YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The final out of the game was a flyout caught by Rick Manning in short center field. Len Barker being mobbed on the field, the Cleveland Indians win it, 3-0. Cronkite School at ASU This was one. 6-11-81 New York at White Sox (Last game before labor strike) WGN-TV broadcast. Meanwhile, Indians public-relations man Bob DiBiasio had his own challenges. [1] On a cold, damp night in Cleveland, Barker pitched the tenth official perfect game in baseball history, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays, 30 (the game was originally reported as the ninth perfect game in major league baseball history[4] until the league later changed the criteria for recognizing a perfect game). That was a bit deceptive, however, as his ERA was an unremarkable 4.17 (99 ERA+) and he had also led the league in wild pitches. Len Barker seals a perfect game Blue Jays @ Guardians May 15, 1981 | 00:07:10 Reels Share 5/15/1981: Len Barker gets the final three outs of his perfect game for the Indians against the Blue Jays More From This Game Cleveland Guardians Len Barker Epic Innings classic TOM HAMILTON, the Voice of the Guardians, will enter his 31st season of calling Cleveland Guardians baseball games on the radio in 2020. Watching that now serves a bit like a prequel to the 1981 documentary, because Len Barker threw the franchise's second perfect game on May 15, 1981. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Sports. Terry Pluto looks back on Lenny Barker's perfect game 40 years ago, the last time a Cleveland pitcher recorded a no-hitter. He posted 19-12 and 15-11 marks on either side of his perfect game year. On May 15, 1981, Barker took the mound for the Tribe against the Toronto Blue Jays. It was the first game played after a lengthy players' strike, and Barker pitched two scoreless innings before 72,086 fans in his home stadium. Barker's pitching was so consistent that he never once reached ball three against any Blue Jay hitter! Len Barker had just thrown the 10th perfect game in major-league history. You start to feel it when its that close.. Im going for journalism just like my grandpa, hopefully to be a play-by-play announcer one day. Bo Diaz would be the only other Indian on the team. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Barker was a rental in 1983, poised to hit free agency, but the Braves signed him to a $4 million contract before the 1984 season. Barker had tossed the first perfect game since Oakland's Jim "Catfish'' Hunter on May 8, 1968. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. To read more Games Project stories from this book, click here. The next year, Barker's ERA ballooned to 6.35, and he only managed a 29 record. Its breaking quick and hard. Barker pitched four years after leaving the Tribe, retiring at the end of the 1987 season. 11th year as head baseball coach at Notre Dame College. The record for most game days between no-hitters is 535, connecting Bobby Burkes August 8, 1931 no-hitter for the Washington Senators to Paul Deans September 21, 1934 no-no for the St. Louis Cardinals. He just didn't do basketball. Barker's most notable accomplishment occurred on May 15, 1981, as a member of the Cleveland Indians. (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) This was like the next step.. And then theres 1981. Cleveland hasnt had a no-hitter since Len Barker threw a perfect game on May 15, 1981. I say, 'No, it's something to be proud of.' His elbow also was starting to bother him. Barker had to face nine "position" hitters. That kid had to be thinking about a perfect game, said Len Barker. Barker, however, basically flamed out. Len Barker knows time tells no lies. Shop Len Barker Perfect Game Box Score Inscribed ROMLB Baseball and more authentic, autographed and game-used items at Amazon's Sports He caught a fly ball off the bat of Ernie Whitt for the final out of pitcher Len Barkers perfect game over the Toronto Blue Jays on May 15, 1981, at the old Stadium. During an 11-year baseball career, Barker compiled 74 wins, 975 The 24-year Barker was selected for the 1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, held in Cleveland on August 9. The Blue Jays continued to march to the plate. He was much more concerned about his brother coming in. mariah carey and michael jackson relationship len barker perfect game announcers. 