Don Dennis
Encyclopedia
Donald Ray Dennis was an American
middle relief pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played in 1965
and 1966
for the St. Louis Cardinals
. Dennis batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Uniontown, Kansas
.
A hard-throwing fastball
er, Dennis recorded a 1.47 earned run average
for the Triple-A Jacksonville Suns
in 1965 before being called up to the Cardinals in the midseason. He ended the year with a 2-3 mark, six saves, and a 2.29 ERA in 41 appearances, on a team whose collective ERA was 3.77. His efforts gained him St. Louis Rookie of the Year honors. The next year he went 4-2 in 38 games, including one emergency start
, but his ERA dipped to 4.98. Before the 1967 season, he was sent by St. Louis along with Walt Williams
to the Chicago White Sox
in exchange for Johnny Romano
and a minor leaguer
, but he never appeared in the majors for Chicago.
In a two-season career, Dennis posted a 6-5 record with a 3.69 ERA and eight saves in 79 games. Dennis died of cancer
in Fort Scott, Kansas
at age 65.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
middle relief pitcher
Middle relief pitcher
In baseball, middle relief pitchers are relief pitchers who commonly pitch in the 6th or 7th innings or in situations where several innings worth of work is required . In the National League, a middle reliever often comes in after the starting pitcher has been pulled for a pinch hitter...
in Major League Baseball
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...
who played in 1965
1965 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium: National League, 6-5; Juan Marichal, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
and 1966
1966 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Baltimore Orioles over Los Angeles Dodgers ; Frank Robinson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 12 at Busch Stadium: National League, 2–1 ; Brooks Robinson, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Ohio State...
for 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...
. Dennis batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Uniontown, Kansas
Uniontown, Kansas
Uniontown is a city in Bourbon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 272.-Geography:Uniontown is located at , along the Marmaton River...
.
A hard-throwing 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...
er, Dennis recorded a 1.47 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 Triple-A Jacksonville Suns
Jacksonville Suns
The Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team...
in 1965 before being called up to the Cardinals in the midseason. He ended the year with a 2-3 mark, six saves, and a 2.29 ERA in 41 appearances, on a team whose collective ERA was 3.77. His efforts gained him St. Louis Rookie of the Year honors. The next year he went 4-2 in 38 games, including one emergency start
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....
, but his ERA dipped to 4.98. Before the 1967 season, he was sent by St. Louis along with Walt Williams
Walt Williams
Walter Ander Williams is a retired American professional basketball player. A sharpshooting 6'8" forward/guard, Williams attended school at the University of Maryland from 1988 to 1992, and is credited by many for resurrecting the school's basketball program which was going through very...
to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in exchange for Johnny Romano
Johnny Romano
John Anthony Romano Jr. is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals . He threw and batted right-handed...
and a minor leaguer
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, but he never appeared in the majors for Chicago.
In a two-season career, Dennis posted a 6-5 record with a 3.69 ERA and eight saves in 79 games. Dennis died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in Fort Scott, Kansas
Fort Scott, Kansas
Fort Scott is a city in and the county seat of Bourbon County, Kansas, United States, south of Kansas City, on the Marmaton River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,087. It is the home of the Fort Scott National Historic Site and the Fort Scott National...
at age 65.