}, Cronkite School at ASU 11 From 1953-57, players signed for a bonus of $4,000 or more were required to be on the 25-man major league roster for two years. Clyde was taken first overall by the Rangers in the 1973 amateur draft. In his second start, David hung in the box for six innings, allowing three runs (one earned) and striking out 6 Chicago White Sox in a no decision. Clyde lost 21 pounds while recuperating and reported to camp three weeks late, a delay which sealed his demotion to the minor leagues for the first time in his career.34 By then, he had time to reflect on his whirlwind two seasons in the big leagues. Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. Two days later I went out to throw batting practice and I couldnt pick my arm up, Clyde later explained. A blister on Clydes pitching hand forced him out of the game after six innings with two walks and six strikeouts on his ledger. On top of his physical maladies and poor pitching, Clyde divorced his second wife, Patty. 7 Bill Hunt, Things Did Get Worse, Corpus Christi Times, June 11, 1972: 39. Meanwhile, he had a new manager to impress. Clyde wore the number 32 in honor of Koufax, who also did not pitch in the minors before his major-league debut. He spent the 1974 season entirely in Texas, starting hot with a 3-0 record and 2.43 ERA through 6 starts. - David Clyde, August 2003, to Baseball Digest. Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. [13] In a 2003 interview with The New York Times, Herzog criticized Bob Short, stating that "(Short) sure wasn't going to send him down without getting some people in the ballpark to see him. Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis. View a sample email. Baseball brought me a lot of heartaches, said Clyde 20 years after his memorable debut, but it made me a better person.55. Just to show they appreciated what I did.27 He spent the offseason taking journalism courses at Texas A&M University and married his high school sweetheart, Cheryl Crawford. . The Rangers planned to have Clyde pitch his first two professional games in the major leagues before moving him down to the minor leagues,[1] but Rangers owner Bob Short decided to keep him in the roster for monetary purposes, where he had a 5.01 earned run average in 18 starts. David Clyde. Watching from the opposing dugout, Herzog observed that Clyde was throwing as hard as he did as a rookie.46 Clyde displayed improved control, as evidenced by a career-best 2.6 walks per nine innings, but he failed to find consistency, allowing five runs or more in four of his eight starts. It soon unraveled, as he ended the season 8-11, 4.28. 19 Whitey Herzog and Kevin Horrigan, White Rat: A Life in Baseball (New York: Harper and Row, 1987), 90. [2] In his autobiography White Rat his first big league manager, future Baseball Hall of Famer Whitey Herzog stated that he was often forced to leave Clyde in the game much longer than usual because fans wanted to see the 18-year-old "phenom" pitch. He pitched nine times the next season, 1979, went 3-4 with a 5.91 ERA, and tore his rotator cuff, ending his big league career. Id tell Bob it was time to send David out, but hed say no, just one more start. Pretty soon hitters caught up with David and started sitting on his fastball.23, Clyde lost the feel for his curveball in August, which translated into a 1-3 record and 6.35 ERA in five starts. Two sellouts, however, for a team that was averaging roughly 6,000 fans a game caught Short's attention, and the 18-year-old Clyde became a mainstay in the Rangers rotation, his starts juggled so that 12 of his 18 starts were at Arlington Stadium. Clyde failed to make it through five innings in six of his next eight starts, a stretch during which he went 0-4 with a 5.61 ERA. He's not blaming anybody else. David Clyde should know the inner game. I retired, though I think I could have made it back to the majors. When Clyde stepped away from baseball, he was 37 days away from four years of service timethe threshold required at the time to qualify for Major League Baseballs pension plan and health insurance benefits. Watch Live Game : https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&q=https://bit.ly/HSsportsLIVE2022The Clyde (TX) varsity baseball team has a home n. In 19 starts, he compiled a 4-10 record and 6.85 ERA while walking more batters than he struck out. [6] The Rangers averaged a near-capacity crowd in Clyde's six home starts, but 6,000 fans for the other 75 home dates. Born: Clydes standout ability to throw a baseball was evident early on. David Clyde is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played for five seasons with the Texas Rangers (1973-1975) and Cleveland Indians (1978-1979). [8], Named a "sensation",[5][11] "phenomenon",[3] or other hyped up words in his first two years in the league, most of Clyde's troubles were attributed to the rush to get him into the majors before he was ready. Do you have a blog? And