Jim Perry
Jim Perry was the older brother of Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry, the two combining for 529 victories. Jim won 20 games twice for the Minnesota Twins, for whom he pitched ten seasons. A right-hander with fine control, Perry won the 1970 American League Cy Young Award when he led the league with 24 wins. Ten years earlier he had paced the AL with 18 victories while with the Indians. In contrast to his Hall of Fame brother, Jim did not rely on a spitball, but employed a sharp breaking ball and a fastball to keep batters off balance.
Played For
Cleveland Indians (1959-1963)
Minnesota Twins (1963-1972)
Detroit Tigers (1973)
Cleveland Indians (1974-1975)
Oakland Athletics (1975)
Best Season: 1969
Jim Perry was one of the finest pitchers in the American League in 1969-1970. In '69 he went 20-6 with a 2.82 ERA, helping Minnesota to the AL West title.
Factoids
Jim and Gaylord Perry are the only brothers to each win a Cy Young Award. Jim won the American League award in 1970, Gaylord won in the AL in 1972, and in the National League in 1978.
Where He Played
Starting pitcher (447 games ), relief pitcher (183).
Born
James Evan (Jr.) Perry was born on October 30, 1935, in Williamston, NC.
Batted: Both
Threw: Right
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: MIN
Major League Debut
April 23, 1959
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1959
Willie McCovey
Billy Williams
Maury Wills
Tommy Davis
Jim Kaat
Tim McCarver
Jim Perry
Mike Cuellar
Zoilo Versalles
Uniform Numbers
#31 (1959-1975), #36 (1975 A's)
Family Tree
His brother, Gaylord, is in the Hall of Fame.
Similar Players
Milt Pappas, Charlie Root, Doyle Alexander, Rick Reuschel
Related Players
Phil Niekro and Joe Niekro, who eclipsed the Perry brothers mark for wins by brothers.
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1981 |
BBWAA |
6 |
1.5% |
1983 |
BBWAA |
7 |
1.9% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1965 World Series
1969 American League Championship Series
1970 American League Championship Series
Post-Season Notes
Perry was a reliever in his two appearances in the 1965 World Series. In 1969 he started Game One of the ALCS, handing a 3-2 lead to Ron Perranoski in the ninth. But Perranoski failed to shut the door, and the Orioles won in 12 innings. Perry started Game One again in 1970, but was knocked out in the fourth inning, having allowed seven earned runs.
Awards and Honors
1970 AL Cy Young
Transactions
Before 1956 Season: Signed by the Cleveland Indians as an amateur free agent; May 2, 1963: Traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Minnesota Twins for Jack Kralick; March 27, 1973: Traded by the Minnesota Twins to the Detroit Tigers for Danny Fife and cash; March 19, 1974: Traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Detroit Tigers to the Cleveland Indians. The Cleveland Indians sent Rick Sawyer and Walt Williams to the New York Yankees. The Detroit Tigers sent Ed Farmer to the New York Yankees. The New York Yankees sent Jerry Moses to the Detroit Tigers; May 20, 1975: Traded by the Cleveland Indians with Dick Bosman to the Oakland Athletics for Blue Moon Odom and cash; August 13, 1975: Released by the Oakland Athletics.
All-Star Selections
1961 AL
1970 AL
1971 AL
Replaced
Herb Score, in the 1960 Indians' rotation.
Replaced By
The 1975 Indians had several young pitchers they preferred to look at instead of 39-year old Jim Perry. Dennis Eckersley was one of them.
Best Strength as a Player
Curveball
Largest Weakness as a Player
No glaring weaknesses.
Learn More about Jim Perry
Search Amazon.com for Books about Jim Perry ⇒
Search for Jim Perry at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
