Bob McClure
Encyclopedia
Robert Craig McClure is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
and pitching coach
, most recently for the Kansas City Royals
, with whom he began his major league career in 1975.
and college ball at the College of San Mateo
in San Mateo, California
. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round of the 1973 Major League Baseball Draft
, however chose not to sign. Instead, he signed with the Royals, who selected him in the secondary phase of the draft that June, also in the third round.
The Royals used McClure as a starting pitcher
his first professional season in the Pioneer League in 1973. He went 10-2 with a 2.11 earned run average
for the Billings Mustangs
. He started in 1974 as well, and was converted to a relief pitcher
in 1975. He made his major league debut with the Royals on August 13, 1975 against the Baltimore Orioles
, pitching one inning, striking out one and walking one. On September 23, he entered a ballgame at Kauffman Stadium
against the Texas Rangers
with one out and one on in the second inning. He pitched six scoreless innings to earn his first major league win. McClure spent most of with the double A Omaha Royals
, appearing in only eight games and pitching only four innings with the big league club.
sent catcher
Darrell Porter
and pitcher Jim Colborn
to the Kansas City Royals for Jamie Quirk
, Jim Wohlford
and a player to be named later. On March 15, 1977, McClure was sent to the Brewers to complete the deal.
With the Brewers, McClure led his team in saves in 1978 and 1980, then spent almost all of 1981 on the disabled list
with arm problems. In 1982, he was moved to the starting rotation and had a 12-7 mark for the American League
champion Brewers, but he returned to the bullpen
after incumbent closer
Rollie Fingers
was unavailable for the postseason. In the 1982 World Series
against the St. Louis Cardinals
, McClure made five appearances, saving Games Four and Five, but he also had two losses, including a blown save in the decisive Game Seven.
McClure came back to the Brewers starting rotation in 1983 and 1984, before returning to relief duties in .
, going 2-5 with a 3.02 ERA his first season in the National League
. The following season, his record improved to 6-1 out of the Montreal bullpen.
shortly afterwards, where he was reunited with his CSM teammate Keith Hernandez
, whom he also played Little League baseball with when they were younger.
for their inaugural season
in , and retired after being released by the Marlins in May.
organization from 1999 through 2005, including four seasons at Triple-A Colorado Springs. For the 2006 season, new Royals manager Buddy Bell
asked McClure to replace Guy Hansen
as their new pitching coach. The Royals fired McClure from his pitching coach position following the 2011 season.
In November 2011, the Boston Red Sox
confirmed reports that they had hired McClure as a scout, roving minor league pitching instructor, and special assistant for player development.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
and pitching coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
, most recently for the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, with whom he began his major league career in 1975.
Kansas City Royals
McClure played high school ball at Terra Nova High School in Pacifica, CaliforniaPacifica, California
Pacifica is a city in San Mateo County, California, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean between San Francisco and Half Moon Bay.-Overview:The City of Pacifica is spread along a six mile stretch of the north central California coastal beach and hills, nestled in several small valleys spanning between...
and college ball at the College of San Mateo
College of San Mateo
College of San Mateo is a community college in San Mateo, California. It is part of the San Mateo County Community College District....
in San Mateo, California
San Mateo, California
San Mateo is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States, in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a population of approximately 100,000 , it is one of the larger suburbs on the San Francisco Peninsula, located between Burlingame to the north, Foster City to the east, Belmont to the south,...
. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round of the 1973 Major League Baseball Draft
1973 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1973 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :Four dominating players of the late 70s and 80s were selected in the June regular phase...
, however chose not to sign. Instead, he signed with the Royals, who selected him in the secondary phase of the draft that June, also in the third round.
The Royals used McClure as a starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
his first professional season in the Pioneer League in 1973. He went 10-2 with a 2.11 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
for the Billings Mustangs
Billings Mustangs
The Billings Mustangs are a minor league baseball team based in Billings, Montana. The Mustangs are the Pioneer League Rookie affiliate of the Major League Cincinnati Reds. The team has been a part of the Pioneer League since 1948 with a five-year gap between 1964 and 1968, and has been affiliated...
. He started in 1974 as well, and was converted to a relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
in 1975. He made his major league debut with the Royals on August 13, 1975 against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, pitching one inning, striking out one and walking one. On September 23, he entered a ballgame at Kauffman Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...
against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
with one out and one on in the second inning. He pitched six scoreless innings to earn his first major league win. McClure spent most of with the double A Omaha Royals
Omaha Royals
The Omaha Storm Chasers are a United States minor league baseball team currently based in the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska. The team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major league club and has been a member of the expanded Pacific Coast League since 1998. From 1969 to 1997,...
