Bob Sykes

Robert Joseph Sykes

• Bats Both, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.
• School Miami Dade Community College North
• High School St. Rose High School
• Debut April 9, 1977
• Final Game October 4, 1981
• Born December 11, 1954 in Neptune, NJ USA

BR page

Biographical Information

When they acquired pitcher Bob Sykes, the New York Yankees were on the losing end of one of the worst deals in the 1980s. After the 1981 season, the St. Louis Cardinals traded Sykes to the Yankees for outfielder Willie McGee. McGee went on to be a huge contributor for the Cards the next several years, winning the 1985 National League Most Valuable Player Award and making the All-Star team four times; Sykes never played in the majors again. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was furious about the deal, feeling the Cardinals had sent him damaged goods in Sykes, and threatened to have the trade cancelled. To comfort him, the Cardinals pulled off another deal, in which they sent two top prospects to New York, OF Stan Javier and IF Bobby Meacham, in return for three minor leaguers of little pedigree.

Sykes had had a bit of success before the trade. He went 6-6, 3.94 for the Detroit Tigers in 1978 and pitched 3 shutouts for the Cardinals in 1980.

Bob Sykes now spends time teaching pitching, fielding, catching, and batting to youth at "The Ballyard" in a small town in southern Illinois. He entered the police academy at the age of 50 after working for an oil company and became the deputy sheriff of White County in Illinois.