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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The State: Spear: John Buzhardt’s memory will never fade

John Buzhardt...RIP. And one of my first cards.

John Buzhardt and I met at the Mid-Carolina Country Club grill room to talk about his professional baseball career, and seldom has an interview been so entertaining.

That journey into yesteryear comes to mind today with the news of John Buzhardt’s death Sunday at his home in Prosperity.

He pitched 11 years in the major leagues, worked for Carolina Eastman for another 21 and spent the September of his seasons enjoying life and spreading good cheer. A stroke suffered in 2002 kept him off the golf course, but nothing could interfere with his sense of humor.

Buzhardt’s 71-96 record in the major leagues does not attract much attention, but his career ERA of 3.66 tells far more. Many pitchers today would pay a king’s ransom for an ERA like his.

Thanks, I guess, to Baseball Musings.

Repoz Posted: June 17, 2008 at 06:40 PM | 9 comment(s)
Related News: General, Baltimore, Chi Cubs, Chi White Sox, Houston, Philadelphia, Obituaries

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1. Howie Menckel Posted: June 17, 2008 at 08:36 PM (#2823472)

Sounds like a nice fellow
RIP

He had a 97 ERA+ - same as Jason Marquis has in his career

2. ian Posted: June 17, 2008 at 09:11 PM (#2823607)

disregard this comment

3. jwb Posted: June 18, 2008 at 07:40 AM (#2824200)

Get your nose out of your spreadsheet and go write some eulogies.

What do you want the guy to say? "While his 3.66 ERA is impressive by today's standards, in the context of his time and his usage pattern, it was really about average. Of course, a mediocre ERA is a step up from his won/loss record, which was pretty poor, although subject to the overall poor quality of the teams for which he toiled." Of course not! (I owe somebody money for that, right?) He's trying to say nice things about a guy he liked who just passed away. Tell some good stories. Accentuate the positive.

Usage pattern. Hmm. When did bullpen ERAs become better than those for starters?

4. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: June 18, 2008 at 08:23 AM (#2824217)

Ouch. 11-34 in 1960-61 (but with an ERA+ of 95). No wonder they thought Roy Sievers would be an improvement.

5. Hack Wilson Posted: June 18, 2008 at 08:29 AM (#2824220)

I remember him as a Cub but his best years were with the Sox. Of course he was once traded for a Hall of Famer, Richie Ashburn, as well as Sievers.

6. bunyon Posted: June 18, 2008 at 08:36 AM (#2824223)

Heh. I'd like to have had one inning in professional ball. 11 seasons and a sense of humor in old age? Well done, sir.

7. Tim Lincecum doesn't Wang Chung tonite (GGC) Posted: June 18, 2008 at 08:56 AM (#2824231)

Usage pattern. Hmm. When did bullpen ERAs become better than those for starters?

I think that it was the late 50s/early 60s.

8. Edmundo, more Jules than Jim Posted: June 18, 2008 at 09:02 AM (#2824234)

No wonder they thought Roy Sievers would be an improvement.

You mean the coming off an All Star, 143 OPS+ year, Roy Sievers? While Sievers was to begin his spiral, he did put up a 117 OPS+ in '62 for the Phils. I didn't realize that he had been so good so immediately before the trade. I think Sievers was obtained to provide veteran presence, if memory serves.

After Buzhardt's 2 "big" years for the Phils, he never pitched 200 innings in a season again.
I especially like his 5-16, 100 ERA+ year in '60. Interesting how a guy who went through that kept a wonderful sense of humor whereas a guy like Feller, who had quite a lot go his way, epitomizes the grumpy old man. People is funny that way.

EDIT: 1st paragraph clean up

9. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: June 18, 2008 at 09:21 AM (#2824251)

You mean the coming off an All Star, 143 OPS+ year, Roy Sievers?

Obviously. I wasn't meaning to put Sievers down (oops!), just thinking they probably undervalued Buzhardt.

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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The State: Spear: John Buzhardt’s memory will never fade

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