, including a 1–0 [[shutout (baseball)|shutout]] in the decisive Game Seven. He is also notable for surrendering a [[walk-off home run]] to [[Bill Mazeroski]] that won the [[1960 World Series]] for the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]. Terry also played for the [[Kansas City Athletics]], [[Cleveland Indians]], and [[New York Mets]]. He later enjoyed a successful career as a [[professional golfer]].
'''Ralph Willard Terry''' (January 9, 1936 – March 16, 2022) was an American [[baseball]] player who played as a right-handed [[starting pitcher]] for twelve seasons in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). He played for the [[New York Yankees]], [[Oakland Athletics|Kansas City Athletics]], [[Cleveland Guardians|Cleveland Indians]], and [[New York Mets]] from 1956 to 1967. He was a member of the Yankees pitching rotation on five consecutive league champions from 1960 to 1964, enjoying his best season in 1962 when he was named to his only [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] team, going on to lead the [[American League]] with 23 [[win–loss record (pitching)|victories]]. In the [[1962 World Series]] he was named the [[World Series Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] after posting wins in two of the last three games, including a 1–0 [[shutout (baseball)|shutout]] in the decisive game seven. He is also notable for surrendering a [[Bill Mazeroski's 1960 World Series home run|walk-off home run]] to [[Bill Mazeroski]] that won the [[1960 World Series]] for the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]. Terry also played for the [[Kansas City Athletics]], [[Cleveland Indians]], and [[New York Mets]]. He later enjoyed a successful career as a [[professional golfer]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
Line 57: Line 57:


===Return to New York and stardom (1959–1964)===
===Return to New York and stardom (1959–1964)===
[[File:Elston Howard 1961.png|thumb|left|New York Yankees catcher [[Elston Howard]] looks at the call of umpire [[Jocko Conlan]] during the top of the 5th inning of Game 2 of the 1961 World Series, played October 5, 1961 at Yankee Stadium. Cincinnati Reds second baseman [[Elio Chacon]] slides into home safely on a passed ball, as teammate Vada Pinson and Yankee pitcher Ralph Terry look on. The run put the Reds up 3-2, and they ultimately would win their only game of the series 6-2.]]
Upon his return, Terry went 3–7 with a 3.39 ERA in 24 games, including 16 starts. His career began to take off in 1960, when he posted a 10–8 record and 3.40 ERA. That year, he made his first postseason appearance, in two games of the [[1960 World Series]].<ref name=BR/> He was 0–2 with a 5.40 ERA in the two games, one start and one [[relief pitcher|relief]] appearance,<ref name=BR/> and gave up [[Bill Mazeroski]]'s walk-off home run in Game 7.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT196010130.shtml|title=October 13, 1960 World Series Game 7, New York Yankees at Pittsburgh Pirates Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=October 13, 1960|access-date=March 17, 2022}}</ref>
Upon his return, Terry went 3–7 with a 3.39 ERA in 24 games, including 16 starts. His career began to take off in 1960, when he posted a 10–8 record and 3.40 ERA. That year, he made his first postseason appearance, in two games of the [[1960 World Series]].<ref name=BR/> He was 0–2 with a 5.40 ERA in the two games, one start and one [[relief pitcher|relief]] appearance,<ref name=BR/> and gave up [[Bill Mazeroski]]'s walk-off home run in Game 7.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT196010130.shtml|title=October 13, 1960 World Series Game 7, New York Yankees at Pittsburgh Pirates Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=October 13, 1960|access-date=March 17, 2022}}</ref>


