Where Is Calvin Schiraldi?
25 years have passed since the 1986 World Series between the Mets and Red Sox, and some of us know what have happened to the major players in that year's series. What about some of the other key players? A friend of mine said I should write a "Where are they now?" article, so I thought about it and thought it was a good idea. I just couldn't think of what person to write about, then it came to me, Red Sox pitcher Calvin Schiraldi.
First, let me give you a little background on Schiraldi. In 1983, Schiraldi was a hot shot pitcher for the Univesity of Texas where he was teammates with former Cy Young winner (and alleged steroid user) Roger Clemens. Texas won the NCAA College World Series in 1983 and Schiraldi was named Most Outstanding Player and made the All-Tournament Team (along with home run king* Barry Bonds). The New York Mets then drafted him the first round, 27th overall, in the 1983 MLB Draft and made his debut on September 1, 1984.
Schiraldi was then traded to the Red Sox as part of of an eight player trade and was sent to Triple A Pawtucket where he was then converted to a relief pitcher. After some impressive performances, manager John McNamara named him the closer for the rest of the 1986 season. In Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, he struck out five in the final two innings to clinch the pennant for the Sox.
In the World Series, Schiraldi did save one game, but is best remembered for losing Game 6. After retiring the first two batters in the 10th inning, was one strike away from clinching the Red Sox first World Series since 1918. He allowed three straight singles and was replaced by Bob Stanley and the rest is history. People also forget that Calvin Schiraldi, after losing Game 6, also lost Game 7 after allowing a Ray Knight homer in the 7th inning as the Mets took the World Series. The next season, Schiraldi lost the closer role to Wes Gardner, another player involved in the trade that brought Schiraldi to Boston, and saved only nine games and posted a 4.41 ERA.
Schiraldi would only play four more seasons with three different teams (Cubs, Padres, and Rangers) and would be a non factor. The Cubs tried him as a starter and struggled mightly going 9-13 with a 4.38 ERA. After making only three appearances for the Texas Rangers in 1991, he retired at the young age of 29.
After retirement, Schiraldi went back to his hometown of Austin, Texas and became the head baseball coach at St. Michael's Catholic Academy where is also a physical education teacher. He was also on the coaching staff of the local AAU baseball team, the Austin Slam Sox. Schiraldi has stated that he would prefer to stay coach in high school rather than move up the ranks. The University of Texas honored calvin Schiraldi in 1997 when they inducted him in the University of Texas Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as an outstanding pitcher for the Longhorns.
While Schiraldi retired at a young age, he seems like he has his life together. He has a good, honest job and is helping shape and mentor young athletes to help them with their own major league dreams. Schiraldi is best remembered for the two losses in the 1986 World Series, but now students in Austin just remember him as Mr. Schiraldi and Coach Schiraldi. He never won a World Series, but Schiraldi has probably made lasting impressions on the many students that have walked the halls of St. Michael's Catholic Academy.
