View source for Bob Turley

{{Short description|American baseball player (1930–2013)}}
{{For|other people nicknamed "Bullet Bob"|Bullet Bob (disambiguation){{!}}Bullet Bob}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Bob Turley
|image=Bob Turley 1959.png
|caption=Turley in 1959
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date|1930|9|19}}
|birth_place=[[Troy, Illinois]], U.S.
|death_date={{death date and age|2013|3|30|1930|9|19}}
|death_place=[[Atlanta, Georgia]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=September 29
|debutyear=1951
|debutteam=St. Louis Browns
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=September 21
|finalyear=1963
|finalteam=Boston Red Sox
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=101–85
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=3.64
|stat3label=[[Strikeouts]]
|stat3value=1,265
|teams=
* [[Baltimore Orioles|St. Louis Browns / Baltimore Orioles]] ({{mlby|1951}}, {{mlby|1953}}–{{mlby|1954}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|1955}}–{{mlby|1962}})
* [[Los Angeles Angels]] ({{mlby|1963}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|1963}})
|highlights=
* 3× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1954 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1954]], [[1955 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1955]], [[1958 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1958]])
* 2× [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1956}}, {{wsy|1958}})
* [[Cy Young Award]] (1958)
* [[World Series MVP]] (1958)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders|AL wins leader]] (1958)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders|AL strikeout leader]] (1954)
}}
'''Robert Lee Turley''' (September 19, 1930 – March 30, 2013), known as "'''Bullet Bob'''", was an American professional [[baseball]] player and [[financial planner]]. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) as a [[pitcher]] from 1951 through 1963. After his retirement from baseball, he worked for [[Primerica]] Financial Services.

Turley made his MLB debut with the [[St. Louis Browns]] in 1951, and stayed with the team through their first season in Baltimore, when he appeared in his first [[MLB All-Star Game]]. After the 1954 season, he was traded to the [[New York Yankees]]. With the Yankees, Turley appeared in two more All-Star Games. He led the [[American League]] in wins in 1958, and won the [[Cy Young Award]], [[World Series Most Valuable Player Award]], and [[Hickok Belt]] that year. He finished his playing career with the [[Los Angeles Angels]] and [[Boston Red Sox]] in 1963, and then [[coach (baseball)|coached]] the Red Sox in 1964.

Turley began working in financial planning during the baseball offseason. In 1977, he cofounded with [[Arthur L. Williams Jr.]] the company that would become [[Primerica]]. He also invested in [[real estate]], buying and selling 27 houses in [[Florida]].

==Early life==
Turley was born in [[Troy, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2QokAAAAIBAJ&pg=3740,1494879&dq=bob-turley+troy&hl=en|title=Bob Turley Was Happiest Of A Happy Crew|work=[[Ocala Star-Banner]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|page=4|date=October 10, 1957|access-date=January 4, 2016}}</ref> He was raised in [[East St. Louis, Illinois]]. He attended [[East St. Louis Senior High School]] in East St. Louis, and played for the school's baseball squad for three years. He was used as both a starter and reliever, becoming the staff's [[ace (baseball)|ace pitcher]] by the end of his senior season, in 1948. Turley won the team's [[sportsmanship]] award that year.<ref name=gettysburg>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EComAAAAIBAJ&pg=1183,1155953&dq=bob-turley+troy&hl=en |title=Seeking Bob Turley Yanks First Hired His Uncle, Then Finally Got "Right Turley"|first=Frank|last=Eck|agency=Associated Press|work=[[Gettysburg Times]]|page=3|date=August 11, 1955|access-date=January 4, 2016}}</ref>

[[Bill DeWitt]], the [[general manager (baseball)|general manager]] of the [[Baltimore Orioles#St. Louis Browns|St. Louis Browns]], brought Turley to [[Sportsman's Park]] for a tryout. Turley also attended a workout camp for the [[New York Yankees]], held in [[Maryville, Illinois]]. The day after he graduated from high school in 1948, Turley signed with the Browns as an amateur [[free agent]].<ref name=gettysburg/>  He received a $600 [[signing bonus]] (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|600|1948}}}} in current dollar terms).<ref name=naples/>

