Jim Brewer (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jim Brewer |
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Brewer in 1974
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: November 14, 1937 Merced, California, U.S. |
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| Died: November 16, 1987 (aged 50) Tyler, Texas, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| July 17, 1960, for the Chicago Cubs | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| May 24, 1976, for the California Angels | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 69–65 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.07 | ||
| Strikeouts | 810 | ||
| Saves | 133 | ||
| Teams | |||
As player
As coach
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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James Thomas Brewer (born November 14, 1937 – died November 16, 1987) was an American relief pitcher and coach in Major League Baseball (MLB). A relief pitcher is a player who comes into the game to pitch after the starting pitcher. From 1960 to 1976, Brewer played for the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and California Angels. He batted and threw with his left hand.
Jim Brewer learned to throw a special pitch called a screwball. This pitch helped him become one of the best relief pitchers in the National League during the 1960s and 1970s.
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Playing Career Highlights
Jim Brewer graduated from Broken Arrow Senior High in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He played baseball for 17 years in the major leagues. During his career, he won 69 games and lost 65. He also had 810 strikeouts and a 3.07 earned run average (ERA). A low ERA means a pitcher is very good at preventing runs.
Brewer started his career with the Cubs. He then spent twelve seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished his playing days with the Angels.
Dodgers Team Records
While playing for the Dodgers, Jim Brewer recorded 126 saves. A save happens when a relief pitcher finishes a close game without letting the other team score. He appeared in 474 games for the Dodgers. Only two other Dodgers pitchers, Don Sutton and Don Drysdale, played in more games for the team.
As a Dodger, Brewer was chosen for the 1973 All-Star Game. He also played in three World Series with the team: in 1965, 1966, and 1974. From 1968 to 1973, he averaged 20 saves each season. In 1970, he had his best year with 24 saves. In 1972, his ERA was very low at 1.26. This means he was very hard to score against.
On-Field Incident
On August 4, 1960, Jim Brewer was involved in an incident during a game. Brewer, playing for the Cubs, threw a pitch close to Billy Martin, who was with the Cincinnati Reds. Martin reacted by throwing his bat. When Brewer picked up the bat to hand it back, Martin punched him in the right eye.
Brewer's cheekbone was broken, and he needed two surgeries. Martin was suspended for five days. Later, a judge ordered Billy Martin to pay Jim Brewer $10,000 for the injuries.
Coaching After Playing
After his playing career ended, Jim Brewer became a pitching coach for the Montreal Expos. He coached for three seasons, from 1977 to 1979. He worked under manager Dick Williams, who is now in the Hall of Fame.
Later Life and Death
Jim Brewer passed away in Tyler, Texas, at the age of 50. He died from injuries he received in a car accident.
