Well-remembered and well regarded by baseball fans and teammates alike, Rick Wise pitched 18 seasons in MLB. The 6-ft, 2-inch 195-pound right-handed was a bonus baby signed by The Philadelphia Phillies and started his first game at age 18 in 1964. One the major leagues workhorses, Rick Wise posted a 15-13 w/l record with a 3.23 ERA in 1969, then a 13-14 mark, 4.17 ERA in ’70 and a 17-14 record with a 2.88 ERA in 1971, Wise was traded in a blockbuster deal straight up to the Cardinals for future Hall of Famer Steve Carlton prior to the opening of the 1972 season. Carlton had just rang up a 20-9 record, 3.56 earned run average, and Carlton responded by going 27-10 with a miserly 1.97, completed 30-of-41 games with 8 shutouts. Meanwhile, Wise went 16-16 and 16-12 for St Louis before being traded to the 1974 Red Sox. Pitching for the Phillies on June 23 1971 Wise hurled a no-hitter and hit two (2) homers during a game against Cincinnati – and is the only pitcher to toss a no-hitter and homer in the same game. Pitching for the 1975 Boston Red Sox Rick Wise was 19-12 for the season and helped the team win the AL pennant by pitching and winning the final game of the 1975 ALCS over Oakland allowing 2 runs thru 7.1 innings. After retiring from the pitching mound Wise has coached in the minors for the past 20 years and just signed a pact to be the new Lancaster Barnstormers pitching coach. Rick Wise career stats: 188-181 record, 3.69 ERA, 506 Games, 455 GS, 138 GC, 3227 hits in 3127 innings, 1647 Ks, 804 Walks. Baseball History |