, appearing in only eight games and pitching only four innings with the big league club.
Milwaukee Brewers
On December 6, 1976, the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
sent catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Darrell Porter
Darrell Porter
Darrell Ray Porter was a former American professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers. He was known for his excellent defensive skills and power hitting...
and pitcher Jim Colborn
Jim Colborn
James William Colborn is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. The right-handed Colborn pitched for the Chicago Cubs , Milwaukee Brewers , Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners ....
to the Kansas City Royals for Jamie Quirk
Jamie Quirk
James Patrick Quirk is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current bench coach for the Chicago Cubs. Quirk attended Whittier College.-Playing career:Quirk was also a Parade Magazine All-America quarterback at St...
, Jim Wohlford
Jim Wohlford
James Eugene Wohlford is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. In his 15-year MLB career, he played for the Kansas City Royals , the Milwaukee Brewers , San Francisco Giants , and Montreal Expos .- Baseball career :Wohlford was primarily a backup outfielder, used primarily for his good...
and a player to be named later. On March 15, 1977, McClure was sent to the Brewers to complete the deal.
With the Brewers, McClure led his team in saves in 1978 and 1980, then spent almost all of 1981 on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
with arm problems. In 1982, he was moved to the starting rotation and had a 12-7 mark for the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
champion Brewers, but he returned to the bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
after incumbent closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
Rollie Fingers
Rollie Fingers
Roland Glen Fingers is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During his 18-year baseball career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers . He became only the second reliever to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992...
was unavailable for the postseason. In the 1982 World Series
1982 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 12, 1982 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriThe Brewers' left-hander Mike Caldwell pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only three hits. The Brewers' offense was led by Paul Molitor, who had a World Series-record five hits and two RBIs...
against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, McClure made five appearances, saving Games Four and Five, but he also had two losses, including a blown save in the decisive Game Seven.
McClure came back to the Brewers starting rotation in 1983 and 1984, before returning to relief duties in .
Montreal Expos
Midseason 1986, he was traded to the Montreal ExposMontreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
, going 2-5 with a 3.02 ERA his first season in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
. The following season, his record improved to 6-1 out of the Montreal bullpen.
New York Mets
McClure was 1-3 with a 6.16 ERA when the Expos released him in July of 1988. He signed with the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
shortly afterwards, where he was reunited with his CSM teammate Keith Hernandez
Keith Hernandez
Keith Barlow Hernandez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He is currently a baseball analyst working for the New York Mets, for whom he played from –, on SportsNet New York and WPIX television broadcasts...
, whom he also played Little League baseball with when they were younger.
California Angels
After just one season with the Mets, he was released, and signed as a free agent with the California Angels for 1989. Despite going 8-1 in his first two seasons with the Angels, McClure pitched poorly in early 1991, and was released by the Angels in June.St. Louis Cardinals
McClure signed with the St. Louis Cardinals for the remainder of the 1991 season, and remained with the Cards through 1992. He signed with the expansion Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
for their inaugural season
1993 Florida Marlins season
The 1993 Florida Marlins season was the inaugural year for the team, part of the 1993 Major League Baseball expansion. Their manager was Rene Lachemann. They played home games at Joe Robbie Stadium...
in , and retired after being released by the Marlins in May.
Pitching coach
Following his playing career, McClure worked as a pitching coach for the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
organization from 1999 through 2005, including four seasons at Triple-A Colorado Springs. For the 2006 season, new Royals manager Buddy Bell
Buddy Bell
David Gus "Buddy" Bell is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. After an 18-year career with four teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, he managed the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals for three seasons each...
asked McClure to replace Guy Hansen
Guy Hansen
Guy Christopher Hansen is a minor league baseball coach. Hansen most recently served as the pitching coach for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Class High-A team in the Carolina League affiliated with the Atlanta Braves, in ....
as their new pitching coach. The Royals fired McClure from his pitching coach position following the 2011 season.
In November 2011, the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
confirmed reports that they had hired McClure as a scout, roving minor league pitching instructor, and special assistant for player development.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
- Robert McClure (disambiguation)Robert McClure (disambiguation)Robert McClure was an Irish explorer of the Arctic.Robert McClure may also refer to:* Robert Baird McClure , Canadian physician and Christian missionary* Robert A. McClure , American soldier and psychological warfare specialist...