Jack Aker

Jackie Delane Aker
(Chief)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 190 lb.
• School College of the Sequoias
• High School Mount Whitney High School
• Debut May 3, 1964
• Final Game September 27, 1974
• Born July 13, 1940 in Tulare, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Originally signed by the Kansas City Athletics as an outfielder, Jack Aker (pronounced "ache-er") converted to pitching before making his big league debut in 1964. He quickly became a vital part of the Kansas City bullpen. In 1966, Jack was named Fireman of the Year by The Sporting News after posting a 1.99 ERA and a then-record 32 saves in 66 games (113 innings). He was selected by the Seattle Pilots in the 1968 Expansion Draft after Charlie Finley left him unprotected for having the nerve to be player rep, leading to a series of run-ins between the two. He was soon traded to the New York Yankees, posting back to back 2.06 ERAs in 1969 and 1970 over 79 appearances, all while having battled back from back surgery. He later played for the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets, but the chronic back pain took its toll, sounding the final bell in 1974. Aker pitched in 495 big league games, all in relief and mostly on mediocre to bad teams. He primarily wore number 23 (with the A's and Pilots) and number 22 (with the Yankees and Mets).

After his playing career ended, Aker was a minor league manager and a Cleveland Indians coach in 1986 and 1987. He was pitching coach of the Buffalo Bisons in 1983 and Burlington Braves in 1988. He currently runs a baseball camp in the New York/New Jersey area. Nicknamed "Chief" because of his American Indian heritage, he also offers free baseball clinics to Native American youth in the southwest U.S. His son, Matt, has coached college ball.

Notable Achievements

• AL Reliever of the Year Award Winner (1966)
• AL Saves Leader (1966)
• 30 Saves Seasons: 1 (1966)

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs
1975	Visalia Mets	California League	67-73	5th (t)	New York Mets	none
1976	Lynchburg Mets	Carolina League	64-75	4th	New York Mets	none
1977	Lynchburg Mets	Carolina League	78-60	1st	New York Mets	Lost League Finals
1978	Lynchburg Mets	Carolina League	72-63	2nd	New York Mets	League Champs
1979	Lynchburg Mets	Carolina League	61-73	5th	New York Mets	none
1980	Lynchburg Mets	Carolina League	71-68	5th	New York Mets
1981	Tidewater Tides	International League	70-68	3rd	New York Mets	Lost in 1st round
1982	Tidewater Tides	International League	74-63	3rd	New York Mets	League Champs
1984	Buffalo Bisons	Eastern League	72-67	5th	Cleveland Indians
1985	Waterbury Indians	Eastern League	75-64	2nd (t)	Cleveland Indians	Lost in 1st round

Related Sites

• Jack Aker Baseball