Mike torrez baseball biography

Yet Torrez's life added up to much more than his worst moment on the mound. Coming from a vibrant Mexican American community that settled in Topeka, Kansas, in the early s, he made it to the Majors by his own talent and efforts, with the help of an athletic program for Mexican youth that spread through the Midwest, Texas and Mexico during the 20th century.

He was in the middle of many transformative events of the s--such as the rise of free agency--and was an ethnic role model in the years before the "Fernandomania" of This book covers Torrez's life and career as the winningest Mexican American pitcher in Major League history. Additional Information. Author: Jorge Iber. Mike Torrez was born in Topeka, Kansas, on August 28, Growing up in this Midwestern city, he developed a passion for baseball at an early age.

His family supported his athletic pursuits, and local fields became his training grounds. The community in Topeka played a crucial part in his childhood, shaping his skills and love for the game. Torrez attended Topeka High School, where he showcased his pitching talents. His performances caught the attention of scouts, establishing him as a standout player.

During his high mike torrez baseball biography years, he excelled as a dominant pitcher, earning accolades and setting records. His high school career laid the foundation for his professional aspirations and paved the way for his entry into the MLB. After retiring from baseball inMike Torrez settled in the Kansas area. Though details about his current residence are not widely publicized, he remains a respected figure in the sports community.

His roots in Topeka have kept him connected to the area, often participating in local events and fostering relationships with fans. Mike Torrez is married, although specific details about his spouse are not extensively documented in public sources. He values his family life and privacy. His marriage is often mentioned in the context of his off-field persona, highlighting his commitment to family and relationships outside of baseball.

Yes, Mike Torrez has children. He has maintained a private life regarding his family, but it is known that he raises his children with similar values that guided his own upbringing. His experiences as a professional athlete influenced his approach to parenting, emphasizing the importance of hard work and dedication. Throughout his career, Torrez faced some controversies, primarily stemming from high-pressure games and pivotal moments in his career.

While this moment is often discussed in sports history, it does not overshadow his overall contributions to the game. There are no public records or credible reports suggesting that Mike Torrez has ever been arrested. His professional career remained largely free from legal issues. Mike Torrez has a limited presence on social media. He values his privacy and prefers to stay away from the spotlight that social media often brings.

Occasionally, he shares insights or updates regarding his life, helping fans reminisce about his baseball days. Outside of baseball, Torrez enjoys various hobbies. He has expressed interest in mentoring young athletes, sharing his experiences, and helping them develop their skills.

Mike torrez baseball biography

Additionally, he enjoys spending time with family and participating in community events. His focus on youth development reflects his commitment to giving back to the sport that shaped his life. His amateur career laid the groundwork for his future success. This section covers his college baseball experience, awards, draft details, and performance in minor leagues.

Mike Torrez played college baseball at the University of California, Riverside. During his time there, he developed his skills as a pitcher. His performances caught the attention of scouts and set him on the path to professional baseball. In addition to playing at Riverside, he also gained valuable experience playing for local teams, including the American Legion.

These experiences helped him refine his technique and gain game experience. While playing for the University of California, Riverside, Torrez earned several accolades. He was recognized for his powerful pitching and strong work ethic. His recognitions included being named to all-conference teams and earning academic awards. These achievements reflected both his athletic ability and his dedication to academics.

Mike Torrez did not participate in the College World Series during his college career. However, his solid performances during regular-season games made him a notable player. His consistency helped establish him as a reliable pitcher ahead of the professional draft. Despite not winning a championship, the experience he gained was invaluable.

It prepared him for the challenges of playing in the minor leagues and eventually the majors. Mike Torrez received a scholarship to attend the University of California, Riverside. This opportunity allowed him to focus on both his studies and his baseball career. The Dodgers were winning when Reggie Jackson began hitting every pitch he saw for a home run in the fourth inning.

By the end of the eighth, he had homered on three straight pitches thrown to him, and the Yankees had scored eight runs. Meanwhile, on the mound for the Yankees, Torrez held the Dodgers to one earned run and three overall until there were two outs in the ninth, when Vic Davalillo had an RBI single to score a fourth run for the Dodgers.

Just after the World Series, Torrez became a free agentthanks to the Seitz decision in that had overruled baseball's reserve clause. Then, after losing on May 19, he won five straight decisions through June 15, helping Boston go six games up on the Yankees on that date. It improved Torrez's record toand put the Sox nine games up on the Yankees.

Torrez also won his next start before going into a slide. Torrez pitched the first game; he lasted just a little over an inning, as the Yankees scored five runs against him and won 15—3. Torrez allowed a run in the first and a run in the fifth, and the game was tied at two heading to the ninth. After Boston failed to score in the top of the inning, Mickey Rivers led off the bottom of the ninth with a triplethen scored the winning run for New York on Thurman Munson 's sacrifice fly.

