Rick Waits

From BR Bullpen

Michael Richard Waits

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 3", Weight 195 lb.

• Debut September 17, 1973
• Final Game October 6, 1985
• Born May 15, 1952 in Atlanta, GA USA

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[edit] Biographical Information

Rick Waits was best known in the late 1970s and early 1980s as the Cleveland Indians' "Yankee Killer." He was also known for having a good singing voice; he sang the National Anthem before games a number of times to wild applause.

Rick was the only player from the 5th round draft class of 1970 to record both a win and a save as a major leaguer.

In 1989 and 1990, Waits played for the Fort Myers Sun Sox of the Senior Professional Baseball Association. He went 5-4 with a 3.81 ERA the first season. In 1990, he pitched in 2 games and was 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA when the league folded.

After his playing career he was a pitching coach in the New York Mets organization, working for the GCL Mets in 1995-1996, the St. Lucie Mets in 1997, the Binghamton Mets in 1998 and the Norfolk Tides from 1999 to 2002. In 2003, he became the Mets' minor league pitching coordinator until named to replace Dan Warthen as the pitching coach of the New Orleans Zephyrs on June 17, 2008.

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