Discovered on the sandlots of Richmond High School, 17-year-old “Lefty” Gomez’s next stop was the San Francisco Seals. His pitching debut there was a three-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Following an eight-game winning streak, Gomez was sighed by the New York Yankees, where his career took off with the same incredible velocity of his famous fastball. Legendary is his unequaled 6-0 record, spread over five World Series. A pinnacle of his 13 seasons with the Yankees came in 1934 when, with his 26-5 record, Gomez led the league. At his career’s end, he was more than .500 against every American League rival.

Inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.

Plaque location: Oracle Park