In honor of the U.S. Open out at Bethpage this weekend, let’s look at the greatest baseball players from Long Island, or Strong Island for all you meatheads, in Major League history. The position players are here. Now the pitchers:
Frank Viola, Hempstead. 15 seasons with Twins, Mets, Red Sox, Reds, and Blue Jays ... 176-150 W-L, 3.73 ERA, 1.301 WHIP, 1,844 K in 2,836.1 IP ... 1988 A.L. Cy Young with Minnesota ... 6 seasons with 15+ wins ... 1987 World Series Champion & MVP (won Game 1 and Game 7) ... 3 All-Star games ... All-Star mustache ... prompted Mets fans to hang musical notes for every strikeout ... FROM! St. John’s.
Pete Harnisch, Commack. 14 seasons with Orioles, Astros, Mets, Brewers, and Reds ... 111-103 W-L, 3.89 ERA, 1.296 WHIP, 1,368 K in 1,959.0 IP ... 1991 All-Star ... led N.L. with 4 shutouts in 1993 ... 26th pitcher to strike out the side with only 9 pitches on September 6, 1991 against the Phillies ... gave up back-to-back-to-back homers against the Padres on Opening Day, 1997.
Pete Richert, Floral Park. 13 seasons with Dodgers, Senators, Orioles, Cardinals, and Phillies ... 80-73 W-L, 3.19 ERA, 1.186 WHIP, 51 SV, 925 K in 1,165.2 IP ... 3 All-Star games ... 1970 World Series Champion ... shares a distinction with John Smoltz for being players who have been traded for Doyle Alexander.
Jason Marquis, Manhasset. 10 seasons (and counting) with Braves, Cardinals, Cubs, and Rockies ... 88-74 W-L, 4.49 ERA, 1.419 WHIP, 796 K in 1,366.0 IP ... led N.L. in L, ER, and HRA in 2006 ... 4.76 ERA in 10 postseason appearances ... .531 OPS, 5 HR ... Silver Slugger in 2005.
John Habyan, Bay Shore. 11 seasons with Orioles, Yankees, Royals, Cardinals, Angels, and Rockies ... 26-24 W-L, 3.85 ERA, 1.358 WHIP, 12 SV, 372 K in 532.1 IP ... former teammates with Mel Hall.
Paul Gibson, Southampton. 8 seasons with Tigers, Mets, and Yankees ... 22-24 W-L, 4.07 ERA, 1.448 WHIP, 345 K in 556.2 IP ... gave me pitching lessons in Bellport in 1999.
Matt Daley, Garden City. Rookie with the Rockies ... ace pitcher for 2000 NY State Champion Garden City Trojans.