Mike Paul
Encyclopedia
Michael George Paul is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1968 to 1974 for the Cleveland Indians
, Texas Rangers
and Chicago Cubs
.
Drafted in the 20th round of the 1967 amateur draft
out of the University of Arizona
by the Indians, Paul had success in the minors and in less than two years was in a big league uniform. In 1967, he spent time with the Reno Silver Sox
and Portland Beavers
. With the Silver Sox, he went 3-2 with a 1.63 ERA. In 72 innings (nine games), he struck out 103 batters. He didn't do as well with the Beavers, going 2-4 with a 3.94 ERA with them. However, he did strikeout 37 batters in 32 innings of work. Overall, Paul went 5-6 with a 2.34 ERA. He struck out 140 batters in 104 innings of work (18 games).
Paul again pitched for Reno in 1968, going 2-1 with a 1.09 ERA and 49 strikeouts in four games (33 innings). He was called up to the major leagues and on May 27, he made his big league debut. He performed well in his first appearances, going 2 2/3 innings, striking out four (including the first batter he faced, Frank Kostro), allowing only one hit and earning the save. Overall, Paul went 5-8 with a 3.93 ERA in 91 2/3 innings of work in his rookie season. He allowed only 72 hits in 36 games (seven starts) and he walked 35 batters.
Despite posting a 3.61 ERA for the 62-99 Indians in 1969, his record was only 5-10. In 47 games (12 starts), he struck out 98 batters. He went only 2-8 with a 4.81 ERA in 30 games (15 starts) in 1970. His performance was so unimpressive in fact that he spent 10 games in the minors with the Wichita Aeros
, with whom he went 6-1 with a 2.15 ERA in 71 innings of work. In 1971, he went only 2-7 with a 5.95 ERA in 17 games (12 starts), and he again spent time with Wichita, going 6-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 17 games (107 innings).
On December 2, 1971, Paul was traded with Roy Foster, Rich Hand
and Ken Suarez
to the Rangers for Del Unser
, Denny Riddleberger
, Terry Ley
and Gary Jones
.
Paul had the best year of his career with Texas in 1972, going 8-9 with a 2.17 ERA in 49 games (20 starts). In 161 2/3 innings, he allowed only 149 hits, and he struck out 108 batters. His 2.17 ERA was sixth best in the league, and his 139 Adjusted ERA+ was sixth best as well.
He began the 1973 season with the Rangers, going 5-4 with a 4.95 ERA in 36 games (10 starts). On August 31, he was sent to the Cubs for a player to be named later, which ended up being Larry Gura
. He made 11 appearances (one start) for the Cubs that year, going 0-1 with a 3.44 ERA. Overall, Paul went 5-5 with a 4.68 ERA in 1973.
1974 would end up being Paul's final season in the major leagues. He appeared in only two games, allowing four earned runs in 1 1/3 innings of work for a 27.00 ERA. He played his final game on April 16, against the Pittsburgh Pirates
.
After being released by the Cubs, Paul played in the Mexican League until 1982.
In his major league career, Paul went 27-48 with a 3.91 ERA in 228 appearances (77 starts). In 627 2/3 innings, he walked 246 batters and struck out 452. As a batter, Paul hit .115 in 148 at-bats.
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...
, 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...
and 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...
.
Drafted in the 20th round of the 1967 amateur draft
1967 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1967 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :The June draft was filled with talented prospects who would go on to pro careers...
out of the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
by the Indians, Paul had success in the minors and in less than two years was in a big league uniform. In 1967, he spent time with the Reno Silver Sox
Reno Silver Sox (minor league team)
The Reno Silver Sox were a minor league baseball team that existed on and off from 1947 to 1992. The team name is derived from the nickname of Nevada, the "Silver State". There was another baseball team known as the Reno Silver Sox who played in the Golden Baseball League...
and Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
. With the Silver Sox, he went 3-2 with a 1.63 ERA. In 72 innings (nine games), he struck out 103 batters. He didn't do as well with the Beavers, going 2-4 with a 3.94 ERA with them. However, he did strikeout 37 batters in 32 innings of work. Overall, Paul went 5-6 with a 2.34 ERA. He struck out 140 batters in 104 innings of work (18 games).
