Dick Drago obit

Dick Drago, staple of Red Sox pitching staff in 1970s, dies at 78

Drago registered the final out of the 1975 American League Championship Series to help the Red Sox clinch the pennant.

 He was not on the list.

Dick Drago, who pitched for the Red Sox in the 1970s, died Thursday at age 78.

Drago, who spent five years with the club from 1974-1975 and 1978-1980, compiled a 30-29 record and 3.55 ERA over 206 games with Boston. He registered nine complete games, 41 saves, and struck out 305 batters.

The Red Sox expressed their condolences Saturday afternoon, referring to him as “a staple” of the staff and a “beloved teammate.”

Drago, also known as “The Dragon,” registered the final out of the 1975 American League Championship Series to help the Red Sox clinch the pennant.

The Kansas City Royals also shared their sorrow for Drago, who was a member of the franchise’s inaugural team in 1969.

In 1976, Drago surrendered the final home run of Hank Aaron’s career, No. 755, in front of a crowd of more than 10,000.

Drago played high school ball for Woodward High School in Toledo, Ohio, graduating in 1963. He was originally signed by the Detroit Tigers in the 1964 amateur draft, but was selected by the Kansas City Royals during the 1968 expansion draft. He started his Major League career with the Royals in 1969, becoming the ace of their pitching staff in 1971, after going 17–11 with a 2.98 earned run average (ERA), and ending fifth in the AL Cy Young Award vote behind Vida Blue, Mickey Lolich, Wilbur Wood and Dave McNally. Finishing with a 3.01 ERA in 1972, Drago went 12–17, but declined with 12-14 and 4.23 in 1973. He was traded by the Royals to the Red Sox for Marty Pattin on October 24, 1973,

Drago also pitched for the Angels and Orioles in part of two seasons. He had been acquired by the Orioles from the Angels for Dyar Miller on June 13, 1977. He filed for free agency after his lone season with the Orioles. He returned to Boston after signing with the Red Sox on November 21, 1977. During his last three years with the Red Sox, he saved 13 games with a 10–6 record in 1979. He ended his major league career with Seattle in 1981.

On July 20, 1976, Drago gave up the last of Hank Aaron's then-major league record 755 career home runs. In a 13-season career, Drago posted a 108–117 record with a 3.62 ERA and 58 saves in 519 appearances (189 as a starter).

 

MLB statistics

Win–loss record  108–117

Earned run average            3.62

Strikeouts            987

 

Teams

Minor League Teams – Montgomery Rebels, Daytona Beach Islanders, Rocky Mount Leafs, Toledo Mud Hens,

Kansas City Royals (1969–1973)

Boston Red Sox (1974–1975)

California Angels (1976–1977)

Baltimore Orioles (1977)

Boston Red Sox (1978–1980)

Seattle Mariners (1981)