R.A. Dickey: 2012 NL Cy Young Award Winner (2010 - 2012)

Robert Alan "R. A." Dickey was born October 29, 1974, in Nashville, Tennessee. He majored in English Literature with a 3.3 GPA at the University of Tennessee, before getting drafted by the Texas Rangers in 1996.

1996 USA Olympic Baseball Team:  In 1996 Dickey was a member of the US Olympic baseball team that won a bronze medal at the summer games in Atlanta. Dickey was the winning pitcher in two of the games.

The Intelligent right hander was offered a contract over $800,000 until a doctor noticed his arm hanging in an odd way. An x-ray found a missing ulnar collateral ligament & the Rangers lowered their offer to $75,000.

Doctors said he shouldn’t be able to turn a doorknob let alone, pitch in the major leagues. Upset & angry he found spiritual enlightenment & moved on with his life. 

Minor League Career: Dickey began a minor league career that lasted straight 14 seasons where he pitched at least three games at the level every seasons. In 296 games he was 79-71 with a 4.25 ERA making 196 starts.

MLB Debut: On April 22nd, 2001, Dickey made his MLB debut in Texas finishing off an 11-2 win
over the Oakland A's pitching one scoreless inning. He made four appearances & was sent down to AAA Oklahoma in early May. 

In 2002 he pitched 38 games making 13 starts going 9-8 for Buck Showalter's fourth place Rangers. The next year he pitched 25 games going 6-7 with limited success. He pitched just nine games the next year & was back in the minor leagues.

He eventually realized his forkball pitch which he called “the thing”, was actually a hard knuckle ball. He realized he needed to perfect the knuckler to stay in the major leagues.

In 2006 the Rangers gave him a shot to show off his new knuckleball, but he hadn't perfected it yet. He allowed six HRs in his first start of the season, tying fellow knuckle baller Tim Wakefield’s MLB record.

He pitched just the one game in Texas & then spent the entire year at AAA Oklahoma going 9-8. He was granted free agency at the end of the year & then signed with the Milwaukee Brewers to a minor league deal.

His new knuckle ball was successful as he went 12-6 with a 3.80 ERA at AAA Nashville, winning the Pacific Coast League’s Pitcher of the Year Award. 

Dickey would get drafted away from the Brewers, as a Rule V pick by the Seattle Mariners. In 2008 in Seattle he went just 5-8 with a 5.21 ERA.

On August 17th he set an MLB record with four wild pitches in a single inning, during a game against the Minnesota Twins. In the inning he allowed two runs on a single, with two walks, a passed ball the four wild pitches & retired one batter.

The record tied a mark with Hall of Famers Walter Johnson & Phil Niekro. After one season with the Mariners, he then signed on with the Minnesota Twins.

Mets Career: In 2010 he was signed by the New York Mets and began the season at AAA Buffalo. 

Minor League One Hitter: On April 29th, Dickey allowed a single to the first batter he faced then retired the next 27 batters in a row, winning the game with a one hitter. In mid-May he was 4-2 with a 2.23 ERA when the Mets brought him up to their staff.

Mets Debut: On May 19th, Dickey made his Mets debut facing the Nationals pitching six innings allowing two runs earning no decision in the 5-3 loss. 

From May 25th to June 23rd, Dickey went 6-0, as his knuckleball surprised the N.L. hitters. He became the first Mets pitcher to win six games in his first seven starts.  The six game win streak was his personal career high.

But from June 28th to July 20th, he lost four straight decisions, with a 6-4 record he still posted a low 2.73 ERA.

On July 15th, although he gave up just one run to the Giants over seven innings at San Francisco, he took a loss as Tim Lincecum shut out the Mets on a six hitter. In that game he started a personal 18 scoreless inning streak lasting until August 3rd.

One Hitter: On August 13th at Citi Field, Dickey threw his first one hitter, beating Cole Hammels & the Phillies in a 1-0 pitcher's duel. In the top of the 6th inning, the pitcher Hamels singled with one out for the Phillies only hit of the game. In the bottom of the 6th, Carlos Beltran RBI double was the only run of the game. Dickeys one hitter was the second one thrown by a Mets pitcher that season, as Jon Niese tossed on June 10th. This was the 35th one hitter thrown in Met history.

Mets Trivia: The previous night Johan Santana had thrown a complete game shutout. Dickey's shut out was the first time Met pitchers tossed back-to-back shut outs since 2002 (Pedro Astacio & Jeff D'Amico).

On August 29th, he allowed just one run in a 5-1 victory at Houston. At bat he collected two hits, with a two-run single off Bud Norris in the Mets four run 2nd inning. On September 3rd, he gave up a season worst seven runs taking a loss at Wrigley Field. 

