Quick Facts
Biography
Michael Scott Bankhead (born July 31, 1963) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played in the major leagues from 1986-1995. Bankhead also pitched for Team USA in the 1984 Olympic Games. He attended the University of North Carolina.
Early life and education
Michael Scott Bankhead was born on July 31, 1963 in Raleigh, NC. He graduated from Reidsville High School in Reidsville, NC, and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Professional career
Kansas City Royals
Bankhead was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round, 16th pick, of the 1984 Major League Baseball Draft.
He appeared in only 31 games in the minors before being called up by the Royals. He made his Major League debut on May 25, 1986 going four innings, giving up two hits and striking out four while giving up no earned runs to get his first win. He finished the '86 season going 8-9 with a 4.61 ERA in 24 games, 17 for starts.
Seattle Mariners
On December 10, 1986 he was traded by the Royals with Mike Kingery and Steve Shields to the Seattle Mariners for Rick Luecken and Danny Tartabull. In his first month with the Mariners, Bankhead went 4-1 with a 2.94 ERA, but he developed tendinitis and ended the season with a dismal 9-8 record and 5.42 ERA.
Bankhead established himself as a sharp pitcher in 1988, but it wasn't until 1989, when he went on a hot streak after the All-Star break, that he proved himself a winning pitcher. He finished the '89 season going 14-6 with a 3.34 ERA and was named co-MVP of the team along with Alvin Davis.
In his next two seasons shoulder trouble would limit Bankhead to just 21 appearances. On December 20, 1991 he was granted free agency.
Cincinnati Reds
On January 22, 1992 he signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds. He would revive his career and in just one season he was 10-4 with a 2.93 ERA in 54 games. On October 28, 1992 he was granted free agency.
Boston Red Sox
Bankhead was signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox on December 8, 1992. In two seasons, 1993 and 1994 with the Sox he went 5-3 with a 3.88 ERA in 67 games.
New York Yankees
On September 1, 1994 he was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Red Sox but never played for them in '94 because of the strike. He was granted free agency at the end of the season but re-signed with the Yankees. In 1995 he went 1-1 in 20 games, one start. On July 25, 1995 he was released by the Yankees.
Oakland Athletics
On August 4, 1995 he signed as a free agent with the Oakland Athletics but never made an appearance at the Major League level. He was released by the A's on September 10, 1995.