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Denny Lemaster

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Denny Lemaster
Pitcher
Born: (1939-02-25)February 25, 1939
Corona, California, U.S.
Died: July 24, 2024(2024-07-24) (aged 85)
Batted: Right
Threw: Left
MLB debut
July 15, 1962, for the Milwaukee Braves
Last MLB appearance
June 21, 1972, for the Montreal Expos
MLB statistics
Win–loss record90–105
Earned run average3.58
Strikeouts1,305
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Denver Clayton Lemaster (February 25, 1939 – July 24, 2024) was an American professional baseball player and left-handed pitcher who appeared in 357 games over 11 seasons (1962–1972) for the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros and Montreal Expos. A one-time (1967) National League All-Star, Lemaster won 90 games over the course of his MLB career. He was listed as 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and 182 pounds (83 kg).

Career

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Lemaster was born in Corona, California, and signed a $70,000 bonus contract with the Braves upon graduation from Oxnard High School.[1] He rose through the team's farm system over the next 41⁄2 years before making his major league debut as the Braves' starting pitcher on July 15, 1962, against the defending league champion Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee County Stadium. He held a 2–1 lead going into the ninth inning, but a Vada Pinson home run, followed by an unearned run, saddled him with a 3–2, complete game defeat.[2]

In 1963, Lemaster became a regular member of the Braves' starting rotation, and exceeded 200 innings pitched three times in the next five seasons. He won 17 games in 1964 (losing 11), threw two one-hitters (in 1964[3] and 1967[4][5]), set a team record of 14 strikeouts in one 1966 game,[6][7] and was selected to the 1967 NL All-Star team during his final season with the club. He did not appear in the game, played at Anaheim Stadium on July 11 and won by the Senior Circuit 2–1 in 15 innings.

After the 1967 season, Lemaster was traded with Denis Menke to the Houston Astros in exchange for infielders Sonny Jackson and Chuck Harrison. He again exceeded 200 innings pitched in his first two campaigns in Houston and posted a solid 3.00 composite earned run average, but won only 23 of 55 decisions. He became a bullpen specialist during his final two seasons in Houston and a partial season with the Montreal Expos before retiring.

All told, Lemaster posted a 90–105 win–loss record and a 3.58 career earned run average during his MLB tenure. In 249 games started, he registered 66 complete games and 14 shutouts, adding eight saves as a relief pitcher. In 1,7822⁄3 innings pitched, he allowed 1,703 hits and 600 bases on balls with 1,305 strikeouts.

Personal life

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Lemaster died on July 24, 2024, at the age of 85.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Henson, Steve (July 24, 1993). "Lemaster Fooled Hitters, Now Ducks : Former Braves Left-Hander Carves Decorative Decoys". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  2. ^ "Cincinnati Reds 3, Milwaukee Braves 2 (2)". Retrosheet. July 15, 1962. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  3. ^ "Milwaukee Braves 1, Cincinnati Reds 0". Retrosheet. September 11, 1964. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  4. ^ "Lemaster Hurls 1-Hitter; Pirates Overhaul Astros". St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. Associated Press (AP). May 25, 1967. p. 2-C. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  5. ^ "Atlanta Braves 2, St. Louis Cardinals 0". Retrosheet. May 24, 1967. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  6. ^ "1993 Topps baseball card # 35".
  7. ^ "Atlanta Braves 7, Philadelphia Phillies 1". Retrosheet. August 14, 1966. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  8. ^ "Denny Lemaster". Legacy.com. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
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