Rich Hinton
Encyclopedia
Richard Michael Hinton is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
. He pitched parts of six seasons between and , including three separate stints with the Chicago White Sox
.
by the Los Angeles Dodgers
, but he did not sign, instead opting to attend the University of Arizona
. During his tenure there, he was drafted three more times, but did not sign until the fourth, when he was selected in the 3rd round in 1969
by the White Sox.
, pitching a perfect 8th inning in relief of Terry Forster
. He would go on to pitch in 18 games that year, including three starts, winning three games and losing four.
. He started that season in the minors, coming up to the majors in May. By September, however, he would be out of the Yankees organization, as his contract was purchased by the Texas Rangers
. Altogether, Hinton pitched in 12 games in , winning one and losing one.
to the Cleveland Indians
for former American League
batting champion Alex Johnson
. However, the Indians kept Hinton for just one season, during which he never appeared in the majors, before releasing him the following spring. He returned to the White Sox, signing with them less than two weeks after his release, and he spent the season in the minors again. In , Hinton returned to the majors, pitching in 15 games for Chicago, but he would soon be on the move again.
along with a minor leaguer in exchange for veteran relief pitcher Clay Carroll
. While Carroll continued on to have a couple more good years, Hinton continued to be on the fringes of the majors, pitching in just twelve games in the majors in and none in , after which Hinton was granted free agency
.
s, the only ones of his career. He also picked up his first major league save on June 3 against the Kansas City Royals
in support of Ken Kravec
. His ERA of 4.02 was also his best since 1972.
for the also-struggling Juan Bernhardt
, who would not play in the majors again. Hinton pitched little better for Seattle, finishing the season with a 1-4 record and a 5.86 ERA. He never pitched in the majors again.
organization.
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...
. He pitched parts of six seasons between and , including three separate stints with 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...
.
Draft history
Hinton was originally drafted in the 23rd round in 19651965 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1965 Major League Baseball Draft is the first year in which a draft took place for Major League Baseball.In Major League Baseball's first Free Agent Amateur Draft, the Kansas City Athletics selected Arizona State sophomore Rick Monday as the number one pick...
by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, but he did not sign, instead opting to attend 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...
. During his tenure there, he was drafted three more times, but did not sign until the fourth, when he was selected in the 3rd round in 1969
1969 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1969 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Washington Senators tabbed slugging outfielder Jeff Burroughs of Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA as the nation's number one pick...
by the White Sox.
First White Sox stint
Hinton advanced fairly quickly to the majors, making his debut in July 1971 against the New York YankeesNew 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...
, pitching a perfect 8th inning in relief of Terry Forster
Terry Forster
Terry Jay Forster is a retired left-handed relief pitcher who played for 16 seasons in the Major Leagues. He played for five teams in his career and recorded 127 saves during his time in the majors....
. He would go on to pitch in 18 games that year, including three starts, winning three games and losing four.
1972: Yankees and Rangers
Shortly after the 1971 season ended, the White Sox traded Hinton to the team against whom he'd made his debut, the Yankees, in exchange for outfielder Jim LyttleJim Lyttle
James Lawrence Lyttle Jr. is a former major league baseball player from Hamilton, Ohio. He played as an outfielder for the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Montreal Expos, and Los Angeles Dodgers...
. He started that season in the minors, coming up to the majors in May. By September, however, he would be out of the Yankees organization, as his contract was purchased by 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...
. Altogether, Hinton pitched in 12 games in , winning one and losing one.
Back to the White Sox
The Rangers traded Hinton again the following spring, sending him along with Nate ColbertNate Colbert
Nathan Colbert Jr. , is a former American Major League Baseball player who was a first baseman with the Houston Astros , San Diego Padres , Detroit Tigers , Montreal Expos and Oakland Athletics .Signed by his hometown St...
to the 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...
for former American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
batting champion Alex Johnson
Alex Johnson
Alexander Johnson Alexander Johnson Alexander Johnson (born December 7, 1942, in Helena, Arkansas is a former professional baseball player. He was an outfielder and designated hitter over parts of 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, California Angels,...
. However, the Indians kept Hinton for just one season, during which he never appeared in the majors, before releasing him the following spring. He returned to the White Sox, signing with them less than two weeks after his release, and he spent the season in the minors again. In , Hinton returned to the majors, pitching in 15 games for Chicago, but he would soon be on the move again.
Cincinnati
In December, Hinton was traded once again, this time to 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....
along with a minor leaguer in exchange for veteran relief pitcher 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...
. While Carroll continued on to have a couple more good years, Hinton continued to be on the fringes of the majors, pitching in just twelve games in the majors in and none in , after which Hinton was granted free agency
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....
.
White Sox, take three
Once again, Hinton found himself in the White Sox organization, and for the first time he would get an extended chance at the majors. He responded by having his best season in , pitching in 29 games, starting four, and pitching a pair of complete gameComplete 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...
s, the only ones of his career. He also picked up his first major league save on June 3 against 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 support of Ken Kravec
Ken Kravec
Ken Kravec , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1975-1982. Ken graduated from Midpark High School and played college baseball at Ashland University.-Fast Facts:...
. His ERA of 4.02 was also his best since 1972.
Final season
Hinton made his major league debut in May, but he wasn't nearly as effective as he'd been the previous year. His ERA with the White Sox went up by two full runs, to 6.04, although he did pick up two more saves. In July, he was traded to the Seattle MarinersSeattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for the also-struggling Juan Bernhardt
Juan Bernhardt
Juan Ramón Bernhardt Coradin is a retired professional baseball player whose career spanned 13 seasons. Bernhardt spent parts of four seasons in Major League Baseball with the New York Yankees , and the Seattle Mariners...
, who would not play in the majors again. Hinton pitched little better for Seattle, finishing the season with a 1-4 record and a 5.86 ERA. He never pitched in the majors again.
Personal life
Hinton is now living in Sarasota with his wife, ex-European model Rita Hinton, and six children. He works as a Green Builder. His son Robert is currently a pitcher in the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
organization.