I don't get fox sports net.
I wish I did. I remember Gaylord Perry.
Giants Retire Gaylord Perry's Jersey
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer
July 23, 2005, 9:40 PM CDT
SAN FRANCISCO -- Gaylord Perry still jokes about his infamous spitball and how much it contributed to his decorated career.
The San Francisco Giants retired the jersey of the Hall of Fame right-hander Saturday night, the 10th player or manager to have their number retired in the club's 123-year history and the first since Orlando Cepeda in 1999.
"It was between me and Juan Marichal, and they took me," Perry said.
Still quite the jokester, Perry earlier spoke of how he once tried silicone on his hands. When he thought about what it's typically used for, he said he couldn't concentrate on his work.
So, he stuck to his usual.
"I'd put Vaseline on my hands and shake the opponents' hands the night before I pitched," Perry said. "They'd say, 'What are you doing?' and I'd say, 'I'm just getting ready for tomorrow night.'"
The 66-year-old Perry posted 314 victories in a 22-year career with eight teams, the first 10 with the Giants. He pitched one of 17 no-hitters in franchise history Sept. 17, 1968, against the St. Louis Cardinals and Cy Young Award winner Bob Gibson at Candlestick Park.
"What an honor," Perry said following a warm standing ovation. He played for the Giants from 1962-1971.
With streamers and balloons, his No. 36 was unfurled above the second deck of bleachers in left field, between the No. 30 of Cepeda and Willie McCovey's No. 44 -- two more Giants' Hall of Famers of his era. Highlights of Perry's career played on the big screen on the main scoreboard in center field.
"Gaylord, how would you have liked to pitch in this ballpark? What a delight," said Mike McCormick, who along with his former teammates presented Perry with a framed plaque of his jersey.
Perry's number decorated the grass in foul territory along the first- and third-base lines, and the first 20,000 fans received a bobblehead of his likeness.
Perry, a five-time All-Star, was the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues, and he posted four 20-win seasons.
"I never saw a spitball," said Giants manager Felipe Alou, who played with Perry in San Francisco and in winter ball. "He didn't throw it to me, maybe out of friendship. The times I faced Gaylord, he threw a slider, a fastball, a curveball -- and it was enough to get me out. ...
"He is a legitimate Hall of Famer. He was a tremendous pitcher since the day they signed him."
Alou recalled when Perry pitched some 120 innings in winter ball for the Escogido team in the Dominican Republic. He would take the ball on two days' rest if necessary, Alou said.
"He would knock his brother down if it meant getting somebody out," said McCormick, the NL Cy Young Award winner in 1967.
About a dozen of Perry's former teammates were on hand for the tribute -- including Willie Mays, Marichal, Felipe Alou, Matty Alou, Cepeda and McCovey. Perry slapped hands with each of them when introduced, then tipped his cap and waved to the crowd.
One thing hasn't changed.
"I still hate the Dodgers, yes," Perry said. "As soon as (Tommy) Lasorda gets to heaven, he's going to see God has pinstripes instead of Dodger Blue."
Perry retired after the 1983 season and received a large jar of Vaseline from one umpire.
Copyright © 2005, The Associated Press