==Professional career==

===Minor leagues and St. Louis Browns / Baltimore Orioles===
Turley made his professional debut that year in [[Minor League Baseball]] with the [[Belleville Stags]] of the Class D [[Illinois State League]], pitching to a 9–3 [[Win–loss record (pitching)|win–loss record]].<ref name=gettysburg/> He was promoted to the [[Aberdeen Pheasants]] of the Class C [[Northern League (baseball, 1902–71)|Northern League]] in 1949, and led the league in wins with 23, and [[strikeout]]s with 205.<ref name=gettysburg/><ref name=proof/> He split the 1950 season with the [[Wichita Indians (baseball)|Wichita Indians]] of the Class A [[Western League (1900–1958)|Western League]] and the [[San Antonio Missions]] of the Class AA [[Texas League]]. Turley led Wichita in the Western League playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8ZBSAAAAIBAJ&pg=1514,6158064&dq=bob-turley+wichita&hl=en|title=Wichita Wins 3rd Straight|agency=Associated Press|work=The Telegraph-Herald|page=13|date=September 15, 1950|access-date=January 4, 2016}}</ref> In 1951, he played for San Antonio. He appeared in the Texas League's [[All-Star Game]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IWhdAAAAIBAJ&pg=6183,382409&dq=bob-turley+houston&hl=en|title=Texas League's All-Star Game Set Tonight at Houston|agency=[[United Press International]]|work=The Bonham Daily Favorite|page=4|date=July 12, 1951|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> and was named the league's [[most valuable player]] at the end of the season.<ref name=debut>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1GAoAAAAIBAJ&pg=6265,3412058&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Bob Turley, Although Losing, Is Standout Twirler for Browns|work=The Southeast Missourian|page=7|agency=Associated Press|date=September 17, 1953|access-date=January 4, 2016}}</ref> He struck out 22 batters in one game for San Antonio.<ref name="proof">{{Cite news |last=Fraley |first=Oscar |date=1958-06-04 |title=Turley Proof Speed Ball Isn't Enough |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/quaymqkzfphntvpbwosipxlsyansdzrj_ip-10-166-46-165_1739939273877 |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |page=5, part 2 |via=[[GenealogyBank.com]] |agency=United Press International}}</ref>

Turley played his first game in the major leagues on September 29, 1951. He lost to the [[Chicago White Sox]]. He did not pitch again in 1951, and after the season ended, he enlisted with the [[United States Army]] for two years.<ref name=debut/><ref>{{cite web |date=October 11, 1951 |title=Browns Get Star of Coast League – Acquire Thomas in Deal for Sanford, Maguire, Cash- Braves Drop Mueller |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1951/10/12/archives/browns-get-star-of-coast-league-acquire-thomas-in-deal-for-sanford.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Turley returned to the Browns in August 1953, and caught attention for his high strikeout rate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=roFaAAAAIBAJ&pg=7081,4914134&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Browns' Bob Turley Has Struck Out 48 Men In 47 Innings|first=Ben|last=Phlegar|date=September 17, 1953|page=2|work=Waycross Journal-Herald|access-date=January 4, 2016}}</ref> Turley remained with the team after they moved to [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]], to become the [[Baltimore Orioles]] in 1954. He earned $9,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|9000|1954}}}} in current dollar terms) for the 1954 season.<ref name=sun1994>{{cite web |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-04-14-1994104084-story.html |title=Where Are They Now? Turley's '54 home opener as artful as his Fla. home |first=Arthur |last=Hirsch |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 14, 1994 |access-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054653/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-04-14/sports/1994104084_1_turley-orioles-pitched |url-status=live }}</ref> He pitched the first game at [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]], striking out nine in a [[complete game]].<ref name=sunobit/> A [[power pitcher]], Turley recorded many strikeouts, but did not have great [[control pitcher|control]].<ref name=curve/><ref name="flower">{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Whitney |date=1955-06-17 |title=Like the Prairie Flower |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/ppvlxmtqpmubxrtfqzowmjfslcbhwgki_ip-10-166-46-81_1739939461887 |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=Milwaukee Journal |page=2 |via=[[GenealogyBank.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> For the 1954 season, he led the [[American League]] in strikeouts with 185, but also led the league with 181 [[base on balls|walks]].<ref name=happiest/> That year, he earned comparisons to fellow fireballer [[Bob Feller]],<ref name=flower/><ref>{{Cite news |date=1954-04-23 |title=Turley Another Bob Feller? |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/ynejytgcrovfxqbtoutvdlqtchkasvkt_ip-10-166-46-85_1739939612881 |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |page=6, part 2 |via=[[GenealogyBank.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cGBSAAAAIBAJ&pg=3183,5261076&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Is Bob Turley the New Bob Feller?|date=July 11, 1954|page=19|first=Herb|last=Heft|work=St. Petersburg Times|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> and finished in third place in balloting for the [[Hickok Belt]], given to the professional athlete of the year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1954-05-18 |title=Bob Turley Third In Hickok Voting |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-bob-turley-third-in-hi/166142216/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=The Baltimore Sun |page=19 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

