Ken Dayley
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Grant Dayley is a former professional baseball
player. A left-handed pitcher
, Dayley played all or part of eleven seasons in Major League Baseball
between 1982 and 1993.
, Dayley was selected in the first round, as the third pick overall, of the 1980 amateur draft
by Atlanta Braves
. He made his major league debut with the Braves on May 13, 1982. During his Braves career, he was used as a swingman, both starting and relieving.
to the St. Louis Cardinals
on June 15, 1984, for Ken Oberkfell
. After spending most of the rest of the season in the minor leagues
, he made it to the majors to stay in 1985, where he was converted to a full-time relief pitcher
. That would remain his role for the remainder of his career, as he never started another game in the majors. He was released, then re-signed by the Cardinals following the 1986 season, and pitched for them through 1990, after which he was granted free agency.
. He won one game, saved five, and posted an earned run average
of just 0.44. He struck out 15 batters while giving up just 12 baserunners, including just six hits. The only run he gave up, however, was a big one.
In Game 6 of the 1987 World Series
, With the Minnesota Twins already leading 6-5 in the sixth inning, Dayley was brought in to face left-handed hitter Kent Hrbek
with the bases loaded and two out. Dayley's first pitch was deposited over the center field fence for a grand slam
. That gave the Twins a 10-5 lead, and they would go on to win the game 11-5, then win Game 7 as well to send the Cardinals to their second World Series loss in three years.
in November 1990. Dayley made eight relief appearances in 1991, but his season was cut short by injuries, most notably a bout with vertigo
from which he never really recovered. He pitched in just four games in 1992, all in the minors.
He opened the 1993 season with the Jays, but pitched in just two games, in which he faced seven batters and walked four of them, before being released on April 15. Five days later, Los Angeles Dodgers
signed him to a minor league contract. Pitching for the Albuquerque Dukes
, he appeared in nine games, giving up 14 hits and 12 walks in just 10.1 innings, before being released on June 22, ending his professional career.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player. A left-handed 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...
, Dayley played all or part of eleven seasons 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...
between 1982 and 1993.
Braves
After pitching at the University of PortlandUniversity of Portland
The University of Portland is a private Roman Catholic university located in Portland, Oregon. It is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross and is the sister school of the University of Notre Dame. Founded in 1901, UP has a student body of about 3,600 students...
, Dayley was selected in the first round, as the third pick overall, of the 1980 amateur draft
1980 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1980 Major League Baseball draft.- Compensation Picks :*William Erickson, was drafted in the second round by the San Francisco Giants, 31st pick overall. *Jeff Horne was drafted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Pirates,...
by Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. He made his major league debut with the Braves on May 13, 1982. During his Braves career, he was used as a swingman, both starting and relieving.
Cardinals
Dayley was traded along with Mike JorgensenMike Jorgensen
Michael Jorgensen is a former Major League Baseball player drafted by the New York Mets in the fourth round of the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft...
to 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...
on June 15, 1984, for Ken Oberkfell
Ken Oberkfell
Kenneth Raymond Oberkfell is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman and ex-coach for the New York Mets. He played from 1977-1992 for six different teams. Oberkfell primarily played third base but was also known to play second base and both corner outfield positions...
. After spending most of the rest of the season in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, he made it to the majors to stay in 1985, where he was converted to a full-time 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...
. That would remain his role for the remainder of his career, as he never started another game in the majors. He was released, then re-signed by the Cardinals following the 1986 season, and pitched for them through 1990, after which he was granted free agency.
Postseason record
While with the Cardinals, Dayley had a statistically stellar postseason record. In four postseason series in 1985 and 1987, Dayley appeared in 16 games, pitching 20.2 inningsInnings 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...
. He won one game, saved five, and posted an 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...
of just 0.44. He struck out 15 batters while giving up just 12 baserunners, including just six hits. The only run he gave up, however, was a big one.
In Game 6 of the 1987 World Series
1987 World Series
The 1987 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins versus the St. Louis Cardinals.Minnesota was victorious in a World Series that was the first in which the home team won every game...
, With the Minnesota Twins already leading 6-5 in the sixth inning, Dayley was brought in to face left-handed hitter Kent Hrbek
Kent Hrbek
Frequently injured , Hrbek retired after the players strike in 1994, citing his nagging injury problems and desire to spend more time with his wife and daughter at their home in Bloomington, MN...
with the bases loaded and two out. Dayley's first pitch was deposited over the center field fence for a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
. That gave the Twins a 10-5 lead, and they would go on to win the game 11-5, then win Game 7 as well to send the Cardinals to their second World Series loss in three years.
Remaining career
Dayley signed with Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in November 1990. Dayley made eight relief appearances in 1991, but his season was cut short by injuries, most notably a bout with vertigo
Vertigo
Vertigo is a form of dizziness.Vertigo may also refer to:* Vertigo , a 1958 film by Alfred Hitchcock**Vertigo , its soundtrack** Vertigo effect, or Dolly zoom, a special effect in film, named after the movie...
from which he never really recovered. He pitched in just four games in 1992, all in the minors.
He opened the 1993 season with the Jays, but pitched in just two games, in which he faced seven batters and walked four of them, before being released on April 15. Five days later, 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...
signed him to a minor league contract. Pitching for the Albuquerque Dukes
Albuquerque Dukes
The Albuquerque Dukes were a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.-History:The first Dukes team was formed in 1915 as part of the Class-D Rio Grande Association. The team finished in third place with a 32-25 record. Frank Huelman was the league leader in home runs,...
, he appeared in nine games, giving up 14 hits and 12 walks in just 10.1 innings, before being released on June 22, ending his professional career.