Jim Gott

James William Gott (born August 3, 1959) is an American coach and former professional baseball pitcher.

Jim Gott
Gott with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2018
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 35
Pitcher / Bullpen coach
Born: (1959-08-03) August 3, 1959
Hollywood, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 9, 1982, for the Toronto Blue Jays
Last MLB appearance
August 3, 1995, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
Win–loss record56–74
Earned run average3.87
Strikeouts837
Saves91
Teams
As player

As coach

Gott pitched in Major League Baseball for 14 years for the Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Los Angeles Dodgers, from 1982 to 1995. He is the bullpen coach for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Career

Playing career

Gott was born in Hollywood, California. He graduated from San Marino High School in San Marino, California, in 1977.[1]

In baseball, he was named his league's most valuable player that year. He committed to attend Brigham Young University (BYU) on a college football scholarship as a linebacker, and was also recruited for the school's baseball team.[2]

The St. Louis Cardinals selected Gott in the fourth round of the 1977 Major League Baseball draft.[3] He signed with the Cardinals for a $18,500 ($78,000 in current dollar terms) signing bonus, rather than follow through with his commitment to attend BYU.[2] He began his professional career with the Calgary Cardinals of the Rookie-level Pioneer League.[3]

Gott was the first pick in the Rule 5 draft by the Toronto Blue Jays in December 1981. In his minor league career, he was 28-42 with one save and a 4.71 ERA, in 626.2 innings over 131 games (104 of which were starts).[4]

He made his major league debut in 1982. Gott's first major league win was against Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer of the Baltimore Orioles in May 1982. Gott's first major league win was from the same game as Cal Ripken, Jr's first game of his consecutive games played streak (May 30, 1982). In 1983, he was fifth in the American League in strikeouts per 9 innings pitched (6.164).[5]

In January 1985, the Blue Jays traded Gott along with two minor league players to the San Francisco Giants for Gary Lavelle.[6] On May 12, 1985, Gott hit two home runs against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Gott off of waivers in 1987.[3] In 1988, Gott broke Kent Tekulve's franchise single-season save record of 32 saves, ending the season with 34 saves (2nd in the NL).[7][8] He was also 7th in the National League in games played (67).[5] He had elbow surgery in May 1989, and missed most of the 1989 season.[3]

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Gott as a free agent after the 1989 season for $300,000 ($619,000 in current dollar terms).[9] Gott was a setup pitcher and closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1990 to 1994. In 1993, he was 9th in the National League in saves (25).[5]

In his 14-year major league career, Gott was 56-74 with 91 saves and a 3.87 ERA in 1,120 innings over 554 games (96 of which were starts).[5]

Radio hosting career

After retiring as an active player, Gott co-hosted Dodger Talk, a pre- and post-game radio show for the Dodgers for three years.[1]

Coaching career

In 2010, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hired Gott as their pitching coach for the Arizona League Angels of the Rookie-level Arizona League.[1] On November 9, 2012, Gott was promoted to the Angels' minor league pitching coordinator.[10] Gott served in that role through 2017.

On November 17, 2017, the Philadelphia Phillies named Gott their bullpen coach for the 2018 season.[11]

Personal life

Gott's brother, Erich, attended BYU on a scholarship for golf.[2] He resides in San Marino, California. He has six children, two of whom have autism.[12]

Gott taught Dennis Quaid to pitch for his portrayal of Jim Morris in the 2002 film The Rookie.[13]

References
  1. "Changing Colors: San Marino Native Jim Gott Returns to the Major Leagues as Bullpen Coach". San Marino Tribune. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  2. Benson, Lee (September 1, 1991). "Gott Says Dodgers Must Focus On What They Don'T Need To Do". Deseret News. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  3. "A Prodigal Son Returns a Man: Baseball: Dodgers' Gott had all of the advantages as a child in San Marino. Now he helps others find themselves. - latimes". Articles.latimes.com. August 7, 1990. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  4. Jim Gott Minor Leagues Statistics & History | Baseball-Reference.com
  5. Jim Gott Stats | Baseball-Reference.com
  6. AP (January 27, 1985). "Blue Jays Get Lavelle". NYTimes.com. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  7. "Consistency Makes Gott`s Closing Act A Success".
  8. "Phillies Add Jim Gott to Coaching Staff". 97.3 ESPN.
  9. "Dodgers Go for Relief, Take Gamble on Jim Gott - latimes". Articles.latimes.com. December 8, 1989. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  10. DiGiovanna, Mike (November 9, 2012). "Angels hire Mike Hampton, Tim Bogar for minor league roles". Los Angeles Times.
  11. "Phillies hire Jim Gott for bullpen coach as staff slowly forms". Philly.com. November 17, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  12. Firestone, Barbara (2007). Autism Heroes: Portraits of Families Meeting the Challenge. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. pp. 70–74. ISBN 1-84310-837-2. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  13. "Dennis Quaid Interview-The Rookie Movie".
Preceded by
Mark Bomback		 Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day
Starting pitcher
1983		 Succeeded by
Doyle Alexander
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