Biography of Bob Welch (baseball player)

Bob Welch, born Robert Lynn Welch (November 3, 1956 in Detroit, Michigan), is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1978-87) and Oakland Athletics (1988-94). He batted and threw right-handed. In a 17-year career, Welch compiled a 211-146 record with 1,969 strikeouts and a 3.47 ERA in 3,092 innings.

A two-time All-Star, Welch won 14 or more games in eight years, with a career-high 27 in 1990. In that season he received the Cy Young Award and was considered in the MVP vote. The 27 win total was the most by any pitcher since Denny McLain in 1968 and is the last time a pitcher has won 25 or more games in a season.

Highlights

American League Cy Young Award (1990)
Twice All-Star (1980, 1990)
Top 10 American League MVP (9th, 1990)
Led league in wins (1990)
Led league in shutouts (4, 1987)
Led league in games started (35, 1991)
Tied at #83 on the all-time wins leaderboard

Fact

On May 29, 1980, Welch pitched a 3-0 one-hitter against the Atlanta Braves, facing the minimum 27 batters. The only Atlanta base runner was Larvell Blanks, who singled in the 4th inning and was retired on a double play.