| Jack Baldschun | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1936-10-16)October 16, 1936 Greenville, Ohio, U.S. | |
| Died: June 6, 2023(2023-06-06) (aged 86) Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 28, 1961, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 21, 1970, for the San Diego Padres | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 48–41 |
| Earned run average | 3.69 |
| Strikeouts | 555 |
| Saves | 60 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Jack Edward Baldschun (October 16, 1936 – June 6, 2023) was an American professionalbaseballpitcher. He was arelief pitcher inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for all or part of nine seasons (1961–67; 1969–70), for thePhiladelphia Phillies,Cincinnati Reds, andSan Diego Padres. Baldschun threw and battedright-handed, and was listed as 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall, weighing 175 pounds (79 kg).
Baldschun was a graduate ofGreenville High School in his nativeGreenville, Ohio. He was originally signed by theWashington Senators out ofMiami University inOxford, Ohio, in 1956. Baldschun spent only one year in the Washington organization before he was acquired by Cincinnati and assigned to their Class C affiliate inWausau, Wisconsin. In 1957, while playingminor league baseball for theLumberjacks, he met his future wife, Charlotte Kolbe. They were married on April 10, 1958, and had two children, Kim and Brad.
Baldschun was selected by the Phillies in theRule 5 draft on November 28, 1960. After learning how to throw thescrewball, Baldschun made it to themajors as a 24-year-oldrookie in 1961.[1]
Baldschun made his major league debut on April 28, 1961, in relief ofChris Short in a 10-9 Phillies road loss to theSt. Louis Cardinals. Baldschun pitched one inning, allowing no runs, one hit and one walk.[2] That season. the Phillies endured their fourth straight last-place finish with a major league-worst 47–107 mark and a 23-gamelosing streak in August that still stands as a record. Baldschun led allNational League pitchers with 65 appearances and was the only Phillies pitcher with a winning record (5–3).
Baldschun established himself as thecloser by leading the team insaves in each of the next three years (13 in 1962, 16 in 1963, 21 in 1964). During the Phillies'"September swoon" of 1964, Baldschun was used in relief but not as a closer becausemanagerGene Mauch believed he was not going after hitters aggressively enough and was going too deep in the counts.[3] Baldschun continued to fall out of favor with Mauch in 1965, registering only six saves due to a failure to hold leads. His five-season record in Philadelphia was 39–34 with 59 saves.
Baldschun was among theNational League leaders in several categories during his career, including leading the league in games pitched with 65 in 1961. He was also in the league's top 10 in games pitched in 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1969 and in saves in 1961, 1962 and 1964.[1]
Baldschun was traded to theBaltimore Orioles forJackie Brandt andDarold Knowles on December 6, 1965.[4] Baldschun was originally expected to strengthen a bullpen that featured aging veteransDick Hall andStu Miller and lostHarvey Haddix to retirement.[5] Instead he drew the interest of the Reds which acquired him,Milt Pappas andDick Simpson from the Orioles forFrank Robinson three days later on December 9.[6][7] Baldschun went 9–7 with one save for the remainder of his major league career.
Over nine major league seasons, Baldschun had a 48–41 record with 60 saves, 555strikeouts and a 3.69earned run average in 457 games. He had 704innings pitched, allowing 687hits, 45home runs, 298walks (including 67 intentional), 23hit batsmen and 49wild pitches.
Immediately after his playing career ended, Baldschun and his wife Charlotte moved toGreen Bay, Wisconsin, and Jack joined his brother-in-law in a carpentry business. Three years later, he became a salesman for a lumber company.
In retirement, Baldschun became a grandfather and lived in Green Bay.[3] He died of leukemia on June 6, 2023, at the age of 86.[8]