Don Secrist
Encyclopedia
Donald Laverne Secrist is a retired American
professional baseball
player, a left-handed
pitcher
who appeared in 28 games played
, all in relief
, for the – Chicago White Sox
of Major League Baseball
. He stood 6 in 2 in (1.88 m) tall and weighed 195 pounds (88.5 kg).
Secrist had two outstanding seasons in minor league baseball
. After signing with the Baltimore Orioles
, he was undefeated in seven decisions
with a 1.96 earned run average
for the 1963 Aberdeen Pheasants
of the Class A Northern League
. Drafted from the Orioles by the Cincinnati Reds
following that season, Secrist spent five more years in the Reds' farm system. In his last, in 1968, he won 11 games and lost two for the Indianapolis Indians
of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League
. Following that campaign, he was dealt with catcher
Don Pavletich
to the White Sox for pitcher Jack Fisher
.
Secrist then spent much of the 1969 season with the MLB White Sox, appearing in 19 games, making his debut during the home opener
of the expansion
Seattle Pilots
at Sicks Stadium in his native city. He recorded his only MLB decision, a loss, on July 16 against the Minnesota Twins
. Secrist pitched four innings that day and allowed only two runs
, but he gave up the game-winning tally on a home run
by Minnesota's Rich Reese
. In 1970, he appeared in nine more games for the ChiSox during April, May and June before returning to the minor leagues. In 28 games and 54⅔ innings pitched
at a Major Leaguer, Secrist allowed 54 hits
, nine home runs, and 26 bases on balls with 32 strikeouts.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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....
player, a 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...
who appeared in 28 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
, all in relief
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...
, for the – 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...
of 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...
. He stood 6 in 2 in (1.88 m) tall and weighed 195 pounds (88.5 kg).
Secrist had two outstanding seasons in minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
. After signing with the 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...
, he was undefeated in seven decisions
Decision (baseball)
A decision is a statistical credit given to a baseball pitcher.There are two types of decisions: win and loss.In order to receive a win, the starting pitcher must complete at least five innings and leave with the lead. If the pitcher's lead is preserved by the bullpen, he is credited with a win...
with a 1.96 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...
for the 1963 Aberdeen Pheasants
Aberdeen Pheasants
The Aberdeen Pheasants were a class C minor league baseball team located in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The Pheasants were the Class C minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Browns until 1953. When the Browns moved to Baltimore in 1954 and changed their name to the Orioles, the Pheasants remained in...
of the Class A Northern League
Northern League (baseball, 1902-71)
This article refers to the original incarnations of the Northern League, which operated between 1902 and 1971. For the more recent league, see Northern League ...
. Drafted from the Orioles by 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....
following that season, Secrist spent five more years in the Reds' farm system. In his last, in 1968, he won 11 games and lost two for the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. Following that campaign, he was dealt with catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Don Pavletich
Don Pavletich
Donald Stephen Pavletich is a retired American professional baseball player, a catcher and first baseman for the Cincinnati Redlegs/Reds , Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox .In 12 seasons he played in 536 Games, had 1,373 At Bats, 163 Runs, 349 Hits, 73 Doubles, 8 Triples, 46 Home Runs, 193...
to the White Sox for pitcher Jack Fisher
Jack Fisher
John Howard Fisher was a Major League Baseball pitcher. The right-hander was signed by the Baltimore Orioles as an amateur free agent on June 24, 1957. He played for the Orioles , San Francisco Giants , New York Mets , Chicago White Sox , and Cincinnati Reds...
.
Secrist then spent much of the 1969 season with the MLB White Sox, appearing in 19 games, making his debut during the home opener
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book...
of the expansion
Expansion team
An expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
Seattle Pilots
Seattle Pilots
The Seattle Pilots were an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington for one season, . The Pilots played home games at Sick's Stadium and were a member of the West Division of Major League Baseball's American League...
at Sicks Stadium in his native city. He recorded his only MLB decision, a loss, on July 16 against 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...
. Secrist pitched four innings that day and allowed only two runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, but he gave up the game-winning tally on a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
by Minnesota's Rich Reese
Rich Reese
Richard Benjamin Reese , is a former professional baseball player who played outfield and first base in the major leagues from 1964-1973....
. In 1970, he appeared in nine more games for the ChiSox during April, May and June before returning to the minor leagues. In 28 games and 54⅔ innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
at a Major Leaguer, Secrist allowed 54 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, nine home runs, and 26 bases on balls with 32 strikeouts.