Gene Brabender

Eugene Mathew Brabender (August 16, 1941 – December 27, 1996), nicknamed Lurch, was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent before the 1961 season. He also was a member of the US Army from 1963-1964.[1] He pitched for the Baltimore Orioles (1966–1968), Seattle Pilots (1969), and the Milwaukee Brewers (1970).[2] During a 5-year baseball career, Brabender compiled 35 wins, 440 strikeouts, and a 4.25 earned run average. He stood 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) tall and weighed 225 pounds (102 kg).

Gene Brabender
Brabender with the Seattle Pilots in 1969
Pitcher
Born: (1941-08-16)August 16, 1941
Madison, Wisconsin
Died: December 27, 1996(1996-12-27) (aged 55)
Madison, Wisconsin
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 11, 1966, for the Baltimore Orioles
Last MLB appearance
September 26, 1970, for the Milwaukee Brewers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record35–43
Earned run average4.25
Strikeouts440
Teams

Brabender, described by pitcher Steve Barber as "a hard-throwing right-handed country boy,"[3] made his Major League debut in relief on May 11, 1966. He entered a tie game against the Chicago White Sox in the top of the 10th inning at Memorial Stadium and gave up a run in the 11th, resulting in a 3–2 Orioles loss.

He was part of the Orioles' 1966 World Series champion team, but did not appear in a World Series game. Brabender was 16–14 during his time in Baltimore. The best game of his career was on August 7, 1967 against the Cleveland Indians, pitching a four-hit shutout and striking out 12. He was traded to the expansion Seattle Pilots on March 31, 1969.[4]

Brabender led Seattle with 13 wins in their only season in the Pacific Northwest. The Pilots moved to Milwaukee during 1970 spring training and became the Brewers, and in what would be his final season, Brabender compiled a 6–15 record with a 6.02 ERA.

Brabender died of a brain aneurysm at age 55 on December 27, 1996.[5]

References
  1. "Former Brewer Gene Brabender collapses, dies". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
  2. "Former Brewer Gene Brabender collapses, dies". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
  3. Ball Four (March 31, 1969)
  4. Pilots land Brabender
  5. https://apnews.com/article/c58dce66d82e3010dd7ff56d171d1d12
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.