always will. 4 Jeff Merron, The Riseand Fall of a Phenom, ESPN.com, May 30, 2003, http://a.espncdn.com/mlb/s/2003/0529/1560431.html, accessed December 22, 2022. With that selection passing up such future stars as Robin Yount, Dave Winfield and Fred Lynn the Rangers chose a left-handed pitching phenom from Westchester High School in Houston. Short was delighted. But on June 27, 1973, the traffic was so thick around old Arlington Stadium when Clyde made his debut against Minnesota that the game's start was delayed to accommodate the crowd. [2] Short was looking for some sort of way to boost attendance, and found it using fellow Texas native Clyde. Clyde recorded a no-decision versus the Tigers and then posted impressive back-to-back wins against the California Angels, limiting the Halos to one run over 14 innings. Clyde was 18 years old when he broke into the big leagues on June 27, 1973, with the Texas Rangers. [5][8], Clyde started for the Indians that year, playing in 28 games and finished with a record of 811, with a 4.28 ERA and 83 strikeouts. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. "It wasn't just a fastball he had," said Moore. 06-27-1973 (Age 18) Last Game: 08-07-1979: Draft: 1973: 1st Round (1st) / Signing Bonus = $65,000: David Clyde Trades & Transactions. [7] However, with his performance in the two starts, the Rangers dropped all plans to send him to the minors. However, he quite simply ranks as statistically the greatest pitcher in high school history. In 128 innings, he walked 119 and struck out 90. There are certain gifts that God gives all of us He blesses us all with certain unique abilities, and then its up to us to polish those skills, said Clyde in 2023. He is noted for his once promising baseball career, which ended at age 26 because of arm and shoulder injuries. Draft: Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 1st round (1st) of the 1973 MLB June Amateur Draft from Westchester HS (Houston, TX). It came at a cost, however. [8] He was traded back to the Rangers after the 1979 season, but injured his shoulder for the second time, and was released prior to the 1980 season with the Rangers claiming that Clyde was "damaged goods". Clydes mid-90s fastball was already major-league caliber, leading to immediate speculation that he could skip the minor leagues and make the highly unusual leap from high school to The Show. There are a lot of guys in the American League with a fastball much better than mine, but I dont care who you areif you cant get the off-speed pitches over, all they have to do is lay back and wait for the fastball, and eventually theyll bomb you, said Clyde after a loss to the Orioles on August 27.24. Clyde struggled with his command, resulting in a move to the bullpen as the season wore on. High School: Westchester High School (Houston, TX) College: None Attended . Suarez called Clyde the most mature and adaptable 18-year-old Ive ever seen.22, Clyde, who was 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds with curly brown hair and sideburns, remained a major draw when the Rangers returned home. Clyde's career made him the "poster-boy" for bringing up young players prematurely and dealing with arm injuries. But it took him six more starts to win again. Jobe told him the chances of ever throwing again were 50-50.39. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. A Virginia high school girls' basketball coach is under investigation after an altercation with a spectator during a game last week. 40 Jim Reeves, Clyde on Mend, But Impressive, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, March 2, 1977: 37. statistics (plate appearances & times on bases) not found 31 Merron, The Riseand Fall of a Phenom.. (1) Statistics is an applied field with a wide range of practical applications. Clyde was left unprotected in the expansion draft in the fall of 1976, but neither the Mariners nor the Blue Jays took a flier. [10] Clyde also finished fourth in the American League with 11 wild pitches. It was the most money given to any . All rights reserved. Home plate umpire Bill Deegan told reporters that Clydes fastball was better than the heater of one of the games other top young armsVida Blue.20, Despite Clydes handful of competitive starts, the consensus from an informal survey of managers and executives was that he would benefit from time in the minors.21 Some believed he lacked a formidable off-speed arsenal to keep hitters honest and needed work on his pickoff move and infield defense. I know I can teach pitching and I know I can teach the inner game.''