Tuesday, January 5, 2021

#128 Eddie Watt

Quietly and unassumingly one of the most consistent relievers in the AL....his prime was buoyed by a second to none starting staff that established a complete game took off a tremendous burden....usual was well rested between appearances....started off for Orioles in their historic WS run of 1966....was a swingman in the rotation 43 games with 14 starts.....9-7 record....set several career highs in rookie year....Despite his contribution no post season work....with complete games being the norm in the WS, he wasn’t needed.....1967 starts a run of exclusive fireman role and stingy ERAs under 2.5 runs a game....A vital part of a mop up crew by committee....his role kept his total saves lower than average....Two campaigns stand out....1969 saved 16 games along a 1.65 ERA both personal bests.....1971 sported a 1.87 ERA despite a mid season injury that may have effectiveness.... with 11 saves accounted for half of the O’s season total....had pinpoint control by walking only 8 batters in his 40 innings....1972 and 1973  surrendered more work to eventual successors like Grant Jackson and Bob Reynolds.... Acquired by the Phillies in a cash only deal 1974....Still led the club in saves but ERA ballooned....Going for youth, released by the Phillies.....scooped up by the Cubs but was relegated mostly to the minors and an unsuccessful 6 game trial in Chicago....In an effort to return to the majors played two years in Padres AAA club in Hawaii...With his prospects diminishing went into a four stint of managing...Once recognized as a good hitting pitcher....hit .302 in rookie season but as his role of a late inning specialist limited plate time....went 1 for 32 from 1968 on.





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