In 1961, Terry posted a 16–3 record with a 3.15 ERA in 31 games (27 starts).<ref name=BR/> During the [[1961 World Series]], he was 0–1 with a 4.82 ERA in two starts,<ref name=BR/> but won his first championship when the Yankees defeated the [[Cincinnati Reds]] in five games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1961_WS.shtml|title=1961 World Series – New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds (4–1)|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=March 17, 2022}}</ref>
In 1961, Terry posted a 16–3 record with a 3.15 ERA in 31 games (27 starts).<ref name=BR/> During the [[1961 World Series]], he was 0–1 with a 4.82 ERA in two starts,<ref name=BR/> but won his first championship when the Yankees defeated the [[Cincinnati Reds]] in five games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1961_WS.shtml|title=1961 World Series – New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds (4–1)|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=March 17, 2022}}</ref>


For 1962, Terry went 23–12 with a 3.19 ERA. That year, he posted career bests with 23 wins, 39 starts, {{frac|298|2|3}} [[innings pitched]], and 176 [[strikeout]]s against 57 walks. His 23 victories led the American League.<ref name=BR/> In the [[1962 World Series]], he went 2–1 with a 1.80 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 25 innings over three games against the [[San Francisco Giants]]. His performance earned him the [[World Series MVP]] award that season.<ref name=BR/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/postseason/history/1962 |title=World Series History &#124; MLB.com |publisher=M.mlb.com |date=2020-07-23 |accessdate=2021-02-18}}</ref>
For 1962, Terry went 23–12 with a 3.19 ERA. That year, he posted career bests with 23 wins, 39 starts, {{frac|298|2|3}} [[innings pitched]], and 176 [[strikeout]]s against 57 walks. His 23 victories led the American League.<ref name=BR/> In the [[1962 World Series]], he went 2–1 with a 1.80 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 25 innings over three games against the [[San Francisco Giants]]. His performance earned him the [[World Series MVP]] award that season.<ref name=BR/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/postseason/history/1962 |title=World Series History &#124; MLB.com |publisher=M.mlb.com |date=July 23, 2020 |accessdate=February 18, 2021}}</ref>


The next year, Terry was 17–15 with a 3.22 ERA in 37 games, including a career-high 18 [[complete game]]s.<ref name=BR/> He pitched three innings in the [[1963 World Series]] against the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], finishing with a 3.00 ERA, as the Yankees were swept in four games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1963_WS.shtml|title=1963 World Series – Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees (4–0)|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=March 17, 2022}}</ref>
The next year, Terry was 17–15 with a 3.22 ERA in 37 games, including a career-high 18 [[complete game]]s.<ref name=BR/> He pitched three innings in the [[1963 World Series]] against the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], finishing with a 3.00 ERA, as the Yankees were swept in four games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1963_WS.shtml|title=1963 World Series – Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees (4–0)|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=March 17, 2022}}</ref>


In 1964, Terry went 7–11 with a 4.54 ERA. In the [[1964 World Series|World Series that year]] against the Cardinals, he gave up two hits and struck out three batters as the Yankees lost. On October 21, Terry was traded to the [[Cleveland Indians]] as a [[player to be named later]] for [[Pedro Ramos]].<ref name=BR/>
In 1964, Terry went 7–11 with a 4.54 ERA. In the [[1964 World Series|World Series that year]] against the Cardinals, he gave up two hits and struck out three batters in a Yankees loss.<ref name=BR/>


===Cleveland Indians (1965)===
=== Later career (1965–1967)===
Shortly after the 1964 World Series, Terry was sent to the [[Cleveland Indians]] as a [[player to be named later]] in an earlier trade for [[Pedro Ramos]]; [[Bud Daley]] was later sent to the Indians in November to complete the trade.<ref>{{cite news |title=DALEY OF YANKS SENT TO INDIANS; Move Completes Deal That Gave Ramos to Bombers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/11/28/archives/daley-of-yanks-sent-to-indians-move-completes-deal-that-gave-ramos.html |access-date=March 20, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=November 28, 1964}}</ref>
In his only season in Cleveland, Terry posted an 11–6 mark with a 3.69 ERA in 30 games, (26 starts). On April 6, 1966 he was traded to the [[Kansas City Athletics]] for [[John O'Donoghue (1960s pitcher)|John O'Donoghue]] and cash.<ref name=BR/>
In 1965, his only season in Cleveland, Terry posted an 11–6 mark with a 3.69 ERA in 30 games, (26 starts).<ref name=BR/>


On April 6, 1966 he was traded for [[John O'Donoghue (1960s pitcher)|John O'Donoghue]] and cash to the [[Kansas City Athletics]].<ref name=BR/><ref>{{cite news |title=TERRY OF INDIANS IS TRADED TO A'S; Cleveland Gets O'Donoghue Pirates Obtain Purkey |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/04/08/archives/terry-of-indians-is-traded-to-as-cleveland-gets-odonoghue-pirates.html |access-date=March 20, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=April 8, 1966}}</ref> He started 15 games for the Athletics, for whom he went 1–5 with a 3.80 ERA. On August 6, his contract was purchased by the [[New York Mets]]. He went 0–1 with a 4.74 ERA in 11 games, six as a reliever, for the rest of the 1966 season.<ref name=BR/>
===Return to Athletics (1966)===
Terry started 15 games for the Athletics in 1966, for whom he went 1–5 with a 3.80 ERA. On August 6, his contract was purchased by the [[New York Mets]].<ref name=BR/>


⚫
In 1967, Terry pitched in just two games, and finished one, before being released by the Mets on May 16. He subsequently retired.<ref name=BR/>
===New York Mets (1966–1967)===
⚫
With the Mets in 1966, Terry went 0–1 with a 4.74 ERA in 11 games, six as a reliever. In 1967, Terry pitched in just two games, and finished one, before being released on May 16. He subsequently retired.<ref name=BR/>


===Career overview===
===Career overview===
In his career, Terry had 257 [[games started]], 20 shutouts, 11 [[save (baseball)|saves]], and 446 [[base on balls|walks]] in {{frac|1,849|1|3}} innings pitched.<ref name=BR/>
In his career, Terry had 257 [[games started]], 20 shutouts, 11 [[save (baseball)|saves]], 446 [[base on balls|walks]], and 1,000 [[strikeouts]] in {{frac|1,849|1|3}} innings pitched.<ref name=BR/>


In five World Series (1960–64), Terry posted a record of 2–3, 31 strikeouts and a 2.93 ERA in nine appearances and 46 innings pitched.<ref name=BR/> Both wins came in the 1962 World Series against the Giants, including a 1–0 shutout in Game 7 over Giants ace [[Jack Sanford]]. That game – and thus the Series – ended with Yankee second baseman [[Bobby Richardson]] catching [[Willie McCovey]]'s line drive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN196210160.shtml|title=October 16, 1962 World Series Game 7, New York Yankees at San Francisco Giants Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=October 16, 1962|access-date=March 17, 2022}}</ref>
In five World Series (1960–64), Terry posted a record of 2–3, 31 strikeouts and a 2.93 ERA in nine appearances and 46 innings pitched.<ref name=BR/> Both wins came in the 1962 World Series against the Giants, including a 1–0 shutout in Game 7 over Giants ace [[Jack Sanford]]. That game – and thus the Series – ended with Yankee second baseman [[Bobby Richardson]] catching [[Willie McCovey]]'s line drive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN196210160.shtml|title=October 16, 1962 World Series Game 7, New York Yankees at San Francisco Giants Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=October 16, 1962|access-date=March 17, 2022}}</ref>


==Later life==
==Later life==
After baseball, Terry became a professional [[golf]]er. He won the 1980 [[Midwest PGA Championship]], and based on his status as a [[PGA of America]] sectional champion, he qualified for and played in four [[PGA Tour]] events in 1981 and 1982. In 1986, he started playing on the [[Senior PGA Tour]]. His best finish was a tie for 10th at the 1989 [[Showdown Classic]]. He appeared at several Yankees [[Old-Timers' Day]]s, most recently in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hoch |first1=Bryan |title=Grand Old Time: Former Yanks have a ball |url=https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/former-yankees-enjoy-71st-old-timers-day-c238687066 |publisher=MLB |access-date=10 January 2020 |date=25 June 2017}}</ref>
After baseball, Terry became a professional [[golf]]er. He won the 1980 [[Midwest PGA Championship]], and based on his status as a [[PGA of America]] sectional champion, he qualified for and played in four [[PGA Tour]] events in 1981 and 1982. In 1986, he started playing on the [[Senior PGA Tour]]. His best finish was a tie for 10th at the 1989 [[Showdown Classic]]. He appeared at several Yankees [[Old-Timers' Day]]s, most recently in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hoch |first1=Bryan |title=Grand Old Time: Former Yanks have a ball |url=https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/former-yankees-enjoy-71st-old-timers-day-c238687066 |publisher=MLB |access-date=January 10, 2020 |date=June 25, 2017}}</ref>


Terry lived in [[Larned, Kansas]], where he was in the insurance business for a number of years. In his retirement, he continued to play golf as a hobby.<ref name=SABR/> He died March 16, 2022, at a long-term care facility in Larned. He was 86, and suffered a head injury after slipping on ice on the morning of [[New Year's Eve]] 2021.<ref name="NYT obit"/>
Terry lived in [[Larned, Kansas]], where he was in the insurance business for a number of years. In his retirement, he continued to play golf as a hobby.<ref name=SABR/> He died March 16, 2022, at a long-term care facility in Larned. He was 86, and suffered a head injury after slipping on ice on the morning of [[New Year's Eve]] 2021.<ref name="NYT obit"/>
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Baseballstats |mlb=123200 |espn= |br=t/terryra01 |fangraphs= |brm=terry-002ral |retro=T/Pterrr101}}
{{Baseballstats |mlb=123200 |espn= |br=t/terryra01 |fangraphs= |brm=terry-002ral |retro=T/Pterrr101}}
*[http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/25moments/2.html The Sporting News' Baseball's 25 Greatest Moments: Maz]
*[http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/25moments/2.html The Sporting News' Baseball's 25 Greatest Moments: Maz] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050410225452/http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/25moments/2.html |date=April 10, 2005 }}
*[http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/25moments/13.html The Sporting News' Baseball's 25 Greatest Moments: McCovey Lines Out]
*[http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/25moments/13.html The Sporting News' Baseball's 25 Greatest Moments: McCovey Lines Out] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050309061215/http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/25moments/13.html |date=March 9, 2005 }}
*{{PGATour player|05600}}
*{{PGATour player|05600}}
*''The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia'' – Gary Gillette, Peter Gammons, Pete Palmer. Publisher: Sterling Publishing, 2005. Format: Paperback, 1824pp. Language: English. {{ISBN|1-4027-4771-3}}
*''The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia'' – Gary Gillette, Peter Gammons, Pete Palmer. Publisher: Sterling Publishing, 2005. Format: Paperback, 1824pp. Language: English. {{ISBN|1-4027-4771-3}}
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[[Category:Golfers from Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Golfers from Oklahoma]]
[[Category:People from Craig County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:People from Craig County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:People from Larned, Kansas]]
[[Category:Accidental deaths from falls]]
[[Category:Accidental deaths in Kansas]]

Latest revision as of 19:44, 8 March 2024

Ralph Terry
Terry in 1964
Pitcher
Born: (1936-01-09)January 9, 1936
Big Cabin, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died: March 16, 2022(2022-03-16) (aged 86)
Larned, Kansas, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 6, 1956, for the New York Yankees
Last MLB appearance
April 22, 1967, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
Win–loss record107–99
Earned run average3.62
Strikeouts1,000
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Ralph Willard Terry (January 9, 1936 – March 16, 2022) was an American baseball player who played as a right-handed starting pitcher for twelve seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians, and New York Mets from 1956 to 1967. He was a member of the Yankees pitching rotation on five consecutive league champions from 1960 to 1964, enjoying his best season in 1962 when he was named to his only All-Star team, going on to lead the American League with 23 victories. In the 1962 World Series he was named the Most Valuable Player after posting wins in two of the last three games, including a 1–0 shutout in the decisive game seven. He is also notable for surrendering a walk-off home run to Bill Mazeroski that won the 1960 World Series for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Terry also played for the Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians, and New York Mets. He later enjoyed a successful career as a professional golfer.

