| Dick Tidrow | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1947-05-14)May 14, 1947 San Francisco,California, U.S. | |
| Died: July 10, 2021(2021-07-10) (aged 74) Lee's Summit, Missouri, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 18, 1972, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| May 7, 1984, for the New York Mets | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 100–94 |
| Earned run average | 3.68 |
| Strikeouts | 975 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Richard William Tidrow (May 14, 1947 – July 10, 2021) was an American professionalbaseballpitcher and the senior vice president of player personnel and senior advisor to thegeneral manager for theSan Francisco Giants ofMajor League Baseball (MLB).[1]
Originally astarting pitcher when he came up to MLB with theCleveland Indians in 1972, he was moved into thebullpen byNew York YankeesmanagerBill Virdon toward the end of the 1974 season. He acquired his nickname, "Dirt", while playing for the Yankees, for his somewhat unkempt appearance and his tendency to get his uniform shirt dirty even before the start of a game.[2]
Tidrow was born inSan Francisco on May 14, 1947.[3][4] Drafted his senior year atMount Eden High School inHayward, California, by theWashington Senators in the seventeenth round of the1965 Major League Baseball draft, he decided instead to attend nearbyChabot College. He was also drafted by his hometownSan Francisco Giants and theCincinnati Reds, but opted not to sign with either club. TheCleveland Indians selected him in the fourth round of the January 1967 secondary draft. He signed with them on May 13, 1967.[3] Tidrow also served in theU.S. Marine Corps from 1968 to 1971.[5]
Over five seasons in the Indians'farm system, Tidrow compiled a 33–20 record, with a 3.65earned run average and 441strikeouts before joining the major league roster out ofspring training in 1972.[6] He made his MLB debut on April 18, 1972, at the age of 24, giving up fourearned runs and striking out one over 1 inning before being charged with the 4–2 loss to theBoston Red Sox.[7] His second start against theBaltimore Orioles saw him pitch five scoreless innings before surrendering a two-runhome run toTerry Crowley in the sixth. The Indians ultimately won 9–2 for Tidrow's first major league win.[8] Facing the Yankees on May 17, Tidrow allowed a firstinning solo home run toBobby Murcer but held the Yankees scoreless for the remaining eight innings for his first careercomplete game, and to improve his record to 4–2.[9] Tidrow then lost six of his next seven starts with a 7.87 ERA. After a couple of relief appearances, he pitched his first careershutout against theTexas Rangers on July 15.[10] He then pitched consecutive 1–0 shutouts on July 31[11] and August 4.[12] Overall, Tidrow compiled a 14–15 win–loss record with a 2.77 ERA in his rookie year.[3]
The following season saw Tidrow throw a two-hit shutout of theOakland Athletics on April 25 for his second win of the season. Tidrow allowed a lead offsingle toBert Campaneris, then only allowed one more hit and threewalks the rest of the game.[13] The losing starter for the A's wasRollie Fingers. Three games into the 1974 season, Tidrow was 1–2 with an 8.36 ERA. He allowed twounearned runs in the first inning of his fourth start of the season, and two more in the fifth for his third loss of the season.[14] Two days later, he,first basemanChris Chambliss, and pitcherCecil Upshaw were traded to the Yankees for pitchersFred Beene,Tom Buskey,Steve Kline, andFritz Peterson.[15]
Although the Yankees were initially criticized for the aforementioned trade with the Indians,[16] with the deal nicknamed "The Friday Night Massacre", it ultimately turned out in their favor.[17] As the season progressed, Tidrow gained more opportunities out of the bullpen. His record in 1974 as a starter for the Yankees was 9–9 with a 4.17 ERA and as a reliever for the Yankees in 1974 was 2–0 with a 2.45 ERA,[3] and Tidrow earned his first careersave on September 12 against the Orioles.[18]
Tidrow appeared in 37 games, all in relief, during the 1975 season. With he andSparky Lyle at the top of their bullpen, the Yankees' bullpen had a 3.19 ERA and twenty saves. For his part, Tidrow had a 3.12 ERA and six of the bullpen's twelve wins. He was primarily known as asetup man (the pitcher who would come on before thecloser), however, he closed 23 games, and earned five saves.[3]
The 1976 Yankees' bullpen was more dominant than the previous season's.[19] Yankees' relievers had a 2.56 ERA and held opposing batters to a .224 average. Tidrow was 3–5 with a 2.67 ERA and ten saves over 77.2 innings out of the Yankees' bullpen. He also made two emergency starts, both in the second game ofdoubleheaders, and in both cases, he pitched exceptionally. Against theMilwaukee Brewers on June 27, Tidrow pitched seven innings and allowing tworuns for his third win of the season.[20] On July 6, he exited in the eighth inning after theKansas City Royals tied the score at two. The Yankees scored five in the bottom of the eighth for the win.[21]
