1976 Topps #433 - Rick Waits

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  Rick Waits pitched in the majors in 1973 and from 1975-1985, mostly for the Cleveland Indians. Waits was drafted by the Washington Senators in 1970. He pitched in the minors from 1970-1975. Rick pitched one inning for the Texas Rangers in 1973.
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  Waits started the season pitching for the Rangers' AAA Spokane club. On June 13 he was traded with Jim Bibby, Jackie Brown and $100,000 to the Cleveland Indians for Gaylord Perry. The Indians assigned Rick to AAA Oklahoma City. He had a 1-6 record for Oklahoma City but the Indians still brought him up in late July. Waits went 6-2 with a 2.94 ERA in 16 games (7 starts) for the Indians in 1975.
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  Waits missed about six weeks in 1976 with an injury. He pitched in 26 games (22 starts) and went 7-9 with a 4.00 ERA. In 1977 Waits was used as a reliever and fifth starter. Rick went 9-7 with a 3.99 ERA in 37 games (16 starts).
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  Rick had his best season in 1978. He was 13-15 with a 3.20 ERA in 32 starts. Waits was 16-13 with a 4.44 ERA in 1979 and 13-14 with a 4.45 ERA in 1980. Don't Feel Sorry for Major League Lefties - June 1980 Baseball Digest
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  In the strike-shortened 1981 season Rick went 8-10 with a 4.92 ERA in 21 starts. Waits had a really rough year in 1982 -- he was 2-13 with a 5.40 ERA in 21 starts and didn't pitch after September 4.
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  Waits started the 1983 season with the Indians (0-1, 4.58 in 8 games) and was traded with Rick Manning to the Milwaukee Brewers for Ernie Camacho, Jamie Easterly and Gorman Thomas on June 8. Rick went 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 10 games (2 starts) for the Brewers in '83.
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  Waits was mostly a reliever with the Brewers. In 1984 he pitched in 47 games (1 start) and went 2-4 with 3 saves and a 3.58 ERA. Rick started the 1985 season in the minors. After starting 16 games and having a 2.87 ERA Rick was brought back to the Brewers in July. In 20 games Waits was 3-2 with one save and a 6.52 ERA.
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  Rick was released by the Brewers after the 1985 season. He tried out with the San Francisco Giants in 1986 but was cut during spring training. Waits pitched for the Brewers' AAA Vancouver club in 1986 but never made it back to the majors.
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  After his release Rick played in Italy for several years. He later coached in the New York Mets system and was the Mets' pitching coach in 2003. As of 2008 he was the minor league pitching coordinator for the Mets.
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  Liked to face: Mark Belanger (.000 in 17 AB); Damaso Garcia (.045 in 22 AB); John Mayberry (.067 in 30 AB)
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  Hated to face: Jeff Burroughs (.667 in 18 AB); Al Bumbry (.625 in 16 AB); Lance Parrish (.542 in 24 AB)