Dick Drago
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Richard Anthony (Dick) Drago (born June 25, 1945 in Toledo, Ohio) was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City Royals (1969-1973), Boston Red Sox (1974-1975 and 1978-1980), California Angels (1976-1977), Baltimore Orioles (1977) and Seattle Mariners (1981). He batted and threw right handed.
In a 13-season career, Drago posted a 108-117 record with a 3.75 ERA and 58 saves in 519 appearances (189 as a starter).
Originally signed by the Detroit Tigers in the 1964 amateur draft, Drago was selected by the Kansas City Royals during the 1968 expansion draft. He started his major league career with the Royals in 1969, becoming the ace of their pitching staff in 1971, after going 17-11 with a 2.98 ERA, and ending fifth in AL Cy Young Award vote behind Vida Blue, Mickey Lolich, Wilbur Wood and Dave McNally. Despite a 3.01 ERA in 1972, Drago went 12-17, and he declined with 12-14 and 4.23 in 1973.
Acquired by the Boston Red Sox before the 1974 season, Drago became their star reliever in their 1975 championship season, saving 15 games. He also saved Games Two and Three in the ALCS against Oakland, but lost Game Two of the World Series against Cincinnati. Drago entered in the ninth inning of Game Six and pitched three scoreless frames that kept Boston in the game, which was won on the historic home run belted by Carlton Fisk in the 12th-inning.
Drago also pitched for the Angels and Orioles in part of two seasons, and returned to Boston for three solid years, saving 13 games with a 10-6 record in 1979. He ended his major league career with Seattle in 1981.
[edit] Miscellanea
On July 20, 1976, Drago gave up Hank Aaron's 755th—and final—career home run.
