Chuck Hartenstein
Encyclopedia
Charles Oscar Hartenstein [Twiggy] (born May 26, 1942 in Seguin, Texas
) is a former relief pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played for five different teams between the and seasons. Listed at 5' 11", 165 lb., Hartenstein batted and threw right-handed. He was signed by the Chicago Cubs
in 1964 out of the University of Texas at Austin
.
A Texas Longhorns
star pitcher, Hartenstein led his team to the 1962
and 1963
CWS
tournaments. After being signed by Chicago, he led the Texas League
with a 2.19 ERA
in 1965 while pitching for the Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs.Chuck was involved in one of the most amazing pitching feats in Texas League history. On June 17, 1965 Chuck started the game against Austin (Texas). The Spurs had a lead, 1-0, going into the 9th inning when Chuck gave up a tying run. The game continued that way with Chuck pitching 18 (!) innings. He had allowed one run, eight hits, walked four and struck out seven. The game continued through the 25th inning with Austin winning 2-1. At the time it was the longest game in Texas League history.
Hartenstein entered the majors in 1966 with the Cubs, appearing in one game as a pinch runner
. He played for them until 1968, before joining the Pittsburgh Pirates
(1969–70), St. Louis Cardinals
(1970), Boston Red Sox
(1970) and Toronto Blue Jays
(1977). His most productive season came in 1967 for Chicago, when he went 9-5 with a 3.08 ERA and 10 saves
, all career-numbers. He also enjoyed a solid season with the 1969 Pirates, going 5-4 with a 3.85 ERA and 10 saves in a career-high 95⅔ innings pitched
. After six years of absence, he pitched his last major season with the 1977 expansion Blue Jays.
In a six-season career, Hartenstein posted a 17-19 record with a 3.63 ERA and 23 saves in 187 relief appearances, including 88 games finished
, a 1.52 strikeout-to-walk ratio (135-to-89), and 297.0 innings of work.
Following his playing retirement, Hartenstein coached
for the Cleveland Indians
(1979) and Milwaukee Brewers
(1987–89).
Seguin, Texas
Seguin is a city in Guadalupe County, Texas, in the United States. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,011; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had increased to 26,842...
) is a former relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
in 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...
who played for five different teams between the and seasons. Listed at 5' 11", 165 lb., Hartenstein batted and threw right-handed. He was signed by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago 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...
in 1964 out of the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
.
A Texas Longhorns
Texas Longhorns baseball
The Texas Longhorns baseball team represents The University of Texas at Austin and competes in the Big 12 Conference of NCAA Division I.The Texas Longhorns are the winningest program in college baseball history in terms of win percentage with .740 and ranks second all-time in total wins to the...
star pitcher, Hartenstein led his team to the 1962
1962 College World Series
The 1962 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska from June 11 to June 16. The sixteenth tournament's champion was the University of Michigan, coached by Don Lund...
and 1963
1963 College World Series
The 1963 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska from June 10 to June 14. The seventeenth tournament's champion was the University of Southern California, coached by Rod Dedeaux...
CWS
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
tournaments. After being signed by Chicago, he led the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
with a 2.19 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 1965 while pitching for the Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs.Chuck was involved in one of the most amazing pitching feats in Texas League history. On June 17, 1965 Chuck started the game against Austin (Texas). The Spurs had a lead, 1-0, going into the 9th inning when Chuck gave up a tying run. The game continued that way with Chuck pitching 18 (!) innings. He had allowed one run, eight hits, walked four and struck out seven. The game continued through the 25th inning with Austin winning 2-1. At the time it was the longest game in Texas League history.
Hartenstein entered the majors in 1966 with the Cubs, appearing in one game as a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
. He played for them until 1968, before joining the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1969–70), 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...
(1970), Boston Red Sox
Boston 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"...
(1970) and Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
(1977). His most productive season came in 1967 for Chicago, when he went 9-5 with a 3.08 ERA and 10 saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
, all career-numbers. He also enjoyed a solid season with the 1969 Pirates, going 5-4 with a 3.85 ERA and 10 saves in a career-high 95⅔ innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
. After six years of absence, he pitched his last major season with the 1977 expansion Blue Jays.
In a six-season career, Hartenstein posted a 17-19 record with a 3.63 ERA and 23 saves in 187 relief appearances, including 88 games finished
Games finished
In baseball statistics, a relief pitcher is credited with a game finished if he is the last pitcher to pitch for his team in a game. A starting pitcher is not credited with a GF for pitching a complete game...
, a 1.52 strikeout-to-walk ratio (135-to-89), and 297.0 innings of work.
Following his playing retirement, Hartenstein coached
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
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...
(1979) and Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1987–89).