| Doc Medich | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1948-12-09)December 9, 1948 (age 76) Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 5, 1972, for the New York Yankees | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 2, 1982, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 124–105 |
| Earned run average | 3.78 |
| Strikeouts | 955 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
George Francis "Doc"Medich (born December 9, 1948) is an American former professionalbaseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1972 to 1982. He was a medical student at theUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and acquired the nickname "Doc" during his early baseball career.
While in college, Medich (of Serbian descent) pitched for the Pitt baseball team and played tight end on thePittsburgh Panthers football team.[1]
Medich was drafted by theNew York Yankees in the 30th round of the1970 Major League Baseball draft, and spent three seasons as astarting pitcher in their farm system, going 21–13 over that span with a 2.27ERA.
Medich received a call to the majors in September1972, facing four batters in his major league debut, giving up twosingles and twowalks.[2] From there, Medich improved substantially, as he went 14–9 with a 2.95 ERA in1973 to finish third inAmerican LeagueRookie of the Year balloting. He was also the last Yankee winning pitcher at theoriginalYankee Stadium, pitching a shutout on September 29, 1973 against theDetroit Tigers. In1974, Medich won a career high 19 games for the Yankees, tied with teammatePat Dobson for most wins on the team. Following a1975 season in which he went 16–16 with a 3.50 ERA, the Yankees sent Medich to thePittsburgh Pirates forWillie Randolph,Dock Ellis andKen Brett on December 11, 1975.[3]
Medich spent just one injury plagued season with his hometown Pirates, going 8–11 with a 3.52 ERA. Medich put his medical training to good use during a game on the 11th of April against thePhiladelphia Phillies atVeterans Stadium. A 73-year-old spectator collapsed with aheart attack, and Medich performedcardiopulmonary resuscitation on the spectator.[4] Duringspring training in1977, he was traded to theOakland Athletics withTony Armas,Doug Bair,Dave Giusti,Rick Langford andMitchell Page forChris Batton,Phil Garner andTommy Helms.[5]
Medich was unhappy with his trade as he was a student at theUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and wished to remain near the school. He threatened to retire, but later joined the A's, and went 10–6 with a 4.69 ERA. As he was slated to become a free agent at the end of the season, A's ownerCharlie Finley attempted to sign Medich to an extension. Unsuccessful, he sold Medich's contract to the expansionSeattle Mariners in September. He was 2–0 with a 3.63 ERA in three starts for the Mariners before being placed on waivers, and selected by theNew York Mets. He made one start for the Mets, losing to the Pirates.[6]
Medich signed as a Free Agent with theTexas Rangers following the season, going 9–8 with a 3.74 ERA his first season with the club. His best season was thestrike shortened1981 season in which he went 10–6 with a 3.08 ERA, and tied for the AL lead with fourshutouts withRichard Dotson,Ken Forsch, andSteve McCatty. In five seasons with the club, Medich went 50–43 with a 3.95 ERA.[7]
With the Rangers languishing in sixth place in theAmerican League West, Medich's contract was sold to theMilwaukee Brewers, who were in first place in theAmerican League East, on August 11,1982. On August 27,Rickey Henderson brokeLou Brock's record for most stolen bases in one season against the Brewers with Medich on the mound.[8] Medich reached the post-season for the only time in his career as a member of the Brewers. His only post-season appearance came in game six of the1982 World Series. Already down 7–0 to theSt. Louis Cardinals, Medich entered in the sixth inning, and gave up six runs (four earned) in two innings of work.[9]
Medich entered theUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1970 where he obtained hisMD degree in 1977.[10]
Twice during his baseball career, Medich went into the stands during a game to aid a fan who was suffering a heart attack. In 1976 inPhiladelphia, he performedCPR andmouth-to-mouth resuscitation on a fan who died later that day. In a game on July 17, 1978, between the Texas Rangers and theBaltimore Orioles, he revived a man who was suffering aheart attack.[11] The man survived and lived several more years.
Medich was charged in November 1983 with improperly prescribingPercodan and admitted into asubstance abuse treatment program.[12] At the time he was aresident in surgery atUPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.[13] In 1984, he was sentenced to two years of probation and fined $5,000 (equivalent to $15,133 in 2024) in connection with those charges.[14]
Medich was subsequently accused of having written twelve false prescriptions forpainkillers in 1999. In 2001, he pleaded guilty to twelve counts ofpossession of a controlled substance. In March, he was sentenced to nine years of probation and voluntarily surrendered his right to prescribe painkillers.[12]
TheAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons voted to expel Medich.[15]
· Baseball Almanac