26 Facts About Tom Gordon

Thomas Flynn Gordon was born on November 18,1967, and nicknamed "Flash, " is an American former professional baseball right-handed pitcher and current radio color commentator for the Boston Red Sox.

Tom Gordon played in Major League Baseball for the Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tom Gordon was one of several children born to Annie and Thomas Tom Gordon.

Tom Gordon was raised in abject poverty and his parents could not afford a telephone.

Tom Gordon attended Avon Park High School in Avon Park, Florida, and was a letterman in baseball.

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Tom Gordon was selected in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals.

Tom Gordon began his career as a starting pitcher with the Kansas City Royals, first appearing in five games at the age of 20 late in the 1988 season.

Tom Gordon continued to post top-10 strikeout totals during the 1990 and 1991 seasons, but his number of wins dropped each year while his ERA crept upwards.

Tom Gordon bounced back with seasons of 11 or 12 wins from 1993 to 1995, but he never quite regained his rookie form.

In 1998, Tom Gordon set the club's single-season record for saves, with 43 of them in a row, and was named to his first All-Star Team.

Tom Gordon's success continued in 1999 setting a major league record with his 54th consecutive save in June, but an ongoing elbow injury limited him to just 21 appearances, which required ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction known as Tommy John surgery, that forced him to spend all of 2000 on the disabled list.

Tom Gordon was blocked from closing on his new team by bullpen staple Billy Wagner, as well as by setup man Octavio Dotel, but Gordon found his position as a middle reliever for Houston.

Tom Gordon was an invaluable addition to the Yankees bullpen, serving as a set-up for closer Mariano Rivera, or as a middle reliever in tough situations.

Tom Gordon signed a three-year deal worth $18 million with the Phillies before the 2006 season.

Tom Gordon debuted in Philadelphia as a closer during the 2006 season, replacing Billy Wagner, who signed with the Mets after the 2005 season.

On May 2,2007, Tom Gordon was placed on the disabled list due to a rotator cuff inflammation, at which time he was replaced in the closer slot by former starting pitcher Brett Myers.

Tom Gordon had fully rehabilitated his arm and was prepared for the '08 season.

However, on July 6,2008, Tom Gordon was placed on the 15-day disabled list for tenderness in his right elbow.

Fellow reliever Brad Lidge praised Tom Gordon calling him "a stud" and said that the Phils were hoping for him to return to the team after his 15-day stint.

Tom Gordon eventually was ruled out for the season but was able to earn his only World Series ring on the bench in the 2008 World Series.

On February 6,2009, Tom Gordon agreed to a one-year, $500,000 contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, with additional bonuses up to $2.

Tom Gordon remained prone on the field for several minutes and had to be carried away.

Tom Gordon retired as the only pitcher in MLB history to have over 100 wins, over 100 saves, and over 100 holds.

Tom Gordon has five children with four different women, none of whom he married.

Tom Gordon is the father of Tamasha, Devaris, Thomas, Thomana, and Nicholas.

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Tom Gordon is the guardian of Cleveland Guardians minor league pitcher Juan Hillman.