Dave Hamilton (baseball)
Encyclopedia
David Edward Hamilton is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
who won three World Series
championships as a member of the Oakland Athletics
in the early 1970s.
in Edmonds, Washington
by the Kansas City Athletics in the fifth round of the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft
. He spent six seasons in their farm system before receiving a call up to the Oakland Athletics in May of . He won his major league debut on May 29, starting
the second game of a doubleheader
with the Texas Rangers
.
He ended the season at 6-6 with a 2.93 earned run average
as the A's headed to the 1972 American League Championship Series
against the Detroit Tigers
. Hamilton made only one appearance in the ALCS, blowing a save opportunity in game four. He appeared twice in the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds
. He faced just one batter, Joe Morgan
in game five, and got a double play
on a fly ball to Matty Alou
in right field in which Pete Rose
tried to score from third. In game six, the "Big Red Machine" tagged Hamilton for four runs in just two-thirds of an inning.
The A's returned to the World Series again in & , but Hamilton never made a post-season appearance either year. On June 15, , he and Chet Lemon
were traded to the Chicago White Sox
for Stan Bahnsen
and Skip Pitlock
.
in Oakland, he was used strictly out of the bullpen
by White Sox manager, Chuck Tanner
. He earned his first major league save on June 25, and went on to earn 25 in three seasons with the club. On November 28, , he and Silvio Martinez
were sent to the St. Louis Cardinals
to complete an August 31 deal in which the Chisox sent two players to be named later to the Cards for Clay Carroll
.
. When Ken Boyer
replaced Rapp at the helm, Hamilton was given the opportunity to redeem himself, but after blowing a save against the San Diego Padres
on back-to-back home runs by Gene Tenace
and Rick Sweet
, found himself again in the mop-up role. He appeared in thirteen games for the Cardinals, all of which were losses, and was 0-0 with a 6.43 ERA when his contract was sold to the Pittsburgh Pirates
.
shortly afterwards. He began seeing more time in pressure situations, but after failing to perform, found himself again in the now familiar mop-up role. Following the season, he returned to Oakland as a free agent
.
, going 0-3 with an 11.40 ERA at the major league level. After four games with the Pacific Coast League
's Tacoma Tigers in , he retired.
for California High School in San Ramon
in . He is also a project manager for a roofing contractor.
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
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who won three World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
championships as a member of the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in the early 1970s.
Oakland A's
Hamilton was drafted out of Edmonds Woodway High SchoolEdmonds Woodway High School
Edmonds-Woodway High School is one of five high schools in the Edmonds School District in Edmonds, Washington, USA. It serves students in grades 9-12....
in Edmonds, Washington
Edmonds, Washington
Edmonds is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. Edmonds has a view of Puget Sound and both the Olympic Mountains and Cascade Range. The third most populous city in Snohomish County after Everett and Marysville, the population was 39,709 according to the 2010 census...
by the Kansas City Athletics in the fifth round of the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft
1966 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1966 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :A January free agent amateur draft was added for the first time in 1966. Ninety-five prospects were selected in the regular phase and 102 in the secondary phase of the...
. He spent six seasons in their farm system before receiving a call up to the Oakland Athletics in May of . He won his major league debut on May 29, starting
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
the second game of a doubleheader
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...
with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
He ended the season at 6-6 with a 2.93 earned run average
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...
as the A's headed to the 1972 American League Championship Series
1972 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 7, 1972 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, CaliforniaGame 1 pitted ace pitchers Catfish Hunter for the A's and Mickey Lolich for the Tigers, and, as expected, both were brilliant...
against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. Hamilton made only one appearance in the ALCS, blowing a save opportunity in game four. He appeared twice in the World Series against the 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....
. He faced just one batter, Joe Morgan
Joe Morgan
Joe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the...
in game five, and got a double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
on a fly ball to Matty Alou
Matty Alou
Mateo Rojas "Matty" Alou was a Dominican outfielder who spent fifteen seasons in Major League Baseball with the San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates , St. Louis Cardinals , Oakland Athletics , New York Yankees and San Diego Padres...
in right field in which Pete Rose
Pete Rose
Peter Edward Rose , nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989....
tried to score from third. In game six, the "Big Red Machine" tagged Hamilton for four runs in just two-thirds of an inning.
