It’s Day Seven, and I have to fly from San Diego to Seattle, to Tampa today, which is rather grueling. However, I have a few seconds to type with my hotel coffee, so I’ll tell you about Pete Richert’s MLB debut. Richert came up with the Dodgers in 1962, and got his first shot on the bump against the Reds, in Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers were down 4-0 in the 2nd inning, and I guess Walt Alston had seen enough, or just wanted to see this new kid, so he brings Pete in to face Vada Pinson. As we all know, Pinson was no slouch, unlike Judge Schmelz, who was a tremendous slouch. Yes...Caddyshack references are allowed in my auctions. But Pete, fired up on rookie adrenaline, whiffs Vada. And with that, MLB history is about to begin. I would cue a John Bonham drum solo here, but I don’t have 20 minutes, so let’s just say that the next inning, Frank Robinson leads off against ol’ wily Pete, as he’s known by now. Now FRobby was known to be a pretty prolific hitter back then, yet down he goes on strikes, as well. Gordy Coleman is next, and he strikes out, too...but Johnny Roseboro lets the ball go by, and Coleman is safe at first. Wally Post and Johnny Edwards are next, and both go down on strikes. Pete strolls off the hill, thinking this game is pretty easy...four outs, and five strikeouts in my career. When he comes back out for the fourth inning, he K’s Tommy Harper, for his sixth in a row. He would go on to retire the next six, setting an MLB record for retiring the most batters in a row, in a debut, for a reliever. Max Scherzer notched 13 a few years ago, but it stood for about 50 years. He’s also the only pitcher to get four strikeouts in an inning in his debut. Not a bad way to head to the bar with the boys, after the game, I’d say. I’m off to the airport...have an awesome day!
