Yankees Interview with Larry Gowell: The last AL pitcher to record a hit before the DH

April 6, 1973, is a day long remembered by baseball fans for the introduction of the designated hitter. The Yankees’ Ron Blomberg–who would go on to play eight seasons in the majors and bat .293 with a 140 OPS+–had his name forever tied to the position as he became the first designated hitter in MLB history. 

Blomberg drew a bases-loaded walk in the top of the first inning at Fenway Park against reigning MLB ERA leader, Luis Tiant. It was a historic moment in major league history. What is often forgotten, however, is the last base hit by an American League pitcher before the DH began. That hit and story belong to former Yankees pitcher Larry Gowell.

Gowell was drafted in the fourth round of the 1967 MLB Draft by the Yankees out of Edward Little High School in Maine. Ironically, Blomberg was drafted number one overall by New York in that same class.  Gowell recounted Blomberg as one of his favorite teammates during his career.

Other notable players taken across the majors include future Hall of Famer, Ted Simmons (1st round, 10th overall by the Cardinals), future AL Most Valuable Players, Vida Blue (2nd round to the Athletics) Don Baylor (2nd round to the Orioles) and current Astros’ skipper, Dusty Baker (26th round to the Braves).

The 24-year old Gowell made his major league debut on September 21, 1972, against the Brewers in Milwaukee. There were 4,185 fans in attendance to see the young right-hander debut in relief during the bottom of the sixth.

That first time out on a big-league field was an amazing feeling,” said Gowell in an online interview. “It is something you have dreamed about since your childhood and once it happens you almost have to pinch yourself.”

Behind the plate was future AL MVP, Thurman Munson, who reassured Gowell he belonged in the majors. Munson was correct. Gowell retired all six batters in his debut. This included his first major league strikeout against Milwaukee’s Rick Auerbach.

On October 4, Gowell made his first and only major league start. It was also against the Brewers, but this time the contest was at Yankee Stadium. The opposing starter was former AL Cy Young winner, Jim Lonborg. In 1967, Lonborg led the AL with 246 strikeouts, which at the time was the second-most in Red Sox franchise history. Only Smokey Joe Wood (258 in 1912) had more at the time. Lonborg was also tied with the Tigers’ Earl Wilson for the most victories (22) in the league.

The game was scoreless in the bottom of the third when Gowell stepped up to the plate to face the former All-Star, Lonborg.

“I know when I was standing in the on-deck circle and they called my name I was super determined to give it all,” recalled Gowell. “I had to not make a fool out of myself and swing hard three times if the ball is around the plate.”

Lonborg threw a fastball on the outside corner for the first pitch. The right-handed hitting Gowell swung and fouled it off. The second pitch was a fastball in the dirt that got by Brewers’ catcher Ellie Rodriguez to make the count 1-1. The third and final pitch of the at-bat was a high-and-inside fastball that Gowell turned on and ripped past third baseman Mike Ferraro. Gowell reached base on a leadoff double.

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“I was standing on second base and couldn’t believe what just happened,” he said. “I looked up and Elston Howard was bringing me my jacket, no less! He says ‘nice swing kid!’”

The double was just the second of three hits Lonborg allowed that day.  He threw a complete-game, three-hit shutout. Gowell pitched well as well, having allowed just one earned run on three hits in five innings. However, he took the loss in a Yankees’ 1-0 defeat.

Gowell didn’t realize the significance of his hit for another ten years. The ball is now located at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

This was the last game of Gowell’s major league career. He pitched in the minor leagues in 1974, before his contract was sold to Mexico. Gowell spent the first part of the 1975 season in Mexico City before hanging up his cleats. He spent the next 35 years as a life insurance agent.

I’ve studied baseball history for years and had no idea about Gowell. I found him on a Facebook post discussing his feat. He was able to purchase the audio recording and turned it into a DVD.  He’s selling the DVD and anyone can get in touch with his via his email LarryGowell@aol.com.