Nelson Briles
Encyclopedia
Nelson Kelley "Nellie" Briles (August 5, 1943 – February 13, 2005) was a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played for the St. Louis Cardinals
(1965–70), Pittsburgh Pirates
(1971–73), Kansas City Royals
(1974–75), Texas Rangers
(1976–77) and Baltimore Orioles
(1977–78). Born in Dorris, California
, he grew up in Chico, California
where he played at Chico Senior High School
and California State University, Chico
before transferring to University of Santa Clara
. Briles batted and threw right-handed.
In a 14-year career, Briles compiled a 129-112 record with a 3.44 ERA
in 2,111 innings pitched
. A hard thrower whose best pitch was a slider, he also exhibited excellent control. He posted a respectable 2.126 strikeout-to-walk ratio (1,163-to-547).
and spot starter
. In 1967, Dick Hughes was promoted into the starting rotation after Bob Gibson
suffered a broken leg when hit by a Roberto Clemente
line drive on July 15. Briles responded by winning nine straight games, leading the National League
in winning percentage (.737, 14-5) and the Cardinals staff in ERA (2.43). He also tossed a complete game
for the Cardinals in Game 3 of their 1967 World Series
win over the Red Sox
.
In 1968, Briles won 19 games (a career-high) and 15 in 1969, but he slumped badly in the next two years. Before the 1971 season, the Cardinals traded Briles, along with Vic Davalillo
to the Pirates for Matty Alou
and George Brunet
. He was 8-4 for the Pirates that season and pitched a complete-game two-hit shutout
against Baltimore in Game 5 of the 1971 World Series
. Briles won 14 in 1972 and 1973, and was sent to Kansas City. He also pitched with Texas and finished his career with the Orioles.
in 1980. He went to work for the organization in 1986 as director of corporate sales and he was also the director of the Pirates' annual fantasy camp.
in Orlando, Florida
, while participating in the annual Pirates alumni golf tournament. He was 61.
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...
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 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...
(1965–70), 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...
(1971–73), Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
(1974–75), 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...
(1976–77) and 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...
(1977–78). Born in Dorris, California
Dorris, California
Dorris is a city in Siskiyou County, California, United States. The population was 939 at the 2010 census, up from 886 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, he grew up in Chico, California
Chico, California
Chico is the most populous city in Butte County, California, United States. The population was 86,187 at the 2010 census, up from 59,954 at the time of the 2000 census...
where he played at Chico Senior High School
Chico Senior High School
Chico High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Chico, California. It currently has 2,083 students.Founded in 1902, it predominately serves as the senior school for graduates of Chico Junior High School. In 1996, Chico High School became a California Distinguished...
and California State University, Chico
California State University, Chico
California State University, Chico is the second-oldest campus in the twenty-three-campus California State University system. It is located in Chico, California, about ninety miles north of Sacramento...
before transferring to University of Santa Clara
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University is a private, not-for-profit, Jesuit-affiliated university located in Santa Clara, California, United States. Chartered by the state of California and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, it operates in collaboration with the Society of Jesus , whose...
. Briles batted and threw right-handed.
In a 14-year career, Briles compiled a 129-112 record with a 3.44 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 2,111 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...
. A hard thrower whose best pitch was a slider, he also exhibited excellent control. He posted a respectable 2.126 strikeout-to-walk ratio (1,163-to-547).
Playing career
Briles began his Major League career with the Cardinals as a 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...
and spot starter
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....
. In 1967, Dick Hughes was promoted into the starting rotation after Bob Gibson
Bob Gibson
Robert "Bob" Gibson is a retired American professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Hoot" and "Gibby", he was a right-handed pitcher who played his entire 17-year Major League Baseball career with St. Louis Cardinals...
suffered a broken leg when hit by a Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in...
line drive on July 15. Briles responded by winning nine straight games, leading the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in winning percentage (.737, 14-5) and the Cardinals staff in ERA (2.43). He also tossed a complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
for the Cardinals in Game 3 of their 1967 World Series
1967 World Series
The 1967 World Series matched the St. Louis Cardinals against the Boston Red Sox in a rematch of the 1946 World Series, with the Cardinals winning in seven games for their second championship in four years and their eighth overall...
win over the Red Sox
1967 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season, often referred to as The Impossible Dream, consisted of the Red Sox shocking New England and the rest of the baseball world by winning the American League Championship and reaching the World Series for the first time since 1946...
.
In 1968, Briles won 19 games (a career-high) and 15 in 1969, but he slumped badly in the next two years. Before the 1971 season, the Cardinals traded Briles, along with Vic Davalillo
Vic Davalillo
Víctor José Davalillo Romero [da-va-LEE-yo] , is a former Venezuelan professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder for the Cleveland Indians , California Angels , St. Louis Cardinals , Pittsburgh Pirates , Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers...
to the Pirates for 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...
and George Brunet
George Brunet
George Stuart Brunet , nicknamed "Lefty" and "Red", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched for the Kansas City Athletics , Milwaukee Braves , Houston Colt .45's , Baltimore Orioles , Los Angeles Angels/California Angels , Seattle Pilots , Washington Senators ,...
. He was 8-4 for the Pirates that season and pitched a complete-game two-hit 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 Baltimore in Game 5 of the 1971 World Series
1971 World Series
The 1971 World Series matched the defending champion Baltimore Orioles against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with the Pirates winning in seven games. Game 4, played in Pittsburgh, was the first-ever World Series game scheduled to be played at night....
. Briles won 14 in 1972 and 1973, and was sent to Kansas City. He also pitched with Texas and finished his career with the Orioles.
Retirement
Following his retirement as a player, Briles returned to Pittsburgh and became a television sportscasterSportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
in 1980. He went to work for the organization in 1986 as director of corporate sales and he was also the director of the Pirates' annual fantasy camp.
Death
Briles collapsed and died of an apparent heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, while participating in the annual Pirates alumni golf tournament. He was 61.