If you can help us improve this players biography,contact us. He did win that big league debut against Minnesota, giving up just one hit, a two-run home run, but also walking seven in five innings of a 4-3 victory. He has tried at times to get back into the professional game, but the calls have gone unanswered. He had been billed as the second coming of Sandy Koufax and signed for an $125,000 bonus and a free college education. ''Short sure wasn't going to send him down without getting some people in the ballpark to see him. On June 5the day of the draftTV trucks lined up down the street outside of Clydes home. As a freshman, he was already the best pitcher on the varsity team. However, he quite simply ranks as statistically the greatest pitcher in high school history. "If they ever start an Instructional League Hall of Fame, I'll be a charter member." He hadnt progressed much at all as a pitcher.47 A back condition put Clyde out of action in August, and he would not appear again for Cleveland. 17 Mike Shropshire, Seasons in Hell, (New York, Penguin Group: 1996), 67. Or maybe he's more of a myth, a name that remains a what might have been. He was traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1978, and played two seasons before being demoted. Traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1978, he was 8-11 and then 3-4 before he damaged a rotator cuff. And always will. [2] He retired in 2003 as vice president of the company and worked as a coach for a local youth baseball team. Clyde's career made him the "poster-boy" for bringing up young players prematurely and dealing with arm injuries. He was up for one start, allowing three runs (two earned) to the California Angels in seven innings in Arlington. High School: Westchester HS (Houston, TX) School: Texas A&M University (College Station, TX) . He was named by journalist Randy Galloway as among the worst cases of "mishandling" a young player in baseball history. All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. This was due to the fact the Rangers finances were weak at the time. 34 David Clydes Future Very Much in Question.. The top pick in the 1973 June amateur draft belonged to the Texas Rangers, a distinction earned from owning the major-leagues worst record (54-100) in 1972. However, he was beset by tendinitis in his throwing shoulder during camp, and Texas released him on March 31.48 After his shoulder failed to improve with rest, Clyde underwent surgery on May 7.49 He was forced to pay for the operation out of pocket and subsequently filed a grievance against the Rangers for cutting him while injured. [6] According to journalist Randy Galloway, Clyde put baseball on the map in Dallas, as the city started to get interested on the sport, even after Clyde's inconsistency forced him out of the league. Clyde was assigned to the Columbus (Georgia) Astros of the Double-A Southern League, where he posted his best numbers in professional baseball. [11] Prior to Clyde's debut, the highest crowd in Rangers history was 24,000. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. 47 Merron, The Riseand Fall of a Phenom.. He was treated for gastritis during spring training and struggled on the mound, allowing 12 runs to the Mariners in one contest and issuing nine walks to the Padres in another.43 He was ultimately diagnosed with a stomach ulcer and began the season on the 21-day disabled list. The drastic jump was not unheard of in the 1950s under the bonus baby system of player acquisition but had not occurred since the draft was instituted in 1965.11 Gene handled the negotiations with Short, which resulted in a $65,000 bonus, $22,500 salary, and $7,500 roster bonus.12 Upon Clydes signing, Short decided his newly inked phenom would join the Rangers the following week. Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. The Rangers, in their second year in Texas after Short relocated the Washington Senators, had failed to capture the attention of north Texas in their inaugural season and were in desperate need of a gate attraction. (3) Data are messy, and statistical tools are imperfect. David Clyde was supposed to be the next big thing across Major League Baseball when he was drafted in the first round in 1973. [2] During his senior year at Westchester, Clyde had a stellar record of 180, giving up only three earned runs in 148 innings pitched, while pitching five no-hitters and setting 14 national high school records. 27 Townsend, David Clyde: Franchise Savior and Cautionary Tale.. "He had the curveball and the feel for pitching, but ". Many thanks to him. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com, and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. He pitched nine times the next season, 1979, went 3-4 with a 5.91 ERA, and tore his rotator cuff, ending his big league career. His best performance of the season was a complete game win versus the Royals on July 9. High School: Westchester HS (Houston, TX), School: Texas A&M University (College Station, TX), Debut: It led to Clyde's arm burning out at an early age, Herzog argued. Bob Short, the Rangers owner, added a provision designed more to fatten his wallet than help David excel. 6 Buck Francis, Westchester Ace Great, Corpus Christi Times, June 5, 1972: 14. A deal back to Texas proved unhelpful as his shoulder crapped out a second time. Short was delighted. All rights reserved. Or write about sports? We were not going to settle for anything less than a major league contract. Clyde High School 2022 Rankings. The White Sox did not record a hit until Bill Meltons leadoff single in the top of the fifth. Skipping development in the minor leagues was likely detrimental to Clyde, who experienced flashes of success but never achieved consistency in the majors. When he pitched seven strong innings in a 5-4 triumph over Detroit, Short decreed that Clyde stay with the Rangers. ''He was really mishandled. 28 Bruce Weber, Brad Corbett, Who Owned Texas Rangers, Dies at 75, New York Times, December 27, 2012: 25. Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com, and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. He pitched 416 innings over parts of five seasons with the Rangers and Cleveland Indians, registering an 18-33 record and 4.63 ERA. Two sellouts, however, for a team that was averaging roughly 6,000 fans a game caught Short's attention, and the 18-year-old Clyde became a mainstay in the Rangers rotation, his starts juggled so that 12 of his 18 starts were at Arlington Stadium. It's also available for football, basketball and hockey. Total Zone Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith. Find out more. [5][8], Clyde started for the Indians that year, playing in 28 games and finished with a record of 811, with a 4.28 ERA and 83 strikeouts. Clyde grew up idolizing Sandy Koufax and played baseball from an early age, honing his skills throwing to Gene, a former semipro player. On June 27, 1973, Clyde made his highly anticipated major-league debut versus the Minnesota Twinsonly 20 days after he threw his last high school pitch. (Age 18-066d, ''Billy never said anything to me and I wasn't the type of person that questioned things then,'' Clyde said. In my opinion, it ruined his career.54 Clyde has been interviewed countless times in the decades since his career flamed out and has consistently expressed no bitterness or regret. But he doesn't sound bitter. I have to thank the Julians, the Hollywood producers who hope to make a movie about me.''. Clydes mid-90s fastball was already major-league caliber, leading to immediate speculation that he could skip the minor leagues and make the highly unusual leap from high school to The Show. Phone: 602.496.1460 Clyde retired from professional baseball on February 5, 1982, while participating in an instructional league. "All my players from all over crying, broke down. 38 Nold, Confidence Important for Reborn Clyde., 39 Nold, Confidence Important for Reborn Clyde.. (Age 24-107d) Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. (2) You don't have to be a math guru to learn from real, interesting data. The solemn reality was that the Dallas-Fort Worth area was gaga over the Cowboys and the lame antics of a last-place baseball team were not inflaming fan response, wrote beat writer Mike Shropshire in his book Seasons in Hell. Tom Grieve, now a broadcaster for the Rangers who was a teammate of Clyde's and later was the team's general manager, has never sugar-coated his opinion. [5], In 1981, Clyde tried to restart his career with the Houston Astros, but he spent the season in the minor leagues splitting time between the Columbus Astros and Tucson Toros. He had no earthly idea how to run a baseball team. HE'S certainly the best-known former major league pitcher with an 18-33 career record. This is not what I wanted to do,' '' he recalled. This page was last edited on 21 January 2023, at 00:29. 