Status: Former MLB pitcher from 1973-1982 for San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Montreal Expos, California Angels and Oakland A’s. 1974 National League Rookie of the Year.
DOB: December 24, 1951 In: San Diego, CA
Baseball inspirations: Willie Mays. Juan Marichal. Gaylord Perry.
Last book read: The Grand Design.
Nickname(s): Johnny D.
Hobbies/leisure activities: Cars, Golf, fishing.
First job: Fish markets.
Current car: Ford Mustang 2011.
Greatest sports moment: Breaking the Giants rookie strikeout record in 1974 held by Ruben Gomez back in 1906 and getting a two-minute standing ovation.
Most painful moment: Signing with the Angels when I should’ve signed with the New York Yankees in 1981.
Favorite uniforms: San Francisco Giants 1973, ‘74, ‘75, ‘76.
Favorite ballparks to play: San Diego’s Jack Murphy. Dodger Stadium. Old Yankee Stadium. And Veteran’s Stadium in Philadelphia. (Why the Vet? Not many players mention it.) The Vet was where the fans pumped me up. And I like the backdrop. The mound felt really good to me. Just liked pitching there.
First famous ballplayer you ever met or encountered: Willie Mays, I had a locker next to Willie my first year in spring training 1971 Casa Grande, Arizona.
Closest baseball friends: Eric Rasmussen, Rollie Fingers, Lou Klimchock, Claudell Washington, Pete Rose, Gaylord Perry.
Funniest players encountered: Jay Johnstone, Randy Jones, Michael Norris. Willie McCovey when he did the kangaroo court judge’s job – very funny. Chris Speier and Chris Arnold.
Toughest competitors encountered: The Big Red Machine the whole team, it gave me a headache to pitch against them. But I did well against them.
Favorite sport outside baseball: Golf
Three athletes you like to watch & follow: Tiger Woods – a true fighter. Peyton Manning. And Phil Mickelson’s short game.
Funny baseball memory: When I hit my first and only home run they gave me the silent treatment for a long time. With the Giants in 1974.
Embarrassing baseball memory: I pitched a game on national TV when I had the flu and threw a pitch and crapped my pants. Chris Speier came to the mound and we were laughing pretty hard…But it was very embarrassing.
Strangest game: I was involved in a triple play with Dave Rader catching, first and second, no one out, 3-2 was the count. Runners take off. The ball was hit to me, a line drive. Mike Tyson-Don Kessinger-Keith Hernandez. See ya. With the Cardinals in 1977.
People qualities most admired: John F. Kennedy. Charlie Fox. Jimmy Davenport. Roger Craig. Chuck Estrada. Billy Martin.
Topics: Chris Arnold, Chris Speier, Dodger Stadium, Gaylord Perry, Jay Johnstone, Juan Marichal, Kangaroo Court, Klimchock, Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, Phil Mickelson, Rollie Fingers, Ruben Gomez, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Sports Moment, St Louis Cardinals, Standing Ovation, Willie Mays, Willie Mccovey, Yankee Stadium
John D'Acquisto Biofile | 