Early life

[edit]

Terry was born in Big Cabin, Oklahoma, on January 9, 1936.[1][2] His father, Frank William, was employed as an attendant at Eastern Oklahoma Hospital and served in the US Navy during World War II; his mother was Laleta (Adams). Terry attended Chelsea High School in nearby Chelsea, where he played gridiron and basketball. He graduated as salutatorian of his class in 1953. He then studied at Missouri State University and the University of Kansas City.[3] He was signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Yankees on November 19, 1953.[1]

Baseball career

[edit]

Independence Indians (1953)

[edit]

Terry played for the Independence Indians in the Ban Johnson League in 1953. The home field for the Independence Indians was Shulthis Stadium in Independence, Kansas. The stadium is the same venue in which Mickey Mantle started his career with the Independence Yankees in 1949.[4]

New York Yankees (1956–1957)

[edit]

Terry played two seasons in the minor leagues from 1954 to 1956.[3][5] He made his MLB debut on August 6, 1956, at the age of 20,[1] pitching 5+2⁄3 innings, striking out four, and being the winning pitcher in a 4–3 win over the Boston Red Sox.[6] He ultimately posted a 1–2 win–loss record and a 9.45 earned run average (ERA) in three starts in his first MLB season. The following year, he appeared in seven games, making two starts, before being traded to the Kansas City Athletics on June 15.[1]

Kansas City Athletics (1957–1959)

[edit]

Terry finished the 1957 season with a 4–11 record and 3.38 ERA in 19 starts for the Athletics. He rebounded somewhat the next season, going 11–13 with a 4.24 ERA and 134 strikeouts (setting a new career high) in 40 games, including 33 starts. In 1959, he started 2–4 with a 5.24 earned run average (ERA) in 9 games. On May 26 of that year, he was traded to the New York Yankees along with Hector Lopez.[1]

Return to New York and stardom (1959–1964)

[edit]
New York Yankees catcher Elston Howard looks at the call of umpire Jocko Conlan during the top of the 5th inning of Game 2 of the 1961 World Series, played October 5, 1961 at Yankee Stadium. Cincinnati Reds second baseman Elio Chacon slides into home safely on a passed ball, as teammate Vada Pinson and Yankee pitcher Ralph Terry look on. The run put the Reds up 3-2, and they ultimately would win their only game of the series 6-2.

Upon his return, Terry went 3–7 with a 3.39 ERA in 24 games, including 16 starts. His career began to take off in 1960, when he posted a 10–8 record and 3.40 ERA. That year, he made his first postseason appearance, in two games of the 1960 World Series.[1] He was 0–2 with a 5.40 ERA in the two games, one start and one relief appearance,[1] and gave up Bill Mazeroski's walk-off home run in Game 7.[7]

In 1961, Terry posted a 16–3 record with a 3.15 ERA in 31 games (27 starts).[1] During the 1961 World Series, he was 0–1 with a 4.82 ERA in two starts,[1] but won his first championship when the Yankees defeated the Cincinnati Reds in five games.[8]

For 1962, Terry went 23–12 with a 3.19 ERA. That year, he posted career bests with 23 wins, 39 starts, 298+2⁄3 innings pitched, and 176 strikeouts against 57 walks. His 23 victories led the American League.[1] In the 1962 World Series, he went 2–1 with a 1.80 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 25 innings over three games against the San Francisco Giants. His performance earned him the World Series MVP award that season.[1][9]

