Ron Guidry
| Birthdate | 08/28/1950 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1975 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Yankees |
| Position | Pitcher |
The 1978 Cy Young award winner, Ron Guidry was the Yankee captain from 1986 through 1988. His jersey number 49 was retired in 2003.
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Ron Guidry went 25-3 with a 1.74 ERA in 1978
Ron Guidry went 25-3 with a 1.74 ERA in 1978
Ron Guidry had one of the most dominating seasons in the history of the Major Leagues in 1978. A 25-3 win/loss record paired with a 1.74 pushed Guidry to the Cy Young Award. He was runner-up to Boston’s Jim Rice in MVP voting.
“Gator” led the Major Leagues in wins, winning percentage, ERA, WHIP, and hits/9 innings. To cap it off the Yankees won their second straight World Series title behind their Cy Young hurler.
Many believe his career warrants a plaque in Cooperstown. He has the hardware. The two-time World Series champion appeared in four All Star games and has five Gold Glove Awards. The Cy Young Award winner was also named the 1984 Roberto Clemente Award recipient.
The main knock against his Cooperstown candidacy is the brevity of his career. Guidry has only 9 seasons of 25 or more starts. His career win total of 170 and his 3.29 lifetime ERA fall short of the generally accepted standards for induction.
Shown here are the thoughts of Hall of Fame infielder Joe Sewell. A member of the 1932 Yankee team that many consider the finest squad in baseball history. He has high praise for Guidry.
Sewell gives his opinion about Guidry’s 1978 Yankee roster. “There are only two players on the Yankees that could’ve made our club in 1932, Guidry the pitcher, and Munson the catcher (he could be a bull pen catcher). There is not a good sound ball club in the major league no place.”
Guidry was enshrined at Monument Park in 2003
Guidry was enshrined at Monument Park in 2003
Powered in large part by his incredible 1978 season, Ron Guidry earned a lasting place in Yankee lore.
Shown here is a photo taken on “Ron Guidry Day”, August 23, 2003. That afternoon the Yankees retired his #49 and dedicated a plaque honoring Guidry at Monument Park in Yankee Stadium.
The plaque hails Guidry as “A dominating pitcher and a respected leader” and “A true Yankee.” All living Yankee greats previously honored were present for the ceremony — Phil Rizzuto, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson, and Don Mattingly.
Is Guidry worthy of the baseball Hall of Fame? He certainly has some strong credentials: Two World Series rings, four All Star appearances, and a Cy Young Award.
Guidry appeared on the writers’ ballot starting in 1994 never gaining 10% of the vote before slipping off the ballot with 4.9% in 2002. Whether he makes it or not, Ron Guidry will forever be remembered as one of the dominant pitchers of his era.
One of my favorite Yankees! Love the 1978 Team!
Ron Guidry is definitely a HOF’er, no doubt about it and he’s probably more eligible than some who’ve already been elected. C’MON MAN, Ron Guidry for HOF now! Loved watching Louisiana Lightning pitch for Yanks, a team player!
I watched the last game of the 1977 season for the bombers. Gator was on the mound with I think a record of one and one.That game I saw Koufax pitching, I new in my heart he was going to have a good 1978.But I never thought it would be one of the best ever in history.