While playing for the Orioles, Turley obtained the nickname "Bullet Bob". The [[magazine]] ''[[Look (American magazine)|Look]]'' wrote a story about Turley, and wanted to measure the velocity of his [[fastball]]. They used a [[bullet timer]] from the [[Aberdeen Proving Grounds]], which recorded a speed of {{convert|98|mph}} by the time it reached home plate.<ref name=naples/>

[[Casey Stengel]], the [[manager (baseball)|manager]] of the [[New York Yankees]], sought to acquire Turley. The Yankees needed younger starting pitchers, as their rotation fell off due to the ages of [[Allie Reynolds]], [[Eddie Lopat]], [[Johnny Sain]], [[Tommy Byrne (baseball)|Tommy Byrne]], and [[Jim Konstanty]].<ref name=sabr/> In order to acquire the hitting the Orioles decided they needed to compete, they traded Turley to the Yankees after the 1954 season.<ref name=happiest/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r6ItAAAAIBAJ&pg=4385,3605973&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Bob Turley Is Sad, Pleased And Surprised|agency=Associated Press|date=November 18, 1954|page=34|work=The Day|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> The Yankees received Turley, [[Billy Hunter (baseball)|Billy Hunter]], [[Don Larsen]], and [[players to be named later]], while the Orioles acquired [[Harry Byrd (baseball)|Harry Byrd]], [[Jim McDonald (pitcher)|Jim McDonald]], [[Willy Miranda]], [[Hal Smith (catcher)|Hal Smith]], [[Gus Triandos]], [[Gene Woodling]], and players to be named later. To complete the trade, the Yankees sent [[Bill Miller (left-handed pitcher)|Bill Miller]], [[Kal Segrist]], [[Don Leppert (second baseman)|Don Leppert]], and Ted Del Guercio to the Orioles, and the Orioles sent [[Mike Blyzka]], [[Darrell Johnson]], [[Jim Fridley]] and [[Dick Kryhoski]] to the Yankees. Comprising 17 players, this trade remains the largest in MLB history.<ref name=sunobit>{{cite web |last=Duncan |first=Ian |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-bob-turley-20130330,0,2391520.story |title=Bob Turley, former Orioles pitcher, dies |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 30, 2013 |access-date=September 18, 2013 |archive-date=October 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019043256/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-bob-turley-20130330,0,2391520.story |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=sabr>{{cite web|url=http://research.sabr.org/journals/baseballs-biggest-trade |title=Baseball's Biggest Trade: A Revisionist's Recounting |publisher=Society of American Baseball Research|access-date=September 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r6ItAAAAIBAJ&pg=3687,3311274&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Yankees Get Bob Turley in 12-Player Deal|agency=Associated Press|date=November 18, 1954|page=1|work=The Day|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref><ref name=wapo>{{cite news|last=Duncan |first=Ian |url=https://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-03-31/local/38171014_1_new-york-yankees-bullet-bob-baltimore-sun |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055823/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-03-31/local/38171014_1_new-york-yankees-bullet-bob-baltimore-sun |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |title=Bob Turley, hard-throwing pitcher who played for Orioles and Yankees, dies at 82 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 31, 2013 |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref>

===New York Yankees===
Turley played for the Yankees from 1955 to 1962. In the 1955 season, Turley [[win (baseball)|won]] 17 games for the Yankees,<ref name=ottawa/> and recorded 210 strikeouts, second to [[Herb Score]] (245). But, he also led the league in walks with 177.<ref name=proof/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1955-pitching-leaders.shtml |title=1955 American League Pitching Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 18, 2013}}</ref> The Yankees won the [[List of American League pennant winners|American League pennant]], and advanced to the [[1955 World Series]], where they faced the [[Brooklyn Dodgers]]. He pitched in Game Three of the [[1955 World Series]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=12BLAAAAIBAJ&pg=7268,3570040&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Casey Names Turley; Alston Tabs Podres For Tomorrow's Contest at Ebbets Field|agency=United Press International|date=September 29, 1955|page=16|work=Oxnard Press-Courier|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> losing to [[Johnny Podres]]. He also made two [[relief pitching|relief]] appearances in the series, in Games Five and Seven, as the Dodgers defeated the Yankees four games to three.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1955_WS.shtml |title=1955 World Series – Brooklyn Dodgers over New York Yankees (4–3) |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref>

