Rick Mahler
Encyclopedia
Richard Keith Mahler was a starting pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played for the Atlanta Braves
(1979–1988, 1991), Cincinnati Reds
(1989–1990) and Montreal Expos
(1991). His brother Mickey
was also a major league pitcher, with the two being teammates in 1979.
In a 13-year career, Mahler posted a 96-111 record with 952 strikeout
s and a 3.99 ERA
in 1951.1 innings
.
Born in Austin, Texas
, Mahler graduated from John Jay High School and then attended Trinity University
, both in San Antonio, Texas
. After being signed by the Braves as an amateur free agent in 1975, he made his debut in the 1979 season.
Mahler started on opening day for the Braves in the 1982 season, when Atlanta went on to win the National League West
title, and made four straight opening day starts beginning in 1985. In 1987, he tied an NL record with his third opening day shutout
. His best season came in 1985, when he went 17-15 with a 3.48 ERA. He pitched twice in the post-season, with the Braves in 1982, and in 1990 with the Cincinnati team that went on to win the 1990 World Series
. Mahler was a key member of that Reds' pitching staff as a spot starter and reliever, going 7-6 and contributing 4 saves. He also appeared in 10 games with the Expos in 1991 before returning to Atlanta in the mid-season.
After retiring, Mahler served as a minor league
pitching coach
for the Kansas City Royals
and Florida Marlins
, and was a roving instructor for the St. Louis Cardinals
. He also managed St. Louis' Double-A affiliate in the Texas League
from 1996–1997.
Mahler died at age 51 of a heart attack
at home in Jupiter, Florida
, while preparing for his second season as a minor league pitching coach for the New York Mets
, and was cremated
.
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....
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 for the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(1979–1988, 1991), Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1989–1990) and Montreal Expos
Montreal 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...
(1991). His brother Mickey
Mickey Mahler
Michael James Mahler is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during eight seasons at the major league level for the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels, Montreal Expos, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, and Toronto Blue Jays...
was also a major league pitcher, with the two being teammates in 1979.
In a 13-year career, Mahler posted a 96-111 record with 952 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and a 3.99 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...
in 1951.1 innings
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
.
Born in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, Mahler graduated from John Jay High School and then attended Trinity University
Trinity University (Texas)
Trinity University is a private, independent, primarily undergraduate, university in San Antonio, Texas. Its campus is located in the Monte Vista Historic District and adjacent to Brackenridge Park....
, both in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. After being signed by the Braves as an amateur free agent in 1975, he made his debut in the 1979 season.
Mahler started on opening day for the Braves in the 1982 season, when Atlanta went on to win the National League West
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...
title, and made four straight opening day starts beginning in 1985. In 1987, he tied an NL record with his third opening day shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
. His best season came in 1985, when he went 17-15 with a 3.48 ERA. He pitched twice in the post-season, with the Braves in 1982, and in 1990 with the Cincinnati team that went on to win the 1990 World Series
1990 World Series
- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 16, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioUntil , this was the last World Series to be scheduled to begin play on a Tuesday, and the first since . The schedule called for the seven-game series to be held Tue–Wed, Fri–Sat–Sun, Tue–Wed. Games 5, 6, and 7, however...
. Mahler was a key member of that Reds' pitching staff as a spot starter and reliever, going 7-6 and contributing 4 saves. He also appeared in 10 games with the Expos in 1991 before returning to Atlanta in the mid-season.
After retiring, Mahler served as a minor league
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...
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...
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...
and Florida Marlins
Florida 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...
, and was a roving instructor 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...
. He also managed St. Louis' Double-A affiliate in the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
from 1996–1997.
Mahler died at age 51 of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
at home in Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter is a town located in Palm Beach County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 39,328. The estimate population for 2009 is 50,606. As of 2006, the population had grown to 50,028, according to the University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research....
, while preparing for his second season as a minor league pitching coach for the New York Mets
New 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...
, and was cremated
Cremation
Cremation is the process of reducing bodies to basic chemical compounds such as gasses and bone fragments. This is accomplished through high-temperature burning, vaporization and oxidation....
.