Pat Dobson

Right-handed pitcher known for being part of the Orioles' 'Big Four' 20-game winners in 1971.

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Pat Dobson (February 12, 1942 – November 22, 2006) was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers (1967–69), San Diego Padres (1970), Baltimore Orioles (1971–72), Atlanta Braves (1973), New York Yankees (1973–75) and Cleveland Indians (1976–77). He was best known for being one of four Orioles pitchers to win 20 games in their season.

Quick Facts

Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right
Born: February 12, 1942
Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Died: 22 November 2006
Place of death: San Diego, California, U.S.
Debut league: MLB
Debut date: May 31

Lore & Background

Dobson was born in Depew, New York. He signed with Detroit. After spending seven years in the minor leagues and winter ball, he made his debut with the big team. He pitched innings of relief in the Tigers' 1968 World Series victory.

Unable to claim a spot in the Tigers' rotation, he was traded to San Diego along with Dave Campbell for Joe Niekro. After going 14–15 with 185 strikeouts and a 3.76 ERA as the staff ace for the last-place Padres, he was traded along with Tom Dukes to Baltimore for Enzo Hernández, Tom Phoebus, Fred Beene and Al Severinsen on December 1, 1970. In 1971 Dobson had a winning streak of 12 games and a scoreless inning streak of 23. On September 24, he recorded his 20th win, a 7–0 shutout against the Indians.

Dobson posted a 20–8, 187K, 2.90 season record, and was part of the Orioles' 'Big Four' pitching staff along with Dave McNally (21–5), Mike Cuellar (20–9), and Jim Palmer (20–9). Baltimore went on to win 101 games, with the distinction of having four 20-game winners in a season; only one other team in MLB history, the 2019 Houston Astros (Verlander, Cole, Greinke, Miley), have had four 20-game winners. On November 2, 1971, Dobson threw a 2–0 no-hitter against the Yomiuri Giants in Tokyo.

It was the first no-hit game in the Japanese-American baseball exhibition history. His 2.65 ERA was a major improvement from his 20-win season, but he went 16–18, tying for the AL lead in losses with Yankee Mel Stottlemyre. He was dealt along with Davey Johnson, Johnny Oates and Roric Harrison to the Atlanta Braves for Earl Williams and Taylor Duncan on December 1, 1972. After starting the 1973 season 3–7, Dobson was sent to the Yankees on June 7 for four minor league players.

He finished the season with a 9–8 record for the Yankees. Dobson started the 1974 campaign weakly, but anchored the Yankees' pitching staff in the second half, finishing with a 19–15 record and a 3.07 ERA. After a slumping 11–14, 4.07, Dobson was traded to the Indians, and recovered with a 16–12, 3.48 record. His last season proved to be his last, as Dobson compiled a 3–12, 6.16 record.

He was released by the Indians during spring training of 1978. In his 11-season career Dobson had a record of 122–129, with 1,301 strikeouts, a 3.54 ERA, 74 complete games, 14 shutouts, 19 saves, and innings pitched in 414 games.

Reader's Guide

After his playing days, Dobson became a pitching coach for the Brewers, Padres, Royals and Orioles. From 1989 to 1990, he was the manager of the Fort Myers Sun Sox of the Senior Professional Baseball Association, leading the team to a 37–35 record and a playoff berth in his first season and an 11–14 record at the time of the league's demise on December 26, 1990. In 1997, Dobson joined the San Francisco Giants organization and worked as an advance major league scout and assistant to general manager Brian Sabean. In 2006 Dobson died from leukemia in San Diego at the age of 64, one day after being diagnosed with the disease.