One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Former Dodgers pitcher Bob Welch dies at 57
In this Oct. 4, 1978 file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Bob Welch winds up to throw to the Philadelphia Phillies in a National League playoff game at Philadelphia. Welch, former All-Star pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Oakland Athletics has died. The two-time All-Star and Cy Young award winner was found dead at his home. He was 57.
(
Rusty Kennedy/AP
)
Bob Welch #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers snaps the pitch against San Diego Padres the during a game in the 1986 season at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
(
Mike Powell/Getty Images
)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Bob Welch shown in March 1, 1987.
(
AP
)
Former Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics pitcher Bob Welch died Monday. He was 57.
The Dodgers said in a statement Tuesday that the two-time All-Star and Cy Young-winning pitcher died of a heart attack.
Welch, who pitched 17 years in the Major Leagues, is survived by three children — Dylan, Riley and Kelly, according to the statement.
"The Los Angeles Dodgers are saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Welch," said Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten. "He was one of the greatest competitors to wear the Dodger uniform. Dodger fans will always remember his confrontation with Yankee great Reggie Jackson in Game 2 of the 1978 World Series, when the 21-year-old rookie struck out Jackson to end the game."
Welch was part of three World Series champion teams — twice as a player with the 1981 Dodgers and the 1989 A's, and once as a pitching coach with the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks, according to the team. He also contributed to four division-winning and two pennant-winning Dodger teams.
Welch's overall record was 211-146, with 1,969 strikeouts and a 3.47 ERA in 3,092 innings, according to the team. He was the last pitcher to win at least 25 games in a single season, coming in at 27 in 1990 with the A's.
The team notes that Welch turned to coaching and community work after retiring in 1994.
Sponsored message
Funeral services are pending.
MLB.com has a clip showing Welch, then a rookie Dodger, striking out Reggie Jackson in a nine-pitch at bat that led his team to victory in Game 2 of the 1978 World Series.
This story has been updated.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