On September 8th, he earned his tenth win of the year, issuing no walks for the fourth time on the season, beating the Nat's 3-2 in D.C. It marked the first time R.A. reached double figures in wins in his career. Thru his first nine starts at Citi Field, Dickey was 7-1 with a 1.74, the lowest ERA for a Mets pitcher in franchise history thru his first nine home games.

On September 14th at Citi Field, Dickey threw his second complete game of the season, allowing just a run on five hits in a 9-1 win over the Pirates.

He struggled the rest of the way taking losses in his last three decisions of the year.

On September 29th, Dickey allowed just one run over seven innings against Milwaukee but took the 3-1 loss to Dave Bush.

Mets Record: Dickey set a Mets fielding record that season, handling 61 total chances without an error, breaking Tom Glavine'' old mark of 55.

The Mets finished the year 79-83 in fourth place. Dickey finished up 2010 with the best year of his career to date. He was a pleasant surprise on a disappointing Mets team going 11-9 with a 2.84 ERA (7th best in the N.L.).

He pitched in 27 games, posting 174 innings & striking out 104 batters while walking only 42. 

His walks per nine inning rate (2.2) was third best in the NL. At Citi Field Dickey posted a .199 ERA & a 2.53 ERA in night games.

At the plate he was one of the leagues better hitting pitchers, batting .255 with two doubles & five RBIs.

2011 Season: The Mets began the season with a new manager, as the Terry Collins era began. 

Dickey began 2011 pitching in the third game of the season earning a win against the Marlins in Florida, allowing just one run over six innings. 

From April 8th to May 14th, he lost his next five decisions, giving up 29 earned runs in 45.1 innings, as opposing batters hit .321 against him in that time. By mid-May he was 1-5 with a 5.08 ERA.

On May 20th, Dickey earned a win in the Bronx subway series matchup, beating Freddy Garcia 2-1. Daniel Murphy's HR & Justin Turner's RBI double provided the offense. On May 31st, in a loss at Pittsburgh, he struck out a season high ten batters, the only time he reached double digits in K's on the season.

On June 5th, he gave up just one run to the Braves at Citi Field earning a win in the 6-4 victory.  In his next start, he allowed three runs to the Pirates in Pittsburgh, taking a loss, falling to 3-7.

Dickey’s 2011 wasn’t going as good as his previous season, by mid-August, he found himself at 5-11 with a respectable 3.77 ERA.

From August 29th to September 7th, he earned three victories in three starts over ten days.

On August 29th, Dickey pitched seven shutout innings over the Marlins at Citi Field, in the second game of a double header, earning his eighth win. After giving up three runs in his next victory, he pitched another seven shut out inning over the Marlins in Florida.

On September 24th Dickey earned no decision in a 2-1 win over Cole Hamels & the Phillies at Citi Field. He pitched seven innings allowing just a run, striking out four.

Dickey ended the year at 8-13 with a 3.28 ERA, striking out 134 batters with 54 walks in 208 innings of work in 33 starts. On the mound he led all pitchers with 58 assists. At bat he hit .136 with two RBIs. The Mets were 77-85 with another fourth-place finish.

2012 Cy Young Award Season: On April 2nd, Dickey started the second game of the Mets season beating the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. 

He had a solid April going 3-1 then went on a roll from there. On May 6th he pitched eight solid innings, allowing just one run on four hits against the Arizona Diamondbacks for his fourth win.

He rolled through the month undefeated, finishing up May at 7-1.  He struck out eleven Pirates in Pittsburgh on May 22nd, followed by a ten-strikeout performance at Citi Field on May 27th against the San Diego Padres.

NL Pitcher of the Month Award: In June Dickey would be even better, winning the Pitcher of the Month Award. In six starts he was 5-0 with a 0.94 ERA, striking out 55 batters walking 8 in 48.1 innings.

Complete Game Shut Out: On June 2nd, Dickey pitched a complete game 5-0 shutout beating the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field. He struck out nine & walked no one lowering his season ERA to 2.69. 

On June 7th the Mets were 1.5 games behind the Washington Nationals for first place, surprising everyone with their winning. After losing two straight to the Nat's they were in jeopardy of series a sweep. Dickey stepped in, throwing 7.1 shutout innings earning his ninth win of the year.

One Hitter: On June 13th Dickey took the mound in Tampa Florida, he allowed a 1st inning single to B.J. Upton on a ball David Wright failed to play cleanly. No one thought about it at the time as Dickey went about his business.

Trivia: The Mets attempted to appeal the official scorer's decision on ruling David Wright's play being called a hit, but MLB denied the appeal. 

Dickey went on to retire the next the next twenty-two consecutive batters until Elliot Johnson reached on a David Wright error in the bottom of the 9th inning. 

