After being drafted out of William Penn Charter School in the second round of the 1981 MLB draft and playing three seasons in the minor leagues, Gubicza spent nearly all of his MLB career with the Royals, making all but two of his career appearances with the team. He was a mainstay in the Royals starting rotation for years, earning back-to-back MLB All-Star selections in 1988 and 1989 and making an Opening Day start for the team in 1989. Gubicza played a reduced number of games later in his career due to three arm injuries and a leg injury between 1990 and 1997. He was traded to the Anaheim Angels before the 1997 season and retired after that year.
At the time of his retirement, Gubicza held the Royals franchise record for strikeouts with 1,366, was third in wins at 132, and was second in pitching wins above replacement with 38.0. He was inducted into the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame in 2006. Following his playing career, Gubicza became a sportscaster and worked in various roles before joining the Angels broadcast booth on Fox Sports West as a color commentator in 2007.
On April 6, 1984, Gubicza made his major league debut against the Cleveland Indians at Royals Stadium at the age of 21. He pitched 6 innings, gave up 5 hits, 1 run, and struck out 4.[12] Through the first 10 starts of his career, Gubicza posted a 3.14 ERA across 66 innings. He threw his first shutout on May 12 against the Boston Red Sox. Despite Gubicza's pitching stats, he did not accrue many wins as the Royals had trouble providing run support during his starts. Following a 3–0 loss to the Minnesota Twins on June 15 where he pitched 7+1⁄3 innings and gave up 2 earned runs, Gubicza dropped to a 3–6 record on the season. It was the fourth time that season that the Royals were shut out while Gubicza was pitching and the seventh time that the Royals scored three or fewer runs in one of his starts.[13] By the end of the regular season, Gubicza had a 10–14 record with a 4.05 ERA across 189 innings. The Royals offense provided an average of 4.06 runs per Gubicza start, nearly equal to his ERA.[7] Despite being a member of the four-man rotation that helped the Royals win the American League Western division that year, Gubicza did not get a chance to pitch in the 1984 American League Championship Series because Kansas City was swept in three games by the eventual World Series champion Detroit Tigers team.[14]
Gubicza (middle) looks on as President Ronald Reagan speaks during the Royals' 1985 White House visit
For his sophomore season in 1985, Gubicza joined a five-man rotation alongside Bud Black, Danny Jackson, Charlie Leibrandt, and Bret Saberhagen. The rotation posted a combined ERA below 3.00 through April and a combined 3.47 ERA by the end of the regular season, the sixth-best in the majors. Gubicza posted similar statistics to his previous season: a 4.06 ERA through 177+1⁄3 innings worked. His win-loss record improved to 14–10 as the Royals were able to provide him with more run support at an average of 4.70 runs per start. Gubicza made his only career postseason appearances during the 1985 American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. In game one of the series, Gubicza entered the game as a relief pitcher in the fifth inning following a two-inning start by Leibrandt that resulted in five runs being surrendered. Gubicza worked three innings in relief, giving up no hits or runs while striking out two and walking one. In game six of the series, Gubicza was assigned his first postseason start while the Royals were down 3-2 and attempting a return from a 3–1 deficit. He lasted 5+1⁄3 innings, giving up three runs while accruing two strikeouts and walking three batters. The Royals won the game 5–3, setting them up for a winner-take-all matchup the following night that they would go on to win. While the Royals advanced to the 1985 World Series, Gubicza did not pitch as the team elected for a four-man rotation.[15] Following the 1985 season, the Royals considered trading Gubicza to the San Francisco Giants for Chili Davis in order to bolster the team's offense. Kansas City's front office ultimately decided against it because San Francisco also wanted Darryl Motley and prospect Van Snider, a price that was seen as too high.[16]
In 1986, Gubicza was a member of a revised Royals rotation as former starter Bud Black was moved to the bullpen. Gubicza posted a 3.64 ERA across 180+1⁄3 innings with a 12–6 record, finishing second behind Danny Jackson for the team lead in ERA. Gubicza pitched two shutouts in 1986, first against the Cleveland Indians on May 14 and later against the New York Yankees on August 17.[7] Following the 1986 season, the Royals again considered trading Gubicza for Chili Davis. Gubicza was also named in talks for Seattle Mariners players Phil Bradley and Danny Tartabull, but he was not traded.[17]
1987–1989: All-Star selections
In 1987, Gubicza made a jump in his innings pitched, working 241+2⁄3 innings. He posted a 3.98 ERA and a 13–18 record and led the Royals with 166 strikeouts. He struggled at the start of the season and moved to a career 0–7 record in the month of April.[18] Gubicza threw ten complete games and two shutouts, first on June 23 at Oakland and later on September 23 at Seattle.[7]
