Blue Moon Odom facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blue Moon Odom
Pitcher
Born: (1945-05-29) May 29, 1945 (age 80) Macon, Georgia, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
September 5, 1964, for the Kansas City Athletics
Last appearance
August 17, 1976, for the Chicago White Sox
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	84–85
Earned run average	3.70
Strikeouts	857
Teams
Kansas City / Oakland Athletics (1964–1975) Cleveland Indians (1975) Atlanta Braves (1975) Chicago White Sox (1976)
Career highlights and awards
2× All-Star (1968, 1969) 3× World Series champion (1972–1974) Pitched combined no-hitter on July 28, 1976

Johnny Lee "Blue Moon" Odom (born May 29, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1964 to 1976. He is best known for being part of the Oakland Athletics team that won three World Series championships. These wins happened in a row between 1972 and 1974. Blue Moon Odom was also chosen for the All-Star Game twice. He played for the Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago White Sox too.

Early Life and Nickname

Johnny Odom got his nickname "Blue Moon" in grade school. A classmate thought his round face looked like the moon. Odom was a star baseball player at Ballard-Hudson High School in Macon, Georgia. He led his team to two state championships. He had an amazing record of 42 wins and only 2 losses. After graduating, he signed with the Kansas City Athletics.

Baseball Career Highlights

Starting in Major League Baseball

Odom began his professional baseball journey with the Birmingham Barons. After one season, he joined the Kansas City Athletics in 1964. He was only nineteen years old when he made his first big league appearance. This happened on September 5 in Kansas City.

Odom spent the 1965 season in the minor leagues. He played for the Lewiston Broncs. He pitched well, leading the league in games started and innings pitched. He made only one brief appearance in the major leagues that year.

In 1966 and 1967, Odom split his time between Kansas City and the minor leagues. He showed flashes of his talent during these years.

Becoming an Oakland Athletics Star

Odom became a top pitcher when his team moved to Oakland, California. In 1968, he had a great season with a 16–10 record. He almost pitched a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles. He was also picked for his first All-Star Game. He pitched two innings without giving up any runs.

In the first half of the 1969 season, Odom was outstanding. He had 14 wins and only 3 losses. He was also a good hitter for a pitcher. In one game, he got three hits, including a home run. He was chosen for his second All-Star team that year.

The Athletics won their division in 1971. However, they lost to the Orioles in the playoffs.

Before the 1972 season, Odom was injured while helping a neighbor. He recovered and had a fantastic year. He won 15 games and had a low ERA. He was part of a strong pitching team. This team included future Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter and Cy Young Award winner Vida Blue. The A's won their division again in 1972.

World Series Appearances

In his first playoff start, Odom pitched a shutout against the Detroit Tigers. This gave Oakland a 2–0 lead in the series. The Tigers tied the series, and Odom pitched again in game five. He helped the A's win and advance to the World Series. After this game, Odom and teammate Vida Blue had a heated discussion. Blue was unhappy about his role as a relief pitcher.

Oakland faced the "Big Red Machine" Cincinnati Reds in the 1972 World Series. Odom pitched well in game three, but the Reds won 1–0. In game five, Odom was used as a pinch runner. He tried to score but was tagged out at home plate.

Odom pitched in game seven of the 1972 World Series. The A's won the game 3–2. This gave the team their first World Series championship in Oakland. Odom had a great postseason record that year. He won two games and had a very low ERA.

In 1973, Odom's record was not as good. However, the A's made it to the playoffs again. Odom pitched in relief during the 1973 playoffs. He helped the team win the 1973 American League Championship Series.

Odom also pitched in two games of the 1973 World Series against the New York Mets. He pitched well in relief. The A's won the World Series again, making it two championships in a row.

In 1974, Odom was mostly a relief pitcher. He earned his only career save that year. The A's beat the Baltimore Orioles in the playoffs. Before the World Series, Odom and teammate Rollie Fingers had a disagreement. Fingers got injured, and Odom sprained his ankle.

Despite his injury, Odom pitched in the 1974 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched a scoreless inning in game two. In game five, Odom earned the win. He faced one batter, and then his teammate Joe Rudi hit a home run. This gave the A's the lead and the win. The A's won their third straight World Series championship!

Later Career Teams

In 1975, Odom played for the A's, then was traded to the Cleveland Indians. After a month, he was traded again to the Atlanta Braves. It was a tough year for him.

Odom started the 1976 season in the minor leagues. He was then traded to the Chicago White Sox. In his second start for the White Sox, Odom made history. He combined with another pitcher, Francisco Barrios, to pitch a no-hitter. This happened against his old team, the Oakland A's. Odom pitched the first five innings of this special game. This was his last big-league victory.

Odom played a few more games in the minor leagues in 1977 before retiring. He was later asked to represent the Athletics at the 2008 baseball draft.

Career Statistics

Vida Blue (left) and Odom (right) at the Oakland Athletics' 1973 World Series reunion

Blue Moon Odom was a very athletic player. He was often used as a pinch-runner because of his speed. He was also a good hitter for a pitcher. He hit twelve home runs in his career. In the postseason, Odom had a strong record. He won three games and had a very low ERA.

Later Life

Blue Moon Odom was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.