Dick Bosman
Encyclopedia
Richard Allen Bosman is an American
former Major League Baseball
right-handed pitcher
. He pitched for the Washington Senators (1966–1971), Texas Rangers
(1972–1973), Cleveland Indians
(1973–1975) and Oakland Athletics
(1975–1976). Bosman started the final game for the expansion Senators and the first game for the Texas Rangers. He is the only pitcher in Major League history to miss a perfect game
due to his own fielding error.
in . Following that season, he was drafted from the Pirates by the San Francisco Giants
, and then a year later was drafted again by the Senators. After another season in the minors
, he made his major league debut on June 1, .
Bosman pitched for the Senators, and later the Rangers, for eight seasons. In 1969
he compiled a 14-5 mark and led the league in earned run average
(2.19). He reached a career-high 16 victories in 1970
, one of which was a one-hit, 1-0 shutout
against Minnesota
on August 14. César Tovar
gave him the Twins only hit, a single.
Early in the 1973 season, Bosman was traded by the Rangers, along with outfielder Ted Ford
, to the Indians for pitcher Steve Dunning
. On July 19, 1974, Bosman pitched a no-hitter against the defending World Series Champion
Oakland Athletics, a team that would go on to win the 1974 World Series
to three-peat
after winning the World Series in 1972
and 1973. He missed a rare perfect game
due only to his own throwing error
in the fourth inning, which gave the A's their lone baserunner
in a 4-0 Indians victory.
The following season, Bosman would be traded to the very team he no-hit, as he was traded by the Indians along with Jim Perry
to the A's in exchange for Blue Moon Odom
. During the season, Bosman won 11 games to help Oakland to a division title. He remained with Oakland in , but was released by the A's in spring training
of , bringing his baseball career to an end.
Bosman compiled 82 wins
, 757 strikeout
s, and a 3.67 earned run average
. After retiring, he has served as a pitching coach
for the Chicago White Sox
(1986–1987) Rochester Red Wings
(1988–1991) [Baltimore Orioles AAA farm club from (1961–2002)], Baltimore Orioles
(1992–1994) [Manager Johnny Oates left the Orioles to manage the Rangers and brought Bosman with him], Texas Rangers
(1995–2000), and he has been a coach in the Tampa Bay Rays
' system since 2002.
, Bosman spends his time rebuilding old cars into hot rods. His daily ride is a fire red 1936 Chevy
two-door sedan with a 330 horsepower
(246 kW) Corvette
engine, cruise control, air conditioning and power windows. The body and the backseat are the only things '36 on that car. He also has rebuilt about a dozen cars, including a 1946 Chevy he sold to former Devil Rays pitcher Bobby Witt
and a 1933 Ford
two-door sedan for the left-handed David Wells
.
He is the cousin of former MLB player Duane Kuiper
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former 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...
right-handed 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...
. He pitched for the Washington Senators (1966–1971), 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...
(1972–1973), 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...
(1973–1975) and 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....
(1975–1976). Bosman started the final game for the expansion Senators and the first game for the Texas Rangers. He is the only pitcher in Major League history to miss a perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
due to his own fielding error.
Baseball career
Bosman was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh 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...
in . Following that season, he was drafted from the Pirates by the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, and then a year later was drafted again by the Senators. After another season in the minors
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, he made his major league debut on June 1, .
Bosman pitched for the Senators, and later the Rangers, for eight seasons. In 1969
1969 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators season involved the Senators finishing 4th in the newly-established American League East with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses.- Offseason :* January 8, 1969: John Orsino was purchased from the Senators by the New York Yankees....
he compiled a 14-5 mark and led the league in 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...
(2.19). He reached a career-high 16 victories in 1970
1970 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators season involved the Senators finishing 6th in the American League East with a record of 70 wins and 92 losses.- Offseason :...
, one of which was a one-hit, 1-0 shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
against Minnesota
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
on August 14. César Tovar
César Tovar
César Leonardo Tovar , nicknamed "Pepito" and "Mr. Versatility", was a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins , Philadelphia Phillies , Texas Rangers , Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees...
gave him the Twins only hit, a single.
