Rawly Eastwick
Encyclopedia
Rawlins Jackson "Rawly" Eastwick (born October 24, 1950 in Camden, New Jersey
) is a former Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
who played from 1975 to 1981.
in the third round of the 1969 amateur draft. In 1973, he made it to the Indianapolis Indians
of the American Association
and made his major league debut in September 1974 with the Reds. He started back at Indianapolis in 1975 but pitched well and was called up for good. In his rookie season, he tied for the National League
lead in saves with 22.
Eastwick is best remembered for his 1975 World Series
performance against the Boston Red Sox
. He won games 2 and 3 and also earned a save in Game 5 as the Reds won the series in seven. In 1976, Eastwick had his best season, going 11-5 in relief with a 2.06 earned run average
. He also led the league in saves and won the NL Fireman of the Year award
. The Reds won their second consecutive World Series
title.
In 1977, Eastwick got into a contract dispute with the Reds' front office and was traded in June, to the St. Louis Cardinals
. In 1978, he joined the New York Yankees
after signing a five-year, $1.1 million deal. The Yankees then traded him in June to the Philadelphia Phillies
, where he spent the next two seasons. Eastwick posted a 4.90 ERA in 1979 and was released. He then pitched for the Kansas City Royals
in 1980 and the Chicago Cubs
in 1981 before retiring.
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
) is a 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...
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...
who played from 1975 to 1981.
Career
Eastwick attended Haddonfield High School. He was drafted by the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati 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....
in the third round of the 1969 amateur draft. In 1973, he made it to the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
and made his major league debut in September 1974 with the Reds. He started back at Indianapolis in 1975 but pitched well and was called up for good. In his rookie season, he tied for 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...
lead in saves with 22.
Eastwick is best remembered for his 1975 World Series
1975 World Series
The 1975 World Series was played between the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds . It has been ranked by ESPN as the second-greatest World Series ever played...
performance against the 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"...
. He won games 2 and 3 and also earned a save in Game 5 as the Reds won the series in seven. In 1976, Eastwick had his best season, going 11-5 in relief with a 2.06 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...
. He also led the league in saves and won the NL Fireman of the Year award
Rolaids Relief Man Award
The Rolaids Relief Man Award is an annual Major League Baseball award given since the 1976 MLB season to the top relief pitchers of the regular season, one in the American League and one in the National League . Relief pitchers are the pitchers who enter the game after the starting pitcher is...
. The Reds won their second consecutive 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...
title.
In 1977, Eastwick got into a contract dispute with the Reds' front office and was traded in June, 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...
. In 1978, he joined the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
after signing a five-year, $1.1 million deal. The Yankees then traded him in June to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, where he spent the next two seasons. Eastwick posted a 4.90 ERA in 1979 and was released. He then pitched for the 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...
in 1980 and 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 1981 before retiring.