RIP Ron Perranoski

 Former Dodgers lefty Perranoski dies at 84

MLB News

October 3, 2020

One of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ greatest left-handed relievers of all-time, Ron Perranoski, passed away at the age of 84 on Friday night at his home in Vero Beach, Fla.

Perranoski, who was born Ronald Peter Perranoski on April 1, 1936, in Paterson, N.J., was instrumental in leading the Dodgers during their string of pennants and World Series championship between 1963 and 1966 as the ace of their bullpen.

“Ron Perranoski played a major role in the success of the Dodgers as a great reliever and a mentor to many great young pitchers over his 30-year career in the organization,” said Dodgers President & CEO Stan Kasten.

“Perry,” as he was called, played in the Major Leagues from 1961 to 1973, signed with the Chicago Cubs out of Michigan State University on June 9, 1958, and came to the Dodgers on April 8, 1960, in a trade for Don Zimmer. In 13 years in the big leagues, he had a 79-74 career record with 178 saves and a 2.79 ERA.

Perranoski played for the Dodgers (1961-67, 1972), Twins (1968-71), Tigers (1971-72) and Angels (1973).

His greatest year with the Dodgers came in 1963, when he won 16 of 19 relief decisions and helped the Dodgers sweep the New York Yankees in the World Series. He led the league in appearances with 69 and had 21 saves to go with a 1.67 ERA and a 16-3 record.

Perranoski led the league in appearances three times -- 1962 with 70, 1963 with 69 and 1967 with 70. He also led the American League in saves with Minnesota with 31 in 1969 and 34 in 1970.

Following his career, Perranoski served the Dodgers as their minor league pitching coordinator from 1973 to 1980 and became the Dodgers pitching coach for 14 years from 1981-94. He was instrumental in the success of Dodger pitching greats Orel Hershiser and Fernando Valenzuela.

Perranoski is survived by his sister, Pat Zailo of Fairfield, N.J., and three sons -- “Pope” Perranoski of Orange, Calif., Brad Perranoski of Palos Verdes, Calif., and Michael Perranoski of Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Funeral services are pending.

 

PERRANOSKI, Ron (Ronald Peter Perranoski)

Born: 4/1/1936, Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.A.

Died: 10/2/2020, Vero Beach, Florida, U.S.A.

Ron Perranoski’s western – actor:

Branded (TV) – 1965 (Lennart)