Dick Tidrow
Encyclopedia
Richard William Tidrow was a Major League Baseball
player for the Cleveland Indians
, New York Yankees
, Chicago Cubs
, Chicago White Sox
, and New York Mets
from 1972 to 1984. He was primarily known as a setup man, or pitcher before the closer
; however, on occasion he would also start games. His best seasons were with the Yankees when he helped the team to two World Series
championships in 1977 and 1978. He was traded the following season to the Cubs for Ray Burris
.
He acquired his nickname, "Dirt", while playing for the Yankees, for his somewhat unkempt appearance and his tendency to get his uniform shirt dirty even before the start of a game. His high kick and sidearm delivery anticipated the style of Dennis Eckersley
.
He is currently the scouting director for the San Francisco Giants
, overseeing a farm system that has produced several top pitching talents, including Matt Cain
and Tim Lincecum
.
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...
player for 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...
, Chicago Cubs
Chicago 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...
, 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...
, and 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...
from 1972 to 1984. He was primarily known as a setup man, or pitcher before the closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
; however, on occasion he would also start games. His best seasons were with the Yankees when he helped the team to two World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
championships in 1977 and 1978. He was traded the following season to the Cubs for Ray Burris
Ray Burris
Bertram Ray Burris was a pitcher with a 15 year career from 1973 to 1987. He played for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Montreal Expos and St. Louis Cardinals all of the National League and the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, and Milwaukee Brewers all of the American League...
.
He acquired his nickname, "Dirt", while playing for the Yankees, for his somewhat unkempt appearance and his tendency to get his uniform shirt dirty even before the start of a game. His high kick and sidearm delivery anticipated the style of Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Lee Eckersley , nicknamed "Eck", is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of only two pitchers in Major League history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career .He...
.
He is currently the scouting director for the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, overseeing a farm system that has produced several top pitching talents, including Matt Cain
Matt Cain
Matthew Thomas Cain is an American Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants...
and Tim Lincecum
Tim Lincecum
Timothy Leroy Lincecum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He was nicknamed "The Freak" and "Big Time Timmy Jim" and "The Franchise." He throws right-handed and bats left-handed....
.