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Jerry Reuss

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Jerry Reuss
Reuss in August 2009
Pitcher
Born: (1949-06-19) June 19, 1949 (age 75)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
September 27, 1969, for the St. Louis Cardinals
Last MLB appearance
October 3, 1990, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
Win–loss record220–191
Earned run average3.64
Strikeouts1,907
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Jerry Reuss (born June 19, 1949)—pronounced "royce"—is an American former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Reuss played for eight teams in his major league career; along with the Dodgers (1979–87), he played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1969–71), Houston Astros (1972–73), and Pittsburgh Pirates (1974–78). At the end of his career (1987–90), he played for the Cincinnati Reds, California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Pirates again (Reuss is one of only two Pirates to have played for Danny Murtaugh, Chuck Tanner, and Jim Leyland, the other being John Candelaria). With the Dodgers, he won the 1981 World Series over the New York Yankees. In 1988 he became the second pitcher in history, joining Milt Pappas, to win 200 career games without ever winning 20 in a single season (a feat later matched by: Frank Tanana, Charlie Hough, Dennis Martínez, Chuck Finley, Kenny Rogers, and Tim Wakefield).[1]

Early life

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Reuss was born on June 19, 1949, in St. Louis, Missouri.[2] As a child, he dreamed of playing baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Ritenour High School in Overland, Missouri, where he played baseball and basketball. In both 1966 and 1967, he led Ritenour to the Missouri state baseball championship. He also played American Legion baseball.[3][4]

He signed a letter of intent to attend Southern Illinois University (SIU), but once he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, he followed his American Legion coach's advice to sign with them if they offered him a contract in the belief Reuss could become a major league pitcher.[4] He still attended SIU, which allowed him to receive a draft deferment during the Vietnam War.[5]

Career

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St. Louis Cardinals (1967-71)

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Reuss was drafted in the second round of the 1967 Major League Baseball draft by the Cardinals, with the 30th overall selection.[6] Only 18-years old, he spent the majority of 1967 pitching for the Single-A Cedar Rapids Cardinals in the Cardinal's minor league system. He had a 2–5 won–loss record in nine starts, but an excellent 1.86 earned run average (ERA).[7][8] He played the 1968 season for the Double-A Arkansas Travelers, with a 7–8 record, but again with an excellent ERA (2.17).[9] In 1969, he was promoted to the Triple-A Tulsa Oilers, where he had his first winning record (13–11), but a 4.06 ERA, striking out 151 batters in 186 innings pitched.[10]

He was called up to the St. Louis Cardinals for the first time in 1969. Reuss won his first Major League game in 1969, a 2–1 victory over the Montreal Expos, pitching seven innings without giving up a run; and became part of the starting rotation in 1970.[8][11][12] In 1970, he played a portion of the season in Tulsa (7–2 with a 2.12 ERA),[8] and was called up to the Cardinals where he started 20 games (going 7–8 with a 4.10 ERA).[13] He played a full season for the Cardinals in 1971, starting 35 games, with a 14–14 record and 4.78 ERA.[13] During his time with the Cardinals he started 56 games, with a 22–22 record and 4.43 ERA.[13]

Houston Astros (1972-73)

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In the spring of 1972, Reuss wanted a raise from $17,000 to $25,000. Cardinals general manager Bing Devine, under owner Gussie Busch's directive, was unwilling to give more than $20,000. Reuss also grew a mustache that raised Busch's ire. When Reuss refused to bend on the salary issue, Busch directed Devine to "get rid of him".[citation needed] Devine then traded Reuss to the Astros for Scipio Spinks and Lance Clemons on April 15, 1972.[14] Reuss said that Devine later told him the chief reason he was traded was because Busch disapproved of Reuss's blond mustache, and not chiefly Reuss's negotiation style.[15] The trade was crushing for Reuss because of his lifelong feelings about wanting to play for his hometown Cardinals.[16]

The trade looked like a fairly even swap at the time.[citation needed] While Spinks had shuttled between Houston and their top minor league affiliate, the Oklahoma City 89ers, over the last three years, he had been almost unhittable during his minor league stints.[citation needed]

Spinks had pitched well in Single-A baseball in 1968, but with the Triple-A 89ers in 1969 he was 7–11 with a 5.48 ERA, 9–12 with a 3.30 ERA in 1970, and 9–6 with a 3.25 ERA in 1971. He played in 10 games for the Astros in 1970-71.[17] In trading Spinks, Astros manager Harry Walker thought Spinks could win six-eight games a season, while Reuss had the potential to win 14-18 games a year.[18] Spinks had an excellent start with the Cardinals in 1972, but never recovered from a freak knee injury he suffered on July 4, 1972. Although a pitcher, Spinks was used as a pinch runner because of his speed. He ran through his third-base coach's signal to stop at third base, racing towards home plate where he collided with catcher Johnny Bench, tearing knee ligaments. Spinks needed knee surgery, and then needed shoulder surgery in 1973 because of a sore arm, which would be his last major league season. He was out of baseball by 1976.[18]

