Lacey once struck out 19 batters during an American Legion playoff game as a youth.[citation needed] He was a 10th-round draft selection of the Oakland A\'s in 1972, and while he was 13–2 in his first minor league season, he floundered in the minor leagues. However, as the A\'s dynasty began to crumble as the decade wore on, Lacey found himself given an opportunity at the major league level during the 1977 season.\n', '

In just his fourth major league appearance, he struck out future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson twice in crucial situation, enraging Jackson and the Yankees in the process. Later, he would engage in a brawl with the Kansas City Royals\' Darrell Porter, who called Lacey a "crazy, immature, punk." Despite this, he emerged as Oakland\'s most reliable relief pitcher and led the American League in appearances in 1978.\n', '

No other pitcher in league history inherited more baserunners than Bob Lacey did in 1978 (104). Despite that, he won eight games, crafted a 3.01 ERA and saved five games. He had a disappointing 1979 season suffering with bursitis in his heel, but then again, so did the A\'s as they lost 109 games. He fell out of favor with Martin, who refused to use Lacey at all during spring training.[citation needed] In fact, legend goes that Martin went so far to bar anyone from even playing catch with Lacey.[citation needed]\n', '

Return to Bob Lacey Autograph Profile