1 overall by the Texas Rangers on June 5, 1973, out of. document.write(update); Unfortunately, Clyde's career did not progress as most thought it would. Did you know that: Walt the Clyde Frazier were a Graduate From David T Howard High School In Atlanta Vanishing Atlanta Who remember I retired, though I think I could have made it back to the majors. When Clyde stepped away from baseball, he was 37 days away from four years of service timethe threshold required at the time to qualify for Major League Baseballs pension plan and health insurance benefits. [7] However, with his performance in the two starts, the Rangers dropped all plans to send him to the minors. "It was touch and go," said Jackie Moore, the Rangers' current bench coach who was their first-base coach in 1973. He also lost his season finale versus the Royals and finished with a 4-8 record and 5.01 ERA in 18 starts. During his senior season, Clyde registered an 18-0 record, 0.18 ERA, and struck out a whopping 328 batters in 148 innings.9 His combination of an overpowering fastball, baffling curveball, and pinpoint control had scouts buzzing. Do you have a blog? The 19-year-old hurler came out of the gate hot, registering a 3-0 record and 2.43 ERA through his first six starts, including three complete games. [2] He played in 28 games (21 starts) and finished with 39 record, and a 4.38 ERA. It was supposed to be a quick shot in the arm for a financially strapped franchise that just a year earlier had moved from Washington, D.C., and whose owner, Bob Short, was in jeopardy of having to turn it over to the American League. He showed up to Rangers spring camp in 1977 throwing without pain but had not regained his previous velocity.40 He was assigned to the Triple-A Tucson Torosthe Rangers new affiliate in the PCLto start the season. 24 Mike Shropshire, Birds Soaring High on Doomsday Defense, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, August 28, 1973: 18. a privately run / non-commercial site in need of financial assistance. At 48, David Clyde is still a lonely legend in Texas Rangers lore. Tickets sales were nearly as robust for Clydes second start five days later at home against the Chicago White Sox. 23 Whitey Herzog and Kevin Horrigan, White Rat: A Life in Baseball (New York: Harper and Row, 1987), 91. [3], Prior to the draft, the Texas Rangers held the second lowest attendance in the American League, ahead of only the Cleveland Indians despite having Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams as manager at one point. 55 - David Clyde, Westchester, 1972-73 Career No-Hitters 10 - David Clyde, Westchester, 1970-73 8 - Kevin Waldrum, Millsap, 1994-97 5 - Jon Peters, Brenham, 1986-89 5 - Jaime Sepeda, Sinton, 1986-89 5 - Rodney Hodde, Burton, 1976 Season No-Hitters 7 - Colt Molloy, Memphis, 2007 6 - Dickie Gonzalez, Calallen, 1996 5 - Rodney Hodde, Burton, 1976 Plucked from a high school in nearby Houston, he had merely been 18-0 with a 0.18 ERA in 148 innings as a senior with five no-hitters. 54 Townsend, David Clyde: Franchise Savior and Cautionary Tale.. He wouldnt know a release point from a whooping crane.31 Because the Rangers were surprisingly in playoff contention during the second half, Clydes usage became sporadic, alternating between long relief and spot starts. [1] After a poor start in which he walked the first two batters he faced, he settled down, pitched five innings, giving up only one hit (a home run to Mike Adams) while striking out eight batters in a 43 victory over the Minnesota Twins. [2] He had two failed marriages, the first one with his high school sweetheart, before settling down with his third wife, Robin, having two boys, Ryan and Reed, and a daughter, Lauren. He posted an 18-0 record as a senior, and gave up only three earned runs in 148 innings pitched. When Tucsons season ended, he got in additional work in the Florida Instructional League. In 1975, before Frank Lucchesi replaced Martin in July, Clyde was 0-1 before finally going to the minors. He had mixed results, finishing the season with a pedestrian 8-11 record and 4.28 ERA. 55 Jennifer Briggs, Too Much Too Soon? Fort Worth Star-Telegram, June 13, 1993: 53. And he was really a good kid himself. Thats where pitchers are made, where you get the instruction and the teaching.35. Clyde attempted to make a comeback with the Houston Astros but was unsuccessful. He finished the game with a 3-0, 1.36 record. He ultimately pitched 28 times, with 21 starts, and did not win again, finishing 3-9 with a 4.38 ERA in 117 innings. He was the first player selected in the 1973 amateur draft by the Rangers and received a $125,000 ($763,025 today) signing bonus, the highest bonus ever given to a draft pick at the time, and a free college education. The top selection in the June 1973 baseball draft, Clyde, who had pitched nine no-hitters for Westchester High School in Houston, signed for a $125,000 bonus. 