Dickie Noles
Encyclopedia
Dickie Ray Noles was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies
(-), Chicago Cubs
(- and ), Texas Rangers
(-), Cleveland Indians
, Detroit Tigers
and Baltimore Orioles
.
Noles was an effective relief pitcher
for the Phillies' 1980 World Series
championship team. In Game 4 of that series, Noles came on in relief of Larry Christenson
in the first inning with only one out and the Phillies down 4-0 to the Kansas City Royals
. Noles pitched the next 4 2/3 innings and gave up another run, but is most remembered for throwing a fastball
under George Brett
's chin in the fourth inning that prompted a warning by the umpires to both teams. Brett struck out in the at-bat and had only three singles and one RBI the remainder of the series. The brushback incident is looked upon as the turning point in that series for the Phillies.
Before the 1982 season, Noles was traded along with Keith Moreland
to the Chicago Cubs
for pitcher Mike Krukow
and cash. Noles had an effective season as a starter in 1982, going 10-13. In early 1983, however, Noles' alcohol problems began to surface. He and a Cubs' teammate drunkenly assaulted a police officer after a game and Noles severely injured his left knee. Noles spent 16 days in jail, was forced to enter alcohol rehabilitation, and was forced to pay a substantial amount of his baseball earnings in an ensuing civil suit. Noles reports that he has been sober since April 9, 1983, the date of the incident.
In 1987, Noles earned a dubious distinction in Major League Baseball history, along with Harry Chiti
and Brad Gulden
among others, of having been traded for himself. Noles was traded from the Cubs to the Detroit Tigers for a player to be named later
. Several months later, the teams were unable to agree on what player Chicago would receive, and so Noles was shipped back to the Cubs, completing a deal in which he was traded for himself.
Today, Noles is a born-again Christian and works as a special consultant for the Phillies and MLB. He travels the minor league circuit and counsels players on the dangers of alcohol and drugs. On July 6, 2009, Noles attended a voting session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a special guest of Representative Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks). Noles was introduced by Speaker Keith R. McCall (D-Carbon).
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(-), Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(- and ), 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...
(-), Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and 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...
.
Noles was an effective 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...
for the Phillies' 1980 World Series
1980 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 14, 1980 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaThe Royals jumped on Philly rookie starter Bob Walk early with a pair of two run bombs—one by Amos Otis in the second and another by Willie Aikens in the third...
championship team. In Game 4 of that series, Noles came on in relief of Larry Christenson
Larry Christenson
Larry Richard 'L.C.' Christenson , is a former professional baseball pitcher who played his entire career for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1973-1983....
in the first inning with only one out and the Phillies down 4-0 to 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...
. Noles pitched the next 4 2/3 innings and gave up another run, but is most remembered for throwing a fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
under George Brett
George Brett (baseball)
George Howard Brett , nicknamed "Mullet", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman, designated hitter, and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Kansas City Royals. Brett's 3,154 career hits are the most by any third baseman in major league history, and 15th...
's chin in the fourth inning that prompted a warning by the umpires to both teams. Brett struck out in the at-bat and had only three singles and one RBI the remainder of the series. The brushback incident is looked upon as the turning point in that series for the Phillies.
Before the 1982 season, Noles was traded along with Keith Moreland
Keith Moreland
Bobby Keith "Zonk" Moreland is a former outfielder, catcher and infield in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and San Diego Padres. In , the final year of his career, he played for the Detroit Tigers, then the Baltimore Orioles...
to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for pitcher Mike Krukow
Mike Krukow
Michael Edward "Mike" Krukow is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. He is currently a television color commentator for the San Francisco Giants.-Early life:...
and cash. Noles had an effective season as a starter in 1982, going 10-13. In early 1983, however, Noles' alcohol problems began to surface. He and a Cubs' teammate drunkenly assaulted a police officer after a game and Noles severely injured his left knee. Noles spent 16 days in jail, was forced to enter alcohol rehabilitation, and was forced to pay a substantial amount of his baseball earnings in an ensuing civil suit. Noles reports that he has been sober since April 9, 1983, the date of the incident.
In 1987, Noles earned a dubious distinction in Major League Baseball history, along with Harry Chiti
Harry Chiti
Harry Chiti was an American catcher in Major League Baseball. From 1950 through 1962, he played for the Chicago Cubs , Kansas City Athletics , Detroit Tigers and New York Mets . A native of Kincaid, Illinois, Chiti batted and threw right-handed...
and Brad Gulden
Brad Gulden
Bradley "Brad" Lee Gulden is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Montreal Expos, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants. He debuted with the Dodgers on September 22, 1978 against the San Diego Padres after being...
among others, of having been traded for himself. Noles was traded from the Cubs to the Detroit Tigers for a player to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
. Several months later, the teams were unable to agree on what player Chicago would receive, and so Noles was shipped back to the Cubs, completing a deal in which he was traded for himself.
Today, Noles is a born-again Christian and works as a special consultant for the Phillies and MLB. He travels the minor league circuit and counsels players on the dangers of alcohol and drugs. On July 6, 2009, Noles attended a voting session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a special guest of Representative Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks). Noles was introduced by Speaker Keith R. McCall (D-Carbon).