The A's returned to the World Series again in & , but Hamilton never made a post-season appearance either year. On June 15, , he and Chet Lemon
Chet Lemon
Chester Earl Lemon is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. A three time All-Star, he was a member of the World Series champion 1984 Detroit Tigers.-Early years:...
were traded to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Stan Bahnsen
Stan Bahnsen
Stanley Raymond Bahnsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Nicknamed the "Bahnsen Burner," he once made 118 starts over a three year stretch while playing with the Chicago White Sox in the mid 1970s.-New York Yankees:...
and Skip Pitlock
Skip Pitlock
Lee Patrick Thomas Pitlock is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Noted for his unusual wind-up, he had a "herky-jerky" motion which deceived major league batters, and led to 124 career strikeouts in 192.2 innings pitched....
.
Chicago White Sox
Though Hamilton had been used as both a starter and relieverRelief 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 Oakland, he was used strictly out of the bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
by White Sox manager, Chuck Tanner
Chuck Tanner
Charles William "Chuck" Tanner was a left fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was known for his unwavering confidence and infectious optimism. He managed the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series championship in 1979...
. He earned his first major league save on June 25, and went on to earn 25 in three seasons with the club. On November 28, , he and Silvio Martinez
Silvio Martínez
Silvio Ramón Martínez Cabrera is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Martínez pitched all or part of five seasons in the majors, from until , for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.-Sources:...
were sent to the 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...
to complete an August 31 deal in which the Chisox sent two players to be named later to the Cards for Clay Carroll
Clay Carroll
Clay Palmer Carroll is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball with a 15-year career from 1964 to 1978. He pitched for the Milwaukee Braves & Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St...
.
St. Louis Cardinals
Hamilton got off to a poor start with the Cardinals, and soon found himself doing mop-up duty for manager Vern RappVern Rapp
Vernon Fred Rapp is a retired Major League Baseball manager and coach. A career minor league catcher and a successful skipper in the minors, Rapp had two brief tours of duty as a big league manager.-Minor League playing career:...
. When Ken Boyer
Ken Boyer
Kenton Lloyd Boyer was an American Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. During a 15-year baseball career, he played for 1955-1969 for four different teams, playing primarily for the St. Louis Cardinals...
replaced Rapp at the helm, Hamilton was given the opportunity to redeem himself, but after blowing a save against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
on back-to-back home runs by Gene Tenace
Gene Tenace
Fury Gene Tenace , better known as Gene Tenace, is a former Italian-American professional baseball player and current coach in Major League Baseball. He was a catcher and first baseman from through . Tenace was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics from Valley High School in Lucasville, OH and...
and Rick Sweet
Rick Sweet
Ricky Joe Sweet is a former professional baseball catcher. He played three seasons in Major League Baseball between 1978 and 1983, and has since had a long career as minor and major league coach and minor league manager...
, found himself again in the mop-up role. He appeared in thirteen games for the Cardinals, all of which were losses, and was 0-0 with a 6.43 ERA when his contract was sold to 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...
.
Pittsburgh Pirates
After losing his first game as a Pirate, Hamilton earned his first save of the season against the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
shortly afterwards. He began seeing more time in pressure situations, but after failing to perform, found himself again in the now familiar mop-up role. Following the season, he returned to Oakland as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
.
Return to Oakland
The A's were far from a World Series team when Hamilton returned in . Considering the club lost 108 games his first season back, Hamilton's mark of 3-4 with five saves and a 3.70 ERA is respectable. He split between Oakland and the Ogden A'sOgden A's
The Ogden A's were a former minor league baseball team located in Ogden, Utah. They played as the Triple-A farm club of the Oakland Athletics. The team only played for two seasons, and...
, going 0-3 with an 11.40 ERA at the major league level. After four games with the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
's Tacoma Tigers in , he retired.
Career stats
Hamilton was 4-for-25 in 1972 with five walks and two runs scored. In fourteen at-bats over the rest of his career, he never reached base again.Personal life
He currently lives in California with his wife, Lynn, and has three grown children Jonathan, Brian and Christy. He began coaching baseballBaseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
for California High School in San Ramon
San Ramón
San Ramón may refer to:*San Ramón de la Nueva Orán, Argentina*San Ramón, Bolivia*San Ramón, Costa Rica*San Ramón Canton, Alajuela, Costa Rica*San Ramón, Chile*San Ramón, Cuscatlán, El Salvador*San Ramón, Choluteca, Honduras....
in . He is also a project manager for a roofing contractor.