Terry Forster
Encyclopedia
Terry Jay Forster is a retired left-handed
relief pitcher
who played for 16 seasons in the Major Leagues
. He played for five teams in his career and recorded 127 saves during his time in the majors.
Forster grew up in California
and attended Santana High School
in Santee, California
. A talented pitcher at the high school
level, he was made a second round draft pick by the Chicago White Sox
in the 1970 MLB Amateur Draft
.
Forster rapidly ascended to the big league level, making the White Sox's opening day roster in 1971 after only 10 games at the single-A level in the minor leagues
. He recorded a 3.99 ERA as a 19-year-old. He became Chicago's top relief pitcher in 1972 and saved 29 games, which ranked second in the American League
that season. After splitting time between the bullpen and the starting rotation
in 1973, Forster returned primarily to the bullpen in 1974 and led the American League in saves with 24. He then missed most of 1975 with an arm injury, which allowed teammate Rich Gossage
to become the league leader in saves that season.
In 1976, new White Sox manager Paul Richards
decided to put Forster in the starting rotation. The experiment backfired, as Forster responded with a 2-12 record. At the end of the season, he was traded, along with Gossage, to the Pittsburgh Pirates
, in exchange for Richie Zisk
and Silvio Martínez
. Forster was subsequently reunited with Chuck Tanner
, who had managed him while with the White Sox.
In the 1977 season, Forster compiled a 4.43 ERA
with Pittsburgh. After the season, Forster became a free agent
, eventually signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers
.
He recorded a 1.93 ERA while saving 22 games for Los Angeles in 1978. He appeared in the World Series
for the Dodgers that year, as they lost to the New York Yankees
. After the Series, he had bone chips removed from his elbow and had his next three years shortened by injuries. He was healthy, however, for the Dodgers' postseason run in 1981, which culminated in his winning a World Series
ring after the Dodgers defeated the Yankees.
Fully healthy in 1982, he pitched well coming out of the bullpen, before leaving L.A. via free agency. Forster signed with the Atlanta Braves
for the 1983 season, and had an efficient three seasons, compiling an ERA of under 3.00 in each of those seasons.
While with the Braves, he began gaining notice for his weight problems. The 6'3" Forster reportedly weighed 270 pounds while with Atlanta. David Letterman
gave the left-hander national notoriety in 1985, when he referred to the lefty as a "fat tub of goo" on his Late Night
show. Forster later appeared as a guest on Letterman's show following the comments, and even recorded a novelty song called "Fat Is In".
The Braves released Forster shortly before the start of the 1986 season, but he was signed by the California Angels
two weeks after his release. He finished the year with a 3.51 ERA in 41 appearances, but was not part of the Angels' roster for the ALCS. This was Forster's last season in the major leagues, although he did play minor league baseball in the Minnesota Twins
organization in 1987.
Forster was also an excellent hitter, something usually not associated with relief pitchers. His .397 lifetime batting average (31 hits in 78 at bats) is the highest for any major leaguer in history with either 50 at bats or with at least 15 years of major league experience.
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
who played for 16 seasons in the Major Leagues
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...
. He played for five teams in his career and recorded 127 saves during his time in the majors.
Forster grew up in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and attended Santana High School
Santana High School
Santana High School, located in Santee, California, is part of the Grossmont Union High School District. The school serves 1,750 students in grades 9-12, as well as 84 faculty members.-History:...
in Santee, California
Santee, California
Santee is a suburban city in San Diego County, California with a population of 53,413 at the 2010 census. Although it is a part of the East County region, Santee is located just from the Pacific Ocean. The city is connected to the coastline by State Route 52, a six-lane freeway that runs from...
. A talented pitcher at the high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
level, he was made a second round draft pick 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...
in the 1970 MLB Amateur Draft
1970 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1970 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The regular and secondary phases of the January draft proved more fruitful to major league clubs than the June draft...
.
Forster rapidly ascended to the big league level, making the White Sox's opening day roster in 1971 after only 10 games at the single-A level in the minor leagues
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...
