Cal McLish facts for kids

Calvin Coolidge Julius Caesar Tuskahoma McLish (December 1, 1925 – August 26, 2010) was a professional baseball pitcher and coach. He was often called "Bus". He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. These included the Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies. Cal was a switch-hitter, meaning he could bat from both sides of the plate. He threw the ball with his right hand.

During his 15 years in MLB, McLish had a record of 92 wins and 92 losses. He also recorded 713 strikeouts. His earned run average (ERA) was 4.01 over 1,609 innings pitched.

Who Was Cal McLish?

Calvin Coolidge Julius Caesar Tuskahoma McLish was born in Anadarko, Oklahoma, on December 1, 1925. His parents were John and Lula McLish. His father was part Cherokee Indian. Cal was the seventh of eight children in his family.

He got his very long name because his father finally got to name a child. He had not been able to name his six older children. Cal grew up in Oklahoma City. He went to Central High School there.

Cal's Baseball Journey

Cal McLish started his professional baseball career with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He signed with them before the 1944 season. That year, he made his Major League Baseball debut. This was his first time playing in organized baseball.

In 1945, Cal served in the United States Army. He was deployed to the Western Front of World War II during the war. After his military service, he returned to play for the Dodgers in 1946.

Moving Between Teams

On May 3, 1947, the Dodgers traded McLish to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played for the Pirates in 1947 and 1948. He also played for the Indianapolis Indians, a minor league team, in 1948. The Indians won their league championship with Cal on the team.

After the 1948 season, the Pirates traded McLish to the Chicago Cubs. He played in the minor leagues for the Los Angeles Angels in 1949. In 1950, he had a great year, winning 20 games for the Angels.

Return to the Major Leagues

In 1956, Cal McLish returned to MLB. He began pitching for the Cleveland Indians. He had an excellent season in 1958, with 16 wins and 8 losses. His earned run average (ERA) was very good at 2.99.

Cal set a major league record in 1958 and 1959. He won 16 games in a row when playing away from home. This record was later broken by Greg Maddux. In 1959, McLish had an impressive 19 wins and 8 losses. He also played in the 1959 MLB All-Star Game. He helped the American League win by earning a save.

Later Playing Years

After the 1959 season, the Indians traded McLish to the Cincinnati Reds. Cal was not happy about this trade. He said the Indians' general manager, Frank Lane, "never did like me." He played for the Reds in 1960.

Next, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox before the 1962 season. Then, he moved to the Philadelphia Phillies. In 1963, McLish had 13 wins and 11 losses. He pitched 211 innings, which was the most on his team. In July 1964, he had a shoulder injury. The Phillies then released him from the team.

Cal also played baseball in Venezuela for the Leones del Caracas. He had a good record there, with 14 wins and 12 losses. He even helped his team by hitting well, sometimes as a pinch hitter.

Life After Playing Baseball

After his playing days, Cal McLish became a pitching coach. He coached for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1965 and 1966. For the next two years, he worked as a scout for the Phillies. A scout helps find new talented players.

He then joined the Montreal Expos in 1969. He was their pitching coach and helped many young pitchers improve. In 1973, he became ill with a lung infection and had to go home to recover.

The Expos let McLish go after the 1975 season. Soon after, he was hired to coach the Milwaukee Brewers. He coached the Brewers from 1976 to 1982. After that, he became a scout for the Brewers. He continued to work in professional baseball until 2005. His last role was as an instructor for the Seattle Mariners.

Personal Life and Legacy

Cal McLish was honored in 2009. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.

Cal and his wife, Ruth, were married for 60 years. They had a daughter and three sons. They also had thirteen grandchildren. Cal McLish passed away on August 26, 2010. He died from leukemia at his home in Edmond, Oklahoma.

See also

• List of baseball players who went directly to Major League Baseball