In 35 starts in 1988, Gubicza set career bests in wins (20), shutouts (4), innings pitched (269+2⁄3), strikeouts (183), and ERA (2.70); he also threw eight complete games and had an AL-best 0.4 home runs per nine innings (HR/9). He threw a shutout against the eventual AL pennant winners, the Oakland Athletics, on September 16. Gubicza finished third in voting for the 1988 American LeagueCy Young Award behind Frank Viola and Dennis Eckersley. He was selected to his first career All-Star Game.[7]
Gubicza followed up his career-best season with another All-Star season in 1989. He posted a 15–11 record in 255 innings with a 3.04 ERA and a league-leading 36 starts. He threw a shutout against the New York Yankees on June 2.[7]
1990–1996: Injury troubles
Through 16 starts in 1990, Gubicza had a 4–7 record across 94 innings with a 4.50 ERA and 71 strikeouts.[7] In July, Gubicza and a team doctor decided that arthroscopic surgery was necessary for his injured right arm, effectively ending his season because the recovery timeframe was four to six months. The pain in his right arm began with a strain in his rotator cuff at the end of the 1989 season. The team originally thought his arm had healed over the offseason, so he pitched with the lingering injury from April to late June 1990. Gubicza underwent the arm surgery, the first of his career, on August 2.[19]
Gubicza in 1991
Gubicza was not ready to return to the mound until May 14, 1991, when he made his season debut in Toronto. In his first game since the surgery, he went five innings and surrendered three runs with eight strikeouts and one walk. Gubicza struggled throughout the 1991 season, including a June 26 game against the California Angels where he surrendered six runs and only lasted 2⁄3 of an inning. Through his first 10 games, Gubicza had a 5.98 ERA and a 4–5 record. By the end of the season, Gubicza accrued a 9–12 record across 133 innings with a 5.68 ERA and 89 strikeouts.[7]
In 1992, Gubicza posted an improved 3.72 ERA across 111+1⁄3 innings through July.[7] On July 10, Gubicza left a game against the Milwaukee Brewers after one inning because of stiffness in his right forearm. The Royals did not initially consider the discomfort to be a serious issue, but he was ultimately placed on the disabled list on July 15 because an examination found he had an inflamed synovial bursa.[20][21] Gubicza began a 40-pitch rehab program on July 22, but he failed to complete it as the soreness in his arm lingered.[21] He suffered another setback in his recovery in August, and speculation began to mount that his injury would be season-ending.[22]Dr. Lewis Yocum examined Gubicza's arm on August 24 and found that his bursa had healed but he still had weakness in his rotator cuff, keeping him off the mound for another month, therefore ending his season.[23]
In 1993, Gubicza started in six of the first seven turns of the rotation but was moved to the bullpen after struggling, including a 1+2⁄3-inning, 7-run start against the Boston Red Sox on April 8. Through his first seven appearances, he had a 6.55 ERA and an 0–4 record. During his time as a reliever, Gubicza lowered his season ERA to 4.66 while collecting two saves and eight holds across 43 appearances.[7]
In 1994, Gubicza returned to the starting rotation. In the strike-shortened season, he posted a 7–9 record across 130 innings with a 4.50 ERA and 59 strikeouts.[7]
In 1995, Gubicza's numbers improved. In 213+1⁄3 innings pitched, he put up a 12–14 record with a 3.75 ERA and 81 strikeouts. He led the major leagues in games started with 33.[7]
The 1996 season was Gubicza's final year with the Royals. Through July, Gubicza had pitched 119+1⁄3 innings with a 4–12 record, 5.13 ERA, and 55 strikeouts.[7] On July 5, in a start against the Minnesota Twins at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Gubicza had to leave the game in the second inning after a batted ball hit by Paul Molitor broke his tibia. The Twins team doctor fitted Gubicza with a cast that day, signaling that he would be out for at least eight weeks.[24] Gubicza did not pitch again that season. In his 13 seasons with Kansas City, he finished with a 132–135 record, a 3.91 ERA, 327 games started, 42 complete games, 16 shutouts, 2218+2⁄3 innings pitched, 1366 strikeouts, a 110 ERA+, a 3.67 FIP, and 9.6 SO/9.[7]
Anaheim Angels
On October 28, 1996, the Royals traded Gubicza and prospect Mike Bovee to the Anaheim Angels in exchange for designated hitter Chili Davis, the same player who had been brought up in trade talks involving Gubicza in 1985 and 1986. The Angels made the trade to open the designated hitter spot for one of the team's four outfielders — Tim Salmon, Garret Anderson, Jim Edmonds, and Darin Erstad. Gubicza was brought on to an Angels pitching staff that had combined for a 5.29 ERA in the previous season, the second-worst in the league.[25]
Gubicza only pitched 4+2⁄3 innings across two starts that for the Angels, and he gave up 13 earned runs for an ERA of 25.07.[7] In his first start since breaking his leg nine months earlier, he gave up only a solo home run through the first three innings against the Cleveland Indians, but he gave up seven runs in the fourth inning as the Indians batted around.[26] On April 11, again pitching against the Indians, Gubicza gave up six runs in the second inning.[27] Following his second start, Gubicza was sent back to Anaheim to receive an MRI on his shoulder. The results were normal but he received a cortisone injection and went on the disabled list.[28] It was later revealed that Gubicza needed arthroscopic surgery for the second time in his career and he missed the remainder of the 1997 season as a result. He was not activated from the disabled list until October.[29]
