Al Downing (born June 28, 1941 in Trenton, New Jersey) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for 17 seasons from 1961-1977. He entered the majors with the New York Yankees, and then played for the Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers before retiring with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Downing is most remembered for surrendering the record-breaking 715th home run hit by Hank Aaron on April 8, 1974. Al Downing, who gave up Hank Aaron's record-breaking 715th homer, entered baseball loaded with potential. His fastball exploded and his curveball danced. Called by some "the black Sandy Koufax," he never lived up to that billing, partly because of control problems and inconsistency and later because of arm miseries, but for four seasons he was excellent. (Some entries on this page have been duplicated on August 1. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film) 1941 (MCMXLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Motto: Nickname: Founded Incorporated c. ... Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of play in professional baseball in the world. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901-present) East Division (1969-present) Major league titles World Series titles (26) 2000 • 1999 • 1998 • 1996 1978 • 1977 • 1962 • 1961 1958 • 1956 • 1953 • 1952 1951 • 1950 • 1949 • 1947 1943 • 1941 • 1939 • 1938 1937 • 1936 • 1932 • 1928 1927 • 1923 AL Pennants (39) 2003 • 2001 • 2000... Major league affiliations American League (1901-present) West Division (1969-present) Major league titles World Series titles (9) 1989 • 1974 • 1973 • 1972 1930 • 1929 • 1913 • 1911 1910 AL Pennants (15) 1990 • 1989 • 1988 • 1974 1973 • 1972 • 1931 • 1930 1929 • 1914 • 1913 • 1911 1910 • 1905 • 1902 West Division titles (13) [1... Major league affiliations National League (1998-present) Central Division (1998-present) American League (1969-1997) Central Division (1994-1997) East Division (1972-1993) West Division (1969-1971) Major league titles World Series titles (0) None NL Pennants (0) None AL Pennants (1) 1982 Central Division titles (0) None AL East... Major league affiliations National League (1890-present) West Division (1969-present) American Association (1884-1889) Major league titles World Series titles (6) 1988 • 1981 • 1965 • 1963 1959 • 1955 NL Pennants (21) 1988 • 1981 • 1978 • 1977 1974 • 1966 • 1965 • 1963 1959 • 1956 • 1955 • 1953 1952 • 1949 • 1947 • 1941 1920 • 1916 • 1900... Henry Louis Hank Aaron (born February 5, 1934 in Mobile, Alabama, United States), is an American baseball player and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. ... April 8 is the 98th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (99th in leap years). ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). ...
Recalled from the minors to the Yankees for good in June 1963, Downing maintained a summer-long electric pace of low-hit games. The first black starting pitcher in club history allowed a scant 5.84 hits per nine innings and finished with a 13-5 record. In 1964 he led the league with 217 strikeouts. Downing in 1967 became a complete pitcher, cutting down on his walks, mastering a changeup and mixing up his pitches. He finished 14-10 with the ninth-place Yankees.
Pitching for the Dodgers in 1971, Downing reached the pinnacle, winning 20 games, including a league-leading five shutouts.
AlDowning was born on Saturday, June 28 1941, in Trenton, New Jersey.
Downing was 20 years old when he broke into the big leagues on July 19, 1961, with the New York Yankees.
His biographical data, year-by-year hitting stats, fielding stats, pitching stats (where applicable), career totals, uniform numbers, salary data and miscellaneous items-of-interest are presented by Baseball Almanac on this comprehensive AlDowningbaseball stats page.
Their coverage of baseball has no rival and they are simply the most respected source of historical baseball statistics anywhere.
The American League players with the most Comeback of the Year Awards are Norm Cash and Bret Saberhagen with two each.
Their National League counterpart is Andres Galarraga with two who joins the lone player from both the junior and senior circuit to win two, Rick Sutcliffe.
Feeds |
Contact