Righetti was born in San Jose,California. His father,Leo,was a professional baseball player. His brother,Steve,is thirteen months older than Dave. Leo trained his sons to become baseball players. Dave and Steve starred for their Lincoln Glen Little League team,Letterman,with Dave playing in the outfield and Steve playing shortstop.[1]
At Cottrell's urging,the Rangers selected Righetti on January 11,1977,in the first round (10th overall pick) of the amateur draft. The Rangers selected Steve in the sixth round,and told Dave that they would only sign Steve if he signed. Both Righetti brothers signed with the Rangers.[1] Dave made his professional debut that year in minor league baseball with the Asheville Tourists of the Class AWestern Carolinas League,where he pitched to an 11–3 win–loss record.[3]
Righetti made his major league debut with the Yankees on September 16,1979,wearing uniform number 56. In this game against the Detroit Tigers he pitched five innings,striking out three and allowing three hits,six walks,and three earned runs. After Righetti made his second start,Yankees' managerBilly Martin declared that Righetti "will win 20 games next season".[5] However,Righetti struggled with his control,and spent the 1980 season with the Columbus Clippers of the Class AAAInternational League,where he had a 6–10 win–loss record and a 4.63 ERA with 101 walks and 139 strikeouts in 142 innings.[7]
In 1982,Righetti pitched to an 8.53 ERA during spring training. Steinbrenner sought to demote Righetti to the minor leagues,but stated he "got outvoted then". Through June 1982,Righetti had pitched to a 5–5 win–loss record with a 4.23 ERA. Though his 77 strikeouts were fourth-best in the American League,his 62 walks were considered a problem. The Yankees demoted Righetti to the minor leagues,for what Steinbrenner termed a "2+1⁄2-week intensive brushing up".[citation needed]Sammy Ellis, Righetti's pitching coach with Columbus, said that Righetti had been rushing his pitching motion, which was likely due to anxiety.[11] Working with Ellis, Righetti made four starts for the Clippers, recording 33 strikeouts in 26 innings, before he was recalled to New York. Righetti finished the 1982 season with 11 wins in 27 starts, with a 3.79 ERA and 162 strikeouts and 108 walks. His strikeouts were third-best in the AL, while his walks led the league.[5]
My biggest worry, because I had a tendency to fall toward third base, was him (Boggs) tapping a ball between me and Mattingly and me trying to get to first base...I threw a lot of fastballs during the at bat, but the last slider I ended up throwing, he happened to miss it. Thank goodness.[12]
In 1984 Righetti was moved to the Yankees' bullpen to replace Goose Gossage, who signed with the San Diego Padres in the offseason, as their closer. Despite the move being due to the Yankees having an excess of starters, many criticized the decision, arguing that Righetti was more valuable pitching as a starter, where he would accrue more innings.[citation needed]
Entering his first game as a relief pitcher with the bases loaded, Righetti did not allow an inherited runner to score, retiring the final seven batters of the game.[13] He proved even more effective in relief, averaging 32 saves per season over the next seven years with the Yankees, and being named an All-Star in 1986 and 1987. On October 4, 1986, he saved both games of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox, finishing the season with 46 saves, and breaking the major league record shared by Dan Quisenberry and Bruce Sutter. The record would stand until Bobby Thigpen saved 57 games for the Chicago White Sox in 1990.[14] Righetti retained the single-season record for left-handers until 1993, when Randy Myers saved 53 games for the Chicago Cubs; Righetti still owns the AL record for left-handers.
Righetti became a free agent after the 1987 season. Amid rumors that Righetti would sign a three-year contract worth $20 million with the Tokyo Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball, Righetti's agent acknowledged that the Giants did make Righetti an offer, but stated that the value was considerably less than what was reported, and stated that Righetti would continue to pitch in MLB.[15] The contract offer was later estimated at $10 million. Righetti chose to re-sign with the Yankees, signing a three-year contract worth $4.5 million.[16]
Righetti struggled with the Yankees early in the 1988 season, blowing four consecutive save opportunities, resulting in boos from the Yankee Stadium crowds. He then recorded five saves in consecutive opportunities.[17]
After the 1990 season, Righetti signed as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants, receiving a four-year contract worth $10 million.[18] While with the Giants in 1991, he broke Lyle's major league record for left-handers of 238 career saves; Righetti's record stood until 1994, when John Franco surpassed his eventual total of 252.
Righetti saved 24 games in 1991. He lost the closer role during the 1992 season to Rod Beck.[19] Righetti made a start on June 10, 1992, his first start since September 1983.[20] He pitched in middle relief for the Giants in the 1993 season.
Oakland Athletics (1994)
Released by the Giants after the 1993 season, Righetti signed as a free agent with the Oakland Athletics. After beginning 1994 with the Athletics, he was released.
Toronto Blue Jays (1994)
Righetti signed as a free agent with the Toronto Blue Jays in May 1994.[21] Righetti had a 0–1 win–loss record and 6.75 ERA for the Blue Jays.[22]
After that season, Righetti was released by the Blue Jays.[22]
Chicago White Sox (1995)
In 1995, Righetti signed as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox. On November 9, 1995, he was again granted free agency; but no team signed him. Righetti retired to end his 16-year career, finishing with 252 saves, a 3.46 ERA, and a record of 82–79 in 718 games.
Coaching career
In 2000, Righetti became the pitching coach for the Giants. Righetti's pitchers helped the Giants win the 2002 National League pennant, although the Giants would lose the World Series in seven games to the Anaheim Angels.
Despite uncertainty if he would return to the Giants for the 2007 season due to a managerial change, Righetti announced in early November 2007 that he would remain with the Giants in his present role.[23] He was the pitching coach for the pitching staff that included Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sánchez, and Brian Wilson that won the 2010, 2012, and 2014 World Series. An analysis by Fangraphs showed that Righetti has an uncanny knack for teaching pitchers to avoid giving up home runs.[24]
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