He was originally signed by the Detroit Tigers in the 1964 amateur draft, though was selected by the Kansas City Royals during the 1968 expansion draft and started his Major League career with the Royals in 1969, becoming the ace of their pitching staff in 1971, after going 17–11 with a 2.98 earned run average (ERA), and ending fifth in the AL Cy Young Award vote behind Vida Blue, Mickey Lolich, Wilbur Wood and Dave McNally. Finishing with a 3.01 ERA in 1972, Drago went 12–17, but declined with 12–14 and 4.23 in 1973. He was traded by the Royals to the Red Sox for Marty Pattin on October 24, 1973,[2]
Drago also pitched for the Angels and Orioles in parts of two seasons.
He had been acquired by the Orioles from the Angels for Dyar Miller on June 13, 1977.[3]
He filed for free agency after his lone season with the Orioles.[4] He returned to Boston after signing with the Red Sox on November 21, 1977.[5] During his last three years with the Red Sox, he saved 13 games with a 10–6 record in 1979. He ended his major league career with Seattle in 1981.
On July 20, 1976, Drago gave up the last of Hank Aaron's then-major league record 755 career home runs.[6] In a 13-season career, Drago posted a 108–117 record with a 3.62 ERA and 58 saves in 519 appearances (189 as a starter).
Deathedit
Drago died on November 2, 2023, at the age of 78.[7]
^"Yesterday's Pro Transactions". The New York Times. June 14, 1977. p. 51. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
^Harvin, Al (October 29, 1977). "People in Sports". The New York Times. p. 38. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
^"Bostock becomes 'highest paid'" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. Iowa City. United Press International (UPI). November 22, 1977. p. 6. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
^"Henry Aaron's 755th home run". mlb.com. MLB Advanced Media. April 23, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
^Hass, Trevor (November 4, 2023). "Dick Drago, staple of Red Sox pitching staff in 1970s, dies at 78". www.boston.com. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
External linksedit
Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
Dick Drago - Baseballbiography.com
The 50 Greatest Royals of All-Time- #35 Dick Drago
January 01, 1970
dick, drago, richard, anthony, drago, june, 1945, november, 2023, american, relief, pitcher, major, league, baseball, played, kansas, city, royals, 1969, 1973, boston, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1980, california, angels, 1976, 1977, baltimore, orioles, 1977, seattle, m. Richard Anthony Drago June 25 1945 November 2 2023 was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City Royals 1969 1973 Boston Red Sox 1974 1975 1978 1980 California Angels 1976 1977 Baltimore Orioles 1977 and Seattle Mariners 1981 He batted and threw right handed Dick DragoDrago in 1977PitcherBorn 1945 06 25 June 25 1945Toledo Ohio U S Died November 2 2023 2023 11 02 aged 78 Tampa Florida U S Batted RightThrew RightMLB debutApril 11 1969 for the Kansas City RoyalsLast MLB appearanceSeptember 30 1981 for the Seattle MarinersMLB statisticsWin loss record108 117Earned run average3 62Strikeouts987TeamsKansas City Royals 1969 1973 Boston Red Sox 1974 1975 California Angels 1976 1977 Baltimore Orioles 1977 Boston Red Sox 1978 1980 Seattle Mariners 1981 Contents 1 Career 2 Death 3 References 4 External linksCareer editDrago played high school ball for Woodward High School in Toledo Ohio graduating in 1963 1 He was originally signed by the Detroit Tigers in the 1964 amateur draft though was selected by the Kansas City Royals during the 1968 expansion draft and started his Major League career with the Royals in 1969 becoming the ace of their pitching staff in 1971 after going 17 11 with a 2 98 earned run average ERA and ending fifth in the AL Cy Young Award vote behind Vida Blue Mickey Lolich Wilbur Wood and Dave McNally Finishing with a 3 01 ERA in 1972 Drago went 12 17 but declined with 12 14 and 4 23 in 1973 He was traded by the Royals to the Red Sox for Marty Pattin on October 24 1973 2 Drago also pitched for the Angels and Orioles in parts of two seasons He had been acquired by the Orioles from the Angels for Dyar Miller on June 13 1977 3 He filed for free agency after his lone season with the Orioles 4 He returned to Boston after signing with the Red Sox on November 21 1977 5 During his last three years with the Red Sox he saved 13 games with a 10 6 record in 1979 He ended his major league career with Seattle in 1981 On July 20 1976 Drago gave up the last of Hank Aaron s then major league record 755 career home runs 6 In a 13 season career Drago posted a 108 117 record with a 3 62 ERA and 58 saves in 519 appearances 189 as a starter Death editDrago died on November 2 2023 at the age of 78 7 References edit Harkins Tom Dick Drago sabr org Society for American Baseball Research Retrieved November 6 2023 Royals Red Sox Trade Pitchers The New York Times Associated Press AP October 24 1973 p 63 Retrieved April 29 2020 Yesterday s Pro Transactions The New York Times June 14 1977 p 51 Retrieved April 29 2020 Harvin Al October 29 1977 People in Sports The New York Times p 38 Retrieved October 16 2020 Bostock becomes highest paid PDF The Daily Iowan Iowa City United Press International UPI November 22 1977 p 6 Retrieved October 16 2020 Henry Aaron s 755th home run mlb com MLB Advanced Media April 23 2010 Retrieved November 6 2023 Hass Trevor November 4 2023 Dick Drago staple of Red Sox pitching staff in 1970s dies at 78 www boston com Retrieved November 4 2023 External links editCareer statistics and player information from MLB or Baseball Reference or Fangraphs or Baseball Reference Minors or Retrosheet Dick Drago Baseballbiography com The 50 Greatest Royals of All Time 35 Dick Drago Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dick Drago amp oldid 1186704569, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
