Jack Spring facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jack Spring |
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: March 11, 1933 Spokane, Washington |
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| Died: August 2, 2015 (aged 82) Spokane, Washington |
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| debut | |||
| April 16, 1955, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| August 1, 1965, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 12–5 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.26 | ||
| Strikeouts | 86 | ||
| Innings pitched | 186 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Jack Russell Spring (born March 11, 1933 – died August 2, 2015) was an American baseball player. He was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). Jack was a tall, left-handed player. He played for many teams during his career. These included the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Angels. He also played for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cleveland Indians.
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Early Life and College Baseball
Jack Spring grew up in Spokane, Washington. He went to Lewis and Clark High School. After high school, he played college baseball. He played for the Gonzaga Bulldogs in 1951. Then, in 1952, he played for the Washington State Cougars.
Playing for the Los Angeles Angels
Jack Spring played in a few major league games for three different teams. Then, in 1961, he joined the new expansion Los Angeles Angels. He started four games for the Angels that September. He won three of those games.
A Key Relief Pitcher
Starting in 1962, Jack Spring became a full-time relief pitcher. This means he would come into the game after the starting pitcher. That season, he played in 57 games. This was the third-highest number of appearances in the American League. He became one of the Angels' most trusted pitchers. He often pitched from the bullpen, which is where relief pitchers warm up.
Jack Spring, along with Art Fowler, Tom Morgan, and Julio Navarro, helped the Angels a lot. In 1962 and 1963, his combined record was 7 wins and 2 losses. He also had 8 saves. A save is when a relief pitcher finishes a close game without letting the other team score too much.
Later Career and Famous Trade
On May 15, 1964, the Angels traded Jack Spring to another team. After that, he played for three more clubs. His last major league game was on August 31, 1965.
The Brock for Broglio Trade
Jack Spring was part of a very famous trade in MLB history. On June 15, 1964, he moved from the Cubs to the Cardinals. This trade was called the Brock for Broglio deal. He went with a player named Lou Brock. Lou Brock became a huge star for the St. Louis Cardinals. He helped them win the 1964 pennant and the World Series championship. Jack Spring only played in two games for the Cardinals before going to the minor leagues.
Career Highlights and Legacy
Jack Spring played in 155 major league games. He started 5 games and finished 51 games. He had 8 saves. His career record was 12 wins and 5 losses. He pitched a total of 186 innings pitched. During that time, he allowed 195 hits and 78 bases on balls. He also struck out 86 batters.
In 2005, Jack Spring was honored. He was inducted into the Inland Northwest Sports Hall of Fame. This ceremony took place in Spokane, Washington. He was inducted alongside famous basketball player John Stockton. Jack Spring passed away on August 2, 2015. He died from Parkinson's disease.
