Cecil Upshaw
Encyclopedia
Cecil Lee Upshaw Jr. was an American
right-handed relief pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who had a nine-year career (1966–1969, 1971–1975). Born in Spearsville, Louisiana
, he played with the Atlanta Braves
and Houston Astros
, both of the National League
, and the Cleveland Indians
, New York Yankees
and Chicago White Sox
, all of the American League
.
Upshaw was among the top ten in saves
four times in the National League between 1968 and 1972. Upshaw was primarily a side-arm pitcher.
Upshaw finished his career with 86 saves. He had a career earned run average of 3.13. He pitched 563 innings in 348 games.
His career was actually cut short due to an unfortunate incident in 1970. He and two other Braves players were walking down an Atlanta sidewalk and one of the other players bet him he couldn't jump up and touch an overhead awning. He did reach the awning, but a ring on his pitching hand ring finger got caught on a projection off of the awning and tore ligaments in his hand. He never fully recovered, but was considered one of the better pitchers in major league baseball up to that time.
He died at age 52 of a heart attack in Lawrenceville, Georgia
.
He is survived by his children: Carole Upshaw Romero, Cecil Lee Upshaw III, Amelia Upshaw Manchester, and four grandchildren,(Ross, MacKenzie, Hamilton and Savannah).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
right-handed relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who had a nine-year career (1966–1969, 1971–1975). Born in Spearsville, Louisiana
Spearsville, Louisiana
Spearsville is a village in Union Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 155 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Spearsville is located at ....
, he played with the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
and Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, both of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
, and the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, all of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
.
Upshaw was among the top ten in saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
four times in the National League between 1968 and 1972. Upshaw was primarily a side-arm pitcher.
Upshaw finished his career with 86 saves. He had a career earned run average of 3.13. He pitched 563 innings in 348 games.
His career was actually cut short due to an unfortunate incident in 1970. He and two other Braves players were walking down an Atlanta sidewalk and one of the other players bet him he couldn't jump up and touch an overhead awning. He did reach the awning, but a ring on his pitching hand ring finger got caught on a projection off of the awning and tore ligaments in his hand. He never fully recovered, but was considered one of the better pitchers in major league baseball up to that time.
He died at age 52 of a heart attack in Lawrenceville, Georgia
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Lawrenceville is a city in and the county seat of Gwinnett County, Georgia, in the United States. The Census Bureau estimates the 2008 population at 29,258...
.
He is survived by his children: Carole Upshaw Romero, Cecil Lee Upshaw III, Amelia Upshaw Manchester, and four grandchildren,(Ross, MacKenzie, Hamilton and Savannah).