Turley had a disappointing season in 1956, with an 8–4 win–loss record and a 5.05 [[earned run average]] (ERA).<ref name=ottawa>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=otYxAAAAIBAJ&pg=7358,6025286&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Bullet Bob Turley Slams Door On Top-Shot Bid By White Sox|first=Ed|last=Wilks|agency=Associated Press|date=August 29, 1957|page=11|work=Ottawa Citizen|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> However, the Yankees again won the American League pennant. Turley appeared in Games One and Two of the [[1956 World Series]] against the Dodgers as a relief pitcher. Facing [[Clem Labine]] in Game Six, Turley pitched a [[complete game]], but the Yankees lost the game by a 1–0 score.<ref>{{cite web|last=Antonen |first=Mel |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/playoffs/2005-10-21-starters-in-common_x.htm |title=Starters strong suit for Astros and White Sox |work=USA Today |date=October 21, 2005 |access-date=September 18, 2013}}</ref> The Yankees defeated the Dodgers in Game Seven to win the series four games to three.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1956_WS.shtml |title=1956 World Series – New York Yankees over Brooklyn Dodgers (4–3) |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Bob Turley - New York Yankees - 1957.jpg|thumb|180px|Turley in 1957]]
In the 1957 season, Turley developed a [[curveball]].<ref name=curve>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8-whAAAAIBAJ&pg=4508,6910595&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Bob Turley Adds Curve To Skills|agency=Associated Press|date=June 22, 1957|page=6|work=The Tuscaloosa News|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> He finished the season with a 2.71 ERA, good for fourth-best in the American League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1957-pitching-leaders.shtml |title=1957 American League Pitching Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> The Yankees won the pennant again. In the [[1957 World Series]] against the [[Milwaukee Braves]], Turley started Game Three, but was relieved by Larsen in the second inning.<ref name=1957WS>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1957_WS.shtml |title=1957 World Series – Milwaukee Braves over New York Yankees (4–3) |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> He won his first [[World Series]] game in Game Six, a complete game.<ref name=happiest>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nOowAAAAIBAJ&pg=4342,2210581&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Bullet Bob Turley Was Happiest Guy In Yankee Room|first=John|last=Chandler|agency=Associated Press|date=October 10, 1957|page=15|work=Ottawa Citizen|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> The Yankees lost the series to the Braves, four games to three.<ref name=1957WS/>

Fellow pitcher [[Sal Maglie]] wrote during 1958 spring training that Turley "ha[d] started to step off the mound when things get a little shaky, take a couple of deep breaths and then go back to work." Maglie thought this helped with Turley's self-control, a characteristic Maglie considered one of the three most essential to a successful pitcher.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Terrell|first=Roy|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1958/03/17/part-1-sal-maglie-on-the-art-of-pitching|title=Part 1: Sal Maglie on the Art of Pitching|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=March 17, 1958|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>

By the 1958 season, Turley changed his delivery in an effort to improve his control, by using a no-wind up [[pitching position]].<ref name=proof/><ref name=newcomerstown/> His best season came in 1958, when he won 21 games and lost seven, for an American League-leading .750 [[winning percentage]]. He also led the American League with 19 [[complete game]]s, and finished with the sixth-best ERA (2.97). However, his 128 walks also led the league.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1958-pitching-leaders.shtml |title=1958 American League Pitching Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> Turley started Game Two of the [[1958 World Series]] by allowing up a leadoff home run and lasting just one-third of an inning as the Yankees fell behind the [[Milwaukee Braves]] two games to none.<ref name=NYY /> With the Yankees one game away from elimination, Turley threw a complete-game shutout in Game Five. He then recorded a 10th-inning save in Game Six.<ref name=NYY /> A day later, in Game Seven, he relieved [[Don Larsen]] in the third inning and won his second game in three days, with {{fraction|6|2|3}} innings of two-hit relief.<ref name=NYY /> The Yankees became just the second team to recover from a 3–1 World Series deficit, and Turley was voted the [[World Series]] [[Most Valuable Player|Most Valuable Player Award]].<ref name=NYY /> As a result of his 1958 season, Turley won the [[Hickok Belt]] as top professional athlete of the year, receiving twice as many votes as [[Jim Brown]], the second-place finisher.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0XdhAAAAIBAJ&pg=6886,2799817&dq=bob-turley+hickok&hl=en|title=Bob Turley Recipient of Prized Hickok Belt|agency=United Press International|date=January 25, 1959|page=8|work=Gadsden Times|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> He also won the [[Cy Young Award]] as the best pitcher in Major League Baseball, edging [[Warren Spahn]] of the Braves by one vote, and [[Lew Burdette]] of the Braves and [[Bob Friend]] of the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] by two votes.<ref name="NYY">{{cite news |last=McCarron |first=Anthony |date=October 21, 2010 |title=Former Yankees Cy Young Award-winner Bob Turley says Bombers should follow Derek Jeter's advice |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2010/10/21/former-yankees-cy-young-award-winner-bob-turley-says-bombers-should-follow-derek-jeters-advice/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130064825/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2010/10/21/2010-10-21_turley_knows_it_can_be_won.html?r=sports |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |access-date=2025-02-19 |newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1958-11-13 |title='Young' Award to Turley |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/ynshocbaursrhjdkzaardgqqmrywzftg_ip-10-166-46-138_1739939836061 |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |page=5, pt 3 |via=[[GenealogyBank.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Turley finished second in the [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|American League Most Valuable Player Award]] voting, losing to [[Jackie Jensen]] of the [[Boston Red Sox]].<ref name=naples/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1958.shtml |title=1958 Awards Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> Additionally, he won ''[[The Sporting News]]''{{'}} [[Sporting News MLB Player of the Year Award|Player of the Year]] and [[Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award|Pitcher of the Year Award]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/tsn.shtml|title=The Sporting News Pitchers of the Year & The Sporting News Major League Players of the Year|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=January 5, 2015}}</ref>

