| Johnny Podres | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: September 30, 1932 Witherbee, New York |
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| Died: January 13, 2008 (aged 75) Glens Falls, New York |
|
| Batted: Left | Threw: Left |
| MLB debut | |
| April 7, 1953 for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 21, 1969 for the San Diego Padres | |
| Career statistics | |
| Win-Loss record | 148-116 |
| Earned run average | 3.68 |
| Strikeouts | 1,435 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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John Joseph Podres (September 30, 1932–January 13, 2008) was an American left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who spent most of his career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. He is perhaps best remembered for being named the Most Valuable Player of the 1955 World Series, pitching a shutout in Game 7 against the New York Yankees to help bring the Dodgers their first World Series title. He later led the National League in earned run average and shutouts in 1957, and in winning percentage in 1961.
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Major league career
Podres helped his Dodgers teams win the World Series in 1955, 1959 and 1963. His performance in the 1955 Series was especially remarkable. After the Dodgers lost the first two games to the New York Yankees, Podres pitched a complete game 7-hit victory on his 23rd birthday in Game 3. In the climactic Game 7, Podres pitched a shutout, winning 2-0, to bring Brooklyn its first and only World Series championship. Podres was given the first-ever World Series MVP Award by Sport magazine and presented with a red two-seater Corvette. Later he was honored as the Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated magazine.
In his 15-season career, Podres compiled a 148-116 record with 1435 strikeouts, a 3.68 ERA, and 24 shutouts in 440 games. He was at his best in the World Series, losing his first Series game (in 1953), then winning four straight decisions over the next decade. In six Series games, he allowed only 29 hits in 38⅓ innings, with a 2.11 ERA adorning his 4-1 won/loss record.
Post-retirement
When his playing career ended after stints with the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres, Podres served as the pitching coach for the Padres, Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies for 13 seasons between 1973 and 1996. Among the pitchers he worked with were Frank Viola and Curt Schilling.[1]
He later settled in Queensbury, New York and died at age 75 in Glens Falls, New York, after being hospitalized for heart and kidney ailments and a leg infection.[1]
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
- Los Angeles Dodgers all-time roster
References
- ^ a b "Johnny Podres, Series Star, Dies at 75", The New York Times, January 14, 2008.
External links
- Johnny Podres at Find a Grave
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
- BaseballLibrary - profile, career highlights and SABR bibliography
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by none |
World Series MVP 1955 |
Succeeded by Don Larsen |
| Preceded by Dusty Rhodes |
Babe Ruth Award 1955 |
Succeeded by Don Larsen |
| Preceded by Lew Burdette |
National League ERA Champion 1957 |
Succeeded by Stu Miller |
| Sporting positions | ||
| Preceded by Don Drysdale |
Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day starting pitcher 1962 |
Succeeded by Don Drysdale |
| Preceded by Al Jackson |
Boston Red Sox Pitching Coach 1980 |
Succeeded by Lee Stange |
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