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Eddie Fisher (baseball)

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For the 1902 MLB pitcher, see Ed Fisher (baseball).

Eddie Fisher
Fisher at Camden Yards in 2016
Pitcher
Born: (1936-07-16)July 16, 1936
Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Died: February 17, 2025(2025-02-17) (aged 88)
Altus, Oklahoma, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 22, 1959, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
September 19, 1973, for the St. Louis Cardinals
MLB statistics
Win–loss record85–70
Earned run average3.41
Strikeouts812
Saves82
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Eddie Gene Fisher (July 16, 1936 – February 17, 2025) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, California Angels, and St. Louis Cardinals between 1959 and 1973. He was an All-Star in 1965.

Pitching career

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Fisher played for collegiate baseball for three seasons for the Oklahoma Sooners.[1] Fisher led Pacific Coast League pitchers with 239 innings while playing for the Tacoma Giants in 1960. His minor league record from 1958 to 1961 was 47–28 (.627) with a 3.23 ERA in 93 games (632 innings pitched).

Fisher's best pitch was the knuckleball, and in 1963–1966 he worked out of the White Sox bullpen with fellow flutterball specialist Hoyt Wilhelm.

Fisher started just 63 out of the 690 games he appeared in, and completed 7 of those, two for shutouts. He is better-known, however, for his effective relief work.

In Fisher's 15-year career, 1965 stands out as his best season. He was named to the American League All-Star team and finished 4th in the MVP voting.[2] He pitched the final two innings of the 1965 All-Star Game for the AL, holding the National League scoreless on one hit. He retired Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente and Ron Santo in order in the top of the ninth.

Fisher led the league that season in WHIP (0.974), games pitched (82), and games finished (60), and was second in earned run average (2.40) and saves (24). His 15–7 record gave him a winning percentage of .682, which ranked fourth. The White Sox finished in second place that year with a record of 95–67.

He was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles from the White Sox for Jerry Adair and minor league outfielder John Riddle on June 12, 1966. The transaction strengthened the Orioles' bullpen which had been a weakness since the ballclub faltered from first to third place during the final month of its 1964 campaign.[3] In 44 appearances with the eventual American League pennant winners, he was 5–3 with 13 saves and a 2.64 ERA in 712⁄3 innings. Baltimore won the 1966 World Series, although Fisher did not appear in any of the four games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jim Palmer, Wally Bunker, and Dave McNally all pitched complete games, and the team needed only one relief appearance, provided by Moe Drabowsky.

Fisher spent the 1968 season with the Alvin Dark-managed Cleveland Indians after being traded along with minor leaguers Johnny Scruggs and Bob Scott from the Orioles for John O'Donoghue and Gordon Lund on November 28, 1967.[4] He later pitched for the California Angels. He was released by the Cardinals on October 26, 1973.[5]

Career totals include a record of 85–70 with 81 saves. In 15382⁄3 innings pitched he had 812 strikeouts, an ERA of 3.41, and a low 1.193 WHIP. He had a lifetime batting average of just .122 (30-for-246), but did once have three hits in a game, on September 19, 1960, vs. the Chicago Cubs.

Fisher was selected the 1965 Sporting News Reliever of the Year.[6]

Death

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Fisher died in Altus, Oklahoma, on February 17, 2025, at the age of 88.[7][8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "2022 Oklahoma Sooners baseball Media Guide" (PDF). University of Oklahoma athletics. p. 104. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  2. ^ "Versalles picked most valuable". St. Petersburg Times. AP. November 19, 1965. p. 3C. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  3. ^ Meyers, Jeff. "Bauer Resolves Problem, Creates Big One For AL," United Press International (UPI), Monday, June 13, 1966. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  4. ^ Joyce, Dick. "L.A. Trades Roseboro to Twins," United Press International (UPI), Wednesday, November 29, 1967. Retrieved April 18, 2020
  5. ^ "Cards, Red Sox Confirm Trade of Wise for Smith". The New York Times. October 27, 1973. p. 21. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  6. ^ "Fireman of the Year Award / Reliever of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  7. ^ "Eddie Gene Fisher". Legacy.com. February 20, 2025. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  8. ^ "Eddie Fisher, All-Star reliever and World Series champ, dies at 88". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 22, 2025. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
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