Tom Borland
Encyclopedia
Thomas Bruce "Spike" Borland (born February 14, 1933 in El Dorado, Kansas
) is an American
former relief pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played from 1960
through 1961
for the Boston Red Sox
. Borland batted and threw left-handed, stood 6 in 3 in (1.91 m) tall and weighed 172 pounds (78 kg).
Borland attended Oklahoma A & M, now Oklahoma State University and was named Most Outstanding Player in the College World Series
in 1955. In a two-season MLB career, Borland posted a 0–4 record with a 6.75 ERA
and three saves
in 27 games pitched
.
Apart from two trials with the Red Sox, Borland spent his professional career in minor league baseball
, compiling a 48–39 record and a 3.42 ERA between 1955 and 1963 with two years missed due to military service. He was traded to the expansion Houston Colt .45s
in March 1962 in exchange for Dave Philley
, but never appeared in a Major League game for Houston.
El Dorado, Kansas
El Dorado is a city situated along the Walnut River in the central part of Butler County, located in south-central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 13,021. It is the county seat and most populous city of Butler County...
) is an American
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 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 from 1960
1960 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees ; Bobby Richardson, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5-3*All-Star Game , July 13 at Yankee Stadium: National League, 6-0...
through 1961
1961 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds ; Whitey Ford, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Candlestick Park: National League, 5-4 *All-Star Game , July 31 at Fenway Park: 1–1 tie...
for 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"...
. Borland batted and threw left-handed, stood 6 in 3 in (1.91 m) tall and weighed 172 pounds (78 kg).
Borland attended Oklahoma A & M, now Oklahoma State University and was named Most Outstanding Player in the College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
in 1955. In a two-season MLB career, Borland posted a 0–4 record with a 6.75 ERA
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...
and three 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...
in 27 games pitched
Games pitched
In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while...
.
Apart from two trials with the Red Sox, Borland spent his professional career 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...
, compiling a 48–39 record and a 3.42 ERA between 1955 and 1963 with two years missed due to military service. He was traded to the expansion Houston Colt .45s
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...
in March 1962 in exchange for Dave Philley
Dave Philley
David Earl Philley is a former outfielder who played in Major League Baseball. A switch-hitter who threw right-handed, he debuted on September 6, and played his final game on August 6, . He was born in Paris, Texas....
, but never appeared in a Major League game for Houston.