Rob Dibble
Encyclopedia
Robert Keith Dibble is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
and television analyst.
in Southington, Connecticut
. Dibble's father, Walt Dibble, was a longtime radio news director at WDRC
and later WTIC
in Hartford, Connecticut
.
in the first round of the 1983 amateur draft, and he made his debut with the Reds on June 29, 1988.
On June 4, 1989, Dibble struck out three batters on nine pitches in the eighth inning of a 5–3 win over the San Diego Padres
. Dibble is one of 41 pitchers in Major League history to accomplish the nine-strike/three-strikeout half-inning
.
He was an MLB All-Star
in 1990
and 1991
, and was the 1990 NLCS
Most Valuable Player
(along with fellow "Nasty Boy
" Randy Myers
). In 1990, Dibble and the Reds
won the World Series
by beating the Oakland Athletics
in four consecutive games.
Dibble recorded his 500th career strikeout in fewer innings—368—than any other pitcher in modern baseball history.
shortstop Eric Yelding
. Later in the 1991 season, he was caught attempting to throw a baseball into the back of Cubs
outfielder Doug Dascenzo
as he ran down the first base line. Dibble also was involved in a locker room brawl with Reds manager Lou Pinella after a game.
and also played with the Chicago White Sox
. He signed with the Chicago Cubs
at the end of the 1995 season, but did not appear in a game. He signed with the Florida Marlins
for the 1996 season, but missed the entire year due to injury, and retired soon after.
as a baseball
analyst, working mostly on Dan Patrick
's radio show. He worked on The Best Damn Sports Show Period
as a co-host until 2008, when he left to join FOX on their Saturday baseball program as an analyst. Dibble also spends time as a co-host/analyst of First Pitch on XM Channel 175/Sirius channel 210. He formerly hosted The Show (on the same channel) with Jody MacDonald. Dibble served as co-analyst (with Kevin Kennedy
) for FOXSports.com
on a weekly video segment entitled "Around the Bases." Dibble also is a co-host with former Major League player Denny Hocking
on Fox Sports Radio Sunday night programming. In 2009, Dibble signed a three-year contract to replace Don Sutton as the color voice of the Washington Nationals
on MASN.
While broadcasting a game in August 2010, Dibble drew negative attention for focusing on a group of female spectators in the Nationals crowd, and questioning their focus on the game. He later apologized for the comments. Later in the month, Dibble criticized Nationals rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg
for missing a start due to an injury: "Suck it up, kid. This is your profession. You chose to be a baseball player. You can't have the cavalry come in and save your butt every time you feel a little stiff shoulder, sore elbow." It was revealed shortly afterward that Strasburg had torn an elbow ligament and required Tommy John surgery
. Dibble took a few days off from MASN after making the comments, and on September 1, 2010, MASN announced that Dibble would no longer be calling Nationals games. After losing his job with the Nationals, Dibble apologized for the Strasburg comments on his radio show.
In April 2011, Dibble said in an interview on FoxSports.com
that the reason for his dismissal was because of an email Strasburg's father sent to the Lerner Family
, the owners of the Nationals. Dibble also continued to express his belief that Strasburg should have pitched through his pain. Strasburg denied the claim about his father's e-mail, and Stan Kasten
, the president of the Nationals, called Dibble's account "fictional" and "sad". As of October 31, 2011, Dibble became a member of Mike North's talk radio show.
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 television analyst.
Personal life
Dibble is a graduate of Southington High SchoolSouthington High School
Southington High School is a public high school located at 720 Pleasant Street in Southington, Connecticut.It is the only high school located in the town of Southington.-Academics:...
in Southington, Connecticut
Southington, Connecticut
Southington is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is part of Connecticut's 1st congressional district. It is situated about 20 miles southwest of Hartford, about 80 miles northeast of New York City, 105 miles southwest of Boston and 77 miles west of Providence...
. Dibble's father, Walt Dibble, was a longtime radio news director at WDRC
WDRC-FM
WDRC-FM, known as 102.9 DRC FM, is a radio station based in Bloomfield, Connecticut, which primarily serves the Hartford market. DRC-FM broadcasts an oldies format, at a frequency of 102.9 MHz...
and later WTIC
WTIC (AM)
WTIC is a 50,000-watt radio station operating out of Hartford, Connecticut, broadcasting news and talk radio. Its signal, located at 1080 kHz, can be picked up throughout southern New England by day and over several states as well as parts of Canada by night...
in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
.
