Gaylord Perry began his distinguished 22-year major league career with the San Francisco Giants in 1962. Before the end of that decade, he and BASHOF Enshrinee Juan Marichal had formed one of the most potent one-two pitching combinations of the time. In 1966, Perry won 21 games, the first of five seasons during which he would win 20 or more. He and Marichal combined for 46 wins that season with only 14 losses. Four years later, Perry had a truly spectacular year for the Giants, leading the National League with 23 wins, 41 starts, 329 innings pitched, and five shutouts. He also tied for second with the Cardinals’ Bob Gibson with 23 complete games, one behind the Cubs’ Ferguson Jenkins. Twice Perry would lead the American League (after his trade to Cleveland in 1972) in complete games, a statistical category all but extinct in the modern game. All told, Perry pitched a total of 303 complete games, won 314 games, had a record 3534 strikeouts, became the first pitcher to win Cy Young Awards in both leagues, and earned an intimidating and possibly even deserved reputation for lubricating his pitches.

Inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.

Plaque location: SFO Gate 80