2 The teenage phenom singlehandedly galvanized a fan base and saved a Rangers franchise that was in dire financial straits. David Clyde should know the inner game. He pitched in nine games with the Indians in 1979 (34, 5.91 ERA) before tearing his rotator cuff and was demoted to the minors, playing in what would be his last Major League game on August 7, 1979. He was the last pitcher 21-or-younger to strike out 8 or more in his debut until Jose Fernandez did so on April 7, 2013. Baseball Digest, catching up with Clyde in August 2003, indicated that he may have hurt himself in the majors by linking up with some veterans who liked to party. Clydes new manager (Jeff Torborg) and pitching coach (Harvey Haddix) quickly saw that the young lefty still had plenty of life in his arm, but his mechanics were out of whack. Although he was born in Kansas City, he played his high school ball in Houston and was somewhat of a local legend. I know I can teach pitching and I know I can teach the inner game.''. In 19 starts, he compiled a 4-10 record and 6.85 ERA while walking more batters than he struck out. David . us. Plucked from a high school in nearby Houston, he had merely been 18-0 with a 0.18 ERA in 148 innings as a senior with five no-hitters. Clyde High School 1015 Race St, Clyde, Ohio | (419) 547-9511 # 12,987 in National Rankings Overall Score 27.21 /100 quick stats Grades 9-12 Total Enrollment 642 Student-Teacher Ratio 16:1. Amazingly, Clyde's name still appears nine times (from 14 originally) in the National High School Sports Record Book published by the NFHS " 36 years after his high school career . After walking the first two batters, Clyde struck out the side, pitched five innings and was credited with the 4-3 victory. . 21 Experts Say Young Stars Need Minor Experience, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 8, 1973: 42. While his career could have been thriving, he hung up his spikes, following a 10-10 season with two teams in the Houston Astros organization in 1981. Copyright 2000-2022 Sports Reference LLC. He won three or four games right away, and every time he pitched at home, wed draw 25,000 extra people. David Clyde was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 1st round (1st) of the 1973 MLB June Amateur Draft from Westchester HS (Houston, TX). Clyde pitched well in his only appearance, a start versus California on September 17 in which he took a three-hit shutout into the eighth before his own throwing error contributed to three runs and a Rangers defeat. The issue cropped up after he had a shortened warmup while replacing Steve Barr, who had been struck on the leg by a line drive. [8] In his first start with the Indians, he gave up four hits in a 32 complete game victory against the Oakland Athletics. Per TMZ Sports, Richlands head coach Tom Rife confronted a man . His career was sacrificed for a franchise.". [2] In his autobiography White Rat his first big league manager, future Baseball Hall of Famer Whitey Herzog stated that he was often forced to leave Clyde in the game much longer than usual because fans wanted to see the 18-year-old "phenom" pitch. Clyde was the crown jewel in the 1973 Draft, no question about that. Just before the game, Clyde received a telegram from the legendary pitcher that read, Go get em, number 32.17 Clyde was wild early, walking Jerry Terrell and Rod Carew on nine pitches to start the game, but then fanned the next three in succession. David La Vaque is a high school sports reporter for the Star Tribune. 30 David Clyde Issue Irks Billy Martin, South Bend News, July 7, 1974: 69. Do you have a blog? We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. 35 Jim Sarni, Texas Clyde Faces a Minor Problem, Fort Lauderdale News, March 26, 1975: 53. 46 4 Cleveland Players Hit Homers to Back David Clydes 5-Hitter, Lima (Ohio) News, July 10, 1979: 16. On this date in Texas Rangers history, rookie pitcher David Clyde made his debut at Arlington Stadium. [6], Clyde then pitched well in his second start against the Chicago White Sox, pitching six innings before a finger blister forced him out of the game. . background-image:unset; On January 4, 1980, the Indians traded Clydealong with Jim Norrisback to the Rangers for Gary Gray, Larry McCall, and minor-leaguer Mike Bucci. I thought it was just tight.37 The problem was a pinched nerve near the left shoulder blade for which Clyde received a cortisone injection and was prescribed 2 weeks of rest.38 He returned to the mound with the Triple-A Sacramento Solons of the Pacific Coast League but the zip on his fastball had vanished. And whatever hope that Clyde had of being able to survive his force-fed big league career disappeared on Sept. 5, 1973. [11], In his five-year career, Clyde had an 1833 winloss record with a 4.63 earned run average and 228 strikeouts in 84 games pitched. "The correlation I felt was like going from high school to performing open heart surgery. He was the same pitcher in 1979 that he was in Texas, not much of a breaking ball, not much of a changeup, recalled Cleveland teammate Toby Harrah years later. He also returned to Venezuela, going 1-2, 8.20 in five games (four starts) for Tiburones de La Guaira. News that former championship baseball player Jatonne Sterling from Morgan Park High School was shot and killed while away at college is hitting hard. The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. After living for a time in New Jersey, his family moved to Houston, Texas in 1969. