Bruce Kison

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Bruce Eugene Kison (born February 18, 1950 in Pasco, Washington) is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1971-1979), California Angels (1980-1984) and Boston Red Sox (1985). He batted and threw right handed.

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[edit] Biography

When Bruce Kison pitched for Pasco High back in 1968, he was already 6-foot-4 1/2 and so slender that one manager later cracked he could look right through him. But his size did have its advantages.

When Kison uncoiled his long right arm and stretched out to the plate, there were very few right-handed hitters who could keep both feet in the batter’s box. Kison also threw mostly sidearm back then and intimidation was as much a part of his game as his 95-mph fastball.

He threw three no-hitters during his senior season at Pasco High School. Three years later, he was pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kison pitched 15 years in the Major Leagues, but coming out of high school, he had hoped to play college baseball. When no offers came, he signed with the Pirates for $1,000 after a tryout camp in Sunnyside.

Kison was 30-9 in the minors and was called up in the middle of the 1971 season and was the winning pitcher when Pittsburgh beat San Francisco to make it into the World Series. He later became the winning pitcher in the first night game ever played in the classic.

After tearing his rotator cuff during winter ball (which was usually a career-ending injury at the time), he spent 14 more years in the majors and changed his throwing motion.

The Pasco grad also has spent time as pitching coach for both the Kansas City Royals and the Baltimore Orioles. Currently, he is a scout and pro baseball pitching instructor.

[edit] Career

In a 15-season career, Kison posted a 115-88 record with 1073 strikeouts and a 3.66 ERA in 1809-2/3 innings pitched. 2007 Bullpen coach for Baltimore.

[edit] Postseason appearances

[edit] Highlights

  • Won Game Four of the 1971 WS over the Baltimore Orioles allowing one-hit in 6-1/3 innings of shutout relief
  • During the Series, he was flown to his wedding after a game in a helicopter.
  • Twice pitched one-hitter game (1980)
  • Gave up the 2,500th hit to Pete Rose (August 17, 1975)

[edit] External links

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Pittsburgh Pirates 1971 World Series roster
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Pittsburgh Pirates 1979 World Series roster