Al Downing
From BR Bullpen
Alphonso Erwin Downing
- Bats Right, Throws Left
- Height 5' 11", Weight 177 lb.
- School Rider University
- Debut July 19, 1961
- Final Game July 13, 1977
- Born June 28, 1941 in Trenton, NJ USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Al Downing pitched 17 years in the majors, winning 123 games. He was with the New York Yankees for most of the 1960's and, after spending a year with the Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers, was with the Los Angeles Dodgers for most of the 1970's.
Pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Downing gave up Hank Aaron's 715th home run on April 8, 1974. Downing was an effective starter with the New York Yankees early in his career and won 20 games after coming to the Dodgers in 1971.
He made appearances in three World Series, two with the Yankees and one with the Dodgers.
Following the end of his playing career, he has worked as a broadcaster, mostly with the Dodgers.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- AL All-Star (1967)
- 1971 NL Comeback Player of the Year Award
- AL Strikeouts Leader (1964)
- NL Shutouts Leader (1971)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1971)
- 20 Wins Seasons: 1 (1971)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 6 (1964-1967, 1971 & 1972)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 1 (1964)
- Won a World Series with the New York Yankees in 1961 (he did not play in the World Series)
