Books and articles about Jim Rooker

RELATED LINKS Around the Web » Jim Rooker from baseball-reference.com Jump directly to Library content from any website!

Known for his willingness to speak his mind during his playing days, Rooker later became a Pirates radio and TV broadcaster. The red-haired lefthander was acquired by Pittsburgh in 1973 from Kansas City, where he was the first Royal to hit two home runs in a game. He twice won 15 for the Pirates and had three other seasons with double-digit wins. In 1979, he was near the end, with only four victories in 19 appearances. But, in the WS, with the Pirates trailing Baltimore three games to one, he held the Orioles to three hits and one run in five innings of Game Five. Bert Blyleven relieved and held the Orioles scoreless the rest of the way and the Pirates rallied to win. They won the next two games and the Series. (EW)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » July 2, 1970: Detroit's Joe Niekro no-hits the Yankees until Horace Clarke singles in the 9th inning. The Tigers win 5–0. This is the 3rd time in the month that Clarke has broken up a no-hitter, having spoiled bids by KC's Jim Rooker (June 4th) and Boston's Sonny Siebert (June 19th). » October 25, 1972: In a fairly even swap of talent, the Pirates trade P Gene Garber to the Royals for pitcher Jim Rooker. However, after a year Garber will move back to the NL. » August 19, 1973: Behind P Jim Rooker, the Pirates top San Francisco 5–0 to move two games out of 1st in the National League East. Rooker also leads the way hitting 3-for-3 . » September 23, 1974: The Pirates move to within a half game of 1st place by defeating St. Louis 1–0 in 10 innings. Jim Rooker is the winner over Lynn McGlothlin. » September 5, 1975: Montreal and Pittsburgh use a major-league record 15 pinch hitters in their doubleheader split. The Expos take the opener, 43 in 10 innings, and Pittsburgh wins the nitecap, 5–2, behind Jim Rooker. » May 10, 1977: The Braves lose a doubleheader to the Pirates, 3–0 and 2–1, to run their loss streak to 16. Jim Rooker is the winner in game 1, with Larry Demery the victor in game 2. » June 8, 1989: The Pirates send 16 batters to the plate in the 1st and taking a 10–0 lead (Pittsburgh's best inning since September, 1942) on eight hits, two for extra bases (Rey Quinones' double and Barry Bonds' 3-run homer) The Bucs leave the bases loaded. Announcer Jim Rooker crows that if the Pirates lose this game he'll walk back to Pittsburgh. Von Hayes answers Rooker with a 2-run homer in the 1st, another in the 3rd, Steve Jeltz goes deep in the 4th and 6th innings, one from each side of the plate, and score after six is 11–10. The Phils explode for five in the 8th to make the final, 15–11. Rooker did not make good on his promise until after the season, when he will conduct a charity walk from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh.