Ken Clay
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Earl Clay is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
who played in the major leagues from to for the New York Yankees
, Texas Rangers
, and Seattle Mariners
. Clay appeared at the Old-Timers' Day
at Yankee Stadium
. Clay batted and threw right-handed.
. He won two World Series championships as a relief pitcher with the Yankeeas in 1977 and 1978. His most memorable postseason performance occurred in Game 1 of the 1978 ALCS against the Kansas City Royals. Clay relieved starter Jim Beattie
in the sixth inning with one out and the bases loaded. Clay limited the Royals to scoring one run on a sacrifice fly by Hal McRae
and then retired Al Cowens
on a groundout to get out of the inning. Despite the presence of formidible closers Goose Gossage
and Sparky Lyle
in the Yankee bullpen, Clay remained in the game and pitched two more shutout innings to earn the save.
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...
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...
who played in the major leagues from to for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, 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...
, and Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. Clay appeared at the Old-Timers' Day
Old-Timers' Day
Old-Timers' Day generally refers to a tradition in Major League Baseball of a team, especially the New York Yankees, devoting the early afternoon preceding a weekend late afternoon game to celebrate the baseball-related accomplishments of its former players who have since retired...
at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
. Clay batted and threw right-handed.
New York Yankees
Clay was drafted by the Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft1972 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1972 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Montreal Expos had perhaps their best draft in franchise history. The Expos grabbed outfielder Ellis Valentine in round two of the June regular phase and then...
. He won two World Series championships as a relief pitcher with the Yankeeas in 1977 and 1978. His most memorable postseason performance occurred in Game 1 of the 1978 ALCS against the Kansas City Royals. Clay relieved starter Jim Beattie
Jim Beattie
James Louis Beattie is a former Major League Baseball player and executive who pitched in the major leagues from –....
in the sixth inning with one out and the bases loaded. Clay limited the Royals to scoring one run on a sacrifice fly by Hal McRae
Hal McRae
Harold Abraham McRae is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals . Utilized as a designated hitter for most of his career, McRae batted and threw right-handed...
and then retired Al Cowens
Al Cowens
Alfred Edward Cowens, Jr. was a right fielder in Major League Baseball. From through , Cowens played for the Kansas City Royals , California Angels , Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners . He batted and threw right-handed.A native of Los Angeles, California, Cowens was a product of the Kansas...
on a groundout to get out of the inning. Despite the presence of formidible closers Goose Gossage
Goose Gossage
Richard Michael "Goose" Gossage is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During a 22-year baseball career, he pitched from 1972-1994 for nine different teams, spending his best years with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. The nickname "Goose" is a play on his surname...
and Sparky Lyle
Sparky Lyle
Albert Walter "Sparky" Lyle is an American former left-handed relief pitcher who spent sixteen seasons in Major League Baseball . He was a closer from 1969 to 1977, first for the Boston Red Sox and then the New York Yankees. A three-time All-Star, he won the American League Cy Young Award in 1977...
in the Yankee bullpen, Clay remained in the game and pitched two more shutout innings to earn the save.