Fred Gladding

Fred Gladding
Pitcher
Born: June 28, 1936 (1936-06-28) Flat Rock, Michigan
Batted: Left	Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 1, 1961 for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
June 2, 1973 for the Houston Astros
Career statistics
Win-loss record	48-34
Earned run average	3.13
Saves	109
Strikeouts	394
Teams
Detroit Tigers (1961-1967) Houston Astros (1968-1973)
Career highlights and awards
National League saves champion: 1969

Fred Earl Gladding (Born June 28, 1936 in Flat Rock, Michigan) is a former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of thirteen seasons (1961–1973) with the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros. For his career, he compiled a 48-34 record and 109 saves in 450 appearances, all but one as a relief pitcher, with an 3.13 earned run average and 394 strikeouts. Gladding led the National League in saves with Houston in 1969, the first season the statistic was recognized.

In seven seasons with the Tigers, Gladding compiled a record of 26-11 and a 2.70 ERA in 217 games. His .703 winning percentage with the Tigers is the highest in the franchise's history for a pitcher appearing in at least 200 games for the team.

Gladding also has the distinction of having the lowest non-zero lifetime batting average in major league history. For his career he batted .016 (1 for 63).

See also

• Best pitching seasons by a Detroit Tiger
• List of Major League Baseball saves champions
• List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders

References

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference

Preceded by First Official Champion	National League Saves Champion 1969	Succeeded by Wayne Granger
Preceded by Steve Hamilton	Detroit Tigers pitching coach 1976–1978	Succeeded by Johnny Grodzicki