Paul Edmondson
Encyclopedia
Paul Michael Edmondson (February 12, 1943 — February 13, 1970) was an American
Major League Baseball (MLB)
pitcher
. Born in Kansas City, Kansas
, the right-hander was drafted by the Chicago White Sox
out of California State University, Northridge
in the 21st round (419th overall) of the first-ever MLB amateur entry draft in June, 1965. In his major league debut four years later on June 20, 1969, he pitched a complete game two-hitter in a 9–1 White Sox victory over the California Angels
.
Edmondson started thirteen of the fourteen games he appeared in during his short MLB career. He had the second-best earned run average
(3.70) of any of the six White Sox pitchers who started ten or more games during the 1969 season.
The 26-year-old rookie
actually pitched better than his poor 1–6 record would indicate. His one and only relief appearance could be called a disaster, as he allowed four earned runs in just three innings
and took the loss against the Detroit Tigers
(August 8, 1969). As a starting pitcher, his ERA
was just 3.40.
He pitched six or more innings in nine of his thirteen starts, but didn't get much run support from his teammates. In his five losses as a starter
, the White Sox scored a total of just six runs.
Some of Paul Edmondson's other best efforts in 1969:
While traveling south on rain
-soaked U.S. Route 101
near Santa Barbara, California
on February 13, 1970, the day after his 27th birthday
, his automobile
skidded and crashed into oncoming northbound traffic, killing Edmondson and his girlfriend
. The tragedy occurred only two weeks prior to spring training
, and the White Sox had hoped that Edmondson would become the fourth starter in the rotation.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball (MLB)
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...
. Born in Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City is the third-largest city in the state of Kansas and is the county seat of Wyandotte County. It is a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, and is the third largest city in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The city is part of a consolidated city-county government known as the "Unified...
, the right-hander was drafted by 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...
out of California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States....
in the 21st round (419th overall) of the first-ever MLB amateur entry draft in June, 1965. In his major league debut four years later on June 20, 1969, he pitched a complete game two-hitter in a 9–1 White Sox victory over the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
.
Edmondson started thirteen of the fourteen games he appeared in during his short MLB career. He had the second-best 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...
(3.70) of any of the six White Sox pitchers who started ten or more games during the 1969 season.
The 26-year-old rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
actually pitched better than his poor 1–6 record would indicate. His one and only relief appearance could be called a disaster, as he allowed four earned runs in just three innings
Innings
An inning, or innings, is a fixed-length segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably cricket and baseball during which one team attempts to score while the other team attempts to prevent the first from scoring. In cricket, the term innings is both singular and plural and is...
and took the loss against the 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...
(August 8, 1969). As a starting pitcher, his ERA
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...
was just 3.40.
He pitched six or more innings in nine of his thirteen starts, but didn't get much run support from his teammates. In his five losses as a starter
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....
, the White Sox scored a total of just six runs.
Some of Paul Edmondson's other best efforts in 1969:
- 9 innings, 0 earned runs vs. OaklandOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
-- NO DECISION (September 13) - 9⅓ innings, 1 earned run vs. California—NO DECISION (September 6)
- 8 innings, 1 earned run vs. Kansas CityKansas City RoyalsThe 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...
-- NO DECISION (September 25) - 7 innings, 1 earned run vs. Oakland—LOST 2-1 (July 8)
- 6⅔ innings, 1 earned run vs. California—NO DECISION (July 4)
- 7⅓ innings, 3 earned runs vs. WashingtonTexas 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...
-- NO DECISION (August 6) - 6 innings, 3 earned runs vs. SeattleSeattle PilotsThe Seattle Pilots were an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington for one season, . The Pilots played home games at Sick's Stadium and were a member of the West Division of Major League Baseball's American League...
-- LOST 3-1 (June 25)
While traveling south on rain
Rain
Rain is liquid precipitation, as opposed to non-liquid kinds of precipitation such as snow, hail and sleet. Rain requires the presence of a thick layer of the atmosphere to have temperatures above the melting point of water near and above the Earth's surface...
-soaked U.S. Route 101
U.S. Route 101
U.S. Route 101, or U.S. Highway 101, is an important north–south U.S. highway that runs through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington, on the West Coast of the United States...
near Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
on February 13, 1970, the day after his 27th birthday
Birthday
A birthday is a day or anniversary where a person celebrates his or her date of birth. Birthdays are celebrated in numerous cultures, often with a gift, party or rite of passage. Although the major religions celebrate the birth of their founders , Christmas – which is celebrated widely by...
, his automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
skidded and crashed into oncoming northbound traffic, killing Edmondson and his girlfriend
Girlfriend
Girlfriend is a term that can refer to either a female partner in a non-marital romantic relationship or a female non-romantic friend that is closer than other friends....
. The tragedy occurred only two weeks prior to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, and the White Sox had hoped that Edmondson would become the fourth starter in the rotation.