Cincinnati Reds
Dibble was drafted by the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati 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....
in the first round of the 1983 amateur draft, and he made his debut with the Reds on June 29, 1988.
On June 4, 1989, Dibble struck out three batters on nine pitches in the eighth inning of a 5–3 win over the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. Dibble is one of 41 pitchers in Major League history to accomplish the nine-strike/three-strikeout half-inning
Pitchers who struck out three batters on nine pitches
In Major League Baseball, 43 pitchers have thrown a nine-pitch, three-strikeout half-inning, throwing nothing but strikes...
.
He was an MLB All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
in 1990
1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 61st playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 10, 1990 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, the home of the...
and 1991
1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 62nd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 9, 1991 at SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, the home of the Toronto...
, and was the 1990 NLCS
1990 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Thursday, October 4, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioBob Walk was the starting pitcher for Pittsburgh and José Rijo was on the mound for the Reds. The Reds had two doubles in the bottom half of the first inning and scored three runs. This would prove to be the only runs they...
Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
(along with fellow "Nasty Boy
Nasty Boys (Cincinnati Reds)
The Nasty Boys were a trio of relief pitchers from the Cincinnati Reds: Norm Charlton, Rob Dibble and Randy Myers. In , the "Nasty Boys" were key figures in the Reds' charge to the World Championship...
" Randy Myers
Randy Myers
Randall Kirk Myers is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During a 14-year baseball career, he pitched from 1985-1998 for the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, and Toronto Blue Jays.-Career:Myers first began his major league career with...
). In 1990, Dibble and the Reds
1990 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Reds winning the National League West, as well as the National League Championship Series in six games over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the World Series in a four-game sweep over the overwhelming favorite...
won the 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...
by beating the Oakland Athletics
1990 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB...
in four consecutive games.
Dibble recorded his 500th career strikeout in fewer innings—368—than any other pitcher in modern baseball history.
Temper
During his career Dibble was known for his temper. After a game in April 1991, he threw a baseball 400 feet into the center-field bleachers seats at Cincinnati, inadvertently striking a woman. He was also involved in a brawl in 1991 with Astros1991 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros' 1991 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.The Astros finished 65-97, tying the 1965 and 1975 clubs for the most losses in franchise history...
shortstop Eric Yelding
Eric Yelding
Eric Girard Yelding , is a former Major League baseball player who was with the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs from -...
. Later in the 1991 season, he was caught attempting to throw a baseball into the back of Cubs
1991 Chicago Cubs season
The 1991 Chicago Cubs season saw the Cubs finish in fourth place in the National League East with a record of 77 wins and 83 losses.-Offseason:* December 6, 1990: George Bell was signed as a free agent by the Cubs....
outfielder Doug Dascenzo
Doug Dascenzo
Douglas Craig Dascenzo is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is an alumnus of Oklahoma State University and a graduate of Brownsville Area High School in Brownsville, Pennsylvania....
as he ran down the first base line. Dibble also was involved in a locker room brawl with Reds manager Lou Pinella after a game.
Later career
Dibble required surgery to his pitching arm in 1994, and missed the entire season as a result. Dibble signed with the Milwaukee Brewers1995 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 1995 season involved the Brewers' finishing 4th in the American League Central with a record of 65 wins and 79 losses.-Offseason:* October 14, 1994: Alex Diaz was selected off waivers from the Brewers by the Seattle Mariners....
and also played with the Chicago White Sox
1995 Chicago White Sox season
The 1995 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 96th season. They finished with a record 68-76, good enough for 3rd place in the American League Central, 32 games behind the 1st place Cleveland Indians.-Offseason:...
