Butch Metzger

Clarence Edward Metzger

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 185 lb.
• High School John F. Kennedy High School (Sacramento)
• Debut September 8, 1974
• Final Game June 28, 1978
• Born May 23, 1952 in Lafayette, IN USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Butch Metzger tied Hooks Wiltse's major league record by winning the first 12 decisions of his career. Metzger's streak was from September 21, 1974, when he began his career with the San Francisco Giants, to August 8, 1976, when he was a member of the San Diego Padres. He also set a record by appearing in 77 games in his rookie season, which was the seventh highest in National League history at the time. He shared the 1976 National League Rookie of the Year Award with Pat Zachry of the Cincinnati Reds.

He was traded by the Padres to the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1977 season, in return for John D'Acquisto and Pat Scanlon. He went 4-2, 3.11 with 7 saves in 58 games after the season, sharing closer duties with Al Hrabosky. At the end of spring training in 1978, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets and went 1-3, 6.51 in 25 games for the last-place team before his contract was sold to the Philadelphia Phillies on July 4th. However, he never pitched in the majors for the Phils, as his big league career was already over, a year-and-a-half after being the Rookie of the Year.

He later became a Texas Rangers scout, signing Robbie Erlin, Tommy Mendonca, Luis Ortiz and Joe Wieland.

Notable Achievements

• 1976 NL Rookie of the Year Award

NL Rookie of the Year
1975	1976	1977
John Montefusco	Butch Metzger& Pat Zachry	Andre Dawson

Related Sites

• Butch Metzger at the SABR Bio Project