Al Worthington
Encyclopedia
Allan Fulton Worthington (born February 5, 1929 in Birmingham, Alabama
), nicknamed "Red", is a former pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played for the Giants
(New York, 1953–54, 1956–57 and San Francisco, 1958–59), Boston Red Sox
(1960), Chicago White Sox
(1960), Cincinnati Reds
(1963–64) and Minnesota Twins
(1965–69). Worthington batted and threw right-handed. He has been considered the first great closer
in Twins history.
Worthington began his career with the Giants pitching two shutout
s in his first two major league games. After that, however, he turned in a less-than-modest starter
the rest of the way and was demoted to the bullpen
.
After successive transactions between the Giants, Red Sox, White Sox and Reds, Worthington landed in Minnesota, only to blossom into one of the American League
's most dominant closers. His most productive season came in 1965, when he posted career-highs in saves
(21) and ERA
(2.13), and also won 10 games. From 1966-67 he saved 32 games, and in 1968 he led the league relievers with 18 saves.
In a 14-year career, Worthington compiled a 75-82 record with 834 strikeout
s, a 3.39 ERA, and 110 saves in 1,246.2 innings pitched
.
Worthington would continue on with his career in baseball after his retirement from the major leagues, by accepting the head coaching position at Liberty University
, in Lynchburg, Virginia
. The field on the campus of Liberty University
is named in his honor.
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
), nicknamed "Red", is a former pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played for the Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(New York, 1953–54, 1956–57 and San Francisco, 1958–59), Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1960), Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1960), Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1963–64) and Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
(1965–69). Worthington batted and threw right-handed. He has been considered the first great closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
in Twins history.
Worthington began his career with the Giants pitching two shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s in his first two major league games. After that, however, he turned in a less-than-modest starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
the rest of the way and was demoted to the bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
.
After successive transactions between the Giants, Red Sox, White Sox and Reds, Worthington landed in Minnesota, only to blossom into one of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
's most dominant closers. His most productive season came in 1965, when he posted career-highs in saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
(21) and ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(2.13), and also won 10 games. From 1966-67 he saved 32 games, and in 1968 he led the league relievers with 18 saves.
In a 14-year career, Worthington compiled a 75-82 record with 834 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s, a 3.39 ERA, and 110 saves in 1,246.2 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
.
Worthington would continue on with his career in baseball after his retirement from the major leagues, by accepting the head coaching position at Liberty University
Liberty University
Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty's annual enrollment is around 72,000 students, 12,000 of whom are residential students and 60,000+ studying through Liberty University Online...
, in Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
. The field on the campus of Liberty University
Al Worthington Stadium
Al Worthington Stadium is a baseball venue on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA. It is home to the Liberty Flames of the Division I Big South Conference. Opened in 1979, the facility is named for former Liberty baseball coach and athletic director Al Worthington...
is named in his honor.