. He recorded a 3.99 ERA as a 19-year-old. He became Chicago's top relief pitcher in 1972 and saved 29 games, which ranked second in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
that season. After splitting time between the bullpen and the starting rotation
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 1973, Forster returned primarily to the bullpen in 1974 and led the American League in saves with 24. He then missed most of 1975 with an arm injury, which allowed teammate Rich Gossage
Rich Gossage
Richard Michael "Goose" Gossage is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During a 22-year baseball career, he pitched from 1972-1994 for nine different teams, spending his best years with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. The nickname "Goose" is a play on his surname...
to become the league leader in saves that season.
In 1976, new White Sox manager Paul Richards
Paul Richards (baseball)
Paul Rapier Richards was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and executive in Major League Baseball. During his playing career, he was a catcher and right-handed batter with the Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
decided to put Forster in the starting rotation. The experiment backfired, as Forster responded with a 2-12 record. At the end of the season, he was traded, along with Gossage, to the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, in exchange for Richie Zisk
Richie Zisk
Richard Walter Zisk is a retired Major League Baseball player currently in charge of pro scouting in Florida for the Chicago Cubs.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
and Silvio Martínez
Silvio Martínez
Silvio Ramón Martínez Cabrera is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Martínez pitched all or part of five seasons in the majors, from until , for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.-Sources:...
. Forster was subsequently reunited with Chuck Tanner
Chuck Tanner
Charles William "Chuck" Tanner was a left fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was known for his unwavering confidence and infectious optimism. He managed the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series championship in 1979...
, who had managed him while with the White Sox.
In the 1977 season, Forster compiled a 4.43 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...
with Pittsburgh. After the season, Forster became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
, eventually signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
.
He recorded a 1.93 ERA while saving 22 games for Los Angeles in 1978. He appeared in the World Series
1978 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 10, 1978 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaWith Yankee ace Ron Guidry unavailable at least until Game 3, the Dodgers pounded twenty-game winner Ed Figueroa. Figueroa left after two innings, allowing home runs to Dusty Baker and Davey Lopes. Lopes would add a...
for the Dodgers that year, as they lost to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. After the Series, he had bone chips removed from his elbow and had his next three years shortened by injuries. He was healthy, however, for the Dodgers' postseason run in 1981, which culminated in his winning a World Series
1981 World Series
The 1981 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking their third meeting in the Series in five years as well as a record eleventh Series meeting overall and last Series meeting to date...
ring after the Dodgers defeated the Yankees.
Fully healthy in 1982, he pitched well coming out of the bullpen, before leaving L.A. via free agency. Forster signed with 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....
for the 1983 season, and had an efficient three seasons, compiling an ERA of under 3.00 in each of those seasons.
While with the Braves, he began gaining notice for his weight problems. The 6'3" Forster reportedly weighed 270 pounds while with Atlanta. David Letterman
David Letterman
David Michael Letterman is an American television host and comedian. He hosts the late night television talk show, Late Show with David Letterman, broadcast on CBS. Letterman has been a fixture on late night television since the 1982 debut of Late Night with David Letterman on NBC...
gave the left-hander national notoriety in 1985, when he referred to the lefty as a "fat tub of goo" on his Late Night
Late Night with David Letterman
Late Night with David Letterman is a nightly hour-long comedy talk show on NBC that was created and hosted by David Letterman. It premiered in 1982 as the first incarnation of the Late Night franchise and went off the air in 1993, after Letterman left NBC and moved to Late Show on CBS. Late Night...
show. Forster later appeared as a guest on Letterman's show following the comments, and even recorded a novelty song called "Fat Is In".
The Braves released Forster shortly before the start of the 1986 season, but he was signed by 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...
two weeks after his release. He finished the year with a 3.51 ERA in 41 appearances, but was not part of the Angels' roster for the ALCS. This was Forster's last season in the major leagues, although he did play minor league baseball in the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
organization in 1987.
Forster was also an excellent hitter, something usually not associated with relief pitchers. His .397 lifetime batting average (31 hits in 78 at bats) is the highest for any major leaguer in history with either 50 at bats or with at least 15 years of major league experience.
Trivia
- On October 3, 1982, in the last regular season game, Forster yielded a seventh-inning, three-run homer to the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
' Joe MorganJoe MorganJoe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the...
which proved to be the winning margin in a 5-3 Giants win. The loss by the Dodgers propelled the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe 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....
to the 1982 National League West Division title.