The1976 Yankees took Tidrow to the postseason for the first time in his career. He appeared in three games of the1976 American League Championship Series with theKansas City Royals, winning the decisive game five.[22] He also appeared in two games of the1976 World Series against Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine." He pitched two innings of scoreless ball in game three;[23] in game four, he surrendered a ninth-inning three-run home run toJohnny Bench that cemented the Reds' four-game sweep of the Series.[24]
In 1977, Sparky Lyle became the firstAmerican League reliever to win theCy Young Award.[25] As the setup man in the Yankees bullpen, Tidrow was 6–4 with a 3.54 ERA and five saves.[3] His 104.1 innings as a reliever were second on the team to Lyle's 137.[26][27]
In late August, with injuries toCatfish Hunter[28] andDon Gullett, Tidrow was moved into thestarting rotation. In seven starts, he went 5–0 with a 2.31 ERA. The team also won both of hisno decisions, in which he pitched 14.1 innings, and allowed four earned runs.[27] His performance helped the Yankees surge from third place,4+1⁄2 games back of the Red Sox, to first place, and a second consecutive trip to the postseason.[29]
Tidrow was back in the bullpen for theAmerican League Championship Series, as the Yankees faced the Royals for a second year in a row. Gullett, who had been dominant since his return to the rotation (4–1, 2.48 ERA, 3 complete games in September), lasted just two innings in game one, and was tagged for four runs. Tidrow took over, and pitched into the ninth, allowing three more runs.[30] He also faced three batters in game four, giving up adouble, a ground out and awalk.[31] In the1977 World Series, Tidrow appeared in two games, and served up a two-run home run toReggie Smith in3+2⁄3 innings of work.[32]
Following theirWorld Series victory, the Yankees improved their bullpen by signingfree agent closersRich Gossage andRawly Eastwick. Tidrow had off season surgery. When he returned, he was added to the starting rotation.[2]
Through May, the Red Sox,Detroit Tigers, and Yankees were involved in a three-way race atop theAmerican League East. On May 25, Tidrow pitched a complete game victory over the Indians.[33] He went on to lose each of his next three decisions, and the Yankees lost both of his no decisions.[34] The Yankees mounted a comeback to conclude their 162-game schedule with an identical 99–63 record as the Red Sox, forcing the first tiebreaker playoff game in the AL since 1948.[35] Tidrow, however, had an off-year. In 25 starts, he was 7–10 with a 3.83 ERA. He made six relief appearances, and was 0–1 with a 3.91 ERA.[3]
The Yankees defeated the Royals in the1978 American League Championship Series for the third year in a row to face theLos Angeles Dodgers in the World Series a second year in a row. Tidrow returned to the bullpen for the postseason. As was the case a year before in game one of the ALCS, Tidrow was used as an "Innings eater" in game two of the ALCS when the starter got knocked out early. Light-hitting RoyalsshortstopFreddie Patek, who had two home runs during the regular season, homered off Tidrow.[36] In the1978 World Series, Tidrow made two relief appearances. One of his best postseason performances came in game four. Entering the game in the sixth inning with the Yankees trailing 3–0, Tidrow struck out four in pitching three innings of scoreless ball. The Yankees, meanwhile, scored two in the sixth and another in the eighth to tie the game, and eventually won it inextra innings.[37]
Tidrow began the 1979 season poorly. He was 2–1 with two saves, but a high 7.94 ERA when he was dealt to theChicago Cubs forRay Burris.[38]
In hisNational League debut, Tidrow pitched two innings of scoreless relief against theNew York Mets.[39] In his second game as a Cub, Tidrow pitched three hitless innings for his first NL save.[40] In his third game, he earned his first win. He entered in relief ofMike Krukow in the third inning, and after allowing a run in his first inning of work, he held thePhiladelphia Phillies scoreless for four innings.[41] While Burris performed poorly with the Yankees (1–3, 6.18 ERA, before being placed onwaivers in late August),[42][43] the change of scenery unquestionably helped Tidrow. He became managerHerman Franks' favorite long reliever in front ofHall of Fame closerBruce Sutter.[44] On July 27, Tidrow was the winning pitcher in the Cubs' 4–2 win over the Mets, with Sutter earning the save.[45] The victory brought the Cubs within a half game of the first placeMontreal Expos.[46] Tidrow and Sutter were a combined 11–3 with twenty saves and a 1.67 ERA since Tidrow's arrival in Chicago. Tidrow ultimately led Cubs' relievers with 102.2 innings, 63 appearances and eleven wins, even though he only joined the team in late May.[47]