Paul again pitched for Reno in 1968, going 2-1 with a 1.09 ERA and 49 strikeouts in four games (33 innings). He was called up to the major leagues and on May 27, he made his big league debut. He performed well in his first appearances, going 2 2/3 innings, striking out four (including the first batter he faced, Frank Kostro), allowing only one hit and earning the save. Overall, Paul went 5-8 with a 3.93 ERA in 91 2/3 innings of work in his rookie season. He allowed only 72 hits in 36 games (seven starts) and he walked 35 batters.
Despite posting a 3.61 ERA for the 62-99 Indians in 1969, his record was only 5-10. In 47 games (12 starts), he struck out 98 batters. He went only 2-8 with a 4.81 ERA in 30 games (15 starts) in 1970. His performance was so unimpressive in fact that he spent 10 games in the minors with the Wichita Aeros
Wichita Aeros
The Wichita Aeros was a minor league baseball franchise based in Wichita, Kansas, that played in the AAA American Association from 1970 through 1984....
, with whom he went 6-1 with a 2.15 ERA in 71 innings of work. In 1971, he went only 2-7 with a 5.95 ERA in 17 games (12 starts), and he again spent time with Wichita, going 6-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 17 games (107 innings).
On December 2, 1971, Paul was traded with Roy Foster, Rich Hand
Rich Hand
Richard Allen Hand . He graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle and attended University of Puget Sound. He is a retired professional baseball player who played four seasons for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and California Angels of Major League Baseball...
and Ken Suarez
Ken Suarez
Kenneth Raymond Suarez is a former right-handed Major League Baseball catcher who played from 1966 to 1973 for the Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers. He was 5'9" tall and he weighed 175 pounds....
to the Rangers for Del Unser
Del Unser
Delbert Bernard Unser is a retired Major League Baseball center fielder and utility player who had a 15-year career from 1968 to 1982. Unser played for the Washington Senators from 1968 to 1971 and the Cleveland Indians in 1972...
, Denny Riddleberger
Denny Riddleberger
Dennis Michael Riddleberger is a retired American professional baseball player. A pitcher, he was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1967, but never saw playing time in the major leagues until he was traded to the Washington Senators with money for George Brunet...
, Terry Ley
Terry Ley
Terrence Richard Ley is a retired baseball pitcher who began his career in the season for the New York Yankees. He was a student of University of Oregon before he was drafted in the 3rd round of the January 1967 draft and was 24 when he made his major league debut on August 20, 1971 for the...
and Gary Jones
Gary Jones (baseball)
Gareth Howell "Gary" Jones is a former left-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played in 1970 and 1971 for the New York Yankees. The brother of fellow MLB player Steve Jones, Gary was 6'0" and 191 pounds.Prior to playing professional baseball, Jones attended Whittier College...
.
Paul had the best year of his career with Texas in 1972, going 8-9 with a 2.17 ERA in 49 games (20 starts). In 161 2/3 innings, he allowed only 149 hits, and he struck out 108 batters. His 2.17 ERA was sixth best in the league, and his 139 Adjusted ERA+ was sixth best as well.
He began the 1973 season with the Rangers, going 5-4 with a 4.95 ERA in 36 games (10 starts). On August 31, he was sent to the Cubs for a player to be named later, which ended up being Larry Gura
Larry Gura
Lawrence Cyril Gura is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from to . He went to Arizona State University and spent 16 years in the Major Leagues. He played for the Chicago Cubs of the National League, and the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals , both of the American League...
. He made 11 appearances (one start) for the Cubs that year, going 0-1 with a 3.44 ERA. Overall, Paul went 5-5 with a 4.68 ERA in 1973.
1974 would end up being Paul's final season in the major leagues. He appeared in only two games, allowing four earned runs in 1 1/3 innings of work for a 27.00 ERA. He played his final game on April 16, against 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...
.
After being released by the Cubs, Paul played in the Mexican League until 1982.
In his major league career, Paul went 27-48 with a 3.91 ERA in 228 appearances (77 starts). In 627 2/3 innings, he walked 246 batters and struck out 452. As a batter, Paul hit .115 in 148 at-bats.