Mel Stottlemyer: 1986 World Champion Mets Pitching Coach (1984-1993)

Melvin Leon Stottlemyer was born on November 13, 1941 in Hazleton, Missouri. The tall sinkerball right handed pitcher was signed by the AL New York club as an amateur free agent in 1961.

Playing Career: Mel won 17 games in the Carolina League in 1962, getting promoted to AAA in 1962 where he struggled at 7-7. In 1964 he went 14-3 getting promoted to the big league club in mid June.

MLB Career: On August 12th he made his debut, pitching a complete game victory over the White Sox in the Bronx. He won his first three games, then from September 9th thru September 26th won five straight. 

Shut Out & Multi- Five Hit Game: On September 26th 1964, he pitched a two hit shutout against the Senators in Washington. At the plate he went a career best 5-5 driving in two runs.

That year Stottlemyre went 9-3 behind Whitey Ford, Jim Bouton & Al Downing posting the staffs best ERA at 2.06 although he made just 13 appearances. Mel became an instant star, making the cover of the Sporting News & getting to the 1964 World Series.

1964 World Series: In the World Series loss to the Cardinals, Stottlemyre faced St. Louis Cardinal Hall of Fame pitcher, Bob Gibson three times in the seven-game Series. 

In Game #2 Stottlemyre beat Gibson pitching seven innings, allowing three runs. In the Game #5 loss Mel earned a no decision, as he gave up just two runs in seven innings while striking out six. This game Tim McCarver's three run HR in the top of the 10th won the game giving the Cards a three games to two lead.

In the final decisive Game #7, Mel was removed in the 4th inning after giving up three runs, three hits & a walk. Tim McCarver collected an RBI on a ground out then later stole home. Dal Maxvill added an RBI single in the three run 4th inning. St. Louis won the game clinching the Championship behind Bob Gibson the World Series MVP.

Stottlemyre would pitch ten more seasons with the AL New York team never making another post season appearance as the team would fourth or lower nine of those ten years. But Mel would have three twenty win seasons for himself, making five All Star teams during that era. He would also lead the league in complete games & losses twice. 

In his second season, 1965- he went 20-9 (second most wins in the AL) leading the league in complete games (18) & innings pitched (291) posting a 2.63 ERA. He made his first All Star appearances that year as well. 

The next year his team finished in last place as Mel led the league with twenty losses (going 12-20). In 1967 he improved to .500 (15-15) then in 1968 “The Year of the Pitcher” he won twenty games (21-12) with the third most wins in the AL, tossing 19 complete games (2nd in the AL) with six shut outs (2nd in the AL). He pitched 278 innings posting a 2.45 ERA. 

In 1969, as the Amazing Mets won the World Series Mel repeated as a twenty game winner (20-14) as his team finished fifth. 

Going into the seventies he would win 15 or more games three times over the next four seasons. In 1971 he led his staff with 16 wins then finished second on the club the next two years to Fritz Peterson who swapped wives with team mate Mike Kekich that year. 

In 1972 Mel led the AL in losses (18) for a second time in his career. In 1973 he was 16-16 with 19 complete games & a 3.07 ERA as his team finished fourth. In June 1974 Stottlemyre tore his rotator cuff ending his career at age 32.

Career Stats: In an 11 year career, he was 164-139 with a 2.97 ERA, recording 1257 strikeouts 40 shut outs & 152 complete games over 2661 innings pitched in 360 games.

Retirement & Coaching: After his playing days he began a coaching career, as a roving instructor for the expansion Seattle Mariners in 1977. 

Mets Coaching Career: After five years in his new home in the state of Washington, he was hired as pitching coach for the New York Mets. In 1984, Mel arrived on Davey Johnson’s staff helping develop the great young Met pitchers of that era.

First there was the phenom Dwight Gooden, who went on to have a spectacular record breaking rookie season followed by an Amazing 1985 Cy Young Award season. In later years there was criticism that Stottlemyre may have over pitched Gooden in those early years. He was also criticized for later having him throw less fast balls in order to save his arm.