In the inning there were two passed balls, thanks to the movement of that knuckleball. The Rays scored a run on a Desmond Jennings ground ball out. Dickey ended the game getting Carlos Pena to po up behind the plate. In the game Dickey set a new career high striking out 12 batters, making it the third time on the season he reached double figures in strike outs. The Mets won the game 9-1.  

Mets Scoreless Innings Streak Record: Dickey established a Mets record of 32.2 scoreless innings besting Jerry Koosman's 1973 scoreless innings record. 

Dickey entered his next start, by having only allowed just one earned run, three walks & 50 strikeouts over his five previous starts.

Back-to-Back One Hitters: On June 18th, Dickey took the mound against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field. 

In the 5th inning, Wilson Betemit singled to right field, it was the first & last hit of the game for the O's. The Mets went on to a 5-0 win. Dickey tossed another one hitter, his second straight & the third of his career. It was his second shutout of the season & the fourth of his career.

In the game Dickey set a new career high, striking out 13 batters, passing his previous mark of 12 in his last game. 

Trivia: Dickey became the first pitcher in MLB history to throw back-to-back complete game one hitters & have over ten strikeouts in each of those games. He also became the first NL Pitcher since the Braves Jim Toblin in 1944 to throw back-to-back one hitters. The last MLB pitcher to do it was the Blue Jays Dave Steib in 1988. 

He had now won six straight starts, winning nine straight decisions, while becoming the first pitcher in the league to reach eleven victories.

In his next start he gave up five runs in a subway series loss earning no decision. On June 29th he won his fifth game of the month, shutting out the Dodgers for eight innings on three hits in a 9-0 Mets win.

Quotes- Hall of Fame Knuckleball Pitcher Phil Niekro: "I had a few streaks, but nothing like he’s going through. I don’t know if any other knuckleballer has ever been on a hot streak like he has been. He is just dynamite right now." 

Mets manager Terry Collins also stated he never saw anything like the streak Dickey was on in June.

2012 All Star: At the All Star break he was 12-1 with a 2.15 ERA & 116 strike outs. He was named to the 2012 NL All Star team, but did not get the start which angered a lot of Mets fans as manager Tony Larussa went with San Francisco's Matt Cain. Dickey came in to pitch a scoreless 6th inning, allowing a base hit in the 8-0 National League win at Kansas City.

After the break, the Mets quickly faded away from the race losing 15 of their next 17 games. 

On July 19th, Dickey broke a Mets six game losing streak with a win over the Nationals in Washington. On July 24th, he earned his first loss in three months, the last coming April 18th in Atlanta.

15th Victory: On August 9th at Citi Field, Dickey became the first pitcher to toss four complete games that season in a 6-1 win over the Marlins. He struck out ten reaching double figures in Ks for the sixth time on the season. The only Marlin run came on a HR by Justin Ruggiano. It was the fifth time Dickey did not issue a walk in a start on the season.

Complete Game Shut Out: On August 31st, Dickey pitched his fifth complete game of the season, as he shutout the Marlins 3-0 in Miami. He struck out seven & walked three for his 17th win.

Mets Trivia: Dickey became the first Mets pitcher since Al Leiter (1998) to win 17 games in a season. 

On September 5th in St. Louis, he earned win #18 beating the Cardinals 6-2, pitching into the 7th inning.

He then lost his next two starts falling to 18-6 on the year. At this point it was looking doubtful he would reach the twenty-win mark. 

On September 22nd at Citi Field, Dickey faced the Marlins & shut them out for eight innings. In the 9th, he issued a walk & a double then was removed from the game, but was charged with two runs as Jon Rauch hit a three run HR. The Mets won the game 4-3 as he collected his 19th win.

20th Victory: On September 27th a Thursday afternoon crowd of 31,506 came to witness Dickey go for his 20th win.

He took the mound at Citi Field facing the Pirates & pitched into the eighth inning giving up three runs on eight hits. He struck out 13 batters matching a season / career high.

The Mets put up six runs, led by a three run HR from David Wright & a solo HR from Ike Davis his 31st of the season. Dickey earned the win to reach the 20-victory mark.

Twenty Game Winner: Dickey ended the year at 20-6 (second most in the NL in wins). He was the sixth Mets pitcher to win twenty games. He was the Mets first twenty game winning pitcher in 22 years, with Frank Viola the last to do it, winning 20 games in 1990. 

First Knuckleball Pitcher to Win Cy Young Award: The BBWAA named Dickey that years Cy Young Award winner, making history as the first knuckleballer to ever win the award.

NL Leader: Dickey led the league in strike outs (230) complete games (5) shut outs (3) starts (33) innings pitched (233) & batters faced (927).

His fielding was also excellent, posting a .933 fielding %, second in the league in assists (44).

In September Dickey who entered the last year of his contact- along with the club's best hitter David Wright, said he would only sign an extended contract if the team aggressively perused Wright.