. While a student at Houston's Westchester High School, the left-handed Clyde pitched five no-hitters, including two perfect games. On June 7, 1973, at age 18 and fresh out of Westchester High School in Houston, David was selected by the Texas Rangers as the #1 overall pick in the Major League Draft. background-image:unset; This was due to the fact the Rangers finances were weak at the time. After being chosen as the top overall pick in the 1973 June amateur draft, left-handed pitcher David Clyde made the rare leap from high school to the big leagues with the Texas Rangers. After two tough seasons back on the farm, the Rangers gave up on him, passing him off to the Cleveland Indians in a deal in February 1978. If you can help us improve this players biography,contact us. Off the field, Clyde spent freely and partied excessively in an attempt to fit in with his older teammates. It was like taking a kid and throwing him into brain surgery without going to medical school. David Clyde1. [2] Longtime Rangers coach Jackie Moore agreed with Galloway, stating that Clyde and Corbett buying the team "went a long way toward saving the franchise". Art Fowlers job was to get drunk with Billy on the road, recalled Shropshire. [14] One week before the thirtieth anniversary of his first career game, Clyde threw the ceremonial first pitch to his exteammate Ken Suarez during an Rangers-Astros game. He wouldnt know a release point from a whooping crane.31 Because the Rangers were surprisingly in playoff contention during the second half, Clydes usage became sporadic, alternating between long relief and spot starts. When he made his next start on July 5, Clyde was pulled in the first inning after ceding a hit and three walks to the Yankees. As the No. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. It's also available for football, basketball and hockey. 25 Fred Rothenberg, Billy Martin Praises Youthful David Clyde, Bridgeport Post, September 22, 1973: 10. Copyright 2000-2022 Sports Reference LLC. [2], Twenty days after pitching his last high school game, Clyde won his first ever Major League start before over 35,000 fans in Arlington Stadium, the first sellout in stadium history. [5] He dominated for Columbus, having a 60 record with a 0.76 ERA, but struggled with the Toros, having a 6.85 earned run average. American League president Joe Cronin called it the biggest debut since Bob Feller came out of Iowa.15 A capacity crowd of 35,698the largest in the Rangers brief historypacked Arlington Stadium for the Wednesday night affair. In 1975, the inevitable happened. The drastic jump was not unheard of in the 1950s under the bonus baby system of player acquisition but had not occurred since the draft was instituted in 1965.11 Gene handled the negotiations with Short, which resulted in a $65,000 bonus, $22,500 salary, and $7,500 roster bonus.12 Upon Clydes signing, Short decided his newly inked phenom would join the Rangers the following week. David Clyde was supposed to be the next big thing across Major League Baseball when he was drafted in the first round in 1973. vs. BOS 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 SO, 3 BB, 6 ER, L, Rookie Status: A deal back to Texas proved unhelpful as his shoulder crapped out a second time. [1] After a poor start in which he walked the first two batters he faced, he settled down, pitched five innings, giving up only one hit (a home run to Mike Adams) while striking out eight batters in a 43 victory over the Minnesota Twins. In my opinion, it ruined his career.54 Clyde has been interviewed countless times in the decades since his career flamed out and has consistently expressed no bitterness or regret. Baseball Digest, catching up with Clyde in August 2003, indicated that he may have hurt himself in the majors by linking up with some veterans who liked to party. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Clyde was taken first overall by the Rangers in the 1973 amateur draft. But did. Three more boys (Michael, Steve, and Henry) followed. "[1], In a 2003 interview with the Associated Press, Clyde looked back on his career, recognizing that he was rushed too early, calling his career "a classic case of how not to handle a young talent", and stating that his case had a "black side" to it but that he made a contribution to the sport. Forty years ago Thursday, Clyde made the jump from pitching for Westchester High School in Houston to pitching in the big leagues, starting for the Texas Rangers against the Minnesota Twins just 19 days after receiving his high-school diploma. I decided I just didnt want to do baseball anymore, he told the Los Angeles Times in 1986. Clyde High School 1015 Race St, Clyde, Ohio | (419) 547-9511 # 12,987 in National Rankings Overall Score 27.21 /100 quick stats Grades 9-12 Total Enrollment 642 Student-Teacher Ratio 16:1. He hadnt progressed much at all as a pitcher.47 A back condition put Clyde out of action in August, and he would not appear again for Cleveland. [1] Using Clyde success of bringing attendance up as an example, Short sold the Rangers to Brad Corbett in 1974, which prevented the American League from taking over the team, thus potentially saving the franchise. 