Don Mossi
From BR Bullpen
Donald Louis Mossi (The Sphinx or Ears)
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 1", Weight 195 lb.
- Debut April 17, 1954
- Final Game October 1, 1965
- Born January 11, 1929 in St. Helena, CA USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Don Mossi, who was good-natured about having a funny-looking face, was also a good pitcher who won 101 games and had 50 saves in his 12-year major league career.
As a rookie, Mossi starred for the great 1954 Cleveland Indians team that won 111 games. Mossi had a record of 6-1 with 7 saves and a 1.94 ERA.
His peak years in terms of wins were with the Detroit Tigers, where he went 17-9 in 1959 and 15-7 in 1961.
In post-season play, he pitched four innings in the 1954 World Series without giving up a run, and he pitched 2/3 inning in the 1957 All-Star Game without giving up a run.
Mossi was also successful in the minors. During five years in the minors (1949-53) he never had a losing record.
Cited by Bill James and others as one of the least handsome players ever to wear an MLB uniform. Mossi did not have to put up with a demeaning nickname like Cuban counterpart Agapito Mayor, who got the nickname "Triple Ugly". In Ball Four, Jim Bouton had Mossi on the "All-Ugly Nine". Refering to Mossi's protruding ears, Bouton says Mossi "looked like a cab going down the street with its doors open."
In a 1995 interview, Mossi said that he grew up mostly in Daly City, CA. He was born in a small town in California, eventually moved back there and later moved to another small town in northern California.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- AL All-Star (1957)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 2 (1959 & 1961)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1959 & 1961)
[edit] Records Held
- Fielding percentage, pitcher, career, .990 (tied)
