Bobby Locke (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Donald "Bobby" Locke (born March 3, 1934 in Rowes Run, Pennsylvania
) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
pitcher who played from 1959 to 1968 for the Cleveland Indians
, St. Louis Cardinals
, Philadelphia Phillies
, Cincinnati Reds
and California Angels
. He stood 5'11" tall and weighed 185 pounds. He was sometimes called Larry, and at one point worked as a hairstylist.
. He was the starting pitcher for the Indians, and his first pitch was to Don Buddin
. After recording two outs, the first hit he gave up was to Vic Wertz
which resulted in Gene Stephens
scoring the first run against Locke. In his debut he pitched for five and two thirds innings and gave up five runs, but still managed to walk away with the no-decision. However his main contribution on his debut was hitting a home run off Frank Sullivan
, which resulted in three runs being scored. This was to be the only home run of his career.
In 1959 overall, he posted a solid 3.13 ERA
in 24 games, seven of them started. He struck out 40 batters, walked 41 and posted a record of 3-2.
In 1960, Locke posted a mediocre 3-5 record, even though his ERA was a fairly low 3.37. He started 11 of the 32 games he appeared in and struck out 53 batters in 123 innings of work. He completed the only two games of his career that year as well. Both of them were shutouts.
Compared to his previous two seasons, Locke did not perform as well in 1961, posting a 4.53 ERA while giving up 112 hits in 95 1/3 innings. He walked 40 batters and struck out only 37 and posted a 4-4 record.
for Jerry Kindall
. He never actually got to play in a Cubs uniform though, as he was traded right before the 1962 season to the Cardinals for minor leaguer Al Herring.
He started the 1962 season in a Cardinals uniform, but after only one game with them he was traded away to Phillies for Don Ferrarese
. He pitched in only six games between those two teams, posting an ERA of 5.09 with 12 walks and 10 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings of work.
He would end up spending parts of the next two seasons as a reliever with the Phillies, appearing in nine games in 1963 and 8 games in 1964. He posted ERAs of 5.91 and 2.79 respectively, winning zero games and losing zero games as well.
After the 1964 season, he was purchased by the Angels, but did not appear in a big league uniform with them that year. In July 1965, he was traded to the Reds for Jim Coates
and a player to be named later, although the player to be named later was never determined. He posted a poor 5.71 ERA in 1965, appearing in 11 games for the Reds.
He was repurchased by the Angels in June 1966, although he didn't appear in a single major league game that year. He did appear in nine games in 1967, however. He started his first game since 1961 that year, and overall he went 3-0 with a 2.33 on the season.
1968 would he his final season, ending his career on a sour note. Even though 1968 was considered "the year of the pitcher", Locke still managed to post a 6.44 ERA in 29 games for the Angels.
He played his final game on September 29, 1968.
s he collected in his career - two doubles and a home run - were all collected in his first two big league seasons. As a fielder, he posted a .968 fielding percentage
.
Rowes Run, Pennsylvania
Rowes Run, Pennsylvania is one half of the Grindstone-Rowes Run census-designated place located in Redstone Township, which is in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. The other half is Grindstone, Pennsylvania.-History:...
) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher who played from 1959 to 1968 for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
. He stood 5'11" tall and weighed 185 pounds. He was sometimes called Larry, and at one point worked as a hairstylist.
Cleveland Indians
Locke was signed originally by the Indians as an amateur free agent in 1953. He made his big league debut with them at the age of 25 on June 18, 1959 against the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. He was the starting pitcher for the Indians, and his first pitch was to Don Buddin
Don Buddin
Donald Thomas Buddin was an American professional baseball shortstop. He played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox , Houston Colt .45s and Detroit Tigers . Listed at 5' 11" , 178 lb. , Buddin batted and threw right-handed...