Early in the 1973 season, Bosman was traded by the Rangers, along with outfielder Ted Ford
Ted Ford
Theodore Henry Ford is a former right-handed Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers from 1970 to 1973....
, to the Indians for pitcher Steve Dunning
Steve Dunning
Steven John Dunning is a former professional baseball player who played seven seasons for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, California Angels, Montreal Expos, and Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball...
. On July 19, 1974, Bosman pitched a no-hitter against the defending World Series Champion
1973 World Series
The 1973 World Series matched the defending champion Oakland Athletics against the New York Mets, with the A's winning in seven games to repeat as World Champions....
Oakland Athletics, a team that would go on to win the 1974 World Series
1974 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 12, 1974 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaReggie Jackson put the A's on the board first with a solo homer in the top of the second off 20-game winner Andy Messersmith...
to three-peat
Three-peat
Three-peat is a contraction of the words three and repeat, which has been trademarked for commercial use by retired basketball coach Pat Riley; the active trademarks in force are registered under numbers 1552980, 1878690, and 1886018...
after winning the World Series in 1972
1972 World Series
The 1972 World Series matched the American League champion Oakland Athletics against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds, with the A's winning in seven games. These two teams would meet again in the fall classic eighteen years later...
and 1973. He missed a rare perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
due only to his own throwing error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in the fourth inning, which gave the A's their lone baserunner
Sal Bando
Salvatore Leonard Bando is a former third baseman and executive in professional baseball who played for the Kansas City & Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers . He batted and threw right-handed. During the A's championship years of 1971-75, he captained the team and led the club in runs batted...
in a 4-0 Indians victory.
The following season, Bosman would be traded to the very team he no-hit, as he was traded by the Indians along with Jim Perry
Jim Perry (baseball)
James Evan Perry, Jr. is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched for 1959-1975 for four different teams. During a 17-year baseball career, Perry compiled 215 wins, 1,576 strikeouts, and a 3.45 earned run average....
to the A's in exchange for Blue Moon Odom
Blue Moon Odom
Johnny Lee Odom was a Major League Baseball pitcher who won three consecutive World Series championships with the Oakland Athletics in , and .-Early years:...
. During the season, Bosman won 11 games to help Oakland to a division title. He remained with Oakland in , but was released by the A's in spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
of , bringing his baseball career to an end.
Bosman compiled 82 wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
, 757 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s, and a 3.67 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...
. After retiring, he has served as a pitching coach
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 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...
(1986–1987) Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
(1988–1991) [Baltimore Orioles AAA farm club from (1961–2002)], Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(1992–1994) [Manager Johnny Oates left the Orioles to manage the Rangers and brought Bosman with him], 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...
(1995–2000), and he has been a coach in the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
' system since 2002.
Personal life
A long time resident of Pinellas County in FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Bosman spends his time rebuilding old cars into hot rods. His daily ride is a fire red 1936 Chevy
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
two-door sedan with a 330 horsepower
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
(246 kW) Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
engine, cruise control, air conditioning and power windows. The body and the backseat are the only things '36 on that car. He also has rebuilt about a dozen cars, including a 1946 Chevy he sold to former Devil Rays pitcher Bobby Witt
Bobby Witt
Robert Andrew Witt was a pitcher for the Major League Baseball Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cleveland Indians, and Arizona Diamondbacks....
and a 1933 Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
two-door sedan for the left-handed David Wells
David Wells
David Lee Wells , nicknamed "Boomer", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Wells was considered to be one of the game's better left-handed pitchers, especially during his years with the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched the fifteenth perfect game in baseball history...
.
He is the cousin of former MLB player Duane Kuiper
Duane Kuiper
Duane Eugene Kuiper is a former Major League Baseball second baseman, and is currently a five-time Emmy award-winning radio and television sportscaster for the San Francisco Giants...
.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
- List of Texas Rangers Opening Day starting pitchers
- List of Washington Senators Opening Day starting pitchers
External links
Sources
- Robbins, Mike (2004). Ninety Feet from Fame: Close Calls with Baseball Immortality (New York: Carroll & Graf). ISBN 0786713356
- Schneider, Russell (2005). The Cleveland Indians Encyclopedia, 3d ed. (Champaign, Ill.: Sports Publishing LLC). ISBN 1582618402