Fred Gladding

Fred Gladding
Fred Gladding
	Gladding in 1964
	Pitcher
	Born: June 28, 1936; Flat Rock, Michigan, U.S.
	Died: May 21, 2015 (aged 78); Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
	Batted: Left Threw: Right
MLB debut
	July 1, 1961, for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
	June 2, 1973, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	48–34
Earned run average	3.13
Strikeouts	394
Saves	109
Teams
	Detroit Tigers (1961–1967); Houston Astros (1968–1973);
Career highlights and awards
	NL saves leader (1969);

Fred Earl Gladding (June 28, 1936 – May 21, 2015) was an American professional baseball player and coach. He was a right-handed pitcher for all or parts of 13 seasons (1961–1973) with the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros. He was born in Flat Rock, Michigan, and attended Flat Rock Community High School. He was listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and 220 pounds (100 kg).

For his career, he compiled a 48–34 record and 109 saves in 450 appearances, all but one as a relief pitcher, with a 3.13 earned run average and 394 strikeouts in 601 innings pitched. Gladding led the National League in saves with Houston in 1969, the first season the statistic was officially recognized.^[1]^[2]

In seven seasons with the Tigers, Gladding compiled a career record of 26–11 and a 2.70 ERA in 217 games. His .703 winning percentage with the Tigers is the highest in the franchise's history for a pitcher appearing in at least 200 games for the team.^[1] He returned to Detroit in 1976 as pitching coach and served three seasons on the staff of manager Ralph Houk.

Gladding also has the distinction of having the lowest non-zero lifetime batting average in major league history. For his career he batted .016 (1 for 63).^[1]

Gladding died on May 21, 2015, in Columbia, South Carolina.^[1]^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Paul, Tony (May 28, 2015). "Ex-Tigers pitcher Fred Gladding, Flat Rock native, dies at 78". Detroit News. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
^ ^a ^b Mattingly, Tom (May 23, 2015). "Former MLB pitcher, Powell resident Fred Gladding dies at 78". knoxnews.com. Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved May 26, 2015.

External links

Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)

Preceded by Steve Hamilton	Detroit Tigers pitching coach 1976–1978	Succeeded by Johnny Grodzicki

This biographical article relating to an American baseball pitcher born in the 1930s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[detnews-1] Paul, Tony (May 28, 2015). "Ex-Tigers pitcher Fred Gladding, Flat Rock native, dies at 78". Detroit News. Retrieved May 28, 2015.

[knox-2] Mattingly, Tom (May 23, 2015). "Former MLB pitcher, Powell resident Fred Gladding dies at 78". knoxnews.com. Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved May 26, 2015.

[1]

[2]

See also

References

External links