SEATTLE -- Gaylord Perry, the oldest active player in the major leagues, became the 15th pitcher in baseball history to win 300 games in his career by scattering nine hits and sparking Seattle's 7-3 triumph over the New York Yankees Thursday.
Perry, 43, is only the third pitcher in the last 55 years to reach the milestone and first since Early Wynn won No. 300 in 1963. The win virtually assured Perry a spot in baseball's Hall of Fame.
Perry, known for his guile and who admits he has used a spitball during his 21-year career, was overpowering for seven innings as he held the Yankees to only four hits, including a solo homer by Ken Griffey.
He tired in the eighth inning when the Yankees touched him for five hits and two runs, but Seattle manager Rene Lachemann allowed him to finish the game. The big right-hander, a North Carolina farmer in the off-season, reached back for a little extra in the last inning.
A crowd of 27,369, which included Gaylord's brother, Jim, a former major league pitcher who won 215 career victories, gave Perry a standing ovation following the seventh inning. A chant of 'Gaylord, Gaylord,' rocked the Kingdome repeatedly in the final two innings.
Many in the crowd sported t-shirts reading 'I was there for Gaylord Perry's 300th win.'
After Perry retired Willie Randolph on a grounder to second base for the final out of the game, the Seattle players mobbed the veteran pitcher on the mound and Perry punched the air repeatedly with his fist in jubilation. He received a long standing ovation from the crowd and came out of the dugout to acknowledge the cheers.
Seattle scored all the runs Perry needed in a five-run third inning, highlighted by triples by Jim Maler and Al Cowens.
Perry's next goal is the all-time strikeout record currently held by the immortal Walter Johnson. Perry, who struck out four and now has 3,368 career strikeouts, needs just 141 more to surpass Johnson's mark.
Perry, a native of Williamston, N.C., signed with the San Francisco Giants in 1958. In 1964 he admitted throwing his first major league spitball.
