#555 Jack Baldschun

Here's a guy that never seems to take much of the heat for being on the wrong side of a lopsided trade. Sure, Milt Pappas was the centerpiece of the deal that sent Frank Robinson to the Orioles, but the Reds were pretty smitten with Jack Baldschun as well. Why was he considered key to the deal, and how did he disappoint the Reds? That will have to wait for...

Fun facts about Jack Baldschun:

-Signed with the Senators in 1960 after matriculating from Miami University of Ohio.

-Claimed by the Phillies in the Rule 5 draft, utilized a good screwball to lead the National League with 65 games pitched in his rookie season, including appearances in eight straight at one point. The Phils were brutal (47-107), and he was the only member of the staff to post a winning record (5-3) with more than three decisions. With a 3.88 ERA, he joined fellow reliever Don Ferrarese (3.76) as the only moundsmen in the city of Brotherly Love to finish better than 4.00.

-Had back-to-back seasons with double-digit wins and saves in 1962 (12-7, 13 SV, 2.96 ERA) and 1963 (11-7, 16 SV, 2.30 ERA).

-Won both ends of an April 14, 1963 doubleheader, pitching a total of 2 and 1/3 scoreless innings of relief against the Cardinals.

-Saved a career-high 21 games with a solid 3.12 ERA in 1964, but lost four games during a disastrous September in which the Phillies blew a comfortable first-place margin.

-Appeared in at least 65 games in each of his five seasons in Philadelphia.

-In two seasons with the Reds (1966-1967), appeared in only 51 games, accumulating a 5.25 ERA.

-Yielded four home runs to Willie Stargell in his career; no other batter touched Baldschun for more than two.

-Went 7-2 in 61 games for the Padres in 1969, despite a lofty 4.79 ERA. After 12 rocky games in 1970, San Diego released him and he called it quits at age 33.

-Went from baseball to carpentry, joining his brother's business. He later became a lumber salesman, and is currently retired and living in Green Bay, Wisconsin.