Following the 1997 season, the Angels re-signed Gubicza to a minor league contract but released him shortly thereafter. He signed a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in January 1998 but announced his retirement the following month, citing his injuries.[30]
Pitching style
Gubicza's early pitching was heavily influenced by his father, who had more time to coach his son due to an injury that prematurely ended his minor league baseball career. By the time he was in high school, Gubicza had learned to pitch with the "drop-and-drive" form, a pitching mechanic where the pitcher bends their non-dominant leg to add momentum to their throw. His usage of the mechanic was specifically based on Tom Seaver, a famous user of the drop-and-drive. This pitching mechanic helped Gubicza to reach 92 miles per hour (148 km/h) on his fastball and 82 miles per hour (132 km/h) on his curveball in high school.[2]
While in the Royals minor league system, pitching instructor Gary Blaylock introduced the slider and sinker pitches into Gubicza's repertoire. Despite having a varied pitch mix, he was best known for his hard-thrown fastballs. In 1988, with the help of pitching coach Frank Funk, Gubicza loosened up his delivery, a change that delivered improved results. Following his arthroscopic surgery in 1990, Gubicza decreased the usage of his fastball and favored breaking balls in order to manage pain in his throwing arm.[2]
Gubicza has worked for Bally Sports West, formerly known as Fox Sports West, since the mid-2000s. He has primarily served as a color commentator for Angels broadcasts, occasionally providing pre-game and post-game analysis on Angels Live and formerly for Dodgers Live. In 2007, he was paired with José Mota on 50 Angels telecasts on Fox Sports West/Prime Ticket and KCOP.[32] He also co-hosted Angels in the Infield with Bill Macdonald. The Angels announced in 2008 that he would work roughly 75 games on television during that season. Gubizca was slated to work with Rory Markas on Angels broadcasts in 2010 before Markas's sudden death on January 4, 2010. On March 3, 2010, Victor Rojas was named as Markas's replacement, a broadcast partner Gubicza remained with until 2020. In 2021, Gubicza became a permanent fixture of an otherwise rotating broadcast booth that featured Matt Vasgersian as the primary play-by-play announcer with Daron Sutton (and later Rich Waltz) filling in when Vasgersian had to call games for ESPN or MLB Network.[33] In 2022, Vasgersian remained on the network's primary broadcast team alongside Gubicza and became more available due to his departure from ESPN.[34] In 2023, Wayne Randazzo joined the Angels booth as the new primary play-by-play announcer, working alongside Gubicza.[35]
Gubicza hosts a weekly segment called "Gubie Tuesdays" that is shown during games between a commercial break and the return to action on the field. In the segment, Gubicza interviews various Angels players with open-ended questions about baseball or other lighthearted subjects.[36][37][38]
Legacy
Gubicza became known as a fastball pitcher in part due to his 6 ft 6 in, 215 lb (1.98 m, 97 kg) frame that helped him to develop a velocity above 90 miles per hour (140 km/h) as early as high school.[7] Gubicza was also noted for his work ethic on the mound, with Royals general manager John Schuerholz describing him as having a "bulldog mentality."[2] At the time of his retirement, Gubicza had the most strikeouts in Royals history with 1,366, since surpassed by Kevin Appier with 1,458. He also finished his Royals tenure third all-time in wins with 132 and second in pitching wins above replacement with 38.0.[39]
Gubicza met his wife, Lisa, at the wedding of Royals teammate Bret Saberhagen.[2] While playing for the Royals, he resided for many years in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles.[25]
Following his playing career, the Royals offered Gubicza a job as a roving minor-league pitching instructor, but he declined.[31] He spent several years coaching Little League and 14-U travel teams in the San Fernando Valley area. In August 2002, Gubicza was named the head baseball coach at Chaminade High School in West Hills, California, where he remained until 2007.[44] Gubicza coached eventual MLB outfielder Kevin Pillar.[45] Gubicza's son, Chad, attended Chaminade.[46] Chaminade would sometimes play nearby Calabasas High School, a team that was coached by Gubicza's former Kansas City teammate Bret Saberhagen.[47]
Because of his roots in Philadelphia, Gubicza is a fan of the various sports teams of the city. He has attended Philadelphia Eagles games with Angels outfielder Mike Trout, a native of Millville, New Jersey, who also roots for Philadelphia's teams.[48]
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Victoria Park, Charlottetown – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Victoria ParkView of Charlottetown Habour from Victoria Park.Location of Victoria Park in Prince Edward Island.TypePublic...
