Mike Mussina

From SoSH

Contents 1 Overall Career 2 Red Sox Nation Villainy 3 Awards 4 Trivia 5 Transactions 6 External Links

Overall Career

Michael Cole "Mike" Mussina (born December 8, 1968 in Williamsport, PA), nicknamed "Moose", was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the first round. He spent ten years with Baltimore before signing with the New York Yankees in hopes of getting his first championship ring or twenty win season. He is still waiting.

Red Sox Nation Villainy

• He was a hero of the 2003 ALCS despite posting an 0-2 record. He pitched 3 scoreless innings in relief of Roger Clemens during Game 7 to keep the score close enough for Grady Little's blunder.
• He has faced the Red Sox 55 times in his career, 41% more than he has faced any other team (as of December, 2006).
• September 2, 2001 - A pitcher's duel between Mussina and former Yankee David Cone ensued. Mussina did not allow a baserunner to the Red Sox in the first eight innings, but Cone had kept the Yankees scoreless through that same period of time. However, the Yankees would push across a run in the top of the ninth, giving Mussina the chance to complete a perfect game. He retired the first two batters in the ninth and seemed to be destined for perfection when he quickly got himself an 0-2 count to pinch-hitter Carl Everett. However, on a 1-2 pitch, Everett singled to left center and broke up Mike Mussina's perfect game bid. This feat is made even more incredible by the fact that, prior to this plate appearance, Everett was 1 for 8 with 7 strikeouts against Mussina on the season.

Awards

• 5-time American League All-Star (1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1999)
• 6-time American League Gold Glove (1996 - 1999, 2001, 2003)

Trivia

• Was at one point the highest paid pitcher in baseball (in total earnings; Clemens had a higher annual salary), earning $19 million in 2006.
• Has never won 20 games in a season.
• A fan of crossword puzzles.
• Appeared in the movie Wordplay.
• Supposedly, Gammons once wrote about him saying Mussina wouldn't want to be drafted to New York team because of New York's diversity.

Transactions

• June 2, 1987: Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 11th round of the 1987 amateur draft, but did not sign.
• June 4, 1990: Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1st round (20th pick) of the 1990 amateur draft. Player signed July 28, 1990.
• October 27, 2000: Granted Free Agency.
• November 30, 2000: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees.

External Links

• Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis