Dave Stieb

At 66 years old, Dave Stieb has this physical status:

David Andrew Stieb (born July 22, 1957) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.

A seven-time All-Star, he also won The Sporting News' Pitcher of the Year Award in 1982.

Stieb won 140 games in the 1980s, the second-highest total by a pitcher in that decade, behind only Jack Morris.

Dave Stieb was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.

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Playing career

Stieb, a native of Santa Ana, California, played varsity baseball at Southern Illinois University as an outfielder. Stieb's appearance in a varsity game was scouted by Bobby Mattick and Al LaMacchia as an outfield prospect, but his debut in a varsity game didn't impress before he was pressed into action as a relief pitcher. His pitching impressed the Blue Jays to draft him.

He played for the Blue Jays from 1979 to 1992 and then in 1998. He pitched the first (and, to date, only) no-hitter in the Blue Jays history on September 2, 1990, defeating the Cleveland Indians 3–0. Previously, on September 24 and 30, 1988, Stieb had no-hitters break up with two outs and two strikes in the top of the ninth inning in two straight starts. In a 1985 game, he made a no-hitter in the ninth inning; this effort was shattered by back-to-back home runs and Stieb being replaced in the game before he finished eighth. He had a flawless game on August 4, 1989, but in the ninth he had two outs. It was the third time in two seasons that Stieb had lost a no-hitter with two out in the ninth inning. Following an excellent 1990 season and a string of shoulder and back injuries early in the 1991 season, he had a fruitful pitching career, culminating in a 4–6 record in 1992 that resulted in his freedom after the season ended. Despite not pitching in the postseason due to injuries, he was given a World Series ring after the Blue Jays claimed their first championship later this year. He appeared in four games with the Chicago White Sox in 1993 before finally retiring due to lingering back issues. In 1998, after a five-year absence from baseball, Stieb rejoined the Blue Jays and played in 19 games (three starts), going 1–2 with a 4.83 ERA.

In 1985, Stieb signed with the Blue Jays in what was then one of baseball's richest deals. The deal, which also offered options exercisable by the team, was for a maximum of eleven years and specified a salary that rose to $1.9 million in 1993, $2 million in 1994, and $2.1 million in 1995. Although this was thought to be generous at the time, by the time the contract was signed, it was still a bargain, considering that several players were receiving multiple times the amount per year. The Blue Jays voluntarily renegotiated the last three years of his deal to pay him a higher price in recognition of his years of service.

Stieb won 176 games in his career but lost 137. Jack Morrison appeared in more games in the 1980s than in any other. Stieb has set career records for Toronto pitchers, including wins, games, shutouts, strikeouts, complete games, and a variety of other areas. Stieb appeared in seven All-Star games, as well as a record for the Blue Jays.

On August 29, 2010, Stieb threw the ceremonial first pitch at the Rogers Centre, marking the 20th anniversary of his no-hitter game, with the anniversary being held just four days after the game. The number 37 of Stieb was engraved on the pitcher's mound for the game, and 10,000 bobbleheads of Stieb were distributed to fans upon entry.

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Awards and accomplishments

• 7-time MLB All-Star
• World Series champion (1992)
• AL ERA leader (1985)
• Pitched a no-hitter on September 2, 1990
• 1982 Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award
• Toronto Blue Jays Level of Excellence
• Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
• Ontario Sports Hall of Fame