Steven Michael Farr (born December 12,1956) is an American former professional baseball player who pitched primarily as a closer in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1984 to 1994.
He was signed as an undrafted free Agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates in '76 and spent 7 full seasons in their farm system.[3] Then he was traded to the Cleveland Indians where he began his professional career in 1984 as a reliever. He pitched 116 innings over the course of 31 games. And was ultimately released by the club.[4]
On May 9,1985 Farr was picked up by the Royals as a bullpen reliever,although he would not play a part in the team's World Series Championship that year,he was credited as the winning pitcher of game 3 of the ALCS against Toronto having put up 4.1 innings of work.[5][6] However,after a few seasons he took over as the Royals closer in the 1988 season leading the team in saves with 20.[4] In 89 he injured his knee and required surgery,but still chalked up 18 saves for the team.[7]
In 1990 he was used anywhere between the pitching rotations and bullpen the team needed him and he ended up leading the team with 13 wins while posting a 1.98 ERA.[8] It was this season that he pitched his only career complete game throwing a 5 hit shutout of the California Angels on September 23,1990.[9][10] This season's performance led to him signing with the New York Yankees just before the '91 season.[11] In his first season with the team he led the Bronx Bombers in saves with 23 while at one point posting 27 consecutive scoreless innings and 14 straight save completions.[12] He went on in '92 to post a career high 30 saves while putting up a 1.56 ERA.[13]
After earning 25 saves in 93 to lead the Yankees for 3 straight seasons,in 1994 with the ascension of Mariano Rivera to the position of the team's closer,Farr signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians taking over their closer duties.[14] But at the beginning of July he was traded to the Boston Red Sox[15] only to have that be his last season to pitch in the majors.
Farr was known throughout his career for his impeccable control and a basic repertoire of fastball,curveball and slider[16]
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