The next year, Terry was 17–15 with a 3.22 ERA in 37 games, including a career-high 18 complete games.[1] He pitched three innings in the 1963 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, finishing with a 3.00 ERA, as the Yankees were swept in four games.[10]

In 1964, Terry went 7–11 with a 4.54 ERA. In the World Series that year against the Cardinals, he gave up two hits and struck out three batters in a Yankees loss.[1]

Later career (1965–1967)

[edit]

Shortly after the 1964 World Series, Terry was sent to the Cleveland Indians as a player to be named later in an earlier trade for Pedro Ramos; Bud Daley was later sent to the Indians in November to complete the trade.[11] In 1965, his only season in Cleveland, Terry posted an 11–6 mark with a 3.69 ERA in 30 games, (26 starts).[1]

On April 6, 1966 he was traded for John O'Donoghue and cash to the Kansas City Athletics.[1][12] He started 15 games for the Athletics, for whom he went 1–5 with a 3.80 ERA. On August 6, his contract was purchased by the New York Mets. He went 0–1 with a 4.74 ERA in 11 games, six as a reliever, for the rest of the 1966 season.[1]

In 1967, Terry pitched in just two games, and finished one, before being released by the Mets on May 16. He subsequently retired.[1]

Career overview

[edit]

In his career, Terry had 257 games started, 20 shutouts, 11 saves, 446 walks, and 1,000 strikeouts in 1,849+1⁄3 innings pitched.[1]

In five World Series (1960–64), Terry posted a record of 2–3, 31 strikeouts and a 2.93 ERA in nine appearances and 46 innings pitched.[1] Both wins came in the 1962 World Series against the Giants, including a 1–0 shutout in Game 7 over Giants ace Jack Sanford. That game – and thus the Series – ended with Yankee second baseman Bobby Richardson catching Willie McCovey's line drive.[13]

Later life

[edit]

After baseball, Terry became a professional golfer. He won the 1980 Midwest PGA Championship, and based on his status as a PGA of America sectional champion, he qualified for and played in four PGA Tour events in 1981 and 1982. In 1986, he started playing on the Senior PGA Tour. His best finish was a tie for 10th at the 1989 Showdown Classic. He appeared at several Yankees Old-Timers' Days, most recently in 2017.[14]

Terry lived in Larned, Kansas, where he was in the insurance business for a number of years. In his retirement, he continued to play golf as a hobby.[3] He died March 16, 2022, at a long-term care facility in Larned. He was 86, and suffered a head injury after slipping on ice on the morning of New Year's Eve 2021.[2]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Ralph Terry Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Margolick, David (March 17, 2022). "Ralph Terry, Yankee Hurler Redeemed by One Pitch, Dies at 86". The New York Times. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Nielsen, Monty. "Ralph Terry". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  4. ^ Sumner, Jan (2015). Independence, Mantle, and Miss Able (First ed.). Jadan Publishing. pp. 51–61. ISBN 978-0-9703197-1-5.
  5. ^ "Ralph Terry Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  6. ^ "August 6, 1956 New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox Box Score Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. August 6, 1956. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  7. ^ "October 13, 1960 World Series Game 7, New York Yankees at Pittsburgh Pirates Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. October 13, 1960. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  8. ^ "1961 World Series – New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds (4–1)". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  9. ^ "World Series History | MLB.com". M.mlb.com. July 23, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  10. ^ "1963 World Series – Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees (4–0)". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  11. ^ "DALEY OF YANKS SENT TO INDIANS; Move Completes Deal That Gave Ramos to Bombers". The New York Times. November 28, 1964. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  12. ^ "TERRY OF INDIANS IS TRADED TO A'S; Cleveland Gets O'Donoghue Pirates Obtain Purkey". The New York Times. April 8, 1966. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  13. ^ "October 16, 1962 World Series Game 7, New York Yankees at San Francisco Giants Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. October 16, 1962. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  14. ^ Hoch, Bryan (June 25, 2017). "Grand Old Time: Former Yanks have a ball". MLB. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
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