Nick Willhite
| Nick Willhite | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: January 27, 1941 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. | |
| Died: December 14, 2008 (aged 67) Alpine, Utah, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 16, 1963, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 23, 1967, for the New York Mets | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 6–12 |
| Earned run average | 4.55 |
| Strikeouts | 118 |
| Teams | |
Jon Nicholas Willhite (January 27, 1941 – December 14, 2008) was an American professional baseball player, a left-handed pitcher. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Willhite grew up in Denver, Colorado and graduated from South High School in 1959. He was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1959 and was called up to Major League Baseball in 1963 and pitched from 1963 to 1967 for the Dodgers, Washington Senators, California Angels and New York Mets.
Willhite was with the Dodgers when they won the 1965 World Series, but he did not pitch in the series. He was out of baseball by age 26, with an overall record of 6–12 and a 4.55 ERA.
Willhite later worked as a pitching coach at Brigham Young University and in the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees organizations.
Willhite was an alcoholic by the time he was 22 years old[1] and was sometimes drunk on the field.[2] Willhite was married and divorced three times[1] and later became addicted to drugs as well as alcohol.[2] In 1989, he hit rock bottom after selling his World Series ring. He then reached out to another former Dodger pitcher, Stan Williams, for help. He ultimately received that help from the Baseball Assistance Team, which assists former baseball players in need. Willhite entered a treatment center in Fort Collins, Colorado in 1989[1] and later became an addictions counselor after graduating from the University of Utah.[2]
Willhite died of cancer at his son's home in Alpine, Utah.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Cohn, Bob (July 28, 1991). "A save beyond measure". Arizona Republic. p. 241. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c Hudson, Bob (May 30, 1992). "Former big leaguer rebuilds life; now helping others do the same". The Daily Herald. p. B7. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Former Dodgers pitcher Willhite dies". sportingnews.com. Associated Press. December 19, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2008.[permanent dead link]
External links
[edit]- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet, or Pura Pelota (Venezuelan Winter League)
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