AL AUTRY

ALPHABETIC LIST OF THE

50 BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1970'S

WHO DIDN'T MAKE MY ORIGINAL 

100 FAVORITE PLAYER LIST

#3 AL AUTRY

ATLANTA BRAVES 1976

Talk about your one hit wonder.

Al pitched part of ten seasons in the minors from 1969-1978. He pitched in 251 games at that level.

But in the majors. One game. One shot. One chance.

It was September 14, 1976 and it was the Braves third double header in three days! They were 30 games out of first and well on their way to securing last place. And it was under these and ONLY these circumstances that Al Autry was given a start. And how many were in attendance to witness this historic event? 970! That's 9-7-0 at a major league game!

Al pitched five innings and gave up three runs Willie Montanez hit a three run homer for the Braves. The Braves bullpen shutout the Astros for the last four innings and Al Autry got himself a most unlikely major league win!

He never got another chance, but how many ex-major league pitchers can boast they won every big league game they appeared in?

Let's take an even closer look at Al's stache.

I keep thinking back to the last episode of the show Quantum Leap when Sam Beckett confronts the God/bartender character who puts his hand on Sam's shoulder and says,  "God bless, Sam." The final caption for the series reads "Sam Beckett never returned home."

So I just wish to put my hand on Al Autry's shoulder and say, "God bless, Al." The final caption can then read, "Al Autry never pitched in the major leagues again."