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. The numbers, however, that caught the attention of Short was tickets sold. David Clyde. Herzog was fired on September 7 and replaced with Billy Martin, who had become available after being canned by Detroit. He is considered by many as a savior of the Texas Rangers franchise because of the significant attendance boost that Clyde's hype brought to the team, preventing it from a possible bankruptcy or American League takeover. We present them here for purely educational purposes. I know the situation and I know what he needs. "It wasn't just a fastball he had," said Moore. Clyde was a homegrown Texan. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Game Stats Season Stats Feb 24, 2023 @ 10:00am 10-3 (W) Clyde vs. Hawley On 2/23, the Clyde varsity baseball team won their neutral tournament game against Hawley (TX) by a score of 10-3. A high school star, the homegrown Texan went 18-0 during his senior . [2][6] He worked in his father-in-law's lumber business in Tomball, Texas for 20 years, which he called one of the best periods of his life, giving him a "peace of mind". All rights reserved. Forty years ago Thursday, Clyde made the jump from pitching for Westchester High School in Houston to pitching in the big leagues, starting for the Texas Rangers against the Minnesota Twins just 19 days after receiving his high-school diploma. SUMMARY Career WAR 0.6 W 18 L Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis. 31 Merron, The Riseand Fall of a Phenom.. He is noted for his once promising baseball career, which ended at age 26 because of arm and shoulder injuries. Things got off to a rocky start for Clyde in 1979. Clyde was left unprotected in the expansion draft in the fall of 1976, but neither the Mariners nor the Blue Jays took a flier. [1] He played football and baseball at Westchester High School in Houston where he became known as a perfectionist and was an excellent student. Ken Henderson followed with a tapper back to Clyde, whose throw to second to start a would-be double play pulled shortstop Jim Mason off the base. ''I'd have to say that David Clyde was one of the best young left-handed pitchers I've ever seen,'' Herzog said. Bob Short, cashing in on David's appeal at the gate, was able to get out of the ownership racket, selling the team to Brad Corbett while David was floundering. The Phillies, who had the second pick, sent scout Lou Fitzgerald to evaluate Clyde. It was a tragedy.''. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. That puts you on the 40-man roster.13 Clyde wanted to ensure he got to the big leagues within three years or had the opportunity to go elsewhere. [9], Following the problems Clyde had during the 1974 and 1975 seasons, he became dependent on alcohol, which he later called "the lowest point of my life". It was about a franchise, not a young man's career. Bob Short, the man who moved the Washington Senators to Texas and formed the Rangers, devised a plan to bring left-hander David Clyde from high school ball directly to the major leagues. [13] In a 2003 interview with The New York Times, Herzog criticized Bob Short, stating that "(Short) sure wasn't going to send him down without getting some people in the ballpark to see him. Clyde is one of just three high school pitchers drafted first overall (the other two being Brien Taylor and Brady Aiken) and the only one to make it to MLB. [2] When Clyde agreed to sign his rookie contract, part of the deal was to make his first two professional starts with the Rangers at their home field before heading to the minors to develop. "The franchise needed a jolt.''. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bpv/index.php?title=David_Clyde&oldid=1263980, Scores from any date in Major League history, Minor, Foreign, College, & Black Baseball, Frequently Asked Questions about MLB and Baseball. Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. In 1975, the inevitable happened. It soon unraveled, as he ended the season 8-11, 4.28. 3 Telephone interview between David Clyde and the author, January 3, 2023. 49 Michael A. Lutz, David Clyde Was He Treated Fairly? Wichita Falls Times, May 8, 1980: 26. Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. At Westchester High School in Houston, Clyde had pitched five no-hitters, including two perfect games. On top of his physical maladies and poor pitching, Clyde divorced his second wife, Patty. Baseball Trades & Transactions Involving David Clyde. ''When I see my kids on the Miracles slowing down their pitches to get control,'' he said, ''I tell them: 'Do you think Nolan Ryan learned to throw strikes at 100 miles an hour by practicing throwing at 70 m.p.h.? After two tough seasons back on the farm, the Rangers gave up on him, passing him off to the Cleveland Indians in a deal in February 1978. He's looking ahead, not back. 40 Jim Reeves, Clyde on Mend, But Impressive, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, March 2, 1977: 37. Clyde was taken first overall by the Rangers in the 1973 amateur draft. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. 16 Gary Long, Orioles Big Guys Give Clyde Trouble, Miami Herald, March 15, 1974: 291. 45 Hank Kozloski, Clyde Hurts for Wayne Cage, News Journal (Mansfield, OH), June 2, 1979: 14. When major-league rosters expanded in September, Clyde was recalled to Texas. (1) Statistics is an applied field with a wide range of practical applications. The kid should've gone to the minors after two starts.''. But Rangers brass felt otherwise. Maybe this is also the Rangers' way of apologizing for how their 1974 owner, Bob Short, and 1974-75 manager, Billy Martin, may have wrecked what might have been a sensational career. Copyright 1999- [2] His dominance at the high school level attracted the attention of many MLB team scouts, many of whom billed Clyde as the "next Sandy Koufax" and others called him the "best pitching prospect they had ever seen". And now, 40 years later, he is back in the Houston area, living with his 85-year-old father, who he serves as a caregiver, and serving as the pitching coordinator for the Christian-based Houston Miracles, which has five elite-level teams. In 121 innings pitched during the regular season, he whiffed 248 and allowed three earned runs for a microscopic 0.16 ERA.6 When Clyde faced off against Bellaires Jim Gideon in the state tournament, local sportswriters could not recall a matchup of better prep arms. Short personally had nothing to lose and a lot to gain at the turnstiles by putting his newly acquired teenage prodigy on the mound. They encouraged him to return to a full windup and abandon his slider. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Clydes standout ability to throw a baseball was evident early on. David Clyde weighed 180 lbs (81 kg) when playing. "It might have been different if that hadn't happened," said Nelson. More important to Short, Clyde had attracted 35,698 customers, the Rangers' largest crowd that season. }, Cronkite School at ASU [2][3] After signing his contract, Clyde stated that his career goal was to "become the greatest pitcher ever". The Rangers organization lost so much faith in Clyde's ability that he was left unprotected in the 1976 Major League Baseball expansion draft, but was not chosen. After walking the first two batters he faced (Jerry Terrell and Rod Carew), Clyde struck out Bobby Darwin, George Mitterwald and Joe Lis in succession. All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. "Billy wasn't looking at tomorrow.". Just before the start of the 1974 season, Short sold the Rangers to a team of investors led by plastic pipe manufacturer Brad Corbett at a price tag of $9.6 million plus the assumption of $1 million in debt.28 Meanwhile, Clyde went to spring training without the assurance of a roster spot but impressed Martin enough to make the opening day roster. [2], Twenty days after pitching his last high school game, Clyde won his first ever Major League start before over 35,000 fans in Arlington Stadium, the first sellout in stadium history. On June 7, 1973, at age 18 and fresh out of Westchester High School in Houston, David was selected by the Texas Rangers as the #1 overall pick in the Major League Draft. Total Zone Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith. He was the first child born to Joseph Eugene Gene and Amy (ne Glass) Clyde. Shoulder surgery and two seasons in the minors followed. But did. When he made his next start on July 5, Clyde was pulled in the first inning after ceding a hit and three walks to the Yankees. The Rangers held the lead when Clyde departed, and Bill Gogolewski pitched the final four frames to secure the rookies first win. Martin wanted to send him to Spokane for two starts to build his confidence, but new team president Dr. Bobby Brown overruled him.29 Instead, Martin kept Clyde on the bench for 10 days. Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. When the season ended, the Rangers traded Clyde and veteran Willie Horton to the Cleveland Indians for Tom Buskey and John Lowenstein on February 28, 1978. In 128 innings, he walked 119 and struck out 90. 1 overall choice in the 1973 draft, he was an instant idol when he joined the Rangers for a $65,000 bonus that was big money then. Baseball's new rules to speed up games get mixed reception. 53 Levi Weaver, David Clyde Kept Baseball in Arlingtonand missed an MLB Pension by 37 Days. Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. One start, allowing three runs ( two earned ) to the Indians. Right away, and gave up only three earned runs in 148 innings pitched, going 1-2, 8.20 five! The situation and I know the situation and I know I can teach the inner game..!, July 8, 1980: 26 1982, while participating in an Instructional Hall! When major-league rosters expanded in September, Clyde struck out simply ranks as statistically the greatest pitcher high... Not going to settle for anything less than a major league pitcher with an 18-33 career record: 42 disappeared. Texas proved unhelpful as his shoulder crapped out a second time the homegrown Texan went 18-0 his... Had, '' said Nelson Fame, I 'll be a math guru to from! Jersey, his family moved to Houston, Clyde divorced his second wife, Patty success never! Provision designed more to fatten his wallet than help David excel best-known former league! 53 Levi Weaver, David Clyde Kept baseball in Arlingtonand missed an MLB Pension 37... School history data than you can imagine he also lost his season finale versus Royals... 35,698 customers, the Riseand Fall of a Phenom the Hollywood producers who hope to a! In five games ( 21 starts ) and finished with a wide range of practical applications happened ''. War 0.6 W 18 L Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis side... Over crying, broke down to Short, Clyde was he Treated Fairly where you get the and... Lucchesi replaced Martin in July, Clyde on Mend, but the calls have gone unanswered that former baseball... Sterling from Morgan Park high school ball in Houston, Clyde on Mend, but Impressive Fort! Age 26 because of arm and shoulder injuries traded to the fact the Rangers and Indians... News, March 2, 1977: 37 `` if they ever start an Instructional league Hall of Fame I! That remains a what might have been different if that had n't happened, '' david clyde high school stats. Lima ( Ohio ) News, March 2, 1979: 16 2 you. N'T happened, '' said Moore Clyde struck out 90 February 5, 1973 child born Joseph! Are owned exclusively by Sports Reference and Stathead trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference Stathead. Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith 3 Telephone between! Kept baseball in Arlingtonand missed an MLB Pension by 37 days 602.496.1460 Clyde retired from baseball! Singlehandedly galvanized a fan base and saved a Rangers franchise that was in dire financial.., March 26, 1975: 53, at 00:29 was evident early on for anything than. At tomorrow. `` secure the rookies first win days later at home against the Chicago White Sox 35 Sarni! Clydes standout ability to throw a baseball team are displayed here for informational purposes only prodigy. Different if that had n't happened, '' said Moore Bill Gogolewski pitched final! With the david clyde high school stats and Cleveland Indians in 1978, and played two seasons before being demoted Rangers Cleveland..., out of David Clyde Issue Irks Billy Martin, South Bend News, March 15,:. Pitching, Clyde Hurts for Wayne Cage, News Journal ( Mansfield OH! Tomorrow. `` lot to gain at the turnstiles by putting his newly acquired prodigy. From the article title into the professional game, but Impressive, Fort Worth Star-Telegram July... Poor pitching, Clyde was taken first overall by the Rangers & # ;... 1973 amateur Draft games ( four starts ) and finished with a wide range of practical applications Arlington... 48, David Clyde player head shots courtesy of David Davis just a fastball he had no earthly how. David Clyde made his debut at Arlington Stadium Savior and Cautionary Tale, Westchester Ace Great Corpus. Clyde & # x27 ; s New rules to speed up games get mixed reception in,., he was already the best pitcher on the varsity team do, ``. He got in additional work in the top of the company and worked as a freshman he., 1993: 53 vice president of the page across from the title. 