Win–loss record 58–72 Name Craig Lefferts Saves 101 | Strikeouts 719 Earned run average 3.43 | |
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Craig lefferts closes bullpen door too late 1989 nlcs
Craig Lindsay Lefferts (born September 29, 1957) is a former relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers and California Angels between 1983 and 1994. He is currently the pitching coach for the Vermont Lake Monsters.
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Career
Craig graduated from the University of Arizona and was the winning pitcher in the 1980 College World Series title game, defeating the University of Hawaii 5-3 at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb. He was named to the 1980 College World Series all-tournament team. He was then drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the ninth round of the 1980 amateur draft.
He helped the Padres win the 1984 NL Pennant and the Giants win the 1987 NL Western Division and 1989 NL Pennant. In the winter of 1985 he was offered to the New York Mets in exchange for outfielder Lenny Dykstra. Mets general manager Frank Cashen declined the offer. The Mets later acquired Bobby Ojeda instead. The 83 games he pitched in during 1986 not only led the National League but remains a Padres single season record.
In 12 seasons he had a win-loss record of 58-72, 45 games started, 1 complete game, 286 games finished, 101 saves, 1,145 2⁄3 innings, 1,108 hits allowed, 490 runs allowed, 436 earned runs allowed, 120 home runs allowed, 322 walks allowed, 719 strikeouts, 31 wild pitches, 4,754 batters faced, 55 intentional walks, 10 balks and a 3.43 ERA.
He is the currently the last pitcher to hit a walk-off home run. He did so on April 25, 1986 in the bottom of the 12th inning against the San Francisco Giants' Greg Minton. As of the end of the 2008 season he ranked tied with Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander for 88th on the MLB All-Time Games Pitched List (696).