1981 LEN BARKER PERFECT GAME (DOWNLOADED with Black Border 7/10. He spent his first 8 years of his 13-year Major League career with the Indians (1975-83), where he won the Gold Glove in 1976. The front of Len Barker's 1981 Topps card. He struck out 11 Blue Jays hitters (all of them swinging) including seven of the last 11 batters.[3]. A few of the sets still may have been old black and white. Due to a baseball strike, the Tribe played only 103 games and the pitching staff completed 33 of its starts. [7] He and his wife Eva are the parents of Jared, Blake, and Jacob. Much has been made of the fact that paid . His Cleveland Indians. At the time, Barker's accomplishment drew . The move backfired as Lloyd Moseby lifted Blylevens first offering to left field and Littleton misplayed it. While he gave up five runs in six and a third in his first start of the season on April 15 he had tossed a seven-hit shutout against the Royals on April 22. Unless someone can throw one in the next nine days, the no-no-hit streak will reach a full 40 . Leonard Harold Barker III (born July 7, 1955) [1] is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. cleveland.com. By 1981, he carried several starts into the fifth inning without allowing a hit. On May 15, 1981, Len Barker pitched a perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays with Kuiper at second base. From 1980-82, he had a 42-30 record with a 3.98 ERA. He also has three children, Carly, Troy and Lyle with his previous wife, Bonnie. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Barker pitched for the Texas Rangers (197678), Cleveland Indians (197983), Atlanta Braves (198385) and Milwaukee Brewers (1987). If you have to lose Im glad to lose to a guy who pitched a perfect game to beat me, said Toronto starter Luis Leal. Barker was traded to Atlanta in the middle of the 1983 season. I thought we had him in the ninth, Toronto pitcher Mark Bomback would later say. Manning went to third on the play and scored on Andre Thorntons sacrifice fly. Former Tribe manager Dave Garcia labeled him The Big Donkey. It was a term of endearment. He made out financially, however. Some teammates called him Large Lenny.. The Barker family currently resides in Geauga County east of Cleveland. In front of just 7,290 fans at Municipal Stadium, with the temperature just 49 degrees at first pitch, the 25-year-old righty heated things up with his 96 mph fastball, striking out 11 Toronto hitters without allowing a baserunner. 2010. The answer? Len Barker had a 15-11 record and a 3.90 ERA in 1982.Plain Dealer Historical Collection. Underwood digs out great footage of the city - "pivotal moments," he says - as well as then-and-now interview clips with players. Select from premium Cleveland Indians Len Barker of the highest quality. The bow was in perfect tiller at brace height. During an 11-year baseball career, Barker compiled 74 wins, 975 TV announcer Fred McCleod being the other. I would have preferred Jalen Suggs, but Mobley is OK, The pain became too much for Terry Francona, The Tribe faces reality with the trade of Cesar Hernandez, What Im hearing about the Guardians trademark status. Butler would go on to star for the Indians, Giants, and Dodgers over the course of a 17-year career that would not end until 1997. After debuting with the Rangers in September 1976, Barker spend the next three seasons only intermittently sticking in rotations with Texas and Cleveland before going 19-12 with . Cleveland has the longest no-hitter drought in the majors its last one was Len Barkers perfect game in 1981. 2016 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Qualifying Standards 2009-2016 NCAA Division I, II, and III Indoor and Outdoor Qualifying Standards 2013 UAA Outdoor Performance List (The University Athletic Association is made up of NCAA Division 3 schools . By the ninth inning we decided if there was going to be a base hit, it would have to come off a breaking pitch.. "It was a very tedious process," he said, "but it was worth it once you saw the video that we were able to find.". Len Barker had just thrown the 10th perfect game in major-league history. But it was his curve that was breaking and giving the Jays fits. It was the first Indians no-hitter since Dennis Eckersley blanked California on May 30, 1977. The 24-year Still, to him, it doesnt feel like three decades have passed since he made baseball history on May Philip Humber of the Chicago White Sox pitched a perfect game against the Seattle Mariners by retiring all 27 batters he faced on Saturday, April 21, 2012, as the White Sox defeated the Mariners 40.It was the 21st perfect game in Major League Baseball (MLB) history and the third by a member of the White Sox. After the season, the Braves signed Barker to one of the richest contracts for a pitcher in baseball history to that time, $4 million over five years.