North Carolina State University Athletics
Haynes' World: Left-handed Longevity
5/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 7, 2001
By Tony Haynes
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there was a pitcher at NC State named Dan Plesac.
I remember Dan well for two reasons: One, because he was a classmate of mine and two, he played baseball for the Wolfpack at a time when I was broadcasting games on the campus radio station.
I'm quite confident that Dan Plesac doesn't remember me because some 17 years and many millions of dollars later, he is still pitching in the major leagues.
Mamas, don't let your sons grow up to be cowboys, but lord knows, if they happen to be left-handed, let them play baseball. If, by chance, your left-handed kid shows an interest in soccer, talk him out of it. Give him a baseball and let him throw. If he wants to kick something, give him a water cooler. That way, he'll be fully prepared to act like a big leaguer when the time comes.
At a time when expansion has watered down some of the pitching talent in major league baseball, quality southpaws are a hotter commodity than ever before. Needless to say, Dan Plesac has milked the system for all it is worth.
During his time at NC State, Plesac never made first team All-ACC. He was beat out by future major leaguers Jimmy Key (Clemson) and Scott Bankhead (North Carolina). In fact, Dan may not have even been the best pitcher in his family back then.
"Danny's brother Joe was a much better pitcher in college," said NC State baseball guru and assistant media relations director Bruce Winkworth. "Joe was a right-hander who was a year older than Danny. He never surfaced in the major leagues because of arm trouble, but I would rank him with Matt Donahue and Terry Harvey as the best NC State pitchers of the last 20-years."
So what did Dan Plesac have going for him? For one, he was a lefty. And on top of that, he threw extremely hard.
"The only question about Dan when he left here was whether or not he would throw strikes," Winkworth said. "He consistently threw in the low to mid-90's all three years he was here, but he was really erratic with his control. The Brewers were patient with him and rebuilt his delivery. By the time he got to the big leagues, he was throwing in the upper 90's with good command."
After being drafted by Milwaukee in the 1983, the native of Gary, Indiana made his major league debut on April 11, 1986. In his early years, Plesac was a dominating closer. In recent seasons, he's become a specialist, someone who is called upon to retire left-handed hitters in late game situations. Seven years with the Brewers were followed by two with the Cubs, two more with Pittsburgh, and two in Toronto. Last year in Arizona, he came out of the bullpen to post a 5-1 record with a 3.15 earned run average. In 12 games with Toronto this season, he's 0-1 with a 2.08 ERA.
Plesac's career ERA is a respectable 3.63.
"He doesn't throw hard anymore," Winkworth said. "He probably throws 85-88 now. But the big secret there is that he's left-handed and he still throws strikes. There's a shortage of pitching in the big leagues, and especially a shortage of left-handed pitching. Anybody that can come out of the bullpen and get a left-hander out in a late game situation is going to make some money."
Seventeen years in "The Show" is certainly worth a few dimes. Plesac's current one-year deal with the Blue Jays will pay him $2.4 million. Not bad money considering he's pitched a grand total of 8.2 innings this season. In other words, the old NC State left-hander is drawing roughly $250,000 per inning right now.
Hear that mama? Now go get that little lefty of yours a right-handed glove and a baseball. It could be the best investment you ever made.