During his two seasons with the Astros, Reuss was 9–13 with a 4.17 ERA in 1972, but in 1973, he improved to 16–13 with a 3.74 ERA, tied for 7th best in the National League for wins. Reuss tied for the league lead in games started (40) and walks allowed with 117 in 1973.[13][19]

Pittsburgh Pirates (1974-78)

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After the 1973 season, the Astros traded Reuss to the Pirates for Milt May.[20] After the October 31, 1973 trade, Reuss responded, "I'm surprised because the Astros received only a second‐string catcher for me. I thought I was worth more than Milt May."[21] In the offseason, he attended the University of California, Santa Barbara.[22]

In his first three seasons with the Pirates (1974-76) he had winning records, 16–11, 18–11, and 14–9, respectively. In 1975, in addition to his Pirates best won-loss record, he had a 2.54 ERA, and was selected to play on the NL All-Star team.[13][23] Reuss was named starting pitcher for All-Star game, and pitched three innings, without allowing a run.[24] He was 23rd in most valuable player voting that year.[25] He was fourth best in the league for most wins and in ERA.[26]

Reuss had a down year in 1977 (10–13 with a 4.11 ERA), and had shoulder problems which limited his availability in 1978.[13][15] The Pirates traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher Rick Rhoden before the start of the 1979 season.[20]

Los Angeles Dodgers (1979-86)

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Reuss was 7–14 with a 3.54 ERA for the Dodges in 1979, but in 1980 Reuss had one of the best seasons of his career. He had 18 wins and only six losses, a 2.51 ERA (fourth best in the major leagues) and led the majors in shutouts with six.[13][27] He also threw a no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants on June 27, striking out only two batters, narrowly missing a perfect game due to a throwing error in the first inning by shortstop Bill Russell. Reuss's no-hitter is just one of ten in baseball history in which a pitcher did not walk or hit a batter, but whose perfect game bid was foiled by a fielding error.[28] Reuss finished second behind Steve Carlton in the running for the Cy Young Award, and won the Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award.[29][30] He was also selected for the second time to the NL All-Star team and struck out all three batters he faced in that year's game, earning the win.[31][32][33]

In 1981 Reuss went 10–4 with a career-low 2.30 ERA in a strike-shortened season.[13][34] He defeated Nolan Ryan and the Houston Astros 4–0 in the deciding game five of the NL West division series, throwing a complete game five-hitter.[35][36][37] He lost Game 3 of the 1981 National League Championship Series to the Montreal Expos,[38] and went 1–1 in two games against the New York Yankees in the 1981 World Series, helping the Dodgers win the title.[39][40][13] In his Game 5 victory over the Yankees, Reuss pitched a complete game five-hitter, allowing only one run in a 2–1 victory over Ron Guidry.[40]

In 1982, Reuss was 18–11 with a 3.11 ERA.[13] On June 11, 1982, Jerry Reuss recorded 27 consecutive outs in a game, with only the opponent's leadoff batter reaching base (double by Reds' Eddie Milner, who reached third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a fielder's choice).[41]

Reuss had two more winning seasons with the Dodgers before injuries took their toll. His last good season with the Dodgers was in 1985 (14–10, 2.92 ERA), but in 1986, at age 37, he suffered a sore elbow requiring surgery after a dismal start to the season (2–6 with a 5.84 ERA).[13][15] Reuss was released at the beginning of the 1987 season.[20] In his time with the Dodgers, Reuss had a 86–69 record with a 3.11 ERA, and five seasons of winning 10 or more games.[13]

Final playing years

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He then played for the Reds, going 0–5 before getting released again, and then for the Angels before becoming a free agent.[13][20] Reuss then signed with the Chicago White Sox on March 29, 1988,[42] leading White Sox pitchers with a 13–9 season,[43] and earning his 200th career win that year.[1] He was acquired by the Milwaukee Brewers, in need of a veteran fifth starter for its pennant drive, from the White Sox for Brian Drahman at the trade deadline on July 31, 1989.[42] Reuss retired following the 1990 season.[31]

During these last years, he took extensive photographs of the stadiums in which he played, which proved to be a popular collection.[16]

Post baseball career

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Reuss in September 2008

Reuss became a baseball broadcaster, working nationally for ESPN from 1991 to 1993,[44][15] and The Baseball Network in 1995.[5] He was also a color commentator for the California/Anaheim Angels from 1996[15] to 1998. He served as a pitching coach with the minor league Iowa Cubs (2001-03)[45] before returning to broadcasting with the Dodgers from 2006 to 2008, serving as a color commentator alongside Rick Monday.[46]

