| Paul Lindblad | |
|---|---|
_-_El_Paso_Diablos_-_1988.jpg) Lindblad in 1988 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1941-08-09)August 9, 1941 Chanute, Kansas, U.S. | |
| Died: January 1, 2006(2006-01-01) (aged 64) Arlington, Texas, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 15, 1965, for the Kansas City Athletics | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 1, 1978, for the New York Yankees | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 68–63 |
| Earned run average | 3.29 |
| Strikeouts | 671 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Paul Aaron Lindblad (August 9, 1941 – January 1, 2006) was an AmericanMajor League Baseball left-handedmiddle-relief pitcher. During his career, he pitched primarily for theKansas City / Oakland Athletics. At the time of his retirement in 1978, he had recorded the seventh-mostappearances (655) of any left-hander in history.
Lindblad was born inChanute, Kansas. A member of threeWorld Series championship teams, he was a solidleft-handed specialist in theAmerican League for 14 seasons. A very fine fielder as well, he set a major league record by playing from 1966 to 1974 without making anerror in 385 games.
Lindblad was signed by the Kansas City Athletics in 1962, who moved toOakland in 1968. His most productive season came in 1969, when he posted career highs with ninewins and ninesaves. A year later he followed with an 8–2 mark, and in the 1971 midseason he was traded to the Washington Senators, who became theTexas Rangers a year later. With Texas, he led American League pitchers with 66 appearances in 1972. After the 1972 season, the Rangers traded Lindblad to the Athletics forBill McNulty and aplayer to be named later.[1] The Athletics sentBrant Alyea to the Rangers to complete the trade.[2]
Lindblad was the winning pitcher for Oakland in Game Three of the1973 World Series against theNew York Mets, by working shutout baseball in the ninth and tenth innings. In the 10th, he became the last pitcher faced by futureHall of FamerWillie Mays, whogrounded out as apinch-hitter.
In 1975, Lindblad had a 9–1 record with seven saves. On the final day of the regular season, he combined withVida Blue,Glenn Abbott, andRollie Fingers on ano-hitter against theCalifornia Angels. He appeared in two games against theBoston Red Sox in theALCS.
Lindblad came back to Texas for part of two seasons and made his final majors appearance with theNew York Yankees in Game One of the1978 World Series. He finished his career with a 68–63 record and 64 saves in 665 games. He posted a 3.29ERA andstruck out 671 batters in 1,2132⁄3innings pitched.
Following his playing career, Lindblad joined theminor league baseball system as apitching coach, and also worked as a custom home builder for several years.
Lindblad died in 2006 fromAlzheimer's disease inArlington, Texas at the age of 64.[3]
| Preceded by | No-hit game September 28,1975 (withBlue,Abbott &Fingers) | Succeeded by |