TTM Stats
- Sent: 3/23/2022 | Received: 4/5/2022 | 12 Days
- ’81 Donruss, ’82 Fleer, ’83 Fleer, ’85 Topps, ’86 Topps
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Floyd Bannister is a former left-handed starting pitcher in the major leagues. The one-time All-Star was one of the most reliable left-handed pitchers of his generation. Over a 15-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he played for several teams (Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, California Angels, and Texas Rangers) leaving a legacy as a dependable starter who could compete at the highest level.
Bannister was born on June 10, 1955, in Pierre, South Dakota. His journey in baseball began in the small town of Pierre, South Dakota. He later moved to Washington, where he became a standout high school pitcher. His talent earned him a scholarship to Arizona State University (ASU), one of the premier baseball programs in the country.
At ASU, Bannister quickly established himself as an elite pitcher. In 1976, he was named the Sporting News College Player of the Year after leading the Sun Devils to the College World Series. Bannister’s success at the college level made him a top prospect, and in 1976, he was selected by the Houston Astros as the first overall pick in the MLB Draft. Expectations were high for the talented lefty, who was seen as a future ace in the big leagues.
Bannister made his MLB debut with the Astros on April 19, 1977. He spent two seasons with Houston, showing flashes of brilliance but also dealing with the growing pains typical of a young pitcher. In 1979, Bannister was traded to the Seattle Mariners, where he began to fulfill his potential. In Seattle, Bannister became the team’s ace, and 1982 was his breakout season. That year, he led the American League (AL) in strikeouts with 209, while also posting a 12-13 record and a 3.43 ERA. His ability to rack up strikeouts made him one of the most feared left-handers in the league, and he earned his first and only All-Star selection that season.
After his success in Seattle, Bannister became a well-traveled pitcher, playing for several teams over the course of his career. In 1983, he signed with the Chicago White Sox, where he spent five seasons. Bannister played a key role in the White Sox’s success during the mid-1980s, particularly in 1983, when he helped lead the team to the AL West Division title. Bannister’s ability to consistently eat innings and strike out batters made him a valuable asset, even as he moved from team to team.
He later played for the Kansas City Royals, California Angels, and Texas Rangers. Although he never won a Cy Young Award or led his team to a World Series title, Bannister’s longevity and durability were admired by teammates and opponents alike. Over his 15-year career, Bannister compiled a 134-143 record, a 4.06 ERA, and 1,723 strikeouts in 2,388 innings pitched. He led his league in strikeouts once and had four seasons with more than 150 strikeouts, showing his ability to dominate on the mound.
After retiring from professional baseball in 1992, Floyd Bannister remained involved in the sport, particularly through his family. His son, Brian Bannister, followed in his footsteps and became a major league pitcher, spending five seasons in the MLB. Floyd took great pride in mentoring Brian and passing on his knowledge of the game.
Beyond baseball, Bannister also focused on business ventures and community involvement. He stayed connected to the sport by participating in various charity events and youth baseball programs, where he shared his experiences and love for the game with the next generation of players.
This is my fifth successful return from him. To see the other successful returns, check out these posts:
The Score on Floyd Bannister – 6.5
Floyd always has one of the fanciest signatures out there. These are no different. I think a bunch if not all of these are doubles or more of what I already have. That’s because I am an autograph addict. I think my favorite of this lot is the 1985 Topps with him in the Astros uniform.
Thanks Mr. Bannister! I’m giving this return a 6.5 overall.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.