Len Barker

Infobox MLB retired
name=Len Barker
position=Pitcher
birthdate =birth date and age|1955|7|7
city-state|Fort Knox|Kentucky
deathdate =
bats=Right
throws=Right
debutdate=September 14
debutyear=1976
debutteam=Texas Rangers
finaldate=September 26
finalyear=1987
finalteam=Milwaukee Brewers
stat1label=Record
stat1value=74-76
stat2label=ERA
stat2value=4.34
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=975
teams=
* Texas Rangers (by|1976-by|1978)
* Cleveland Indians (by|1979-by|1983)
* Atlanta Braves (by|1983-by|1985)
* Milwaukee Brewers (by|1987)
highlights=
* Perfect game: May 15, 1981
* All-Star (AL): 1981
* Led the league in strikeouts in 1980 and 1981

Leonard Harold Barker III (born July 7, 1955 in Fort Knox, Kentucky), better known as Len Barker, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played for the Texas Rangers (1976-78), Cleveland Indians (1979-83), Atlanta Braves (1983-85) and Milwaukee Brewers (1987).

On April 16, 1978, in a cool Fenway Park, Barker threw a pitch that sailed upward onto the screen above and behind the backstop. Some local [http://letsgosox.blogspot.com/2007/07/lenny-george.html] Red Sox fans came to remember the event with relish but as the young pitcher grew to overcome his struggles with control in the coming years, they were forced to rethink their opinions. His accomplishment three years later redeemed him in the eyes of Red Sox Nation and he came to personify the spirit of overcoming unfavorable first impressions.

In by|1980, Barker enjoyed career-high numbers in winning games (19) and strikeouts (181, top in the league). Then, on May 15, by|1981, he pitched a perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays. It was the tenth perfect game ever pitched, is one of only seventeen in the history of the Major Leagues, and remains the last no-hitter thrown by an Indian. [http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/gallery/featured/GAL1137746/24/26/index.htm] In that season he also was selected an All-Star.

In the 1983, season he was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Brett Butler, Brook Jacoby, Rick Behenna and $150,000 cash. The trade was initiated by the Braves who were in a tight race for first in the National League West Division with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It is generally considered one of the worst trades in baseball history. Butler had been a fan favorite in Atlanta, and the announcement of the trade was bungled by the Braves. Butler and Jacoby went on to become All-Stars while Barker was released from the Braves in 1985 with three years remaining on his contract.

Barker compiled a career 74-76 record with 975 strikeouts and a 4.34 ERA in 1323.7 innings.

ee also

* Pitchers who have thrown a perfect game
* List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE198105150.shtml Box score for Barker's perfect game]
* [http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B05150CLE1981.htm Play-by-play account of Barker's perfect game]