Rick Sawyer
Born: 4/7/1948 in Bakersfield, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1974-04-28 | Final Game: 1977-09-23
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 205 lbs
Full name: Richard Clyde Sawyer
Biography
Rick Sawyer was a professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1974 to 1977. Born in 1948, he made his debut during a transitional period in baseball marked by the emergence of power hitters and a growing emphasis on specialized pitching roles. Sawyer established himself as a reliable arm in the bullpen and rotation, finishing his career with a record of 12-9 and an earned run average (ERA) of 4.49.
Throughout his tenure, Sawyer showcased his ability to strike out hitters, amassing a total of 82 strikeouts over his career. Despite not recording any saves, his contributions on the mound were vital for his teams during his playing years. While his statistical achievements may not place him among the most prominent pitchers of his era, Sawyer's journey through the game reflected the evolving landscape of baseball in the mid-1970s, a time when pitchers were beginning to adapt to the offensive challenges posed by increasingly powerful lineups. He retired on September 23, 1977, leaving behind a legacy as a determined competitor in a dynamic period of the sport.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 9 | 74 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 200.3 | 229 | 100 | 17 | 96 | 82 | 4.49 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | NYY | AL | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.7 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 16.20 | - |
| 1975 | NYY | AL | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.0 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3.00 | - |
| 1976 | SDP | NL | 5 | 3 | 13 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 81.7 | 84 | 23 | 38 | 33 | 2.53 | - |
| 1977 | SDP | NL | 7 | 6 | 56 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 111.0 | 136 | 72 | 55 | 45 | 5.84 | - |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | 44 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0.182 | 0.294 | 0.182 | 0.476 | 0.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | NYY | AL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1975 | NYY | AL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1976 | SDP | NL | 13 | 24 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.208 | 0.0 |
| 1977 | SDP | NL | 56 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 0.150 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 74 | 20 | 6 | 38 | 2 | 2 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | NYA | P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1975 | NYA | P | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1976 | SDN | P | 13 | 11 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 1977 | SDN | P | 56 | 9 | 3 | 24 | 2 | 2 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 74 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield College | Bakersfield | CA | 1967, 1968 |