. He signed with the Chicago Cubs
1995 Chicago Cubs season
-Notable transactions:*April 5, 1995: Brian McRae was traded by the Kansas City Royals to the Chicago Cubs for Derek Wallace and Geno Morones . *May 24, 1995: Felix Jose was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs....
at the end of the 1995 season, but did not appear in a game. He signed with the Florida Marlins
1996 Florida Marlins season
The 1996 Florida Marlins season began with the team trying to improve on their record from 1995. Their managers were Rene Lachemann, Cookie Rojas, and John Boles. They played home games at Joe Robbie Stadium...
for the 1996 season, but missed the entire year due to injury, and retired soon after.
Broadcasting career
In 1998, Dibble joined ESPNESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
as a baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
analyst, working mostly on Dan Patrick
Dan Patrick
Daniel Patrick Pugh , professionally known as Dan Patrick, is an American sportscaster, radio personality, and actor from Mason, Ohio...
's radio show. He worked on The Best Damn Sports Show Period
The Best Damn Sports Show Period
The Best Damn Sports Show Period is an American sports television show on Fox Sports Net and Comcast SportsNet. The show regularly featured irreverent and opinionated interviews with top athletes, coaches, celebrities, and entertainers. It also aired Top 50 countdown shows and other sports...
as a co-host until 2008, when he left to join FOX on their Saturday baseball program as an analyst. Dibble also spends time as a co-host/analyst of First Pitch on XM Channel 175/Sirius channel 210. He formerly hosted The Show (on the same channel) with Jody MacDonald. Dibble served as co-analyst (with Kevin Kennedy
Kevin Kennedy (baseball)
Kevin Curtis Kennedy is a former manager in American Major League Baseball and a former television host for Fox Sports' baseball coverage. He was given the nickname "The Skipper" by Fox Sports due to his prior managerial career...
) for FOXSports.com
Foxsports.com
Foxsports.com provides sports news, scores, sports statistics, sports and entertainment video, sports fantasy leagues and fantasy information. Launched in July 2001, it is a unit of Fox Interactive Media, which also includes other News Corporation online businesses, including MySpace, IGN...
on a weekly video segment entitled "Around the Bases." Dibble also is a co-host with former Major League player Denny Hocking
Denny Hocking
Dennis Lee "Denny" Hocking is a former Major League Baseball utility player. After playing at El Camino College in California, he was drafted in the 52nd round of the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft by the Minnesota Twins and made his major league debut in...
on Fox Sports Radio Sunday night programming. In 2009, Dibble signed a three-year contract to replace Don Sutton as the color voice of the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
on MASN.
While broadcasting a game in August 2010, Dibble drew negative attention for focusing on a group of female spectators in the Nationals crowd, and questioning their focus on the game. He later apologized for the comments. Later in the month, Dibble criticized Nationals rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg
Stephen James Strasburg is a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals, who selected him with the first pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft...
for missing a start due to an injury: "Suck it up, kid. This is your profession. You chose to be a baseball player. You can't have the cavalry come in and save your butt every time you feel a little stiff shoulder, sore elbow." It was revealed shortly afterward that Strasburg had torn an elbow ligament and required Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
. Dibble took a few days off from MASN after making the comments, and on September 1, 2010, MASN announced that Dibble would no longer be calling Nationals games. After losing his job with the Nationals, Dibble apologized for the Strasburg comments on his radio show.
In April 2011, Dibble said in an interview on FoxSports.com
Foxsports.com
Foxsports.com provides sports news, scores, sports statistics, sports and entertainment video, sports fantasy leagues and fantasy information. Launched in July 2001, it is a unit of Fox Interactive Media, which also includes other News Corporation online businesses, including MySpace, IGN...
that the reason for his dismissal was because of an email Strasburg's father sent to the Lerner Family
Ted Lerner
Theodore N. "Ted" Lerner is an American real estate developer and managing principal owner of the Washington Nationals baseball team. His family business, Lerner Enterprises, is the largest private landowner in the Washington, D.C. region...
, the owners of the Nationals. Dibble also continued to express his belief that Strasburg should have pitched through his pain. Strasburg denied the claim about his father's e-mail, and Stan Kasten
Stan Kasten
Stan Kasten is the former President of the Washington Nationals and a founding partner of FanDriveMedia. He became president of the Nationals after the ownership group led by Theodore N...
, the president of the Nationals, called Dibble's account "fictional" and "sad". As of October 31, 2011, Dibble became a member of Mike North's talk radio show.