With Spitball, Younger Perry Brother Knew Best

Jim Perry, Gaylord’s older brother, was a big-league star in his own right.

During his 17-year American League career, Jim Perry won 215 games, including the 1970 Cy Young honor. But it was Gaylord who wound up in the Hall of Fame.

“Oh sure, I tried it,” said Jim, a few weeks ago. “Reckon everybody has. Not everyone can do it. Gaylord told me all about it. But I had all the pitches I needed. I was afraid it’d hurt my arm. And besides, I could never sweat like Gaylord.”

When Jim was with Minnesota, he recalled the time teammate and Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew faced Gaylord and the Cleveland Indians.

“Gaylord struck out Harmon on three straight spitters (greasers). Harmon didn’t come within 6 inches of any of ‘em.”

Not uttering a word of protest to Gaylord or the umpire, Killebrew angrily stomped back to the Minnesota bench where Jim was sitting.

“Did you see that?” Killebrew demanded.

“I didn’t do it, the brother did,” said Jim.

“I know,” said Killebrew. “You should learn it. You might need it someday.”

Not today. Jim is part owner and chairman of the board of DialNet, a 14-state long-distance business communication system based in Sioux Falls, S.D. Jim’s son, Chris, is on the professional golf tour.

I thought maybe Jim would tell me what Gaylord wouldn’t. “Did Gaylord keep throwing the greaser after the book came out?” I asked.

“Oh, not that much,” said Jim. Quickly correcting himself, he added, “It was that forkball. He could make it break more than one way. Daddy always said it was the forkball.”

Their daddy, Evan, was 17 when Jim was born, 19 when Gaylord showed up in 1938.

Gaylord and Jim’s 529 victories were more than any brothers’ in modern times. Gaylord won 314, mostly with inferior teams. Only one club he played for reached post-season play.