Ron Rightnowar
Encyclopedia
Ronald Gene Rightnowar is a former major league baseball player who played for one year—1995—for the Milwaukee Brewers
.
Rightnowar is known for having been a replacement player
who crossed picket lines during spring training
in 1995 while the 1994 Major League Baseball strike was still going on.
.
as an amateur free agent on September 30, 1986. In 1987, Rightnowar began his minor-league career by spending the entire season pitching for the Fayetteville Generals
in the Class A South Atlantic League
. Rightnowar went 7-7 for Fayetteville (which was in its first season of existence), making 39 appearances, striking out
65, walking
37, saving 6 games and posting a 4.96 earned run average
.
In 1988, Rightnowar was promoted to the Lakeland Flying Tigers in the High-A Florida State League
, where he went 2-0 in 17 games with 32 strikeouts and just 11 walks in 49⅓ innings pitched. Rightnowar also posted a 1.46 ERA.
In 1989, Rightnowar advanced to AA ball, pitching for the London Tigers
and going 2-8 with a 5.00 ERA in 36 appearances. Rightnowar saved five games that season.
The following year, Rightnowar divided his time between three Detroit Tigers minor-league teams: London (2-2, 3.25 ERA, 33 strikeouts, 9 walks, 4 saves, 44⅓ innings pitched and 23 games), the Class-A Niagara Falls Rapids
(1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9 strikeouts, 1 walk, 7 innings pitched in just one appearance), and the AAA Toledo Mud Hens
(4-5, 4.74 ERA, 28 strikeouts, 10 walks, 6 saves, 38 innings pitched in 28 games).
In 1991, Rightnowar divided his time between London (2-1, 3.91 ERA, 18 strikeouts, 8 walks, 3 saves, 25⅓ innings pitched in 15 appearances) and Toledo (1-1, 3.94 ERA, 5 strikeouts, 15 walks, 3 saves, 29⅔ innings pitched in 23 games).
The following year, Rightnowar played solely for his hometown Mud Hens and continued his role as a middle reliever, posting a 3-2 record but a high 6.16 ERA. He pitched 57 innings in 34 games, picking up three saves, striking out 33 and walking 18.
In 1993, Rightnowar began the season with Toledo again, going 2-2 with a 3.55 ERA in 58-1/3 innings pitched. Appearing in 22 games, Rightnowar struck out 32, walked 19 and saved one game. On August 28, 1993, the Detroit Tigers traded Rightnowar to the Milwaukee Brewers
for a player to be named later. With the trade, Rightnowar joined the Brewers' AAA New Orleans Zephyrs
minor-league club for the remaining week of the minor-league season, pitching in four games and posting an 0-0 record with a 10.38 ERA. Rightnowar also struck out eight and walked two in 8-2/3 innings pitched.
In 1994, Rightnowar's pitching improved dramatically, as he played a full season for the Zephyrs. He went 8-2 with a 2.25 ERA in 51 games, pitching 88 innings, striking out 79, walking just 21 and saving 11 games. Unfortunately, Rightnowar did not receive a September call-up, because major-league baseball players went on strike on August 12, 1994.
in the 1995 season. "The major-league coaching staff made it clear that I needed to pitch," Rightnowar told the Ottawa Citizen
later in 1995. "They said they needed to see me and see what I could offer the club."
The 234-day players strike ended before the 1995 baseball season ever officially began. While Rightnowar did pitch in some spring-training games (which was enough for the major-league baseball players union to classify Rightnowar and all such players as strike-breakers), he was sent down to the Brewers' AAA New Orleans minor-league team once the strike ended, and started the 1995 season pitching for New Orleans.
went on the disabled list for the rest of the season, the Brewers promoted Rightnowar to the major leagues on May 19, 1995. He was to be the first replacement player
to join the Brewers' big-league club that season. Before he even threw a pitch, Rightnowar was given a frosty reception from the major-leaguers. "My first day, everyone was kind of cold toward me," Rightnowar told the Ottawa Citizen
in 1995. "I understood. I respect their right to be angry. But then I called the leaders on the club and asked to speak to the team. I wanted to tell them my side of the story."
Rightnowar allowed that there was some bitterness for him in what should have been a happy moment. "It really stunk, to be honest with you," Rightnowar told the Toledo Blade in 2005. "From the time I was 8 or 9 years old, I had dreamed of what the day would be like if, and when, I ever made it to the big leagues. I figured it would be a real special day in my life, just like the day I got married. But I felt awful. They were all giving me the cold shoulder."
Ultimately, Rightnowar explained his reasons for crossing the picket lines. "For about 20 minutes, they fired questions and took shots at me," he told the Blade. "I told them they could call me 'scab' or whatever. But I told them I hoped they respected my decision. This was my one shot and I knew it."
