Jeff Barkley Explained

Jeff Barkley
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:21 November 1959
Birth Place:Hickory, North Carolina, U.S.
Bats:Both
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:September 16
Debutyear:1984
Debutteam:Cleveland Indians
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:July 26
Finalyear:1985
Finalteam:Cleveland Indians
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:0–3
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:5.40
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:34
Teams:

Jeffrey Carver Barkley (born November 21, 1959) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Cleveland Indians for two seasons from 1984 to 1985.

Barkley played college baseball for The Citadel where he set a school record in strikeouts with 237. He was inducted into the school's athletics hall of fame in 2002.[1]

Barkley made his Major League debut on September 16, 1984, against the Oakland Athletics. Manager Pat Corrales made the unconventional choice to pull pitcher Tom Waddell in the middle of a plate appearance and insert Barkley, who had been called up from the Maine Guides only two days earlier. Barkley inherited a two-strike count against Mike Davis and struck him out on the first pitch he threw in the Major Leagues.[2]

Barkley never won a game at the major league level, but did pick up one career save. It came on July 1, 1985, against the Minnesota Twins. Barkley pitched perfect innings to close out a 5-2 Indians victory. He saved the game for starter Vern Ruhle.[3]

Notes and References

  1. News: The Citadel Inducts Five in Athletic Hall of Fame . 22 November 2022 . . November 9, 2002 . en.
  2. News: Ocker . Sheldon . Indians again rally to win . 22 November 2022 . . 17 September 1984 . D7.
  3. Web site: Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins Box Score, July 1, 1985.