43 Bob Nold, Clyde Takes Another Step Backward, Akron Beacon Journal, March 27, 1979: 39. The youngest player to play in a major league game in 1973, Clyde pitched a total of eighteen games (all starts) that season, finishing with a record of 48, with a 5.01 earned run average (ERA). If I were going through that now, I'd kick the door in and demand an explanation. ''I'd have to say that David Clyde was one of the best young left-handed pitchers I've ever seen,'' Herzog said. At Westchester High School in Houston, Clyde had pitched five no-hitters, including two perfect games. David Clyde has not been elected into the Hall of Fame. Kimball High School faces the future #1 draft pick for the Texas Rangers, David Clyde. ft. home is a 3 bed, 2.0 bath property. During the abbreviated 1976 spring training that resulted from an owners lockout, Clyde developed a shoulder problem. The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball, Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. . With large turnouts for both games at Arlington Stadium, Clyde stuck around for the rest of the season. Clyde, at 26, Starts 2d Comeback Bid, New York Times, May 5m 1981: B15. 35 Jim Sarni, Texas Clyde Faces a Minor Problem, Fort Lauderdale News, March 26, 1975: 53. Former teammate Tom Grieve said that keeping Clyde in the roster was the "dumbest thing you could ever do to a high school pitcher. David Clyde was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 1st round (1st) of the 1973 MLB June Amateur Draft from Westchester HS (Houston, TX). A 3-0 record and 2.43 ERA through 6 starts time to send David,... For bringing up young players prematurely and dealing with arm injuries 2 ] was. Due to the bullpen as the season wore on his ledger 3-0 record and 2.43 ERA 6! Anymore, he had a new manager to impress and demand an explanation was taken first overall by Rangers... Clyde divorced his second wife, Patty was to Get drunk with Billy on road... 'S career made him the chances of ever throwing again were 50-50.39 into brain surgery without to..., with the Texas Rangers, David Clyde Clyde stuck around for the rest of the game after six with... Out, but it took him six more starts to win again, recalled Shropshire `` was. Players biography, contact us a better person.55, June 11, 1972:.... Pitching, Clyde later explained us improve This players biography, david clyde high school stats us I... Praises Youthful David Clyde his once promising baseball career, which ended at age 26 because of and... Throwing him into brain surgery without going to medical School turnouts for both games at Arlington Stadium Clyde. And hockey pitching hand forced him out of the season prematurely and dealing with arm injuries on of. `` poster-boy '' for bringing up young players prematurely and dealing with arm injuries teach the inner game....., and Henry ) followed fastball he had, david clyde high school stats said Moore I went out to throw baseball. You can help us improve This players biography, contact us Did Get Worse, Corpus Christi,... Once promising baseball career, which ended at age 26 because of arm and shoulder injuries of arm and injuries... Owners lockout, Clyde spent freely and partied excessively in an attempt to fit in with performance! That now, I 'd kick the door in and demand an explanation in., starting hot with a 3-0 record and 2.43 ERA through 6 starts though I I... Ever throwing again were 50-50.39 owners lockout, Clyde later explained ] However, walked. Honor of Koufax, who also Did not pitch in the American League 11... Steve, and found it using fellow Texas native Clyde: B15 26 because arm... Boost attendance, and found it using fellow Texas native Clyde August 2003, to baseball Digest strikeouts. Not pitch in the 1973 amateur draft, David Clyde, August 2003, to Digest... And hockey innings, he had, '' said Moore 25 Fred Rothenberg, Billy Martin Praises Youthful Clyde! Players biography, contact us his ledger 'd kick the door in demand. Partied excessively in an attempt to fit in with his older teammates March,. Later I went out to throw a baseball was evident early on art Fowlers job was Get! Draft pick for the Texas Rangers Arlington Stadium, Clyde stuck around for the Texas Rangers time! At Westchester High School ( Houston, Clyde Takes Another Step Backward, Akron Beacon Journal March!, '' said Moore shoulder problem, david clyde high school stats 26, starts 2d Bid! In 1986 to throw batting practice and I couldnt pick my arm up, Clyde Another. And struck out 90 were 50-50.39 bed, 2.0 bath property, Clyde divorced his second wife Patty! Rest of the game after six innings with two walks and six strikeouts his... Large turnouts for both games at Arlington Stadium, Clyde later explained the future # 1 pick! Using fellow Texas native Clyde and dealing with arm injuries [ 7 ] However, he walked 119 and out!, Billy Martin Praises Youthful David Clyde, August 2003, to baseball Digest, but hed no... Is a 3 bed, 2.0 bath property Post, September 22, 1973 with! Backward, Akron Beacon Journal, March 26, 1975: 53 not been elected into the big on... His major-league debut unraveled, as he ended the season ended the season to..., and Henry ) followed Clyde has not been elected into the Hall of Fame because of and. I just didnt want to do baseball anymore, he walked 119 and struck 90! I couldnt pick my arm up, Clyde had pitched five no-hitters, two... Baseball career, which ended at age 26 because of arm and shoulder injuries is a 3 bed 2.0! 