Dick Hyde
Encyclopedia
Richard Elde Hyde is an American
former relief pitcher
in professional baseball
who worked in the Major Leagues
for six seasons from to for the Washington Senators (1955, 1957–1960) and Baltimore Orioles
(1961). A right-handed pitcher, he stood 5 in 11 in (1.8 m) and weighed 170 pounds (77.1 kg).
and St. Louis Cardinals
in 1947, Hyde was signed by the Washington Senators in 1949. By 1954 Hyde had made very little progress in Washington's farm system. One day after watching him throw, Calvin Griffith
suggested Hyde might become more effective if came down a little when he threw. Hyde eventually adopted the submarine
style of pitching.
While he made three it appearances with the Senators in 1955 it wasn't till 1957 that Hyde established himself in the major leagues.
Hyde made it to the major leagues in 1956. His best year was 1958 when he went 10-3 with 18 saves and a 1.75 Earned Run Average
. He also finished 12th in the voting for Most Valuable Player
.
Due to arm trouble, Hyde was not very effective for the rest of his Major League playing career which ended with the Baltimore Orioles in 1961.
Of the 169 games Hyde appeared in, all but two were done as a relief pitcher.
In 1959, Hyde was included in a trade between Washington and the Boston Red Sox
. On June 11, Hyde and Herb Plews
were sent to Boston for Murray Wall
and Billy Consolo
. When it was discovered Hyde had a sore arm, he and Wall were returned to their original teams.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former 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 professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
who worked in the Major Leagues
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...
for six seasons from to for the Washington Senators (1955, 1957–1960) and Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(1961). A right-handed pitcher, he stood 5 in 11 in (1.8 m) and weighed 170 pounds (77.1 kg).
Professional career
After going to tryout camps for the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in 1947, Hyde was signed by the Washington Senators in 1949. By 1954 Hyde had made very little progress in Washington's farm system. One day after watching him throw, Calvin Griffith
Calvin Griffith
Calvin Robertson Griffith , born Calvin Robertson in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, was a Major League Baseball team owner...
suggested Hyde might become more effective if came down a little when he threw. Hyde eventually adopted the submarine
Submarine (baseball)
In baseball, a submarine pitch is one in which the ball is released underhand and just above the ground, with the torso bent at a right angle and shoulders tilted so severely that they rotate around a nearly horizontal axis...
style of pitching.
While he made three it appearances with the Senators in 1955 it wasn't till 1957 that Hyde established himself in the major leagues.
Hyde made it to the major leagues in 1956. His best year was 1958 when he went 10-3 with 18 saves and a 1.75 Earned Run Average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. He also finished 12th in the voting for Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
.
Due to arm trouble, Hyde was not very effective for the rest of his Major League playing career which ended with the Baltimore Orioles in 1961.
Of the 169 games Hyde appeared in, all but two were done as a relief pitcher.
Transactions
Hyde was purchased by the Baltimore Orioles from the Washington Senators on July 2, 1960.In 1959, Hyde was included in a trade between Washington and the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. On June 11, Hyde and Herb Plews
Herb Plews
Herbert Eugene Plews is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. He played four years in the majors, from 1956 to 1959. In the minor leagues he played for Kansas City, Binghamton, Norfolk, and Denver before hitting the majors in 1956. After 1959, Herb finished his career playing back in the...
were sent to Boston for Murray Wall
Murray Wall (baseball)
Murray Wesley Wall was an American middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played between the and seasons for the Boston Braves , Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators . Listed at , , Wall batted and threw right-handed...
and Billy Consolo
Billy Consolo
William Angelo Consolo was an American shortstop and coach in Major League Baseball who played for five different teams between and , most notably the Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins....
. When it was discovered Hyde had a sore arm, he and Wall were returned to their original teams.