Darold Knowles
Encyclopedia
Darold Duane Knowles is a former Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
, and the current pitching coach of the Florida State League
's Dunedin Blue Jays
. In the 1973 World Series
, Knowles became the first pitcher
to appear in all seven games of a World Series
.
in after attending the University of Missouri
. He spent four seasons in their farm system, going 45-28 with a 2.83 earned run average
, mostly as a starter
. He made his debut with the Orioles in , pitching 1.2 innings out of the bullpen
, and giving up five earned runs before returning to the triple A Rochester Red Wings
. Upon completion of the International League
season, Knowles received a September call back up to Baltimore. He went 0-1 with a 6.92 ERA in his return. The loss came against the Detroit Tigers
in his only start.
were traded to the Philadelphia Phillies
for Jack Baldschun
. He won the season opener against the St. Louis Cardinals
, pitching six innings of one-run ball to earn his first career win. His first career save came on May 12 against the Los Angeles Dodgers
. For the season, he earned thirteen saves. His 69 appearances, all in relief, were the third highest total of any pitcher in the league. At the end of his only season in Philadelphia, he was traded to the Washington Senators for Don Lock
.
in . He was used 32 times in when his season was cut short by President
Lyndon B. Johnson
's reserve call-up of the Air Force
's 113th Tactical Fighter Wing in which he was an airman first class. He returned to the Senators in May , and went 4-1 with four saves and a 2.01 ERA to earn his only career All-Star
nod.
Despite a 2-14 record in , Knowles enjoyed career highs in saves (27), appearances (71) and innings pitched
(119.1).
acquired Knowles and Mike Epstein
for Frank Fernandez
, Paul Lindblad
and Don Mincher
. Knowles only allowed four of 35 inherited runners to score, and earned seven saves and five wins out of a bullpen that already included Rollie Fingers
and Bob Locker
. The A's won the American League West
by sixteen games over the Kansas City Royals
, but were swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1971 American League Championship Series
. Knowles only appearance came in game three.
In , Knowles went 5-1 with a 1.37 ERA and eleven saves, however, he was lost for the post season due to a broken thumb.
shutout
against the Boston Red Sox
on August 14. The A's repeated as AL champions, and faced the New York Mets
in the World Series. Knowles appeared in all seven games of the World Series, pitching 6.1 innings without giving up an earned run, and earning the save in games one and seven. He is, to date, the only pitcher ever to appear in all seven games of a World Series.
Knowles had an off year in , going 3-3 with a 4.22 ERA and blowing two of his five save opportunities. His .296 batting average against was the highest in the Oakland bullpen. Regardless, the A's won their third World Series in a row in , however, Knowles did not make a post-season appearance. Shortly after the World Series, he, Bob Locker and Manny Trillo
were dealt to the Chicago Cubs
for Billy Williams.
role in Chicago, saving fifteen in and nine in . Shortly before Spring training
, Knowles was dealt to the Texas Rangers
for a player to be named later and cash. He went 5-2 with a 3.22 ERA and four saves to help the Rangers to a second place finish. After the season, he was reunited with his former A's manager Dick Williams
when his contract was sold to the Montreal Expos
. He appeared in sixty games with the Expos, going 3-3 with six saves and a 2.38 ERA.
Knowles did not enjoy playing in Canada
, citing taxes, language problems and political unrest in Quebec
as the reasons for his displeasure. After just one season in Montreal
, Knowles signed a two year deal with his home team
St. Louis Cardinals
.
Knowles made 48 appearances and earned six saves with the Cards in . He made just two appearances in April before retiring and accepting a coaching position in the Cardinals' farm system. At the time of his retirement, he was tied for 13th in career saves.
rate of one runner every 24 innings is the highest in major league history. During his playing days, he was a school teacher during the off-season.
' pitching coach in January by new manager Nick Leyva
. Under Knowles, the Phillies' pitching staff, which had a National League
worst 4.14 ERA and 628 walks
in 1988, showed only mild improvement, and he was demoted to a minor league coaching position after the season.
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...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
, and the current pitching coach of the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
's Dunedin Blue Jays
Dunedin Blue Jays
The Dunedin Blue Jays are a minor league baseball team based in Dunedin, Florida. They play in the Florida State League, and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball club...
. In the 1973 World Series
1973 World Series
The 1973 World Series matched the defending champion Oakland Athletics against the New York Mets, with the A's winning in seven games to repeat as World Champions....
, Knowles became the first 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...
to appear in all seven games of a World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
.
Baltimore Orioles
Knowles signed with the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in after attending the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
. He spent four seasons in their farm system, going 45-28 with a 2.83 earned run average
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...
, mostly as a 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....
. He made his debut with the Orioles in , pitching 1.2 innings out of 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"...
, and giving up five earned runs before returning to the triple A Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
. Upon completion of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
season, Knowles received a September call back up to Baltimore. He went 0-1 with a 6.92 ERA in his return. The loss came against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in his only start.
Philadelphia Phillies
After the season, he and Jackie BrandtJackie Brandt
John George Brandt Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as an amateur free agent before the 1953 season, and played for the Cardinals , New York Giants , San Francisco Giants , Baltimore Orioles , Philadelphia Phillies , and Houston Astros...
were traded to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Jack Baldschun
Jack Baldschun
Jack Edward Baldschun was a relief pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres ....