[2]. Second Baseman Duane Kuiper went to his right to handle a short-hop line drive off the bat of Rick Bosetti in the sixth, then ranged far to his left to field a bouncer off of Griffins bat in the seventh just barely throwing him out. The game was a contrast of teams. He last pitched in the majors for the Brewers in 1987, working in 11 games. There were some nice plays by Toby Harrah and Duane Kuiper in the infield. 5-23-81 White Sox at California (Sox score 15 runs) WGN-TV broadcast. Arguably the clubs greatest highlight of the entire decade took place on this day in 1981. Miller batting one spot behind Jos Ramrez hit a Bieber is trying to pitch the seventh no-hitter in the major leagues this season, which would tie for the most since 1900 and be one shy of the mark set in 1884. The strike began, with one of the initial casualties being the All-Star Game, which was scheduled for Cleveland on July 14. I believe hes likely the only person to have broadcast a perfect game who also played in a perfect game! This was a lot different than Lennys, Hassey said. Here is a look at the only 23 men who have been perfect from the first batter until the last: Flix Hernndez (Mariners) Aug. 15, 2012 vs. Rays All hail the King. I say, 'No, it's something to be proud of.' UPDATED: 9:19 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26, to add upcoming air dates. Partly due to this, he did not make the major leagues for good until 1979.[2]. Bieber struck out 11. Hed have a few bumpy starts after the perfecto, but after the seven-week players strike his early season dominance helped him make the All-Star team that year. Len Barker knows time tells no lies. He also didnt want to sit through rain delay after rain delay.1 Barker was late getting to the park after picking up his brother from the airport. He pitched the tenth perfect game in baseball history. Kuiper fielded five ground balls to contribute to the effort. Barker did not pitch as well after the new contract was signed. I had total command. Manning has the longest tenure of any television announcer in team history. Emmanuel Clase worked a perfect ninth for his eighth save in 10 chances. Leonard Harold Barker III (born July 7, 1955)[1] is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. Barker was traded, along with Bobby Bonds, from the Rangers to the Indians for Jim Kern and Larvell Blanks on October 3, 1978. 5 Bob Sudyk, Perfecto, The Sporting News, May 30, 1981: 11. Then Al Woods, batting for Danny Ainge yes, that Danny Ainge struck out on three pitches. I dont have a funny bone in my right arm, he said. When he didnt have it, however, he might throw the ball over the backstop. 2022 World Cup. He kept pitching through the pain. Danny Ainge, who would play 14 seasons in the NBA, was on the losing end of this game. June 9, 2022 better to keep your mouth shut quotes len barker perfect game announcers. At that time it was our job to get people in the park, and it still is.". If I had to run to the pitchers mound, I would have gotten it, said Manning.8. Moseby was credited with a double. This was the second perfect game in the Cleveland team's history. 9 TSN broadcast of the perfect game, accessed via YouTube.com. That got WKSU sports commentator Terry Pluto thinking back to the last time a Cleveland pitcher did it: Lenny Barkers perfect game in 1981. Who could have foreseen that the Friday evening matchup between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Cleveland Indians would be such a historic game? I could throw anything, anywhere I wanted. Six up, six down and on it went. The game was. Lennies curveball is better than Ive ever seen. When you have a no-hitter going, guys stop sitting by you, said Barker. Only 7,290 fans paid to get in to see the Tribe take on the visiting Blue Jays that evening and many of them were disguised as empty seats. Then when they flashed the trivia question [on the scoreboard], I was sure he was jinxed.. Hed spend that season as a minor leaguer in the Expos system. The Indians havent completed a no-hitter since Len Barkers [] Wish You Were Here Productions and The Don Larsen Foundation held a "Perfect Evening" supporting The Don Larsen Foundation and celebrating the 50th anniversary of Don's legendary World Series Perfect Game. Overall his 1982 season was probably his best, when he went 15-11 with a 3.90 ERA (106 ERA+). Barker was a hard thrower, who early in his career struggled with his control. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Barker had a high leg kick and upbeat personality. Time of game: two hours, nine minutes. This has become home, he said. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Indians fans, by generation, have their share of memorable seasons to recall: Most recently, 2016, for the World Series. On a cold, damp night in Cleveland, Barker pitched the tenth official perfect game in baseball history, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays, 3-0 (the game was originally reported as the ninth perfect game in major league baseball history until the league later changed the criteria for recognizing . A perfect game for Lenny Barker! I was with my wife Roberta at a banquet downtown in the old Stouffers Hotel on Public Square. On May 15, 1981, Len Barker took control and threw a perfect game for the Tribe! Game of the Week; Big 22; Indy 500 Cleveland hasnt had a no-hitter since Len Barker threw a perfect game on May 15, 1981. Len Barker, an unheralded right-hander for the Indians, gained a piece of baseball history when he pitched a perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1981. Barker was selected for the 1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, held in Cleveland on August 9. Home/slovenia address format/ len barker perfect game announcers. Phoenix, AZ 85004 In December 2010, both Kuiper and Krukow signed six-year extensions to continue as Giants announcers. The cold early season weather and having a lot of extra rest between starts was definitely helping him out. If you can help us improve this game story,contact us. CLEVELAND, Ohio A week ago, Tribe pitcher Triston McKenzie was perfect. Cleveland hasn't had a no-hitter since Len Barker threw a perfect game against Toronto on May 15, 1981. Another fastball clanked against the press box during a game in Sacramento. len barker perfect game announcerscriminal minds a family affair erikacriminal minds a family affair erika Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. And (catcher) Ron Hassey called a great game. Terrys Talkin Tribe: Why DeMarlo over Sandy? Manning has the longest tenure of any television announcer in team history. He scored on a single by George Bell to make the final score 4-1. Barker pitched with the Texas Rangers (1976-78), Cleveland Indians (1979-83), Atlanta Braves (1983-85) and Milwaukee Brewers (1987). The team boasted Joe Charboneau in his sophomore season after winning Rookie of the Year honors. Beat writer Terry Pluto had a conflict that evening and the paper assigned a green reporter just two years out of Ohio University named Tony Grossi to write up the ballgame. Barker, who was 25 at the time, was tall 6'4 and had consistent mid-90s gas, which was fairly rare in baseball in those days. Bert Blyleven won 11 games and John Denny 10. Hassey, who also caught Len Barkers perfect game of May 15, 1981, became the first major-league catcher to handle two of them. Blyleven lost a no-hitter in the ninth inning earlier in the 1981 season. Underwood cut his teeth on sports docs with his "Addie Joss: Revealed," in 2017, a brilliant short film detailing the well-liked Indians pitcher who threw the first perfect game in team history. That's why some of his clients are startled when they find him swinging a hammer in their home. Elwell ended up at a golf course, hunched over the front seat of the car, listening to the remainder of the game. Forty years ago, Barker was so precise he didnt have a single 3-ball count. Kuiper quips: "You had to kind of stay in shape. Third Baseman Toby Harrah dove into the stands to catch a Willie Upshaw foul pop in the fifth. He and his wife Eva are the parents of Jared, Blake, and Jacob. My stomach was a wreck, he told Sports Illustrated. [2] Barker never once reached ball three against any Blue Jay hitter. He struck out 11 of the 27 hitters he faced. Torontos speedy shortstop, Alfredo Griffin, led off the game and tapped a groundball over the pitchers mound.