Hall of Famer Visits Whataburger Field June 11
CORPUS CHRISTI – Gaylord Perry, who won 314 games and struck out 3,534 for eight Major League teams over 22 years, throws out the ceremonial first pitch at Whataburger Field on Wednesday, June 11, when the Corpus Christi Hooks play host to San Antonio at 7:05 p.m.
Perry joins Hooks officials and Coastal Bend Chevy Dealers that night to award a trip for two to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Registration continues at the 11 dealerships through Friday, June 6. For more information,
click here.
He’ll also be signing copies of the book, Dugout Wisdom, a compilation of retired baseball players’ first-person accounts of a moment in their lives when they doubted their dreams, overcame adversity or someone guided them with destiny-altering advice. Perry is scheduled to appear at Hook, Line & Sinker between 5:30-6:30.
Perry, 69, pitched for the San Francisco Giants (1962-71), Cleveland Indians (1972-75), Texas Rangers (1975-77; 80), San Diego Padres (1978-79), New York Yankees (1980), Atlanta Braves (1981), Seattle Mariners (1982-83) and Kansas City Royals (1983). The five-time All-Star won 20+ games on five occasions and posted a career ERA of 3.10.
Perry no-hit the St. Louis Cardinals on Sept. 17, 1968. He was the first pitcher to capture the Cy Young Award in both leagues (Cleveland 1972; San Diego 1978). Perry was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1991 by the Baseball Writers Association of America with over 77 percent of the vote.
“Anyone who comes to the ballpark on June 11 is in for a real treat,” Hooks president J.J. Gottsch said. “Gaylord Perry’s wit, wisdom and guile endeared him to a generation of fans and frustrated a generation of hitters.”
Perry pitched for the Corpus Christi Giants in 1959, the last year of affiliated baseball in the Coastal Bend until the inception of the Hooks in 2005. As a 20-year-old in Double-A, he made 41 appearances and went 10-11 with a 4.05 ERA.
The Hooks honor the 1958 Giants on the 50th anniversary of their Texas League championship July 10-13.
For tickets to the June 11 contest or any other Hooks home game, call 361-561-HOOK or go to
cchooks.com