The one strong aspect of the 98-loss1980 Cubs team was its bullpen. Along with Sutter and Tidrow, it featuredBill Caudill (4–6, 1 save, 2.10 ERA, 115.2 IP) and a rookieLee Smith.[48] Tidrow pitched 10.1 innings before allowing his first earned run,[49] with one of his strongest performances that season coming in the April 19 victory over the Mets. He entered in the seventh with the Cubs trailing 9–5. He pitched two innings of one hit ball, while his team mounted an eighth-inning comeback.[50] From May 11 to 14, Tidrow appeared in all four games without a day's rest. He pitched six innings, and allowed just one hit. For the season, he was 6–5 with a 2.79 ERA and six saves, and led Major League Baseball with 84 relief appearances.[3]
Tidrow was handed the reins to the bullpen for 1981, as Sutter was dealt to theSt. Louis Cardinals during the off season.[51] His new role as the top arm in the Cubs' bullpen turned out to be overwhelming for Tidrow. After earning his first win against the Mets on April 11,[52] Tidrow blew a save and lost to the Expos in his next appearance.[53] He would blow a second save and lose again on April 25 against the Phillies[54] before finally earning his first save on May 2.[55] Through theplayers' strike, Tidrow went 2–4 with a 4.29 ERA and only six saves.[3]
The lay off from the strike only made his season worse. When play resumed, he blew his first save opportunity,[56] then lost his next two games in a row.[57][58] In the second half of the season, he had a 1–6 record with a 6.06 ERA, and had just three saves.[59]
Tidrow also began the 1982 season poorly. By his 35th birthday, he had been relegated to "mop-up duty"; he had a 4.96 ERA, and opposing hitters werebatting .389.[3] He won his first game on May 21,[60] and progressively got better as the season went on (2–0, 3.33 ERA in June; 1–1, 2 SV, 2.82 ERA in July; 2–0, 3 SV, 2.40 ERA in August).[61] He returned to his setup man role by the end of July and ended the season at 8–3 with a 3.39 ERA and six saves.[3] He led his team with103+2⁄3 innings pitched in relief.[62]
During the off season, the Cubs engineered a trade with their crosstown rivalChicago White Sox, sending Tidrow,Scott Fletcher,Randy Martz, andPat Tabler to the ChiSox for pitchersWarren Brusstar andSteve Trout.[63] Once again, Tidrow was the horse of his team's bullpen, with seven saves and a 4.26 ERA in a team-leading 88.2 innings of relief. He also made a start for the first time in five years.[64]
Tidrow seemed to always be on the wrong end of hard luck losses his one season with the White Sox. His first loss on June 10, Tidrow entered in the twelfth inning of a sixteen-inning marathon with theOakland A's, and pitched four innings of one-hit ball. With runners on first and third and twoouts in the sixteenth inning, Tidrow induced what should have been an inning-ending groundball from A's sluggerJeff Burroughs. Instead, shortstopJerry Dybzinski booted it, allowing the winning run to score.[65] He suffered his second loss against the Indians. He entered a tie game, and pitched 3.1 innings of one-hit relief. His one mistake pitch was knocked deep into theleft field seats byAndre Thornton.[66] He also allowed just one hit in his third loss, while pitching 2.2 innings.[67] In his final loss, he did not allow any in two innings pitched.[68] All told, Tidrow held batters to a .100 batting average, and had a 2.13 ERA in his four losses.[3]
The White Sox won 99 games to take Tidrow to the postseason for the fourth time in his career. He made one appearance in the1983 American League Championship Series. He entered in the sixth inning of game three with the Sox trailing the Orioles 6–1. He allowed one run in three innings.[69]
Tidrow signed as a free agent with the Mets for the 1984 season.[70] He pitched a scoreless inning in the season opener,[71] He made eleven appearances with a 9.19 ERA before playing his final major league game on May 7, 1984, one week before his 37th birthday. He was subsequently released by the Mets.[3] Tidrow finished his overall career with a record of 100-94 and 975 strikeouts.
After retiring as a player, Tidrow went back to the Yankees as a special assignment scout from 1985 to 1993.[4] He subsequently joined the San Francisco Giants a year later. He initially acted as their American League scout. He was promoted to special assistant to the general manager in 1996 and director of player personnel in 1997.[72][73]
Along with general managerBrian Sabean, Tidrow built a ballclub that appeared in fourWorld Series, winning three championships (2010,2012, and2014) within a span of five seasons. He oversaw a farm system that producedTim Lincecum,Matt Cain,Madison Bumgarner,Sergio Romo,Pablo Sandoval, andBuster Posey.[73] Tidrow was a senior advisor to the president of baseball operations for the Giants prior to his death.[72]
In 1967, Tidrow married Susan Keeler. Together they had two children, Tammy Lee Tidrow and Richard William Tidrow Jr. They divorced in 1975. Tidrow was married to Mari Jo from 1976 until his death. Together, they had three children: Andy, Matt, and Richelle.[4][73] He had five grandchildren. Riley, Carly, Trista, Marley and Waylon.
Tidrow died on July 10, 2021, inLee's Summit, Missouri. He was 74 years old.[4][73]