Steve Ratzer

Steve Ratzer
Pitcher
Born: September 9, 1953
Paterson, New Jersey
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
October 5, 1980 for the Montreal Expos
Last MLB appearance
May 17, 1981 for the Montreal Expos
Career statistics
Win–loss record 1–1
Earned run average 7.17
Strikeouts 4
Teams

Steven Wayne Ratzer (born September 9, 1953 in Paterson, New Jersey) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) player. A pitcher, Ratzer played for the Montreal Expos from (1980 to 1981).

Early years

Ratzer was signed as a minor league free agent by the Expos on June 11, 1975.[1] He began playing immediately at the rookie league level, and by 1977 he had worked his way up to the Expos' AAA affiliate in the American Association, the Denver Bears, where he remained through the 1980 season.[2]

Montreal Expos

Ratzer made his MLB debut on the final day (October 5) of the 1980 season as the starting pitcher when the Expos hosted the Philadelphia Phillies. In the bottom of the fourth inning, he was removed in favor a pinch hitter having surrendered 5 runs on 9 hits. The Expos rallied, winning the game in 10 innings, leaving him with a no-decision in his debut.[3]

In 1981, Ratzer appeared in 12 games, all in relief. On April 28 at the Philadelphia Phillies, he relieved starter Charlie Lea, pitching a 1–2–3 fifth inning. Because the starting pitcher did not pitch the requisite 5 innings to earn the victory, the official scorer awarded the win to Ratzer[4] which proved to be the only win of his major league career. On May 14 at the Los Angeles Dodgers, he relieved Bill Gullickson pitching another 1–2–3 eighth inning. However, he recorded his only loss when he surrendered a lead-off, walk-off home run to Pedro Guerrero in the next inning.[5] Three days later he was sent back down to the minors.[2]

Post-MLB career

Ratzer finished the 1981 season with the Denver Bears.[2] He was traded with cash to the New York Mets for Frank Taveras on December 11, 1981.[1] He finished his professional career with the Tidewater Tides, the Mets' AAA affiliate in the International League in 1982, and back with the Denver Bears, who were by then the Chicago White Sox AAA affiliate in 1983.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Steve Ratzer Statistics and History". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Steve Ratzer Minor League Statistics & History". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Oct 5, 1980, Phillies at Expos Box Score and Play by Play". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Apr 28, 1981, Expos at Phillies Play by Play and Box Score". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  5. ↑ "May 14, 1981, Expos at Dodgers Play by Play and Box Score". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved November 14, 2014.

External links