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| Fred Gladding | |
|---|---|
 Gladding in 1964 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1936-06-28)June 28, 1936 Flat Rock, Michigan, U.S. | |
| Died: May 21, 2015(2015-05-21) (aged 78) Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. | |
| Batted: LeftThrew: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 1, 1961, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 2, 1973, for the Houston Astros | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 48–34 |
| Earned run average | 3.13 |
| Strikeouts | 394 |
| Saves | 109 |
Stats at Baseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Fred Earl Gladding (June 28, 1936 – May 21, 2015) was an American professional baseball player and coach. He was a right-handed pitcher for all or parts of 13 seasons (1961–1973) with the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros. He was born in Flat Rock, Michigan, and attended Flat Rock Community High School. He was listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and 220 pounds (100 kg).
For his career, he compiled a 48–34 record and 109 saves in 450 appearances, all but one as a relief pitcher, with a 3.13 earned run average and 394 strikeouts in 601 innings pitched. Gladding led the National League in saves with Houston in 1969, the first season the statistic was officially recognized.
In seven seasons with the Tigers, Gladding compiled a career 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. He returned to Detroit in 1976 as pitching coach and served three seasons on the staff of manager Ralph Houk.
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).
Gladding died on May 21, 2015, in Columbia, South Carolina.
See also
- Best pitching seasons by a Detroit Tiger
- Houston Astros award winners and league leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders
References
- ^ Paul, Tony (May 28, 2015). "Ex-Tigers pitcher Fred Gladding, Flat Rock native, dies at 78". Detroit News. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
- ^ Mattingly, Tom (May 23, 2015). "Former MLB pitcher, Powell resident Fred Gladding dies at 78". knoxnews.com. Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
External links
- Career statistics from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
| Preceded bySteve Hamilton | Detroit Tigers pitching coach 1976–1978 |
Succeeded byJohnny Grodzicki |
| National League season saves leaders | |
|---|---|
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- 1936 births
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- Augusta Tigers players
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- Charleston Senators players
- Denver Bears players
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- Detroit Tigers players
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- Major League Baseball pitchers
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- People from Flat Rock, Michigan
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- 20th-century American sportsmen
- American baseball pitcher, 1930s births stubs