Jerry has also broadcast for the Las Vegas Stars (1994, 1995, and 1999), the Las Vegas 51's (2005–2018),[47] and the Las Vegas Aviators (2019-current).[48]

In 2014, Reuss's autobiography, Bring In the Right Hander!, was published by University of Nebraska Press.[49] Library Journal called Reuss "a gifted storyteller" who describes "what it's like to be both an aspiring teenage ballplayer newly signed to a contract and a 40-year-old athlete clinging to the baseball life he loves so much."[50]

On January 31, 2016, Jerry was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame located in Springfield, Missouri.[3] Jerry was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame on May 23, 2019.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Reuss Gets His 200th Victory". Los Angeles Times. May 10, 1988. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  2. ^ "Jerry Reuss Stats, Height, Weight, Research & History | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Booher, Kary (January 12, 2016). "Inductee: Missouri native & 22-year big-leaguer Jerry Reuss 'was one of the lucky ones' – Missouri Sports Hall of Fame". Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Jerry Reuss". St Louis Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Player Profile: Jerry Reuss – LA Dodger Talk". July 17, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  6. ^ "1967 Baseball Draft by Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  7. ^ "1967 Cedar Rapids Cardinals Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c "Jerry Reuss Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  9. ^ "1968 Arkansas Travelers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  10. ^ "1969 Tulsa Oilers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  11. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals vs Montreal Expos Box Score: September 27, 1969". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  12. ^ "1970 St. Louis Cardinals Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Jerry Reuss Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  14. ^ "Cardinals Trade Reuss To Astros for 2 Pitchers". The New York Times. April 16, 1972. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  15. ^ a b c d e Hirsch, Paul. "Jerry Reuss – Society for American Baseball Research". SABR.org. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "They Were There: The TGG Interview with Jerry Reuss". This Great Game. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  17. ^ "Scipio Spinks Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  18. ^ a b Costello, Rory. "Scipio Spinks – Society for American Baseball Research". SABR.org. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  19. ^ "1973 National League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  20. ^ a b c d "Jerry Reuss Trades and Transactions by Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  21. ^ Rogers, Thomas (November 2, 1973). "People in Sports: Trade Stuns Reuss". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  22. ^ Gort, Peter (January 30, 1975). "Baseball Season Underway". Daily Nexus. Santa Barbara, California. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  23. ^ "1975 Pittsburgh Pirates Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  24. ^ "1975 All-Star Game Box Score, July 15". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  25. ^ "1975 Awards Voting". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  26. ^ "1975 National League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  27. ^ "1980 Major League Baseball Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  28. ^ "June 27, 1980 Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants Play by Play and Box Score". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  29. ^ "1980 Awards Voting". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  30. ^ "Comeback Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News". baseball-almanac.com. Baseball-Almanac. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  31. ^ a b "Jerry Reuss Statistics and History". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  32. ^ "July 8, 1980 All-Star Game Play-By-Play and Box Score". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  33. ^ "1980 All-Star Game Box Score, July 8". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  34. ^ Hensler, Paul. "1981 Winter Meetings: The Post-Strike Intrigue of Kuhn, Smith, and Templeton – Society for American Baseball Research". SABR.org. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  35. ^ Bauer, John. "October 11, 1981: Reuss, Dodgers knock out Ryan, Astros in Game 5 – Society for American Baseball Research". SABR.org. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  36. ^ "1981 Postseason History". MLB.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  37. ^ "1981 National League Division Series (NLDS) Game 5, Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Dodgers: October 11, 1981". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  38. ^ "1981 National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 3, Los Angeles Dodgers vs Montreal Expos: October 16, 1981". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  39. ^ "1981 World Series Game 1, Los Angeles Dodgers vs New York Yankees: October 20, 1981". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  40. ^ a b "1981 World Series Game 5, New York Yankees vs Los Angeles Dodgers: October 25, 1981". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  41. ^ "June 11, 1982 Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers Play by Play and Box Score". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  42. ^ a b "Brewers acquire Reuss - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  43. ^ "1988 Chicago White Sox Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  44. ^ "They Were There: The TGG Interview with Jerry Reuss". This Great Game. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  45. ^ "Iowa Cubs - Team History | The Baseball Cube". www.thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  46. ^ Hoffarth, Tom (December 13, 2008). "Dodgers seeking a new voice for TV coverage". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  47. ^ "Meet former Dodger Jerry Reuss, the preeminent baseball prankster of the modern era". MLB.com. August 5, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  48. ^ "Web Extra: Aviators broadcasters talk about first season in LV Ballpark". KLAS. August 8, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  49. ^ "Bring In the Right Hander! – University of Nebraska Press". nebraskapress.unl.edu. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  50. ^ Jerry, Reuss. "Bring in the Right-Hander! My Twenty-Two Years in the Major Leagues". Library Journal.
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Preceded by No-hitter pitcher
June 27, 1980 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day
Starting pitcher
1982 		Succeeded by
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