Former Reds Pitcher, Frank Pastore Dies

[Tony Cloninger]

Originally Posted by Sea Ray

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/ch...r0XX8T7qJtT.99

I don't remember that. When did that happen?

I do not recall that but I do know he missed some time in 1980 after a great start....with an injury. He was also forced to go 9 a few times, when the bullpen was bringing gasoline to the mound during May or June....and blowing games.
He went 9 against STL while giving up 5 runs and probably throwing well over 120 pitches.

[Sea Ray]

Originally Posted by Tony Cloninger

I do not recall that but I do know he missed some time in 1980 after a great start....with an injury. He was also forced to go 9 a few times, when the bullpen was bringing gasoline to the mound during May or June....and blowing games.
He went 9 against STL while giving up 5 runs and probably throwing well over 120 pitches.

Yeah, I think we'd remember a shattered elbow. I don't recall his career falling short due to injury

[redsof72]

In 1979, Frank came to spring training and basically, out of nowhere, made the ballclub as a 21-year-old. At that time, it was very uncommon for a pitcher to make the Reds team without proving himself in Triple-A, and Frank had spent almost all of 1978 in Double-A. He started that season in the bullpen and struggled, went back to Indianapolis, and rejoined the Reds in late July as a starter. He had a tremendous stretch in August and September and by the time the playoffs began, he was the Reds Game 2 starter as a rookie.

As others recall, on opening day, 1980, Frank was a last minute emergency replacement for Tom Seaver and threw a three-hit shutout against the Braves. In his second start, he threw another complete game victory, allowing just one run. The Reds were 8-0 at that point. Pastore's fourth start of the season was his third complete game victory. How about coming out of spring training with three complete games in your first four starts?

He started that year by going 10-4 with seven complete games in 16 starts and was a candidate for the all-star game, but was not selected. He finished the season at 13-7, 3.27, completing nine of 27 starts. He was a frequent guest of Joe Nuxhall on Reds on Radio, either pre-game or the post-game Star of the Game show (they used to interview a player after every game) and was always great with the media, very well-spoken.

He went on to spend the next five years with the Reds and finished his career with the Twins in 1986.

The Reds in Pastore's early years were still a very strong club. They won the division in 1979 and of course, as many know, finished 1981 with the best record in baseball but failed to make the playoffs because of that season's unique split-season format caused by the strike. Pastore was part of a young group of starting pitchers that all showed tremendous potential as big leaguers prior to reaching age 25. Along with Pastore, Mario Soto, Mike LaCoss, Paul Moskau, Charlie Leibrandt, Bruce Berenyi, and Joe Price, you had a group of terrific young early 20's arms all pretty much at the same time, but unfortunately, only Soto really blossomed with the Reds (though some of those guys had big years after leaving the Reds).

Frank was certainly a big name in Reds history from roughly three decades ago. You did not hear much about him after his playing days, probably because of his dedication to his new career. Always came across as a very classy gentleman. Very sad news.

Rest in peace, Frank Pastore.

[crazybob60]

Here is a link I found on youtube about Frank talking about the line drive off of Steve Sax's bat that hit him in his elbow. The video is grainy, but it shows video footage. Starts around the 2:52 mark in the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU5XcA342Yw

[traderumor]

Thanks for sharing that video. God is amazing.

[MartyFan]

Originally Posted by traderumor

Thanks for sharing that video. God is amazing.

I remember seeing that video when it aired.

I worked for the same broadcast company that Frank worked for but in Columbus.

On one occasion I just HAD to call out to KKLA and leave a message for Frank to let him know that I never dreamed in a million years we would be "teammates"...a couple days later he returned the call and left me a message that said "glad to have you on the winning side..."

That was our only interaction but now I am more grateful than before to have had it.

[BCubb2003]

I remember him being called "Mr Goodwrench" because he was a protege of Seaver and was always talking about his mechanics. A smart guy.

[CySeymour]

Originally Posted by BCubb2003

I remember him being called "Mr Goodwrench" because he was a protege of Seaver and was always talking about his mechanics. A smart guy.

That's what I remember, too. In fact, I had a theory that Frank was maybe too smart and was thinking too much, hence why his numbers never lived up to his first season.

[vic715]

Originally Posted by BCubb2003

I remember him being called "Mr Goodwrench" because he was a protege of Seaver and was always talking about his mechanics. A smart guy.

Frank always thought he had it figured out and was gonna be better his next start, but usually he didn't, but I did meet him in Spring Training one year in 83 or 84 and he was a super guy and down to earth to talk to.