Dennis Lamp

Dennis Lamp
Pitcher
Born: (1952-09-23) September 23, 1952
Los Angeles, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 21, 1977, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
June 6, 1992, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
Win–loss record 96–96
Earned run average 3.93
Strikeouts 857
Teams

Dennis Patrick Lamp (born September 23, 1952) is a former middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). From 1977 through 1992, the breaking ball specialist played for the Chicago Cubs (1977–1980), Chicago White Sox (1981–1983), Toronto Blue Jays (1984–1986), Oakland Athletics (1987), Boston Red Sox (1988–1991) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1992).

Career

Lamp was born in Los Angeles, California.[1] After graduating from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California in 1971,[2] Lamp was selected in the third round (62nd overall) by the Cubs in that year's MLB Draft.[3]

Lamp began his career as a Cub, but was traded to the crosstown Chicago White Sox for pitcher Ken Kravec. His seven wins and 15 saves helped the White Sox win their division by a whopping 20 games and reach the 1983 American League Championship Series. A month later, he was granted free agency and signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.

In a 14-season career, Lamp posted a 96–96 record with a 3.93 ERA and 35 saves in 639 games pitched. His best season was 1985: 11–0 and a 3.32 ERA in 105 innings. In 1984 with the Blue Jays, Lamp came up just one win short of Luis Arroyo’s 1961 record for most consecutive wins by a reliever.

He continued to pitch while approaching his 40th birthday, coming out of the bullpen in 21 games for the 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates, who won their division and advanced to the 1992 National League Championship Series, but he was released in June of that season.

Lamp was involved in two individual career milestones involving a pair of future Baseball Hall of Famers. On August 13, 1979, he gave up Lou Brock's 3,000th hit.[4] He also surrendered Cal Ripken, Jr.'s first major-league hit, a third-inning infield single in the White Sox's 8–7 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Memorial Stadium on August 16, 1981.[2][5]

Post-season appearances

Lamp has pitched in the AL Championship Series on three occasions: 1983 with the White Sox, 1985 with the Blue Jays, and 1990 with the Red Sox.

Life after baseball

Lamp has worked behind the seafood counter at Bristol Farms in Newport Beach, California since 2004.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Dennis Lamp Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Crowe, Jerry. "Former big league pitcher Dennis Lamp's adaptability still serves him well," Los Angeles Times, Sunday, January 30, 2011.
  3. ↑ 1971 Major League Baseball Draft, Rounds 1–10 – Pro Sports Transactions.
  4. ↑ Back in Time: August 13
  5. ↑ Chicago White Sox 8, Baltimore Orioles 7; Sunday, August 16, 1981 (D) at Memorial Stadium – Retrosheet.
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