| Bill Gullickson | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1959-02-20)February 20, 1959 (age 66) Marshall, Minnesota, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: September 26, 1979, for the Montreal Expos | |
| NPB: April 9, 1988, for the Yomiuri Giants | |
| Last appearance | |
| NPB: August 13, 1989, for the Yomiuri Giants | |
| MLB: August 7, 1994, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 162–136 |
| Earned run average | 3.93 |
| Strikeouts | 1,279 |
| NPB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 21–14 |
| Earned run average | 3.29 |
| Strikeouts | 231 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
William Lee Gullickson (born February 20, 1959) is an American formerMajor League Baseballpitcher who played professionally in Canada, the U.S. and Japan, during an 18-year professional career, of which 14 seasons were spent in MLB.
Gullickson was selected as the second player to be drafted in the first round of the June1977 Major League Baseball draft, by theMontreal Expos, out ofJoliet Catholic Academy inJoliet, Illinois.
He finished second behindSteve Howe in theNational League Rookie of the Year voting in1980, after aseason in which he went 10–5 with anearned run average (ERA) of 3.00, and set a major-league record formost strikeouts in a game by a rookie, with 18. Gullickson held that record for 18 years, untilKerry Wood broke it with 20 strikeouts in1998. Gullickson held the Montreal Expos-Washington Nationals all-time strikeout record for a single game with 18 strikeouts untilMax Scherzer broke the record in2016.
In1981, he helped theExpos to their only division title with a 7–9, 2.81 record. The Expos lost theNational League Championship Series to theLos Angeles Dodgers in five games. Except for the1981 strike season, Gullickson was in double figures in wins for every year onward.
On December 12, 1985, Gullickson was acquired by theReds, along withcatcherSal Butera; the Reds sent pitchersAndy McGaffigan andJohn Stuper and catcherDann Bilardello to the Expos. Gullickson was 15-12 for the Reds with an ERA of 3.38[1] Gullickson was 10-11 when he was traded mid-season to theNew York Yankees in 1987 .
On August 26, 1987, Gullickson was acquired by theNew York Yankees for their1987 pennant drive, in exchange forDennis Rasmussen.[1] Gullickson recorded 4 wins and 2 losses with the Yankees but was unhappy there.Tommy John thought the intense media coverage and high expectations of the New York fans proved difficult for Gullickson to adjust to.[2] In 1988, he accepted a $2 million offer to pitch in Japan for theYomiuri Giants after being granted free agency on November 9, 1987.
Gullickson stayed with the Giants for two seasons, with a record of 21–14.Kazushige Nagashima, the son of Japanese baseball legendShigeo Nagashima, got the first hit in his professional career, a home run, off Gullickson. When asked about his time in Japan, Gullickson said it was strange; the only English words that he saw were "Sony and Mitsubishi."[3][4]
Although only in Japan for a short time, Gullickson left behind a positive legacy. When he was in Japan, it was considered a miracle that Gullickson, a patient with type 1diabetes mellitus, played a professional sport. Since 1998, the Japan Diabetes Mellitus Society (JADMC) has awarded the "Gullickson Award" for the patient who is deemed a superior influence on society.
While in Japan, Gullickson also developed a close friendship with a young Japanese pitcher,Masumi Kuwata, and even named his son "Craig Kuwata Gullickson" in his honor. Kuwata learned many things from Gullickson and grew to be one of the best players in Japan. Meanwhile, Kuwata had always wished to play in MLB, and at last, this dream was realized in 2007, as he became a member of thePittsburgh Pirates. Nearly 20 years after meeting Gullickson, Kuwata became an MLB rookie, at the age of 39.
At the age of 12,Sam Fuld, an aspiring baseball player who also had diabetes, met Gullickson, and talked to him for two minutes. "That was enough to inspire me", Fuld said.[5] "Any time I can talk to young diabetic kids, I look forward to that opportunity", said Gullickson.[6] Fuld went on to play eight seasons in the Major Leagues.
Gullickson signed as afree agent with theHouston Astros after the 1989 season, and had a mediocre 1990 season (10–14, 3.82 ERA) before being released.
Late in 1990, Gullickson signed a multimillion-dollar contract with theDetroit Tigers, for whom he pitched for four seasons. While with the Tigers he met a young boy, who was then 12, who also haddiabetes, and talked to him for two minutes. It was future major-leaguerSam Fuld, who battled to make theCubs' 2008 team. "That was enough to inspire me", Fuld said. "Any time I can talk to young diabetic kids, I look forward to that opportunity."[7]
In1991, Gullickson had a career-high 20 wins against 9 losses, leading theAmerican League in wins and placing eighth in the ALCy Young Award voting. The Tigers would not have another 20-game winner untilJustin Verlander in 2011.[8] Gullickson tallied another 14 wins in 1992, and had 13 wins in 1993. In1994, the 35-year old Gullickson was forced to retire due to injuries after posting a 4–5 record in 19 starts.
Gullickson is married to Sandy Gullickson. Their six children are all involved in sports or other physically intensive endeavors:
