Former LC coach Perry has jersey retired by San Francisco Giants

BY JANIE MCCAULEYAssociated Press

Gaylord Perry still jokes about his infamous spitball and how much it contributed to his decorated career.

The San Francisco Giants retired the jersey of the Hall of Fame right-hander and former Limestone College coach, Saturday night, the 10th player or manager to have their number retired in the club’s 123-year history and the first since Orlando Cepeda in 1999.

“It was between me and Juan Marichal, and they took me,” Perry said.

Still quite the jokester, Perry earlier spoke of how he once tried silicone on his hands. When he thought about what it’s typically used for, he said he couldn’t concentrate on his work.

So he stuck to his usual.

“I’d put Vaseline on my hands and shake the opponents’ hands the night before I pitched,” Perry said “They’d say ‘What are you doing?’ and I’d say, ‘I’m just getting ready for tomorrow night.’”

The 66-year-old Perry posted 314 victories in a 22 year career with eight teams, the first 10 with the Giants.

He pitched one of 17 no-hitters in franchise history Sept. 17, 1968, against the St. Louis Cardinals and Cy Young Award winner Bob Gibson at Candlestick Park.