Joe Sambito   |   Major Leaguer   1976-1987

[1979] - NL MVP (Voting Rank: #21), Played in MLB All-Star Game  [1980] - NL Cy Young Award (Voting Rank: #5)

Joe Sambito was one of baseball's most effective relievers between 1977 and early 1982 before he ruptured a ligament in his pitching elbow. After that moment, Sambito's career was never the same.

The New Yorker was drafted in the 17th round of the draft by the Astros and he put up some good numbers as a starting pitcher in their minor league system, winning 37 games in his first 4 years. He pitched well during his first call up in 1976 which included his only complete game shutout, a 6-0 4-hitter against the Cardinals on August 29.

Sambito threw 2 types of fastballs, a sinker and a cutter, as well as a slider. During his career, he was very effective against left-handed batters, holding them to a .216 average while righties hit .252 against him. This didn't corner him as a left-handed relief specialist just yet, as he would shoulder a lot of the closer's role for the Astros early in his career.

Between 1977 and 1981, Sambito's highest ERA was 3.07 and he twice had an ERA below 2. He also saved more than 60 games as the team's primary closer and appeared in more than 49 games each year, including 49 in the strike-shortened 1981 season. Sambito's was so good in 1979 that he even garnered some votes for MVP, finishing 21st overall in the voting. The following year, he would finish 5th in Cy Young voting after going 8-4 with a 2.19 ERA in 90 innings for the Astros.

After his injury in 1982, he missed the entire 1983 season while rehabbing and he had a pretty good comeback season in 1984, pitching in 32 games with similar statistics to his earlier years. He was released by the Astros the following spring and hooked up with the New York Mets with little success.

In 1986, Sambito was a member of the Red Sox bullpen and he pitched in the 1986 World Series, with little success. The Red Sox lost to the Mets and after 47 more games with the Sox the following season and an ERA of 6.93, Sambito was out of baseball.

Immediately after his retirement, Sambito joined the ranks of player agents and he has since represented such players as Andy Pettitte and Ryan Klesko.

Notes: Played in 1979 all-star game.

• Head2Head as Pitcher
• Head2Head as Batter
• Baseball Reference