Ron Perranoski

[William Malone]

Ronald Peter Perranoski was born on April 1, 1936 in Paterson, New Jersey.

The Chicago Cubs signed him as an amateur free agent in 1958. He was one of three prospects traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for All-Star second baseman Don Zimmer in 1960. Perranoski made his Major League debut in 1961, and quickly become one of baseball's best relief pitchers.

He pitched seven years for the Dodgers, leading the National League in relief appearances three times. Perranoski had 100 saves and a 2.56 ERA over this stretch. He did have some notable postseason struggles while in Los Angeles, owning a 5.75 postseason ERA with them. The Dodgers were still able to win the World Series in 1963 and 1965. They were swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1966 World Series.

The Dodgers sent Perranoski to the Minnesota Twins in a blockbuster deal after the 1967 campaign. Minnesota sent All-Star starter Mudcat Grant and 1965 AL MVP Zoilo Versalles to Los Angeles. They received Perranoski, All-Star catcher John Roseboro and veteran pitcher Bob Miller.

Perranoski was fantastic during his three full seasons with the Twins. He had a 2.49 ERA between 1968 and 1970, leading the American League with 31 saves in 1969 and again with 34 saves in 1970. But just like his time with the Dodgers, postseason play proved to be a difficult task for Perranoski. He allowed walk-off hits in games one and two of the 1969 ALCS. A year later, he allowed five runs in game two of the 1970 ALCS. Minnesota was swept in each series, which were the first two ever played. Before 1969, the American League regular season champion would just go straight to the World Series.

He returned to the Twins in 1971, but was placed on waivers after recording a 6.75 ERA over 36 appearances. The Detroit Tigers claimed him, and he finished out the season there. Perranoski briefly returned to the Dodgers in 1972, and pitched for the California Angels in 1973.

The Dodgers hired him as their minor league pitching coordinator in 1974. Perranoski was hired as their Major League pitching coach in 1981, helping the Dodgers win two rings during his 14 years in that role. He was the San Francisco Giants pitching coach for three years in the late 90's, then became a longtime special assistant to general manager Brian Sabean. Perranoski won three more World Series rings in this role, retiring after the Giants third championship in 2014.

He passed away in 2020 at the age of 84.

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