Turley earned a $35,000 salary for the 1959 season, his highest as a baseball player.<ref name=si/><ref>{{Cite news |date=1959-01-30 |title=Substantial Raise Given Bob Turley |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-substantial-raise-given/166142368/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=Hartford Courant |page=A25 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The Yankees chose Turley to be their [[Opening Day]] starting pitcher for the 1959 season, opposing [[Tom Brewer]] of the Red Sox.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DqtIAAAAIBAJ&pg=1139,3155784&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Turley Faces Brewer In Stadium Curtain-Raiser Today|first=Ed|last=Wilks|agency=Associated Press|date=April 10, 1959|page=4|work=Meriden Journal|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> The Yankees won the game by a 3–2 score.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/opening.shtml |title=New York Yankees Opening Day Starters |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> However, Turley's fastball began to lose its effectiveness. He increased the usage of his [[curveball]] to compensate.<ref name=newcomerstown/> Turley finished the year with an 8–11 win–loss record. In the 1960 season, Turley had a 9–3 win–loss record,<ref name="houk">{{Cite news |date=1961-04-04 |title=Houk's Mound Plan Gets Turley's Vote |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/agiuqzrzsofnbtwttchlvwfhpddkwabq_ip-10-166-46-137_1739939995940 |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=Milwaukee Journal |page=2 |via=[[GenealogyBank.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> and his 3.27 ERA was the seventh best in the American League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1960-pitching-leaders.shtml |title=1960 American League Pitching Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> He started Game Two of the [[1960 World Series]] against the Pirates, earning the win. He also started the deciding Game Seven, which the Pirates won, taking the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1960_WS.shtml |title=1960 World Series – Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees (4–3) |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref>

Turley suffered through discomfort in his right elbow during the 1961 season, which resulted in a 3–5 win–loss record and 5.75 ERA in only 15 games pitched.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=txxPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7452,3800410&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Yankees Pleased By Turley's Work|agency=Associated Press|page=22|date=February 6, 1962|work=Toledo Blade|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> New manager [[Ralph Houk]] began to emphasize his younger pitchers, as he removed Turley from the starting rotation and used him as a relief pitcher.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oO9iAAAAIBAJ&pg=2451,4145079&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Ralph Houk Trying to Build New Yankee Pitching Staff|first=Jack|last=Cuddy|agency=United Press International|page=14|date=June 9, 1961|work=The Washington Reporter|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> Though the Yankees reached the [[1961 World Series]], and defeated the [[Cincinnati Reds]] four games to one, Turley did not make an appearance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1961_WS.shtml |title=1961 World Series – New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds (4–1) |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> After seeking medical attention,<ref>{{cite web|last=Drebinger |first=John |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0F15FF395D1B728DDDAF0894DE405B818AF1D3 |title=Yanks Take Double-Header and Send Twins to 10th, 11th Straight Defeats – Coates, Sheldon Triumph, 6–2, 6–1 Yankees Set League Mark as Blanchard, Mantle and Kubek Wallop Homers |work=The New York Times |date=June 6, 1961 |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> Turley was diagnosed with [[bone chip]]s in his elbow. He underwent surgery in the offseason to remove the bone chips, and returned to the Yankees confident his performance would improve in 1962. He agreed to a salary cut, from $28,000 to $25,000.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1962-02-13 |title=Turley Confident Surgery Success |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/dwympjlxjctslmqnjgouilkfowpeocem_ip-10-166-46-138_1739940204413 |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |page=2, pt. 2 |via=[[GenealogyBank.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> However, the bone chips recurred during the 1962 season. As a result, his effectiveness was limited in 1962 as well.<ref name=hamey/> On June 25, Turley started a game that lasted 22 innings, and a record seven hours, but was removed after recording only one out.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yw8dAAAAIBAJ&pg=6853,3012587&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Yankees Whip Tigers The Hard Way (22 Innings): Seven-Hour Battle Record In Majors|first=Jim|last=Hackleman|agency=Associated Press|page=10|work=The Tuscaloosa News|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> During the 1962 season, American League players elected Turley as their player representative, following Woodling's trade to the National League.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Joseph M. |date=July 10, 1962 |title=A Shorter Season Asked By Players – Representatives Also Seek 2 All-Star Games in 1963 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1962/07/10/archives/a-shorter-season-asked-by-players-representatives-also-seek-2.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 21, 2013 |website=The New York Times |page=S36}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gGZfAAAAIBAJ&pg=3627,2890223&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Players Ask Shortening of Schedules|agency=United Press International|date=July 10, 1962|page=6|work=The Bonham Daily Favorite|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> Over the season, Turley pitched to a 4.57 ERA in only 69 innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sS5mAAAAIBAJ&pg=4685,2785581&dq=bob-turley+4.57&hl=en|title=Poor Average|work=Edmonton Journal|page=9|date=January 18, 1963|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> The Yankees defeated the [[San Francisco Giants]] four games to three in the [[1962 World Series]], but Turley was not an active participant.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1962_WS.shtml |title=1962 World Series – New York Yankees over San Francisco Giants (4–3) |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref>

===Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, and coaching===
After the 1962 season, the Yankees sold Turley to the [[Los Angeles Angels]] for cash, in the first move made by new Yankees' [[general manager (baseball)|general manager]] [[Roy Hamey]], who sought to rebuild the Yankees pitching staff.<ref name=hamey>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zCVPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5592,1276947&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Bob Turley Traded To L.A. Angels|page=7|agency=United Press International|date=October 30, 1962|work=Prescott Evening Courier|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> The move was conditional; the Angels could return Turley if they were not satisfied with him. The Angels chose to retain Turley at the start of the 1963 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l30eAAAAIBAJ&pg=3684,1402395&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=L.A. To Sign Bob, Not Sam|agency=Associated Press|page=3 Pt 2|date=April 8, 1963|work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> Turley struggled, winning two games while losing seven, and the Angels released him in July.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-M8zAAAAIBAJ&pg=2219,4333847&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Seven player shift by Angels; Turley dropped|agency=United Press International|page=7|date=July 18, 1963|work=The Bulletin|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> A week later, he signed with the [[Boston Red Sox]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19630724&id=BhUmAAAAIBAJ&pg=2193,1981692&hl=en|title=Red Sox Get Castoff Turley|agency=Associated Press|work=St. Petersburg Times|page=3–C|date=July 24, 1963|access-date=January 6, 2015}}</ref> Turley retired after the 1963 season, with a 101–85 win–loss record and a 3.64 ERA in 12 seasons.<ref name=wapo/>

After the 1963 season, Turley agreed to remain with the Red Sox as their [[coach (baseball)|pitching coach]], succeeding [[Harry Dorish]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6kYqAAAAIBAJ&pg=2054,3608892&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Turley Becomes Red Sox Coach|agency=United Press International|date=October 19, 1963|page=52|work=The Pittsburgh Press|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> Turley spent one season as the Red Sox' pitching coach,<ref name=newcomerstown>{{cite web|title=Turley Coming to Cy Young Days Festival|url=http://www.newcomerstown-news.com/local%20news/2011/03/30/turley-coming-to-cy-young-days-festival|work=Newcomerstown News|location=[[Newcomerstown, Ohio]]|first=Niki|last=Wolfe|date=March 30, 2011|access-date=March 31, 2013|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208103224/http://www.newcomerstown-news.com/local%20news/2011/03/30/turley-coming-to-cy-young-days-festival|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was released at the end of the year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hurwitz |first=Hy |date=1964-10-05 |title=Gardner, Okrie Also Join Coaching Staff: Herman Names Maglie, Runnels |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-gardner-okrie-also-joi/166142678/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=Boston Globe |page=19 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He attempted to make a comeback as a pitcher with the [[Houston Astros]] in 1965,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jtxXAAAAIBAJ&pg=1223,1050438&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Bob Turley Will Attempt Comeback|agency=Associated Press|page=16|date=November 19, 1964|work=The Spokesman-Review|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> but did not make the team. He then agreed to become the pitching coach for the [[Richmond Braves]] of the [[International League]], a minor league team in the [[Atlanta Braves]] organization, in 1966,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0VQsAAAAIBAJ&pg=3893,1959670&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Braves Name Two|agency=Associated Press|page=15|date=January 14, 1966|work=Herald-Journal|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> but resigned before the start of the 1966 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/155411597 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times|title=Bob Turley Resigns as Minor Loop Coach|page=A4 |date=February 19, 1966 |access-date=September 18, 2013|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XP4cAAAAIBAJ&pg=994,2744362&dq=bob-turley&hl=en|title=Bob Turley Quits His Baseball Post|agency=Associated Press|date=February 20, 1966|page=14|work=The Tuscaloosa News|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref>

