Bob Friend
From BR Bullpen
Robert Bartmess Friend (Warrior)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.
- School Purdue University
- Debut April 28, 1951
- Final Game September 24, 1966
- Born November 24, 1930 in Lafayette, IN USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Bob Friend was a top pitcher during a long major league career, spending almost all of his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates. It has been pointed out that he lost over 200 games while winning fewer than 200, but at 197 victories he was very close to 200.
Signed by the Pirates in 1949, he was a regular by 1951 at age 20. The Pirates were a lousy team at the time, and didn't get over .500 until 1958 (a year in which Friend won 22 games).
Friend had an excellent year in 1955, with an ERA of 2.83, which led the league. His team finished last in the 1955 National League, but Friend had a 14-9 record.
When Bob won his 22 games in 1958, he also finished third in the Cy Young Award voting.
Friend had some ups and downs in later seasons. In 1959 he led the league in losses, but in 1960 he went 18-12 with one of the top winning percentages and ERA's in the league. In 1961 he again led the league in losses, but in 1962 and 1963 he was among the league leaders in ERA and wins.
According to the similarity scores method, the most similar pitcher is Claude Osteen, although the score is barely over 900.
Inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.
He is one of three players with the last name Friend, one of whom was his contemporary Owen Friend.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 3-time NL All-Star (1956, 1958 & 1960)
- NL ERA Leader (1955)
- NL Wins Leader (1958)
- 2-time NL Innings Pitched Leader (1956 & 1957)
- NL Shutouts Leader (1962)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 5 (1956, 1958, 1960, 1962 & 1963)
- 20 Wins Seasons: 1 (1958)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 11 (1955-1965)
- 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1956)
- Won a World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960
