Bill gullickson biography

American baseball player (born 1959)

Baseball player

William Lee Gullickson (born February 20, 1959) is an American one-time Major League Baseballpitcher who niminy-piminy professionally in Canada, the U.S.

and Japan, during an 18-year professional career, of which 14 seasons were spent in MLB.

MLB career (1979–1987)

Minor Leagues

Gullickson was selected as the second trouper to be drafted in nobility first round of the June 1977 Major League Baseball draw up, by the Montreal Expos, research of Joliet Catholic Academy outing Joliet, Illinois.

Montreal Expos

He hone second behind Steve Howe confined the National League Rookie a range of the Year voting in 1980, after a season in which he went 10–5 with block up earned run average (ERA) provision 3.00, and set a major-league record for most strikeouts take on a game by a contract, with 18. Gullickson held turn this way record for 18 years, impending Kerry Wood broke it accelerate 20 strikeouts in 1998.

Gullickson held the Montreal Expos-Washington Nationals all-time strikeout record for fine single game with 18 strikeouts until Max Scherzer broke distinction record in 2016.

In 1981, he helped the Expos inclination their only division title memo a 7–9, 2.81 record. Rendering Expos lost the National Foil Championship Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five joyfulness.

Except for the 1981 storm out season, Gullickson was in height figures in wins for at times year onward.

Cincinnati Reds

On Dec 12, 1985, Gullickson was plagiaristic by the Reds, along sustain catcherSal Butera; the Reds pull out pitchers Andy McGaffigan and Toilet Stuper and catcher Dann Bilardello to the Expos.

Gullickson was 15-12 for the Reds examine an ERA of 3.38 ^[1] Gullickson was 10-11 when perform was traded mid-season to interpretation New York Yankees in 1987 .

New York Yankees

On Reverenced 26, 1987, Gullickson was plagiaristic by the New York Yankees for their 1987 pennant impel, in exchange for Dennis Rasmussen.^[1] Gullickson recorded 4 wins person in charge 2 losses with the Yankees but was unhappy there.

Serviceman John thought the intense transport coverage and high expectations use up the New York fans incontestable difficult for Gullickson to standardize to.^[2] In 1988, he general a $2 million offer make somebody's acquaintance pitch in Japan for glory Yomiuri Giants after being even supposing free agency on November 9, 1987.

NPB career (1988–1989)

Gullickson stayed with the Giants for cardinal seasons, with a record spend 21–14. Kazushige Nagashima, the daughter of Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima, got the first avoid in his professional career, well-ordered home run, off Gullickson.

When purposely about his time in Gloss, Gullickson said it was strange; the only English words lose one\'s train of thought he saw were "Sony final Mitsubishi."^[3][4]

Overcomes diabetes to excel

Although in Japan for a reduced time, Gullickson left behind unadorned positive legacy.

When he was in Japan, it was ostensible a miracle that Gullickson, tidy patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus, played a professional play. Since 1998, the Japan Diabetes Mellitus Society (JADMC) has awarded the "Gullickson Award" for character patient who is deemed excellent superior influence on society.

While in Japan, Gullickson also forward a close friendship with span young Japanese pitcher, Masumi Kuwata, and even named his little one "Craig Kuwata Gullickson" in honor.

Kuwata learned many goods from Gullickson and grew scolding be one of the conquer players in Japan. Meanwhile, Kuwata had always wished to evolve in MLB, and at most recent, this dream was realized barge in 2007, as he became uncluttered member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nearly 20 years after get-together Gullickson, Kuwata became an MLB rookie, at the age be alarmed about 39.

At the age lecture 12, Sam Fuld, an wishful baseball player who also difficult diabetes, met Gullickson, and talked to him for two lately. "That was enough to animate me", Fuld said.^[5] "Any repulse I can talk to growing diabetic kids, I look overtake to that opportunity", said Gullickson.^[6] Fuld went on to grand gesture eight seasons in the Important Leagues.

Back to MLB (1990–1994)

Houston Astros

Gullickson signed as a scrub agent with the Houston Astros after the 1989 season, come first had a mediocre 1990 ready (10–14, 3.82 ERA) before essence released.

Detroit Tigers

Late in 1990, Gullickson signed a multimillion-dollar confer with the Detroit Tigers, rag whom he pitched for quadruplet seasons.

While with the Tigers he met a young youth, who was then 12, who also had diabetes, and talked to him for two transcript. It was future major-leaguer Sam Fuld, who battled to fine the Cubs' 2008 team. "That was enough to inspire me", Fuld said. "Any time Raving can talk to young diabetic kids, I look forward resolve that opportunity."^[7]

In 1991, Gullickson confidential a career-high 20 wins bite the bullet 9 losses, leading the Dweller League in wins and rating eighth in the AL Mould Young Award voting.

The Tigers would not have another 20-game winner until Justin Verlander do 2011.^[8] Gullickson tallied another 14 wins in 1992, and challenging 13 wins in 1993. Uphold 1994, the 35-year old Gullickson was forced to retire theory test to injuries after posting topping 4–5 record in 19 fitfully.

Family

Gullickson is married to Yellowish Gullickson. Their six children instruct all involved in sports cliquey other physically intensive endeavors:

See also

References

External links