Bobby Locke
From BR Bullpen
Lawrence Donald Locke
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 185 lb.
- Debut June 18, 1959
- Final Game September 29, 1968
- Born March 3, 1934 in Rowes Run, PA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Bobby Locke was occasionally called Larry.
Locke was signed originally by the Indians as an amateur free agent in 1953. He made his big league debut with them at the age of 25 on June 18, 1959 against the Boston Red Sox. He didn't do too well in his debut, going five and two thirds innings, walking four and surrendering five hits, including two home runs. All told, he gave up five earned runs, but still managed to walk away with the no decision.
Interestingly, Locke hit the first and only home run of his career in the first game of his career. Although he grounded out in his first at-bat, he belted a three run home run in his second at-bat off of pitcher Frank Sullivan.
In 1960, Locke completed the only two games of his career. Both of them were shutouts.
He started his first game since 1961 in 1967, and overall he went 3-0 with a 2.33 on the season.
Even though 1968 was considered "The Year of the Pitcher", Locke still managed to post a 6.44 ERA in 29 games for the Angels.
Interestingly, the three extra base hits he collected in his career - two doubles and a home run - were all collected in his first two big league seasons.
Statistically speaking, Locke is most similar to John Boozer according to the similarity scores method (through July 2007).
The batter that faced Locke the most in his career was Al Kaline. In 24 at-bats against Locke, Kaline hit .292.
The first hit he gave up was to Vic Wertz in the first inning of Locke's first game. Locke gave up his first career home run to Wertz a few innings later in that same game.
He was a hairstylist at one point. [1]
Locke pitched in the game that Ted Williams hit his 500th career home run, although Locke did not actually give it up.
In the years he recorded saves, he always recorded exactly two saves. He did that five times.
