Dick Rusteck
Encyclopedia
Richard Frank Rusteck is a former American
left-handed
pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played for the New York Mets
during the season. He is most widely known as one of the few pitchers to deliver a shutout in his first major league game in a match against the Cincinnati Reds
on June 10, 1966.
in his second game for his first major league loss. He would pitch in six more games without a victory before returning to the minor leagues.
, the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins
. While it earned him a shot at Triple-A in the Philadelphia Phillies
organization the following year, his ERA ballooned to 5.16. After sitting out the season, he played for four seasons in the independent Northwest League
with the Portland Mavericks
and Salem Senators before retiring.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
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 played for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
during the season. He is most widely known as one of the few pitchers to deliver a shutout in his first major league game in a match against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
on June 10, 1966.
Early years
This 1963 Notre Dame graduate made three stops in 1965 en route to the New York Mets. All three contained a large measure of success. He began the year at Greenville, SC with a 2.14 ERA in 21 innings. Moving on to Auburn, NY, he fashioned a 3-0 record in 44 innings and a 1.64 ERA. His last stop was Williamsport (Eastern) where he completed the year throwing 50 innings with a 1.98 ERA although he won only one of six decisions. He was 6-4 at Jacksonville in 1966.New York Mets
Rusteck was 24 years old when he broke into the big leagues on June 10, 1966, with the New York Mets. After his impressive debut, he gave up five runs in one inning against the St. Louis CardinalsSt. 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 his second game for his first major league loss. He would pitch in six more games without a victory before returning to the minor leagues.
Back to the minors
He spent another eleven years in the minor leagues hoping to regain his initial success. His best season statistically was , when he went 17-8 with a 2.40 ERA for the Charlotte HornetsCharlotte Hornets (baseball)
The Charlotte Hornets was the name of an American minor league baseball franchise based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The club was originally founded in 1901, and lasted in some form until 1973, capturing 11 league titles during its history...
, the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. While it earned him a shot at Triple-A in the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
organization the following year, his ERA ballooned to 5.16. After sitting out the season, he played for four seasons in the independent Northwest League
Northwest League
The Northwest League of Professional Baseball is a Class A-Short Season minor baseball league. The league is the descendant of the Western International League which ran as a class B league from 1937-1951 and class A from 1952-1954...
with the Portland Mavericks
Portland Mavericks
The Portland Mavericks were a minor league baseball team in Portland, Oregon, United States. They began play in the Class A Northwest League in 1973 after the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League moved to Spokane, Washington. The Mavericks were owned by ex-minor league player and television...
and Salem Senators before retiring.