Kenny Rogers
Originally drafted in the late rounds of the amateur draft by the Texas Rangers out of high school, Kenny Rogers developed into the best left-handed pitcher in franchise history. Though the Georgia native left the Rangers twice, he returned as a free agent both times, and in his late 30s he was the team ace. He hurled a perfect game in 1994 against the Angels, and won ten games or more in a season 14 times.
Quotes From Rogers
"I'm a mudder. I don't mind getting dirty. I like dirt. I like mud on [the ball]. Nobody likes to throw a brand new baseball." — on the controversy over the substance on his pitching hand in Game Two of the 2006 World Series
Played For
Texas Rangers (1989-1995)
New York Yankees (1996-1997)
Oakland Athletics (1998-1999)
New York Mets (1999)
Texas Rangers (2000-2002)
Minnesota Twins (2003)
Texas Rangers (2004-2005)
Best Season: 1998
The 34-year old set career highs for innings (238+), complete games (seven),and quality starts. He was 16-8 for the A's. His other best seasons were 1995 (17-7, 3.38), and 2005, when, at the age of 40, he won 14 games and finished second in the AL in quality starts (21) and seventh in ERA.
Factoids
Kenny Rogers was the first left-hander in American League history to toss a perfect game. Rogers pitched his gem on July 28, 1994, against the Angels.
From June of 1997 to April 2000, Kenny Rogers won 19 consecutive games in his home park without a loss. It is the third longest such streak in history.
Description
Rogers has a square-jaw, chiseled features, deep-set bue eyes, and an athletic build. He kept himself in fine shape throughout his career, and utilized a craftiness that is ypical of many left-handers - changing speeds, hiding the ball, and painting the corners.
Where He Played
Starting pitcher. Rogers was a shortstop in high school, and was converted based on the recomendations of scout Dick Egan.
Born
Kenneth Scott Rogers was born on November 10, 1964, in Savannah, GA.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: TEX
Major League Debut
April 6, 1989 ... He made his debut in relief against the Detroit Tigers, in Texas.
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1989
Steve Finley
Todd Zeile
John Olerud
Sammy Sosa
Omar Vizquel
Ken Griffey Jr.
Juan Gonzalez
Albert Belle
Jim Abbott
Nicknames
The Gambler
Uniform Numbers
#37 (1989-1995, 1998-1999 A's, 2000-) #17 (1996-1997), #73 (1999 Mets)
No-Hitter
7/28/1994: For TEX (A) vs. CAL (A), 4-0 at TEX. 9 innings pitched.
Post-Season Appearances
1996 World Series
1999 National League Championship Series
1999 National League Divisional Series
The Pitches He Threw
Fastball, curveball, slider, changeup. His slider was his out-pitch, though later in his 30s he began to spot his changeup even when he trailed in the count.
Post-Season Notes
Though he pitched three different stretches and 12 different seasons for the Rangers, Rogers missed all three of their division titles. His post-season record has been atrocious: 0-3 with a 8.85 ERA in 20 1/3 IP with 32 hits and 20 earned runs allowed. He did however, win a ring with the Yankees in 1996.
Awards and Honors
2000 AL Gold Glove
2002 AL Gold Glove
2004 AL Gold Glove
Milestones
Despite not reaching the big leagues until he was 24, and not earning a rotation spot until he was 28, Rogers won his 200th game in 2006.
Notes
Rogers was unable to play for his high school baseball team until his senior year, because of his duties on his father's strawberry farm in Florida each spring.
Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
In the middle of the 2005 season, Rogers was suspended for assaulting a cameraman at the ballpark. Despite the controversy, Rogers was selected for the All-Star team for the third time.
Transactions
June 7, 1982: Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 39th round of the 1982 amateur draft. Player signed June 30, 1982.
October 31, 1995: Granted Free Agency.
December 30, 1995: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees.
November 7, 1997: Traded by the New York Yankees with cash to the Oakland Athletics for a player to be named later. The Oakland Athletics sent Scott Brosius (November 18, 1997) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade.
July 23, 1999: Traded by the Oakland Athletics to the New York Mets for Terrence Long and Leo Vasquez (minors).
October 29, 1999: Granted Free Agency.
December 29, 1999: Signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers.
October 29, 2002: Granted Free Agency.
March 17, 2003: Signed as a Free Agent with the Minnesota Twins.
October 29, 2003: Granted Free Agency.
January 14, 2004: Signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers.
October 28, 2005: Granted Free Agency.
December 15, 2005: Signed as a Free Agent with the Detroit Tigers.
All-Star Selections
1995 AL
2005 AL
Best Strength as a Player
His craftiness, defensive ability, and his pickoff move - which was the best of his era.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Whereas his ability to throw strikes has been an asset (he walks few batters), Rogers has also allowed far more hits than innings pitched. A typical Rogers start sees him mow down the batting order for 2-3 innings, and then pitch in and out of trouble the rest of the game.
Learn More about Kenny Rogers
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