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Doc Medich

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Doc Medich
Pitcher
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
debut
September 5, 1972, for the New York Yankees
Last appearance
October 2, 1982, for the Milwaukee Brewers
Career statistics
Win–Loss record124–105
Earned run average3.77
Strikeouts955
Teams

George Francis Medich (of Serbian ancestry, born December 9, 1948 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania} is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1972-1982. He was a medical student at the University of Pittsburgh, and acquired the nickname "Doc" during his early baseball career.

Early years

While in college, he pitched for the Pitt baseball team and played tight end on the Pittsburgh Panthers football team,[1] and was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 30th round of the 1970 Major League Baseball Draft. After three seasons as a starting pitcher in their farm system, in which he went 21-13 with a 2.27 earned run average, Medich received a call to the majors in September 1972. He faced four batters in his major league debut, giving up two singles and two walks and retiring none.[2]

New York Yankees

From there, Medich improved substantially, as he went 14-9 with a 2.95 ERA in 1973 to finish third in American League Rookie of the Year balloting. In 1974, Medich won a career high 19 games for the Yankees, tied with teammate Pat Dobson for most wins on the team. Following a 1975 season in which Medich went 16-16 with a 3.50 ERA, the New York Yankees completed one of the better trades in franchise history when Medich was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Ken Brett, Dock Ellis and perennial All-Star second baseman Willie Randolph.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Medich spent just one injury plagued season with his hometown Pirates, going 8-11 with a 3.52 ERA. During Spring training 1977, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics with Tony Armas, Doug Bair, Dave Giusti, Rick Langford and Mitchell Page for Chris Batton, Phil Garner and Tommy Helms.

1977 season

Medich was unhappy with his trade as he was a student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and wished to remain near the school. He threatened to retire, but later joined the A's, and went 10-6 with a 4.69 ERA. As he was slated to become a free agent at the end of the season, A's owner Charlie Finley attempted to sign Medich to an extension. Unsuccessful, he sold Medich's contract to the expansion Seattle Mariners in September. He was 2-0 with a 3.63 ERA in three starts for the Mariners before being placed on waivers, and selected by the New York Mets. He made one start for the Mets, losing to the Pirates.[3]

Texas Rangers

Medich signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers following the season, going 9-8 with a 3.74 ERA his first season with the club. His best season was the strike shortened 1981 season in which he went 10-6 with a 3.08 ERA, and tied for the AL lead with four shutouts with Richard Dotson, Ken Forsch, and Steve McCatty. In five seasons with the club, Medich went 50-43 with a 3.95 ERA.[4]

Milwaukee Brewers

With the Rangers languishing in sixth place in the American League West, Medich's contract was sold to the Milwaukee Brewers, who were in first place in the American League East on August 11, 1982. On August 27, Rickey Henderson broke Lou Brock's record for most stolen bases in one season against the Brewers with Medich on the mound.[5] Medich appeared in the 1982 World Series as a member of the Brewers.

Medical career

Twice during his baseball career Medich went into the stands during a game to aid a fan who was suffering a heart attack. In 1976 in Philadelphia he performed CPR and mouth-to-mouth on a fan who died later that day. In a 1978 game between the Texas Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles he revived a man who was suffering a heart attack. The man survived and lived several more years.

Medich received an M.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He had his medical license suspended in Pennsylvania due to a "guilty plea to 12 counts of knowingly or intentionally possessing a controlled substance obtained through prescriptions written in the names of patients." It remains suspended and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons voted to expel Medich.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ O'Brien, Jim (editor) (1982). Hail to Pitt: A Sports History of the University of Pittsburgh. Wolfson Publishing Co. p. 32. ISBN 0-916114-08-2. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ "New York Yankees 7, Baltimore Orioles 6". Baseball-Reference.com. September 5, 1972.
  3. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates 5, New York Mets 2". Baseball-Reference.com. September 29, 1977.
  4. ^ Adam J. Morris (March 2, 2006). "The Greatest Rangers of All Time - #42 Doc Medich". Lone Star Ball.
  5. ^ Baseball’s Top 100: The Game’s Greatest Records, p.52, Kerry Banks, 2010, Greystone Books, Vancouver, BC, ISBN 978-1-55365-507-7
  6. ^ (Source: AAOS Bulletin - August 2006 - http://www2.aaos.org/aaos/archives/bulletin/aug06/fline14.asp)

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