John Pacella

Who is John Pacella?

John Lewis Pacella was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He became known for his unusual delivery that sometimes caused him to lose his cap after a pitch.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Pacella moved to Long Island in 1965. After going 21-4 in three seasons at Connetquot High School in Bohemia, he was drafted by his hometown New York Mets in the fourth round of the 1974 Major League Baseball Draft. He was 32-35 with a 3.78 earned run average over four seasons in their farm system when he was called to the majors in 1977.

He made his major league debut out of the bullpen on his 21st birthday against the Philadelphia Phillies. After retiring the side in the seventh inning, Pacella walked the first batter he faced, Ted Sizemore, in the eighth. A botched pick off attempt allowed Sizemore to move to second. After he steals third, an error by Mets shortstop Doug Flynn put runners on the corners. Larry Bowa then drove Sizemore in with a single, while Ron Reed advanced to third. Pacella then uncorks a wild pitch allowing Reed to score. Though this could hardly be called a successful debut, he escaped without allowing an earned run.