Richard Fred Drott (July 1, 1936 – August 16, 1985) was an American Major League Baseball player who pitched for the Chicago Cubs and the Houston Colt .45s. Drott, nicknamed "Hummer", started his major league career in 1957 with the Cubs. He won 15 games as a rookie, led the league in walks allowed, and finished third in balloting for Rookie of the Year. He graduated from Western Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dick Drott
Drott in 1961
Pitcher
Born: (1936-07-01)July 1, 1936
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Died: August 16, 1985(1985-08-16) (aged 49)
Glendale Heights, Illinois, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 16, 1957, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
September 27, 1963, for the Houston Colt .45s
MLB statistics
Win–loss record27–46
Earned run average4.78
Strikeouts460
Teams

On April 24, 1957, Drott was ejected from a game for using a wheelchair to wheel Moe Drabowsky to first base after Drabowsky claimed he was hit on the foot by a pitch.[1]

Arm injuries limited Drott's effectiveness after 1957. He was drafted during the regular phase of the 1961 MLB Expansion Draft by the Houston Colt .45s. After posting a 2–12 record in 1963, Drott was sent back to the minor leagues. By 1965 he was finished playing professional baseball. Drott finished his career with a record of 27–46 with a lifetime 4.78 ERA in 176 games played.

Dick Drott died of stomach cancer at age 49.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ "Cincinnati Reds 9, Chicago Cubs 5". retrosheet.org. April 24, 1957. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  2. ^ Pittman, Darrell. "Astros in the Sky: Houston players that have passed on". astrosdaily.com. Retrieved November 19, 2015.

External links edit