Butch Metzger

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Clarence Edward (Butch) Metzger (born on May 23, 1952 in Lafayette, Indiana) was a former Major League Baseball player. Metzger was a relief pitcher, specifically a closer. Metzger played for three different teams during his five years in the majors; the San Francisco Giants in 1974, the San Diego Padres from 1975 to 1977 and finally with the New York Mets from 1977 to 1978.

[edit] Professional career

After playing high school baseball, Metzger was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1970 amateur draft by the San Francisco Giants.

Metzger made his major league debut on September 8, 1974 with the San Francisco Giants. Metzger played limitedly, pitching 12.7 innings and posting a 3.55 ERA

In 1975, Metzger was with a different team, the San Diego Padres, after being traded from the Giants with Tito Fuentes in exchange for utilityman Derrel Thomas. Metzger pitched limitedly again, due to control issues (he had walked 16 men in his 17.4 innings of career pitching).

In 1976, Metzger was able to successfully control his pitches, and had a great year for a rookie. He posted a 2.92 ERA, along with a 11-4 record, 89 strikeouts, 52 walks and 16 saves in 123.3 innings of work. He was co-voted National League Rookie of the Year for 1976 with Pat Zachry.

Metzger did not start the 1977 season well, walking 12 in 22.7 innings while only getting 6 strikeouts. On May 17, 1977, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitchers John D'Acquisto and infielder Pat Scanlon. Metzger posted better numbers with the Cardinals, collecting 7 saves while posting a 3.11 ERA and a record of 4 wins and 2 losses.

However, Metzger was placed on waivers by the Cardinals and picked up by the New York Mets on April 5, 1978. Metzger had a disappointing season, giving concern to the Mets about his control issues. His contract was subsequently purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies on July 4, 1978 and he was sent back to the minors. Metzger never made it back to the major league level and was released by the Phillies on March 19, 1979.

In his five seasons of baseball, Metzger had a 18-9 record with a 3.74 ERA, 23 saves, pitched 293.3 innings, gave up 289 hits, walked 140 and struck out 175 men.