===Sign stealing===
Turley got into the habit while on the bench of stealing signs when he saw the opposing pitcher throw. Using a system of whistling where be whistled if the next pitch was different from the last, he would attempt to help any Yankee who wanted the advice, with [[Johnny Blanchard]] and [[Elston Howard]] being appreciative of the help while [[Moose Skowron]] and [[Yogi Berra]] did not care. In one instance, [[Jim Bunning]] of the [[Detroit Tigers]] noticed the system and pointed to Turley to stop or he would knock down the batter (which happened to be Mickey Mantle). When Turley whistled anyway, he threw a missile in the middle of the box that Mantle missed on, which led to the next batter in Berra pleading that he wasn't listening to whistles.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://thebaseballcodes.com/2015/09/24/yogi-berra-rip/ | title=Yogi Berra, RIP | date=September 24, 2015 }}</ref> In 1961, even when he was on the injured list, he remained on the bench to do his system, and [[Tony Kubek]] estimated that [[Mickey Mantle]] his fifty homeruns in part due to Turley, and Mantle once credited half of his home runs to Turley.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/new-york-yankees-pitcher-bullet-bob-turley-calls-sees-article-1.180592 | title=Former New York Yankees pitcher 'Bullet' Bob Turley still calls them as he sees them | website=[[New York Daily News]] | date=September 12, 2023 }}</ref> [[Roger Maris]] and his historic 61st home run was hit after the sign for the pitch was decoded by the third base coach, an acolyte of Turley's system.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-13-sp-1661-story.html | title=A Disabled Turley Still Valuable Asset | website=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=March 13, 1988 }}</ref> He authored an article titled "How I Know What Pitchers Will Throw" in the 20 July 1964 issue of ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' which was about his sign stealing based on the tendencies of opposing pitchers.<ref>[https://vault.si.com/vault/1964/07/20/how-i-know-what-pitchers-will-throw Turley, Bob. "How I Know What Pitchers Will Throw," ''Sports Illustrated'' (magazine), 20 July 1964.] Retrieved 30 June 2025.</ref> 

==Personal life==
Turley moved from East St. Louis to [[Lutherville, Maryland]], in 1954, when the Browns moved to Baltimore. Though he played in Baltimore for one season, he remained in Lutherville for the remainder of his baseball career, and sent his children to the local public schools.<ref name=sunobit/>

[[File:Starting_Pitcher_Nik_Turley_(7967140646).jpg|right|thumb|upright|[[Nik Turley]], who described Bob Turley as a "distant relative"]]
Turley began working as a [[financial planner]] in 1957, by selling [[life insurance]].<ref name=si>{{cite magazine|first=Will |last=Kimmey |url=https://www.si.com/vault/2001/08/27/309504/bob-turley-yankees-pitcher-may-4-1959|title=Bob Turley, Yankees Pitcher |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=May 4, 1959 |access-date=September 18, 2013}}</ref> He also operated a bowling alley in [[Bel Air, Maryland]], and an insurance firm in Baltimore.<ref name=sunobit/> In 1977, Turley joined with [[Arthur L. Williams Jr.]] and five others to found A. L. Williams & Associates, an insurance company.<ref name=naples/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/new-york-yankees-pitcher-bullet-bob-turley-calls-sees-article-1.180592 |title=Former New York Yankees pitcher 'Bullet' Bob Turley still calls them as he sees them |work=Daily News|location=New York |date=June 19, 2010 |access-date=September 18, 2013}}</ref> At A. L. Williams, agents advised clients to purchase term life insurance, rather than cash value life insurance, and invest the money they saved in [[mutual fund]]s.<ref name=si/> The company became [[Primerica]] Financial Services, and was later bought out by [[Citigroup]] in 1989.<ref name=si/> He retired from the business in 2001, and sold half of his business to his son and the other half to Lynn Webb, a senior national sales director.<ref name=naples/>