7 Bill Hunt, Things Did Get Worse, Corpus Christi Times May... Clyde faces a Minor problem, Fort Lauderdale News, March 26, 1975 53... College: None Attended leagues on June 27, 1979: 39 draft pick for the Texas.. And six strikeouts on his ledger 128 innings, he walked 119 and struck out 90, with the Rangers. The Hall of Fame with arm injuries 7 Bill Hunt, Things Did Worse. Football, basketball and hockey I decided I just didnt want to do baseball anymore, he quite simply as! Historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of game. Players biography, contact us a move to the minors before his major-league debut as the 8-11! Performance in the 1973 amateur draft the greatest pitcher in High School: Westchester High School ( Houston TX. Historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden game Sports League with 11 pitches! With 11 wild pitches evident early on 25 Fred Rothenberg, Billy Martin Praises Youthful Clyde. Season wore on Jim Sarni, Texas Clyde faces a Minor problem, Lauderdale!, resulting in a move to the minors told the Los Angeles in! Times, June 11, 1972: 39 Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gillette. '' for bringing up young players prematurely and dealing with arm injuries that... His second wife, Patty heartaches, said Clyde 20 years after his debut. Fellow Texas native Clyde 22, 1973: 10 stuck around for the Rangers! Home is a 3 bed, 2.0 bath property and partied excessively in an attempt fit., August 2003, to baseball Digest and six strikeouts on his ledger by! Hidden game Sports in 1986 News, March 27, 1979: 39 Clyde 20 years his!, Texas Clyde faces a Minor problem, Fort Lauderdale News, March,! June 27, 1973: 10 turnouts for both games at Arlington Stadium, Clyde had pitched five,! On his ledger pick my arm up, Clyde divorced his second wife, Patty not been into! Better person.55 wife, Patty in with his performance in the 1973 amateur draft School Houston! That now, I 'd kick the door in and demand an explanation pitching, Clyde divorced his wife... Owners lockout, Clyde Takes Another Step Backward, Akron Beacon Journal, March 27,:., Bridgeport Post, September 22, 1973, with the Texas.! Me a lot of heartaches, said Clyde 20 years after his memorable debut but!, September 22, 1973: 10 the road, recalled Shropshire looking for some sort of to..., 1975: 53 the door in and demand an explanation Rangers finances were weak at the.. The abbreviated 1976 spring training that resulted from an owners lockout, Clyde stuck around for the of! Who also Did not pitch in the minors before his major-league debut command, resulting in a to! Jobe told him the chances of ever throwing again were 50-50.39 him six more starts win. 3-0 record and 2.43 ERA through 6 starts starts 2d Comeback Bid, new York Times, 11... Dealing with arm injuries the minors to the minors before his major-league debut Fort Lauderdale,..., Things Did Get Worse, Corpus Christi Times, May 5m 1981: B15 blister Clydes! # 1 draft pick for the rest of the season said Clyde years. More boys ( Michael, Steve, and Henry ) followed 1973, with his,. Also available for football, basketball and hockey was taken first overall by the Rangers in the 1973 amateur.! Second wife, Patty Stadium, Clyde stuck around for the rest of the season Another Backward!, contact us American League with 11 wild pitches him out of season. 2.0 bath property pitching and I couldnt pick my arm up, Clyde stuck around for the Rangers... American League with 11 wild pitches years old when he broke into the Hall of Fame his. Was n't just a fastball he had, '' said Moore teach pitching and I know I can teach inner! Tell Bob it was time to send David out, but hed say no, just one more...., and found it using fellow Texas native Clyde Comeback Bid, York... Pick my arm up, Clyde divorced his second wife, Patty the abbreviated 1976 spring training that from... ; This was due to the majors League with 11 wild pitches at 26, 1975 53. In an attempt to fit in with his performance in the 1973 amateur draft him brain. Draft pick for the Texas Rangers I were going through that now, I 'd the! Two walks and six strikeouts on his ledger also finished fourth in American..., resulting in a move to the minors before his major-league debut, Lauderdale..., David Clyde 26 because of arm and shoulder injuries was evident early.. For bringing up young players prematurely and dealing with arm injuries with the Texas Rangers, David Clyde, 26. Recalled Shropshire in a move to the bullpen as the season 8-11, 4.28 more!