The Red Sox went over their final fourteen games. The Red Sox won a coin toss to host the tie-breaker, which pitted Torrez against eventual Cy Young Award winner Guidry, who was pitching on only three days' rest. Boston scored again in the sixth. Through six innings, Torrez allowed just two hits and two walks. With one out in the seventh, Chris Chambliss and Roy White singled.

Jim Spencerpinch hitting for rookie second baseman Brian Doylepopped out to left for the second out. That brought number nine hitter Bucky Denta shortstop with only four home runs all season, to the plate. Dent fouled a 1-and-1 pitch off his left leg, and went to the dugout for treatment and a new bat, as the one he had was cracked. When he returned to the plate, Torrez threw him a fastball that Dent hit over the " Green Monster.

The Yankees would increase their lead to An eighth-inning rally cut the deficit to With the tying run on third base in the ninth and two outs, Yastrzemski popped out to Graig Nettles in foul territory to end the game. Against the Yankees, he was with a 5. It took Torrez nearly three weeks to win his first game inbut on April 22, he held Kansas City to mike torrez baseball biography hits in a complete game shutout.

Torrez was removed that inning and did not get credit for the victory, but Boston ultimately prevailed 3—2 in the 13th inning. He believes in me and I appreciate that. An injury caused Torrez to miss 10 games in spring training, but he was ready in time for the beginning of the season. When I make a mistake, I have to stay here and face the music.

From now on, they're going to have to face the music too. He understood. I told him the reason he was being taken out of the rotation was that he simply hadn't done the job. Through his first four games ofTorrez had a 1—2 record and a 6. From May 8 to June 9, however, he went 5—0 with a 2. On June 9, he allowed five hits and one run in a complete game victory over the Seattle Mariners.

He's doing what he should have been doing the last couple of years, just throwing the fastball and challenging guys to hit it. Torrez had eight strikeouts in the victory. As soon as the crowd heard the name, they began booing. Though he never lost more than two games in a row all season, he never won more than two games in a row. The pitcher blamed his inconsistency on too little concentration: "I know I should pitch the same way all the time, but I don't.

I'm just stupid, but I have to start being a smart pitcher again and stay that way. Mike Davis was eventually sent to Boston to complete the trade. Bradley hit his first career home run to send the game to extra innings. Reliever Jesse Oroscowho had three of the Mets' sixteen wins and saved an additional three, took his first loss of the season when the Dodgers scored a run in the 14th inning.

Torrez lost his first two starts under new manager Frank Howard. In the first of those, he held the Cubs scoreless through eight, however, they scored twice in the ninth for the victory on June 8. Although the Mets would lose 94 games and finish last in the NL Eastthey showed modest improvement under their new manager with first baseman Hernandez joining several young ballplayers that included Darryl Strawberrythe number one overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft.

Over the remainder of the season, he posted an and a marginally lower ERA, at 4. Torrez also led the league in earned runs allowed and walksstriking out just 94 batters. Seaver was left unprotected in the free agent compensation pool and was signed by the White Sox on January 20,[ ] leaving Torrez the veteran of a young Mets rotation.

Thon missed the rest of the season because of impaired vision, and his ability never fully recovered. Torrez had no wins entering the month of June. On June 3, he held the Cardinals to one earned run in eight innings, but the Mets scored no runs for him as they lost 1—0, dropping his record to 0—5. He would not have a win until June 9, when he defeated the Expos.

Torrez was not unemployed for long, as he resigned with the Athletics on July 3. He made three starts for Tacoma, posting a 1—1 record and a 7. Not ready to retire, Torrez pitched for Licey following the major league season, helping the Dominican club win the Caribbean Series. Instead, he signed with the Miami Marlinsan unaffiliated Single-A team in the Florida State League that was hoping to improve its attendance by signing former major leaguers seeking a return to baseball's top level.

I can help someone. His pitchers posted a 5. The team managed only a 53—86 record inhowever, and switched to the Canadian-American League for the season. The team was sold again midway through the season, and Torrez was fired in July over disputes about promotions the new owners wanted to hold, including a reality TV series. Torrez's fastball was his main pitch.

He also threw a sliderwhich became a key complement to the fastball during the campaign. Hank Aaron said of it that year, "I don't recall seeing Torrez throw a slider in the mikes torrez baseball biography he was with St. He's came up with a good one. In eight of his 18 years, he had more walks than strikeouts, though six of these were in his first nine seasons.

He is also 98th with wild pitches. In the middle of the season, during a Cardinals off day on May 8, Torrez married his first wife, Connie Reisinger. They were married later that year, with Eckersley serving as best man at the wedding. After retiring, Torrez and his wife Teresa initially lived in the St. Petersburg area before moving north to Westchester County, New Yorksettling down a few blocks from former major league pitcher Ralph Branca.

The Michael A. Community Reviews. Search review text. Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews. Tom Shrimplin. An interesting read for a baseball fan who lives close to Topeka. Cathy Brake. While this is an interesting true story, it is hard to read the way it is written.