Damn Yankees by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

Damn Yankees

Page 190

game, striking out six and allowing one run in a 2–1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. In his first game against the Yankees since his departure, on July 22, Raschi held the Yankees to one run over eight innings, earning the win in a 3–1 victory that temporarily knocked them out of first place in the AL. He held the Yankees to two runs over seven innings in his next start but took a no decision in a 3–2 loss. After defeating the Red Sox on August 5, he had a 4–4 record with a 4.59 ERA. However, Raschi failed to complete five innings in any of his remaining starts, losing three times and posting an ERA of 11.34. In 20 games, 18 starts, for Kansas City, he had a 4–6 record, a 5.42 ERA, and 38 strikeouts in 101 innings pitched. The Athletics released him after the season.

Raschi's best pitch was his speedy fastball. He was nicknamed "The Springfield Rifle," a reference both to the pitch and to

the Springfield Armory located near his boyhood home. He had good control for a power pitcher. In addition to the fastball, Raschi threw an effective change-up and a slider. Under his dark eyebrows, his eyes would stare intently at opponents before he threw pitches. "I figured if I could break their concentration when they came up to the plate I had them beat, or at least gained an advantage. Once you made them turn their eyes away you