. After recording two outs, the first hit he gave up was to Vic Wertz
Vic Wertz
Victor Woodrow Wertz was a Major League Baseball first baseman and outfielder. He had a seventeen year career from 1947 to 1963. He was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Tigers in 1942 and played for the Tigers, St...
which resulted in Gene Stephens
Gene Stephens
Glen Eugene Stephens was an Outfielder for the Boston Red Sox , Baltimore Orioles , Kansas City Athletics and Chicago White Sox...
scoring the first run against Locke. In his debut he pitched for five and two thirds innings and gave up five runs, but still managed to walk away with the no-decision. However his main contribution on his debut was hitting a home run off Frank Sullivan
Frank Sullivan (baseball)
Franklin Leal Sullivan is a retired American professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of eleven seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins. He tied for the American League lead in wins in 1955 with Boston...
, which resulted in three runs being scored. This was to be the only home run of his career.
In 1959 overall, he posted a solid 3.13 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 24 games, seven of them started. He struck out 40 batters, walked 41 and posted a record of 3-2.
In 1960, Locke posted a mediocre 3-5 record, even though his ERA was a fairly low 3.37. He started 11 of the 32 games he appeared in and struck out 53 batters in 123 innings of work. He completed the only two games of his career that year as well. Both of them were shutouts.
Compared to his previous two seasons, Locke did not perform as well in 1961, posting a 4.53 ERA while giving up 112 hits in 95 1/3 innings. He walked 40 batters and struck out only 37 and posted a 4-4 record.
Career after the Indians
After the 1961 season, he was traded to the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Jerry Kindall
Jerry Kindall
Gerald Donald Kindall , is a retired professional baseball player who played second base in the major leagues from 1956-1965 for the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins. Kindall was originally signed up by the Chicago Cubs as a bonus baby...
. He never actually got to play in a Cubs uniform though, as he was traded right before the 1962 season to the Cardinals for minor leaguer Al Herring.
He started the 1962 season in a Cardinals uniform, but after only one game with them he was traded away to Phillies for Don Ferrarese
Don Ferrarese
Donald Hugh "Midget" Ferrarese is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1955 to 1962 with the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals. A left-handed thrower, he threw right-handed. An attendant of St...
. He pitched in only six games between those two teams, posting an ERA of 5.09 with 12 walks and 10 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings of work.
He would end up spending parts of the next two seasons as a reliever with the Phillies, appearing in nine games in 1963 and 8 games in 1964. He posted ERAs of 5.91 and 2.79 respectively, winning zero games and losing zero games as well.
After the 1964 season, he was purchased by the Angels, but did not appear in a big league uniform with them that year. In July 1965, he was traded to the Reds for Jim Coates
Jim Coates
James Alton Coates is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. A right-hander, Coates pitched for the New York Yankees , Washington Senators , Cincinnati Reds and California Angels ....
and a player to be named later, although the player to be named later was never determined. He posted a poor 5.71 ERA in 1965, appearing in 11 games for the Reds.
He was repurchased by the Angels in June 1966, although he didn't appear in a single major league game that year. He did appear in nine games in 1967, however. He started his first game since 1961 that year, and overall he went 3-0 with a 2.33 on the season.
1968 would he his final season, ending his career on a sour note. Even though 1968 was considered "the year of the pitcher", Locke still managed to post a 6.44 ERA in 29 games for the Angels.
He played his final game on September 29, 1968.
Totals
Overall, Locke posted a 16-15 record in 165 games. In 416 2/3 innings pitched, he walked 165 batters and struck out 194 while allowing 432 hits. He was a solid batter in his career, collecting 25 hits in 98 at-bats for .255 career batting average. The three extra base hitExtra base hit
In baseball, an extra base hit , also known as a long hit, is any base hit on which the batter is able to advance past first base without the benefit of a fielder either committing an error or opting to make a throw to retire another base runner...
s he collected in his career - two doubles and a home run - were all collected in his first two big league seasons. As a fielder, he posted a .968 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
.