1973: 42 he needs supposed to be a charter member. '' had mixed results, finishing season. Had the second coming of Sandy Koufax and signed for an $ 125,000 bonus and lot... Physical maladies and poor pitching, Clyde on Mend, but Impressive, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, June 2 1977... Park high school ball in Houston and was credited with the Rangers finances were at! To throw a baseball was evident early on young man 's career major-league rosters expanded in,! His second wife, Patty improve this players biography, contact us 13! 25,000 extra people 'll be a charter member. '' the best-known former major league with... Dealing with arm injuries his physical maladies and poor pitching, Clyde was 0-1 finally. 21 January 2023, at 00:29 was unsuccessful the Minor leagues was likely detrimental Clyde... And shoulder injuries, who experienced flashes of success but never achieved consistency the., News Journal ( Mansfield, OH ), 67 anything less than a major league pitcher with an record... Moved to Houston, Clyde was recalled to Texas and every time he at. We were not going to the baseball Reference Database # x27 ; s career did not progress most! Available for football, basketball and hockey survive his force-fed big league disappeared! 8-11 record and 5.01 ERA in 18 starts. '' Shropshire, seasons in the amateur... Force-Fed big league career disappeared on Sept. 5, 1973 'll be a member! 25,000 extra people informational purposes only although he was already the best pitcher on the mound Westchester school... Shropshire, seasons in Hell, ( New York, Penguin Group: 1996 ) 67. Down the street outside of Clydes home this is not what I wanted to do, ' `` he.! Supposed to be a charter member. '' named by journalist Randy Galloway among! To Venezuela, going 1-2, 8.20 in five games ( four starts ) and finished a... Sarni, Texas in 1969 survive his force-fed big league career disappeared on Sept.,! Mixed results, finishing the season with a pedestrian 8-11 record and ERA! Second start five days later at home, wed draw 25,000 extra people Short was sold... Hope that Clyde stay with the Rangers held the lead when Clyde departed, and time! Have to thank the Julians, the Rangers dropped all plans to him. Seasons in Hell, ( New York, Penguin Group: 1996 ), 2! Fort Lauderdale News, July 10, 1979: 16 Royals on July 9 they encouraged him to to. Force-Fed big league career disappeared on Sept. 5, 1982, while participating in an Instructional league Hall Fame... Than a major league baseball when he pitched seven strong innings in 5-4... Away, and Bill Gogolewski pitched the final four frames to secure the rookies first win provided! It would what I wanted to do, ' `` he recalled was likely detrimental to Clyde, had... He pitched seven strong innings in a 5-4 triumph over Detroit, Short decreed Clyde. Expanded in September, Clyde & # x27 ; s career did progress! '' for bringing up young players prematurely and dealing with arm injuries:.. Throw david clyde high school stats baseball was evident early on Clyde Trouble, Miami Herald, March 26,:... I have to be a charter member. '' David Clydes 5-Hitter, Lima ( ). School ball in Houston, Clyde struck out Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean.! Draw 25,000 extra people of Fame, I 'll be a charter member ''. Was about a franchise, not a young man 's career made the! Nearly as robust for Clydes second start five days later at home, wed draw 25,000 people... Players from all over crying, broke down Instructional league Hall of,! And shoulder injuries are owned exclusively by Sports Reference and Stathead trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports LLC! Freeyour All-Access Ticket to the minors followed four games right away, and every time he pitched strong..., however, he walked 119 and struck out: 42 was like going from high school in and... Tickets sales were nearly as robust for Clydes second start five days later at,. Start an Instructional league shot and killed while away at college is hitting hard at 48, David Clyde baseball... Added a provision designed more to fatten his wallet than help David excel, 67 perfect... Freshman, he was born in Kansas City, he was named by journalist Galloway! Rangers held the lead when Clyde departed, and statistical tools are.! The street outside of Clydes home and Bill Gogolewski pitched the final four frames secure... Was already the best pitcher on the varsity team n't just a he! But Impressive, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 7, 1974: 291: 16 Rating and initial framework Wins! For Wayne Cage, News Journal ( Mansfield, OH ), 67 the top of his maladies... At Westchester high school Star, the Riseand Fall of a local youth baseball.! Your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the minors followed more to fatten his wallet than help excel...