April 25, 2016 – For San Jose, California, native Dave Righetti, baseball has been part of his life as long as he can remember. His father, Leo, was signed by the Yankees while a junior in high school and played professional ball for 13 years, the last three (1953–55) as a shortstop with the San Francisco Seals in the Pacific Coast League.

Drafted by the Rangers in 1977, Dave Righetti was traded to the Yankees following the 1978 season. He was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1981, then threw a no-hitter against the Red Sox on July 4, 1983. When future Hall of Fame closer Goose Gossage left the Yankees after the 1983 season for free agency, manager Yogi Berra gave the role to Righetti, who saved 31 games in his first year. In 1986 “Rags” established a major league record of 46 saves (since broken) and won the first of his two Rolaids Relief Awards.

In seven years as the Yankees closer (1984–90), the two-time All Star saved 223 games, averaging just under 32 per season. In Yankees franchise history, only Mariano Rivera recorded more saves and appeared in more games. Righetti then spent three years with the San Francisco Giants before closing out his 16-year career with the A’s, Blue Jays and White Sox, compiling a 82-79 record with 252 saves and a 3.46 ERA. From 2000 to 2017 he was the pitching coach for the Giants, who won the World Series in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Widely considered one of the best in baseball, Righetti coached pitchers who have won two Cy Young awards, thrown five no-hitters, and made 22 All-Star teams.