Rick Reuschel, Right-handed Pitcher,
Chicago Cubs 1972-84; N.Y. Yankees 1981;
Pirates 1985-87; S.F. Giants
Rick Reuschel, born
in Quincy, Illinois, won 114 games for the Chicago Cubs in
the 1970's. Rick started his major league career in
1973 and was an immediate success and proved to be very popular
in the Chicago area. In 1974, this big right-hander was 13-12,
while pitching in 240 inning for the last place Cubs who ended
with a 66-96 record. 1977; Rick Reuschel won 20 games
and only lost 10 with an ERA of 2.79, with four shutouts and
got 166 batters via the strikeout route. Nicknamed "Big
Daddy", Reuschel was a great professional, with a tough
winning attitude, a two-time Gold Glove winner and was a good-hitting
pitcher; these traits kept him an All-Star performer all through
the 1970's. Rick Reuschel was always the Cubs' mound
ace and had great control and his lifetime stats of 935 walks
in 3548 innings points this fact out. Starting in 1973, Reuschel
pitched over 200 inning in each year for eight years in a
row. Rick was the opening day starting pitcher for four years
in a row. When Reuschel was on the mound, fans watched a real
master craftsman ply his pitching skills as he kept mixing
his pitches to keep the batters off guard. Rick always
seemed to take control of the ball game; first he'd throw
a slider which nipped the outside corner of home plate; then
zip a fast ball inside, maybe then a changeup. Always something
that kept the batters guessing. In 1979, he was 18-12 while
pitching for the Cubs. His career record of 214-191 reflexes
the fact that Rick Reuschel pitched on mostly second division
teams; In almost 15 seasons as a Cub pitcher; never once did
the Cubs play over .500 baseball. In 1988 traded to the San
Francisco Giants, Rick went 19-11 with an ERA of 3.12 while
pitching in 245 innings, and the following year he was 17-8
with an ERA of 2.94. Rick Reuschel retired in 1991 after pitching
3548 lifetime innings and with a career ERA of 3.37. "Big
Daddy" was one of the top pitchers of his time; we salute
your "give it your all playing attitude."
Thanks for the memories.
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