OTD July 12

OTD (On This Day) in 1966, North Carolina native Gaylord Perry appears in his first All-Star Game — collecting the win for the National League in 2-1 pitching duel against the American League. Gaylord was born in Williamston, NC in 1938. Gaylord’s older brother (by 2 years), Jim, would also become an accomplished Major League pitcher.

Gaylord had his first year in the Majors with the San Francisco Giants in 1962 at age 23, pitching in 13 games. Gaylord was known for many things throughout his Major League career, but notoriously for throwing the spitball — Gaylord still claims he never threw an illegal pitch, despite what his own book said in 1974. It is rumored that in 1964, Gaylord was taught the pitch from teammate and fellow pitcher Bob Shaw.

In 1966, Gaylord would win 20 games for the first time in his MLB career (he would have five 20+ win seasons during his 22-year career). He finished 21-8 with a 2.99 ERA for the Giants in 1966, striking out 201 in 256 innings and only giving up 40 walks. During the ’66 season, Gaylord was selected to his first MLB All-Star Game after going 12-1 with a 2.51 ERA during the first half. The ’66 All-Star Game was held at the brand new Bush Stadium in St. Louis, MO. Gaylord entered the game in the top of the 9th, with the score tied 1-1. He got Al Kaline to groundout and was able to get both Frank Robinson and Tony Oliva to flyout. Gaylord pitched the top of the 10th inning giving up a single to Brooks Robinson, getting Norm Cash to flyout, walking Earl Battey, getting Bobby Richardson to pop-up in foul territory, then finally striking out Jim Fregosi to get out of the inning. In the bottom of the 10th, Maury Wills singled home Tim McCarver to give Gaylord and the Nationals the win.

Over his 22-year MLB career, Gaylord would appear in 5 All-Star Games. He also would win 2 Cy Young Awards. In 1991, Gaylord was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Box score of the 1966 All-Star Game: https://www.baseball-reference.com/allstar/1966-allstar-game.shtml