On May 20, 1995, Rightnowar made his major league debut, working 2⅓ innings of scoreless relief against the Texas Rangers
. On May 22, 1995, Rightnowar won his first big-league game against the Cleveland Indians
, pitching two innings of relief and giving up one earned run
. "That first major-league victory - man, what a great feeling!" Rightnowar told reporters after the game. "This is really special."
Rightnowar stayed with the Brewers until August 5, 1995, when he was sent down to the AAA New Orleans Zephyrs. He finished his season with New Orleans with a 1-1 record and a 2.67 ERA. Rightnowar also struck out 22, walked 9, saved 10 games, and pitched in 30⅓ innings in 25 games.
Rightnowar rejoined the Brewers on September 6, 1995, returning to the team's 40-man roster once New Orleans' season ended and major-league teams were able to expand their rosters. Rightnowar ended his Brewers season—and, ultimately, his major-league career—with a 2-1 record, a 5.40 ERA, 22 strikeouts, 18 walks, and one save in 36-2/3 innings pitched in 34 games.
. He also has co-owned a sports training center and coached a nine-team travel baseball league.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
Rightnowar is known for having been a replacement player
Replacement player
In professional sports, a replacement player is an athlete who is not a member of the league's players association and plays during a labor dispute such as a strike or lockout.- National Football League – 1987 :...
who crossed picket lines during 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...
in 1995 while the 1994 Major League Baseball strike was still going on.
Early life and education
Rightnowar graduated from Whitmer High School in Toledo. He also attended and played baseball at Eastern Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ypsilanti is west of Detroit and eight miles east of Ann Arbor. The university was founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School...
.
Minor-league career
After college, Rightnowar was signed by the Detroit TigersDetroit 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...
as an amateur free agent on September 30, 1986. In 1987, Rightnowar began his minor-league career by spending the entire season pitching for the Fayetteville Generals
Fayetteville Generals
The Fayetteville Generals were a minor league baseball team located in Fayetteville, North Carolina.They were part of the South Atlantic League between 1987 and 1996. They were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers throughout their entire existence. Prior to the 1997 season, the Generals were renamed...
in the Class A South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
. Rightnowar went 7-7 for Fayetteville (which was in its first season of existence), making 39 appearances, striking out
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....
65, walking
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
37, saving 6 games and posting a 4.96 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...
.
In 1988, Rightnowar was promoted to the Lakeland Flying Tigers in the High-A Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
, where he went 2-0 in 17 games with 32 strikeouts and just 11 walks in 49⅓ innings pitched. Rightnowar also posted a 1.46 ERA.
In 1989, Rightnowar advanced to AA ball, pitching for the London Tigers
London Tigers
The London Tigers were a professional AA baseball team that played in the Eastern League from 1989 to 1993. They played at Labatt Memorial Park in London, Ontario, and were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers.-History:...
and going 2-8 with a 5.00 ERA in 36 appearances. Rightnowar saved five games that season.
The following year, Rightnowar divided his time between three Detroit Tigers minor-league teams: London (2-2, 3.25 ERA, 33 strikeouts, 9 walks, 4 saves, 44⅓ innings pitched and 23 games), the Class-A Niagara Falls Rapids
Niagara Falls Rapids
The Niagara Falls Rapids were a Class-A minor league baseball team located in Niagara Falls, New York. They were formerly known as the Niagara Falls Sox, from 1982 to 1985, and were affiliated with the Chicago White Sox. The team played in the New York - Penn League, and were affiliated with the...
(1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9 strikeouts, 1 walk, 7 innings pitched in just one appearance), and the AAA Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
(4-5, 4.74 ERA, 28 strikeouts, 10 walks, 6 saves, 38 innings pitched in 28 games).
In 1991, Rightnowar divided his time between London (2-1, 3.91 ERA, 18 strikeouts, 8 walks, 3 saves, 25⅓ innings pitched in 15 appearances) and Toledo (1-1, 3.94 ERA, 5 strikeouts, 15 walks, 3 saves, 29⅔ innings pitched in 23 games).
The following year, Rightnowar played solely for his hometown Mud Hens and continued his role as a middle reliever, posting a 3-2 record but a high 6.16 ERA. He pitched 57 innings in 34 games, picking up three saves, striking out 33 and walking 18.
In 1993, Rightnowar began the season with Toledo again, going 2-2 with a 3.55 ERA in 58-1/3 innings pitched. Appearing in 22 games, Rightnowar struck out 32, walked 19 and saved one game. On August 28, 1993, the Detroit Tigers traded Rightnowar to the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for a player to be named later. With the trade, Rightnowar joined the Brewers' AAA New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
minor-league club for the remaining week of the minor-league season, pitching in four games and posting an 0-0 record with a 10.38 ERA. Rightnowar also struck out eight and walked two in 8-2/3 innings pitched.
