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Dennis Eckersley

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Dennis Eckersley Fast Facts:

Nicknamed Eck.
Initially pitched as a starter, but was a prime mover in the emergence of the closer's vital impact on baseball.
Won American League Rookie of the Year in 1975 with a 13-7 record and 2.60 ERA.
Tossed a no-hitter on May 30, 1977, against the then-California Angels.
First pitcher to amass 100 complete games and 100 saves.
Battled alcoholism early in his career.
Has been credited with coining the term "walk-off" to signify a game-ending hit, and in any event, he served up one of the most famous such hits, the game-winning home run slammed by Kirk Gibson in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
Won American League Cy Young and MVP awards in 1992, when he saved 51 games with 93 strikeouts in 80 innings, becoming just the third relief pitcher to accomplish the two-award win.
Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004, in his first year of eligibility, with 83 percent of the vote. The first short reliever to enter on the first ballot, he felt his work as a starter cinched his selection.