Dickie Noles

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Dickie Ray Noles (born November 19, 1956 in Charlotte, North Carolina) was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies (1979-1981, 1990), Chicago Cubs (1982-1984 and 1987), Texas Rangers (1984-1985), Cleveland Indians (1986), Detroit Tigers (1987) and Baltimore Orioles (1988).

Noles was an effective relief pitcher for the Phillies' 1980 World Series championship team. In Game 4 of that series, Noles came on in relief of Larry Christenson in the first inning with only one out and the Phillies down 4-0 to the Kansas City Royals. Noles pitched the next 4 2/3 innings and gave up another run, but is most remembered for throwing a fastball under George Brett's chin in the fourth inning that prompted a warning by the umpires to both teams. Brett struck out in the at-bat and had only three singles and one RBI the remainder of the series. The brushback incident is looked upon as the turning point in that series for the Phillies.

Before the 1982 season, Noles was traded along with Keith Moreland to the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Mike Krukow and cash. Noles had an effective season as a starter in 1982, going 10-13. In early 1983, however, Noles' alcohol problems began to surface. He and a Cubs' teammate drunkenly assaulted a police officer after a game and Noles severely injured his left knee. Noles spent 16 days in jail, was forced to enter alcohol rehabilitation, and was forced to pay a substantial amount of his baseball earnings in an ensuing civil suit. Noles was never the same pitcher after that.

In 1987, Noles became the second player, after Harry Chiti, in Major League Baseball history to be traded for himself. Noles was traded from the Cubs to the Detroit Tigers for a player to be named later. Several months later, the teams were unable to agree on what player Chicago would receive, and so Noles was shipped back to the Cubs, completing a deal in which he was traded for himself.

Today, Noles is a born-again Christian and works as a special consultant for the Phillies and MLB. He travels the minor league circuit and counsels players on the dangers of alcohol and drugs.