Royal Canadian Navy offshore patrol vessel William Hall under construction History Canada NameWilliam Hall NamesakeWilliam Hall BuilderIrving Shipbuilding, Halifax, Nova Scotia Laid down17 February 2021 Launched27 November 2022 IdentificationIMO number: 4702539 StatusDelivered; post-acceptance sea trials General characteristics TypeHarry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessel Displacement6,615 t (6,511 long tons) Length103.6 m (339 ft 11 in) Beam19.0 m (62 ft 4...
Voting rights system Universal manhood suffrage is a form of voting rights in which all adult male citizens within a political system are allowed to vote, regardless of income, property, religion, race, or any other qualification. It is sometimes summarized by the slogan, one man, one vote. History The establishment of universal male suffrage in France in 1848 was an important milestone in the history of democracy. Further information on dates by when countries granted universal manhood s...
1998 film directed by Jun Falkenstein A Winnie the Pooh ThanksgivingScreenshot of the dinner sceneWritten byCarter CrockerDirected byJun FalkensteinVoices ofJim CummingsJohn FiedlerPaul WinchellMusic byCarl JohnsonCountry of originUnited StatesProductionRunning time22 minutesProduction companyWalt Disney Television AnimationOriginal releaseNetworkABCRelease November 22, 1998 (1998-11-22) A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving is a 1998 made-for-TV special featuring the voice talents of...
بيوتر أنوخين معلومات شخصية الميلاد 26 يناير 1898(1898-01-26)فولغوغراد الوفاة 5 مارس 1974 (76 سنة)موسكو مكان الدفن نوفوديفتشي مواطنة الإمبراطورية الروسية الاتحاد السوفيتي عضو في أكاديمية العلوم في الاتحاد السوفيتي الحياة العملية شهادة جامعية دكتور في علم الطب [لغا...
Graustufen-Reproduktion eines Porträts von Hippolyte Taine Hippolyte Adolphe Taine (* 21. April 1828 in Vouziers; † 5. März 1893 in Paris) war ein französischer Philosoph, Historiker und Kritiker. Er lehrte an der École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts de Paris, der Militärschule Saint-Cyr und in Oxford und war Mitarbeiter der beiden damals bedeutendsten wissenschaftlichen Zeitschriften Frankreichs, der Revue des Deux Mondes und dem Journal des Débats. Er war Mitglied der Académi...
2014 studio album by Foxy ShazamGonzoStudio album by Foxy ShazamReleasedApril 2, 2014GenreProgressive rock, alternative rockLength30:48LabelSelf-releasedProducerSteve AlbiniFoxy Shazam chronology The Church of Rock and Roll(2012) Gonzo(2014) Professional ratingsReview scoresSourceRatingPure Rawk[1]SputnikMusic[2]Under the Gun Review7/10[3] Gonzo is the fifth studio album by American rock band Foxy Shazam. The album was announced and self-released for free onlin...
Aspect of history The Middle Dutch Church in New York City near Nassau and Cedar Streets is where hundreds of the enlisted men captured at the Battle of Long Island were imprisoned. The Sugar House next door also became a prison for thousands as the British captured more of Washington's troops from Fort Washington and other engagements during the retreat from New York. The site today is the location of One Chase Manhattan Plaza. (Image from about 1830.)[1] [2]Interior of the B...
Indian multinational conglomerate For other uses or companies named Adani, see Adani (disambiguation). Adani GroupTypeCorporate groupIndustryConglomerateFounded20 July 1988; 35 years ago (20 July 1988)FounderGautam AdaniHeadquartersAhmedabad, Gujarat, IndiaArea servedWorldwideKey peopleGautam Adani (Chairman)ServicesPort managementElectric powerMiningRenewable energyAirport operationsOil and gasFood processingInfrastructure[1]Revenue ₹2.625 lakh crore (US$33 billio...
لمعانٍ أخرى، طالع براد إيفانز (توضيح). براد إيفانز معلومات شخصية الميلاد 20 أبريل 1985 (38 سنة)[1] فينيكس الطول 185 سنتيمتر مركز اللعب لاعب وسط، ومُدَافِع[1] الجنسية الولايات المتحدة المدرسة الأم جامعة كاليفورنيا مسيرة الشباب سنوات فريق 1993...
Cet article recense les sites classés ou inscrits en Essonne, en France. Liste Sites classés Réf. Site Communes Notes Superficie(ha) Date Coordonnées Photo 2005 Vallée de la Bièvre Buc, Guyancourt, Jouy-en-Josas, Les Loges-en-Josas, Versailles, Bièvres, Igny, Massy, Vauhallan, Verrières-le-Buisson Également dans les Yvelines 2 234,05 7 juillet 2000 48° 45′ 37″ nord, 2° 11′ 35″ est 3201 Cèdre Ris-Orangis Dans le square de la mairie 0,07 20...
Danish rapper S!vasS!vas at Roskilde Festival (2014)Background informationBirth nameSivas TorbatiGenresRapYears active2013–presentLabelsSony MusicMusical artist Sivas Torbati (Persian: سیواس تربتی), better known by the mononym Sivas stylized as xx5!V45xx, is a Danish rapper of Iranian origin. He is signed to Sony Music.[1] He resided in Brøndby Strand famous for a number of rap and hip hop acts in Denmark.[2][3] He later moved to Smørum near Tingbjerg and...
Situasi-situs di Golan yang berwarna biru adalah pemukiman-pemukiman Israel. Situs-situas di Golan yang berwarna hitam adalah desa-desa Suriah. Wilayah Golan yang diduduki Israel diwarnai biru sementara wilayah yang berada di bawah kekuasaan Suriah diwarnai abu-abu. Perjanjian Pelepasan (Ibrani: הסכם הפרדת הכוחות בין ישראל לסוריה, Arab: اتفاقية فك الاشتباك) adalah sebuah perjanjian antara Israel dan Suriah yang ditandatangani pada 31 Mei 1...
SOR BN 12 Завод-изготовитель SOR Libchavy Выпускался, гг 2003 — настоящее время Снаряжённая масса, т 8,8 Класс автобуса большой ЭКО стандарт Евро-6 Вместимость Мест для сидения 31 Полная вместимость (8 чел./м²) 106 Габариты Длина, мм 11790 Ширина, мм 2525 Высота по крыше, мм 3000 3180 Двигатель Мо...
Draža MihailovićMihailović selama Perang Dunia IINama lahirDragoljub MihailovićJulukanUncle DražaLahir(1893-04-27)27 April 1893Ivanjica, Kerajaan SerbiaMeninggal17 Juli 1946(1946-07-17) (umur 53)Beograd, Serbia, Republik Rakyat Federal YugoslaviaPengabdianKerajaan Serbia (1910–18)Kerajaan Serbia, Kroasia dan Slovenia (1918–29)Kerajaan Yugoslavia (1929–45)Dinas/cabang Angkatan Darat Kerajaan Serbia Angkatan Darat Kerajaan Yugoslavia Chetnik Lama dinas1910–45PangkatJender...
Bandera del Consello de Galiza, Real Academia Galega. Bandera digital del Consello de Galiza El Consejo Nacional de Galicia, más conocido por su denominación en gallego, Consello de Galiza, fue una entidad política gallega que se creó el 15 de noviembre de 1944 en Montevideo (Uruguay) y se constituyó formalmente en Buenos Aires (Argentina), el 8 de diciembre de 1944. Pretendía aglutinar a los diputados gallegos, galleguistas y republicanos, por encima de partidos políticos, para dotar ...
Part of the Battle of Sekigahara (1600) Siege of FushimiPart of the Sengoku periodDate27 August – 8 September 1600LocationFushimi Momoyama castle, just outside Kyoto, JapanResult Mitsunari victoryTerritorialchanges Castle falls to Western armyBelligerents Western army; force of Ishida Mitsunari Eastern army garrison loyal to Tokugawa IeyasuCommanders and leaders Ishida MitsunariKobayakawa HideakiKasuya Takenori Torii Mototada †Matsudaira Ietada †Strength 40,000 2,000Ca...