In December he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays along with Mike Nickeas, as the Mets decided to go with youth, getting Top prospects Travis d'Arnaud & Noah Syndergaard along with veteran catcher John Buck.

Post Mets Career: In Toronto, Dickey debuted on Opening Day taking a loss to the Cleveland Indians, allowing four runs on five hits in six innings. He was 0-2 before earning his first win, which was a 3-2 victory at Kansas City where he pitched into the 7th inning. 

On April 18th, he shut out the Chicago White Sox for six innings, striking out seven batters for his second win.

On May 14th, he struck out ten Giants during an interleague game going six innings in a Blue Jays 9-6 win. On May 20th, he earned his fourth win pitching eight innings to beat the Tampa Rays 7-5.

The Blue Jays season did not go as expected, with injuries & lots of struggles. Dickey's year went up & down as he pretty much stayed at .500 all season. 

On June 5th, he had one of his best games with Toronto, pitching a one hit shutout over the Giants in San Francisco into the 9th inning. He left the game in the 9th inning, after giving up a single & with one out. Casey Janssen finished the game in a combined 2-0 two-hit shutout. 

In July he got to the .500 mark (8-8) but then lost three straight decisions & had to play catch-up once again to get bac to .500. He did just that, finishing up the year winning four of five decisions, while pitching to the 8th inning three of those games.

On September 22nd, he took a loss to the AL Eastern Champion Red Sox but struck out a season high 11 batters. He finished the year winning a Gold Glove & leading the AL in starts (33) going 14-13 (8th most wins in AL) with 174 strike outs 70 walks & a 4.27 ERA in 217 innings. He allowed 35 HRs which was second most in the AL.

In 2014 he was pretty much at .500 most of the year, earning wins followed by losing decisions. The Jays had a fine season, contending for a playoff spot into September, Dickey along with Mark Buehrle led the pitching staff.

From August 20th through the end of the year he went 4-0 pitching into at least the 6th inning every time, giving three seven inning outings as well. 

Dickey ended the year at 14-13 with a 3.71 ERA and pitched 215 innings for the 4th straight year. He led all pitchers in hit by pitches (14) & served up 32 HRs (3rd most in the AL).

2015 AL East Champs: In 2015 the Blue Jays won the A.L. Eastern Division, with the help of AL Sluggers Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion & Jose Bautista, along with trade deadline acquisitions David Price & Troy Tulowitzki. 

Dickey went 11-11 behind pitchers Mark Buehrle, Marco Estrada & Drew Hutchinson. Dickey posted a 4.00 ERA & pitched over 200 innings (209) for the fifth straight year as he struck out 123 batters walking 61.

2015 Post Season- ALDS: Dickey pitched Game #4 of the ALDS earning no decision in the 8-4 win at Texas over the Rangers. He allowed just one run & struck out three in 4.2 innings of work.

2015 ALCS: In the ALCS loss to the Kansas City Royals, he took the Game #4 loss serving up HRs, to Ben Zobrist & Alex Rios. Overall, he gave up four runs on five hits in just 1.2 innings of work.

In 2016 the Jays returned to the post season, winning the wild card as well as the ALDS losing to the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS.

In the regular season, Dickey now a late rotation starter, took a back seat to twenty game winner J.A. Happ (20-4) & 15 game winner Aaron Sanchez (15-2). His best performance was a three hit eight inning shut out over Texas on May 13th. 

2016 Post Season: He did not pitch in the post season. & wasn't on the post season roster.

In 2017, Dickey signed on with the Atlanta Braves going 10-10 with a 4.26 ERA. He struck out
136 batters in 190 innings in 31 games. At the end of the season, he had offers from some clubs but chose to retire from the game.

Career Stats: In a 15-year career Dickey was 120-118 with a 4.04 ERA. He struck out 1477 batters walking 663 in 2073 innings off work in 400 games (300 starts).  Dickey collected 15 complete games & six career shut outs.

At the plate he was a .169 hitter with 16 career RBIs & 45 hits.

Family: R.A. & his wife Anne have four children together.  Dickey is a born-again Christian. 

His favorite hobby is reading; he was notorious for having a stack of books in his locker at all times.

Author: In 2012 he wrote a book of his own called Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest or Truth, Authenticity & the Perfect knuckleball. The book is about the amazing journey of his life where he found success as well as God in his life. 

In the book he explains being sexually abused when he was 8 years old by a 13-year-old girl who was babysitting him. Later in life he said he was abused by a male as well. Dickey also admitted to attempting suicide. The book 

The book was a huge success in a season where he personally found the most success of his own career.

His story has become an inspiration to many people. He has made rounds doing interviews in the baseball world, Christian publications, & television shows, including a stop by on David Letterman. Even Forbes magazine did an article on how C.E.O.'s can learn from Dickey's book to make a successful company.