Gene Brabender
Gene Brabender in 1969
Brabender with the Seattle Pilots in 1969
Pitcher
Born: (1941-08-16)August 16, 1941
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died: December 27, 1996(1996-12-27) (aged 55)
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 11, 1966, for the Baltimore Orioles
Last MLB appearance
September 26, 1970, for the Milwaukee Brewers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record35–43
Earned run average4.25
Strikeouts440
Teams

Eugene Mathew Brabender (August 16, 1941 – December 27, 1996), nicknamed "Lurch", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent before the 1961 season. He also was a member of the US Army from 1963 to 1964.[1] He pitched for the Baltimore Orioles (1966–1968), Seattle Pilots / Milwaukee Brewers (1969–1970).[1] During a 5-year baseball career, Brabender compiled 35 wins, 440 strikeouts, and a 4.25 earned run average. He stood 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) tall and weighed 225 pounds (102 kg).

Brabender, described by pitcher Steve Barber as "a hard-throwing right-handed country boy,"[2] made his Major League debut in relief on May 11, 1966. He entered a tie game against the Chicago White Sox in the top of the 10th inning at Memorial Stadium and gave up a run in the 11th, resulting in a 3–2 Orioles loss.[3] He was part of the Orioles' 1966 World Series champion team, but did not appear in a World Series game. Brabender was 16–14 with a 3.39 ERA in 82 games (30 starts) during his time in Baltimore.[4] He pitched the best game of his career on August 7, 1967, against the Cleveland Indians, tossing a four-hit shutout while striking out 12 batters.[5]

He along with Gordon Lund was traded from the Orioles to the Seattle Pilots for Chico Salmon on March 31, 1969.[6] Brabender led Seattle with 13 wins in their only season in the Pacific Northwest.[4] The Pilots moved to Milwaukee during 1970 spring training and became the Brewers, and in what would be his final season, Brabender compiled a 6–15 record with one save and a 6.02 ERA in 29 games (21 starts).[4]

Brabender died of a brain aneurysm at age 55 on December 27, 1996.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Former Brewer Gene Brabender collapses, dies". Associated Press. December 30, 1996. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  2. ↑ Ball Four (March 31, 1969)
  3. ↑ "Chicago White Sox vs Baltimore Orioles Box Score: May 11, 1966". Baseball-Reference.com. May 11, 1966. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "Gene Brabender Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Cleveland Indians vs Baltimore Orioles Box Score: August 7, 1967". Baseball-Reference.com. August 7, 1967. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Pilots Land Brabender". Spokane Daily Chronicle. April 1, 1969. Retrieved November 20, 2015 – via Google News.
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