OAKLAND (AFP) ― Former Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Bob Welch has died at the age of 57, the Oakland Athletics said Tuesday.
The Athletics said Welch died in Seal Beach, California, in the Los Angeles area, but a cause of death was not immediately known.
Welch pitched for the Athletics from 1988 to 1994 after spending 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He was a member of three American League pennant winners with Oakland from 1988-90, and won a World Series title with the A’s in 1989.
He won the Cy Young Award as the league’s outstanding pitcher after a 1990 season that included a record of 27-6. No pitcher has reached as many as 25 wins in a season since.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Bob Welch,” Athletics president Michael Crowley said in a statement on Tuesday.
“He was a legendary pitcher who enjoyed many of his best seasons with the Oakland A’s. He will always be a significant part of our franchise’s history, and we mourn his loss. We send our greatest sympathies to his family and friends.”
In 17 major league seasons, starting in 1978, Welch compiled a record of 211-146 with a 3.47 ERA.
Welch was selected by the Dodgers with the 20th overall selection of the 1977 draft and reached the major leagues the following season.
He helped the Dodgers to the National League pennant in 1978 and 1981.
In the 1978 World Series rookie hurler Welch struck out Yankees slugging great Reggie Jackson to earn the save in game two at Dodger Stadium.
He was a member of the Dodgers’ 1981 World Series championship team.
“The Los Angeles Dodgers are saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Welch,” said Dodgers president Stan Kasten. “He was one of the greatest competitors to wear the Dodger uniform.”
After his playing career, Welch served as pitching coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks during their 2001 World Series title run.
“This is a tragic and sad day, as Bob Welch will be remembered by everyone who knew him as a great teammate and a great friend,” the Diamondbacks said in a statement.
“Though he was on our major league coaching staff for just one season, it was certainly memorable, as he guided our pitching staff to a world championship and will always be a part of our history.”
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