Other pitchers, Ron Darling, Sid Fernandez, Jesse Orosco, Bobby Ojeda, Rick Aguilera & later David Cone all benefited from Stottlemyre’s coaching. 

 His staffs were among the best in baseball in the ten years of his coaching the New York Mets. 

In his first season the Mets won 22 more games than the previous year. The bullpen improved coming in second in the NL in saves (50) & strike outs (1028). 

By 1985 Mel's staff was even better coming in second in the league in wins (98) third in ERA (3.11) complete games (32) shut outs (12) & first in innings pitched (1488). 

Mel’s 1986 staff was the best in baseball, coming in first with most wins (108) & strike outs (1081). His staff posted the lowest ERA in the NL (3.13) had the most innings pitched (1484) & were second in strike outs (1484) while going on to win the World Series.

 Two years later the 1988 staff was number one in the NL again in wins (100) ERA (2.91) & strike outs (1101). They were second in complete games (17) saves (46) & shut outs (17). That season the Mets won the division but lost the NLCS to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Although the team finished second the next three years things slowly got worse. By 1991 the team fell to fifth place under Bud Harrelson. In 1992 Mel worked under new skipper Jeff Torborg but the team finished fifth again. Things got worse in 1993 as they fell to seventh, fired Torborg hiring Dallas Green.

After serving ten years as Mets pitching coach under five different managers Stotllemyre left the organization.

Post Mets Career: In 1994 he had a two year stint as the Houston Astros pitching coach. He then served under Joe Torre with the AL New York team beginning in 1996 & remained there for ten years winning four World Series. 

By 2005 he had enough of the Boss George & resigned after he ignored Joe Torre & Mel's pitching staff’s accomplishments. 

In 2008 Mel was named pitching coach of the Seattle Mariners near his home in Washington. In 2009 he retired from baseball at age 67.

Family: Mel & his wife Jean had three sons with Todd & Mel Jr. both becoming MLB pitchers. 

Todd Stottlemyer enjoyed a 14 year MLB career winning two World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays (1993 & 1994). He also pitched for the Oakland Athletics (1995) St. Louis Cardinals (1996-1998) Texas Rangers (1998) & Arizona Diamondbacks (1999-2002).

Todd won 14 or more games four times, going 138-121 lifetime with a 4.33 ERA. He pitched in
seven post seasons with his last appearance coming as a Diamondback earning a win over the Mets in Game #2 of the 1999 NLDS.

Todd & his wife Erica have five children

Dramas: After being criticized by the Mayor of Philadelphia for a base running blunder in the 1993 World Series win over the Phillies, Todd told the mayor to kiss his butt at the victory rally.

In Spring 1994, he & pitcher Dave Stewart were arrested in Dunedin Florida for resisting arrest after an argument to pay a cover fee. They were found not guilty in court after a seven day trial. 

Mel Jr. pitched one MLB season in Kansas City (1990) going 0-1 with a 4.88 ERA in 13 games with the Royals. Mel Jr. then became long time successful pitching coach for 16 years with the Diamondbacks (2009-2015) Mariners (2016-2017) Marlins (2018-2024).

Family: Mel Jr. & his wife have three children.

Jason Stottlemyer passed away from leukemia at just eleven years old. 

Passing: In 2000 Mel Stottlemyre Sr. was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a deadly blood cancer. He battled the cancer for 12 years as it went to remission. In 2013 it returned & on January 14th 2019, Mel passed away at age 77.

Upon his passing former Mets pitchers Dwight Gooden & Ron Darling commented on his impact.

Quotes- Ron Darling: “One of the classiest men I have ever known on or off the field. A wonderful pitching coach and father figure to the young pitchers on our Mets teams in the 1980s. Devotion to his wife Jean, his sons and his pitchers will never be forgotten by New York or those he mentored. Today is the saddest day.”

Quotes- Dwight Gooden: “Mel was more than a pitching coach to me. He was a dear friend. Everything I accomplished in the game was because of him. He taught me so much more than balls and strikes. I’ll miss him dearly.”

Quotes- Howard Johnson: "Mel we are going to miss you & your smiling face, prayers go out to your family.

Former pitcher David Cone called him a father figure having touched so many in a positive way.