Later in his life, Turley resided in [[Blue Ridge, Georgia]], and had a winter home on [[Marco Island, Florida]].<ref name=naples>{{cite web|url=http://www.naplesnews.com/news/local/bob-turley-cy-young-winner-and-seasonal-marco-resident-dies-at-82-ep-384224434-342176731.html|title=Bob Turley, Cy Young winner and seasonal Marco resident, dies at 82 |first=Roger |last=Lalonde|work=Naples Daily News |date=April 1, 2013|access-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094223/http://www.naplesnews.com/news/local/bob-turley-cy-young-winner-and-seasonal-marco-resident-dies-at-82-ep-384224434-342176731.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref><ref name=si/> Turley's hobby was [[real estate]]. He bought and sold many homes on Marco Island, including a {{convert|13500|sqft}} home he built that was locally referred to as "Turley Mansion" and "Turley Castle". In total, Turley and his wife bought and sold 27 houses on Marco Island and in [[Naples, Florida]].<ref name=naples/>

Turley made an appearance on ''It's News to Me'', a [[current events]]-based [[game show]] hosted by [[Walter Cronkite]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spectator.org/blog/53425/goodbye-gus-triandos-bob-turley|title=Goodbye Gus Triandos and Bob Turley|first=Aaron|last=Goldstein|work=[[The American Spectator]]|date=March 30, 2013|access-date=January 5, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He was mentioned in a song called "St. Louis Browns" by [[Skip Battin]], who was the [[bass guitar]]ist of [[The Byrds]] and the New Riders of the Purple Sage. In the lyrics, Battin describes Turley as a "no-hit pitcher" who "got too surly" and who was "traded...too early".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2013/03/31/former-st-louis-browns-pitcher-bob-turley-dies/ |title=Former St. Louis Browns Pitcher Bob Turley Dies |publisher=CBS St. Louis |date=March 31, 2013 |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref>

Turley's uncle, Ralph, also played professional baseball. The Yankees signed Ralph Turley in 1949 when they meant to sign Bob, and released Ralph when they discovered he was the "wrong Turley".<ref name=gettysburg/> [[Nik Turley]], a Yankees [[prospect (sports)|prospect]], identified Bob Turley as a "distant relative".<ref>{{cite web|author=New Jersey |url=http://www.nj.com/thunder/index.ssf/2013/09/trenton_thunders_turleys_famil.html |title=Franklin: Trenton Thunder's Nik Turley has family tree rooted in athletes |work=The Star-Ledger |date=September 11, 2013 |access-date=September 18, 2013}}</ref>

===Death===
Turley lived in [[Alpharetta, Georgia]], for the last two years of his life.<ref name=naples/> He died on March 30, 2013, in [[hospice]] care at Lenbrook, a retirement community in [[Atlanta]] at age 82 from [[liver cancer]].<ref name=sunobit/><ref name=si/><ref>{{cite news|title=Bob Turley, Pitcher With a Blazing Fastball, Dies at 82|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/31/sports/baseball/bob-turley-pitcher-with-a-blazing-fastball-dies-at-82.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=tw-nytimes&_r=0|work=The New York Times| date=March 31, 2013 |accessdate=March 31, 2013| last1=McFadden | first1=Robert D. }}</ref> Turley was cremated in [[Duluth, Georgia]].<ref name=naples/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Baseball}}
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links ==
{{Baseballstats |br=t/turlebo01 |fangraphs=1013225 |almanac=turlebo01 |brm=turley001rob}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box | title=[[Boston Red Sox]] Pitching Coach | before=[[Harry Dorish]] | years=1964 | after= [[Mace Brown]]}}  
{{s-end}}

{{1956 New York Yankees}}
{{1958 New York Yankees}}
{{1961 New York Yankees}}
{{1962 New York Yankees}}
{{New York Yankees Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{MLB Combined Cy Young}}
{{World Series MVPs}}
{{Hickok Belt}}
{{AL wins champions}}
{{AL strikeout champions}}
{{The Sporting News MLB Player of the Year Award}}
{{Sporting News AL Pitcher of the Year Award}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Turley, Bob}}
[[Category:1930 births]]
[[Category:2013 deaths]]
[[Category:American League All-Stars]]
[[Category:American League strikeout champions]]
[[Category:American League wins champions]]
[[Category:Cy Young Award winners]]
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[[Category:Baltimore Orioles players]]
[[Category:Boston Red Sox players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:New York Yankees players]]
[[Category:St. Louis Browns players]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:People from Troy, Illinois]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Madison County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Belleville Stags players]]
[[Category:Boston Red Sox coaches]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Fulton County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Baseball players from East St. Louis, Illinois]]
[[Category:Deaths from liver cancer in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitching coaches]]
[[Category:People from Blue Ridge, Georgia]]
[[Category:People from Marco Island, Florida]]
[[Category:Primerica]]
[[Category:World Series Most Valuable Player Award winners]]