Spiro Elected to A’s Hall of Fame

Eleven-year veteran, two-time pitcher of the year, and the closer for the A’s first ever Wisconsin State League championship season, Tim Spiro was elected to the Sheboygan A’s Hall of Fame.

Spiro, who played from 1983 through 1993, racked up 42 wins and 12 saves. His win total is fifth on the all-time list and his save total tied for second. He struck out 380 (sixth all time) in 563 innings (fifth). He appeared in 164 games (fourth all time). He led the club in strikeouts twice

Always available and always wanting the ball, Spiro appeared in 15 or more games in eight of his 11 seasons. He led the club in appearances for three straight years and four times overall.

He was arguably the most competitive and intense player ever to wear an A’s uniform, battling every opponent on every pitch. He was wild enough to be effective and he never hesitated to work inside and establish the inside part of the plate as his.

Spiro’s best seasons were the A’s first championship season, 1991, when he posted a 5-1 record with four saves and 3.25 earned run average that year, and 1992 when he went 8-2 with three saves and a team-leading 3.13 ERA.

�I think for years his contributions were somewhat underappreciated,� Dave Moyer, the last of Spiro’s three managers, and his skipper during those two great seasons, said. �He was always there, always took the ball and competed fiercely. Knowing you could rely on him to come in at the end of games was a big reason we won our first championship in 1991.

�Though his numbers are very good, numbers aren�t always everything. He was very tough out there. I know I never wanted to have to take the ball from him. That was not a fun place to be. Tim and I played ball together forever. We had a lot of fun together over the years. He remains as good a friend as I ever had, and I couldn�t be happier for him.�

�I�m happy, I�m surprised, and I guess I�m proud,� was Spiro�s reaction to his election. �When you think about all the guys in the Hall of Fame, you�re not sure you measure up. I�m definitely happy.

�Those were great days,� he said. �I think about it a lot. The camaraderie and the friendships . . . . you just never forget the guys.�

Spiro, who resides in Sheboygan, is the owner of Tent’s, Inc. A date for his induction ceremony at Wildwood Baseball Park will be announced later.