Tom Browning obit

 

Tom Browning, former Reds pitcher who threw perfect game in 1988, dies at 62

Browning spent 12 seasons in the majors and helped the Reds win the 1990 World Series

He was not on the list.

Former MLB starting pitcher Tom Browning died at the age of 62 on Monday. The Boone County, Kentucky, Sheriff made the announcement that Browning was found unresponsive and "resuscitation efforts were not successful." The release also states that "no foul play is suspected in connection with Mr. Browning's death." 

Browning was most known for his MLB career with the Reds as a starting pitcher. He was part of the rotation for the 1990 World Series champions, finished sixth in Cy Young voting in 1985 and was an All-Star in 1991. In parts of 12 seasons (1984-1995) -- 11 with the Reds and one with the Royals -- Browning was 123-90 with a 3.94 ERA and exactly 1,000 strikeouts in 1,921 innings. A workhorse through his prime, he topped 225 innings six times, winning at least 14 games five times, including a 20-win season in 1985. 

Browning's only trip to the postseason came in 1990, but he got the win in his one World Series start and the Reds took the title in a four-game sweep over the heavily favored A's. 

A career highlight for Browning was throwing, at the time, the 12th perfect game in MLB history. He pulled it off on Sept. 16, 1988. At the time, he was the first lefty to throw a perfect game since Sandy Koufax did so in 1965. It is still the only perfect game in Reds history and, sure enough, take note of what Hall of Famer Barry Larkin calls him: 

A different type of career highlight came in 1993, when Browning joined Cubs fans on a rooftop across the street from Wrigley Field. 

Browning's career came to an end somewhat abruptly. On May 9, 1994, he broke his arm while throwing a pitch in a gruesome on-field injury. His comeback attempt with the Royals next season lasted just two starts. 

Browning was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2006 and his place in Reds history has long since been secure. 

Tom Browning, a World Series champion with the Reds who pitched the 12th perfect game in MLB history, died Monday, according to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office. He was 62 years old. 

The sheriff’s office said in a report that deputies were called to Browning’s Kentucky home at around 1 p.m. Monday after receiving a report of a man found not breathing. The 62-year-old was unresponsive on a couch when police arrived, the report states.

Deputies and EMS personnel attempted life-saving measures but were unable to resuscitate Browning. He was pronounced dead at 1:13 p.m.

No foul play is suspected in connection with Browning’s death, the sheriff’s office said. 

After being selected by the Reds in the ninth round of the 1982 draft, Browning spent the majority of his 12 MLB seasons (’84 to ’95) with the team. His first major league start for Cincinnati came two years after he was drafted, and he developed into a regular starter for the National League club. 

His crowning individual achievement came in 1988 when he became the 12th person in MLB history to pitch a perfect game. The left-hander threw the perfect game at home against the Dodgers and it remains the only perfect game in Reds history. 

“The entire Reds family is stunned and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tom Browning,” the Cincinnati franchise said in a statement Monday. “Affectionately referred to as ‘Mr. Perfect,’ Tom was a true Red who after his playing days made the Cincinnati area his home and remained heavily involved with the organization.”

RIP my friend Mr. Perfect Tom Browning," Hall of Fame shortstop and former teammate Barry Larkin wrote on Twitter. "We share some great times as well as the same birth date 4/28. You will be missed."

The author of the only perfect game in Cincinnati Reds history died at age 62. It's been a tough, complicated year for the Browning family as his wife, Debbie, died this past March.

Former Reds general manager Jim Bowden was in the front office under then-GM Bob Quinn when Browning pitched for the Reds. Bowden remembered Browning's numerous accomplishments, including his perfect game, a World Series title and the infamous seat on the brownstone at Wrigley Field that angered some of the Reds brass at the time.

Reds executive Karen Forgus said a tribute to Browning was on the Great American Ball Park scoreboard. Browning had been active in recent Reds events.

Director of the Reds Museum Rick Walls said Browning was just at the museum for a holiday "Deck the Hall" event with fans.

"He liked being around the museum and the fans talking about baseball," Walls said. "Everything he was about, was about the Reds and baseball. "

Walls said Browning had recently been part of a legends program and just had a speaking event with another member of the 1990 championship team, Ron Oester.

"Tom's always been around here," Walls said. "He has the only perfect game in Reds history."

That game occurred in September 1988 when Browning was opposed by future Cincinnati Red Tim Belcher of the Dodgers.

Browning was a close friend of another famous lefthander, the late Joe Nuxhall. He was active in Nuxhall's charity golf outings and a participant in the family's Miracle Fields work with disabled children.

Rob Dibble tweeted out Very sad to hear the news about my friend and teammate Tom Browning. Mr Perfect was a Bulldog on the mound and will be missed. RIP Otis!