. He won the season opener against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, pitching six innings of one-run ball to earn his first career win. His first career save came on May 12 against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. For the season, he earned thirteen saves. His 69 appearances, all in relief, were the third highest total of any pitcher in the league. At the end of his only season in Philadelphia, he was traded to the Washington Senators for Don Lock
Don Lock
Don Wilson Lock is a former professional baseball player who played outfield in the major leagues from 1962 to 1969 for the Washington Senators , Philadelphia Phillies , and Boston Red Sox . Lock attended Wichita State University, stood 6'2" tall and weighed 202 pounds...
.
Washington Senators
Knowles began earning a reputation as a work-horse reliever, as he was used 61 times by manager Gil HodgesGil Hodges
Gilbert Ray Hodges was an American Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. During an 18-year baseball career, he played in 1943 and from 1947–63, spending most of his career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers...
in . He was used 32 times in when his season was cut short by President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
's reserve call-up of the Air Force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
's 113th Tactical Fighter Wing in which he was an airman first class. He returned to the Senators in May , and went 4-1 with four saves and a 2.01 ERA to earn his only career All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
nod.
Despite a 2-14 record in , Knowles enjoyed career highs in saves (27), appearances (71) and 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...
(119.1).
Oakland A's
On May 8, 1971, the first place Oakland AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
acquired Knowles and Mike Epstein
Mike Epstein
Michael Peter Epstein , nicknamed SuperJew, is a former Major League Baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, and California Angels from –....
for Frank Fernandez
Frank Fernández (baseball)
Frank Fernández is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He signed as an amateur free agent with the New York Yankees upon graduation from Curtis High School in Staten Island in . He spent six seasons in their minor league system before debuting with the Yankees as a September call-up in...
, Paul Lindblad
Paul Lindblad
Paul Aaron Lindblad was an American Major League Baseball left-handed middle-relief pitcher. During his career, he pitched primarily for the Kansas City and Oakland Athletics. At the time of his retirement in , he had recorded the seventh-most appearances of any left-hander in history.Lindblad...
and Don Mincher
Don Mincher
-External links:***...
. Knowles only allowed four of 35 inherited runners to score, and earned seven saves and five wins out of a bullpen that already included Rollie Fingers
Rollie Fingers
Roland Glen Fingers is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During his 18-year baseball career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers . He became only the second reliever to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992...
and Bob Locker
Bob Locker
Robert Awtry Locker is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965-1975 for five different teams. The sinker-balling Locker never made a start in his big-league career.- Biography :...
. The A's won the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
by sixteen games over the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, but were swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1971 American League Championship Series
1971 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Sunday, October 3, 1971 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MarylandDave McNally, a 20-game winner for the fourth season in a row, survived a rocky start to win the opener. He trailed, 3–0, after four innings pitched, giving up three doubles and a triple. The A's had McNally tottering in the...
. Knowles only appearance came in game three.
In , Knowles went 5-1 with a 1.37 ERA and eleven saves, however, he was lost for the post season due to a broken thumb.
1973 World Series
Knowles made five starts for the World Champion A's in , pitching his only complete gameComplete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
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....
against the 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"...
on August 14. The A's repeated as AL champions, and faced the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in the World Series. Knowles appeared in all seven games of the World Series, pitching 6.1 innings without giving up an earned run, and earning the save in games one and seven. He is, to date, the only pitcher ever to appear in all seven games of a World Series.
Knowles had an off year in , going 3-3 with a 4.22 ERA and blowing two of his five save opportunities. His .296 batting average against was the highest in the Oakland bullpen. Regardless, the A's won their third World Series in a row in , however, Knowles did not make a post-season appearance. Shortly after the World Series, he, Bob Locker and Manny Trillo
Manny Trillo
Jesús Manuel Marcano Trillo , also nicknamed "Indio", is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from to...
were dealt to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Billy Williams.
Final years
Knowles inherited the closer'sCloser (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...
role in Chicago, saving fifteen in and nine in . Shortly before Spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, Knowles was dealt to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for a player to be named later and cash. He went 5-2 with a 3.22 ERA and four saves to help the Rangers to a second place finish. After the season, he was reunited with his former A's manager Dick Williams
Dick Williams
Richard Hirschfeld "Dick" Williams was an American left fielder, third baseman, manager, coach and front office consultant in Major League Baseball. Known especially as a hard-driving, sharp-tongued manager from 1967–69 and 1971–88, he led teams to three American League pennants, one National...
when his contract was sold to the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
. He appeared in sixty games with the Expos, going 3-3 with six saves and a 2.38 ERA.
Knowles did not enjoy playing in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, citing taxes, language problems and political unrest in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
as the reasons for his displeasure. After just one season in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Knowles signed a two year deal with his home team
Home team
In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans...
St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
.
Knowles made 48 appearances and earned six saves with the Cards in . He made just two appearances in April before retiring and accepting a coaching position in the Cardinals' farm system. At the time of his retirement, he was tied for 13th in career saves.
Career stats
His pickoffPickoff
In baseball, a pickoff is an act by a pitcher or a catcher, throwing a live ball to a fielder so that the fielder can tag out a baserunner who is either leading off or about to begin stealing the next base....
rate of one runner every 24 innings is the highest in major league history. During his playing days, he was a school teacher during the off-season.
Coaching
After eight years as a minor league pitching coach for the Cardinals, Knowles was hired as the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
' pitching coach in January by new manager Nick Leyva
Nick Leyva
Nicholas Tomas Leyva is the current third base coach of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Leyva, who is of Mexican American descent, is a former minor league player and manager, and has spent over a decade as a Major League Baseball coach...
. Under Knowles, the Phillies' pitching staff, which had a National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
worst 4.14 ERA and 628 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
in 1988, showed only mild improvement, and he was demoted to a minor league coaching position after the season.