Rick Wise

Richard Charles Wise (born September 13, 1945 in Jackson, Michigan) was a right-handed pitcher in American Major League Baseball for 18 seasons (1964; 1966-82). He was the winning pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series, considered by some to be the greatest World Series game ever played.

Related Topics:
September 13 - 1945 - Jackson, Michigan - Pitcher - American - Major League Baseball - Boston Red Sox - 1975 World Series - World Series

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Wise was only 18 years of age when he debuted for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1964, his second professional season. He developed into a solid starting pitcher, winning 17 games with a 2.88 earned run average for a sub-.500 Phillies team in 1971. The highlight of Wise's Philadelphia career occurred that year on June 23 when he threw a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds and hit two home runs ? one of the greatest days any pitcher has enjoyed. Wise is one of only two pitchers to throw a no-hitter and hit a home run in the same game, the other being Earl Wilson.

Related Topics:
Philadelphia Phillies - Earned run average - No-hitter - Cincinnati Reds - Home runs - Earl Wilson

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The following season, he became an unwitting participant in one of the most one-sided trades of the 1970s. The owner of the St. Louis Cardinals, August "Gussie" Busch, ordered his team to trade its star lefthanded pitcher, Steve Carlton, after a contract squabble. Because all of baseball knew of the trade mandate, teams drove very hard bargains, and the Phils' offer of Wise was the best St. Louis could do. Wise won a total of 32 games during his two seasons (1972-73) in St. Louis, but Carlton won 27 for the last-place 1972 Phillies alone and would go on to anchor their starting pitching staff for the next decade, ultimately winning 329 games and a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Related Topics:
St. Louis Cardinals - August "Gussie" Busch - Steve Carlton - Baseball Hall of Fame

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After the 1973 campaign, Wise was shipped to Boston in the American League for outfielder Reggie Smith. His 1974 season was ruined by an arm injury suffered during a freezing April start at Fenway, but he rebounded in 1975 to win 19 for the Red Sox, winners of the AL East. He then won his only start in the 1975 ALCS against Oakland, and was the relief pitcher of record in Game 6 when Carlton Fisk ended the 12-inning game with his oft-replayed home run.

Related Topics:
American League - Outfielder - Reggie Smith - ALCS - Relief - Carlton Fisk - Home run

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Wise was traded to the Cleveland Indians in spring training of 1978, and won 15 games for a poor team in 1979, before finishing his career with the San Diego Padres. Wise?s career totals: 506 games pitched (455 games started), 188 wins, 181 losses and an ERA of 3.69.

Related Topics:
Cleveland Indians - Spring training - San Diego Padres - ERA

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