In 1994, Rightnowar's pitching improved dramatically, as he played a full season for the Zephyrs. He went 8-2 with a 2.25 ERA in 51 games, pitching 88 innings, striking out 79, walking just 21 and saving 11 games. Unfortunately, Rightnowar did not receive a September call-up, because major-league baseball players went on strike on August 12, 1994.
Replacement baseball
As the 1995 baseball season neared, Rightnowar was asked by the Brewers' coaches if he would be interested in being a replacement playerReplacement player
In professional sports, a replacement player is an athlete who is not a member of the league's players association and plays during a labor dispute such as a strike or lockout.- National Football League – 1987 :...
in the 1995 season. "The major-league coaching staff made it clear that I needed to pitch," Rightnowar told the Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Citizen
The Ottawa Citizen is an English-language daily newspaper owned by Postmedia Network in Ottawa, Canada. According to the Canadian Newspaper Association, the paper had a 2008 weekly circulation of 900,197.- History :...
later in 1995. "They said they needed to see me and see what I could offer the club."
The 234-day players strike ended before the 1995 baseball season ever officially began. While Rightnowar did pitch in some spring-training games (which was enough for the major-league baseball players union to classify Rightnowar and all such players as strike-breakers), he was sent down to the Brewers' AAA New Orleans minor-league team once the strike ended, and started the 1995 season pitching for New Orleans.
Major-league debut and career
After Cal EldredCal Eldred
Calvin John Eldred is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for 14 seasons from to ....
went on the disabled list for the rest of the season, the Brewers promoted Rightnowar to the major leagues on May 19, 1995. He was to be the first replacement player
Replacement player
In professional sports, a replacement player is an athlete who is not a member of the league's players association and plays during a labor dispute such as a strike or lockout.- National Football League – 1987 :...
to join the Brewers' big-league club that season. Before he even threw a pitch, Rightnowar was given a frosty reception from the major-leaguers. "My first day, everyone was kind of cold toward me," Rightnowar told the Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Citizen
The Ottawa Citizen is an English-language daily newspaper owned by Postmedia Network in Ottawa, Canada. According to the Canadian Newspaper Association, the paper had a 2008 weekly circulation of 900,197.- History :...
in 1995. "I understood. I respect their right to be angry. But then I called the leaders on the club and asked to speak to the team. I wanted to tell them my side of the story."
Rightnowar allowed that there was some bitterness for him in what should have been a happy moment. "It really stunk, to be honest with you," Rightnowar told the Toledo Blade in 2005. "From the time I was 8 or 9 years old, I had dreamed of what the day would be like if, and when, I ever made it to the big leagues. I figured it would be a real special day in my life, just like the day I got married. But I felt awful. They were all giving me the cold shoulder."
Ultimately, Rightnowar explained his reasons for crossing the picket lines. "For about 20 minutes, they fired questions and took shots at me," he told the Blade. "I told them they could call me 'scab' or whatever. But I told them I hoped they respected my decision. This was my one shot and I knew it."
On May 20, 1995, Rightnowar made his major league debut, working 2⅓ innings of scoreless relief against the 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...
. On May 22, 1995, Rightnowar won his first big-league game against the 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...
, pitching two innings of relief and giving up one earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
. "That first major-league victory - man, what a great feeling!" Rightnowar told reporters after the game. "This is really special."
Rightnowar stayed with the Brewers until August 5, 1995, when he was sent down to the AAA New Orleans Zephyrs. He finished his season with New Orleans with a 1-1 record and a 2.67 ERA. Rightnowar also struck out 22, walked 9, saved 10 games, and pitched in 30⅓ innings in 25 games.
Rightnowar rejoined the Brewers on September 6, 1995, returning to the team's 40-man roster once New Orleans' season ended and major-league teams were able to expand their rosters. Rightnowar ended his Brewers season—and, ultimately, his major-league career—with a 2-1 record, a 5.40 ERA, 22 strikeouts, 18 walks, and one save in 36-2/3 innings pitched in 34 games.
Retirement
On October 16, 1995, Rightnowar was granted free agency. No major-league teams showed an interest in Rightnowar after the 1995 season, so he retired.After major-league baseball
In 1997, Rightnowar was hired as admissions director at Toledo Christian SchoolsToledo Christian Schools
Toledo Christian Schools is a co-educational, private, Christian non-denominational school in Toledo, Ohio. It is part of the ACSI and is well-known for its excellence in academics, music, and athletics....
. He also has co-owned a sports training center and coached a nine-team travel baseball league.