Denny Lemaster Obit

Denny Lemaster Obituary

 

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Denver Clayton "Denny" Lemaster, born on February 25, 1939, in Corona, California, was a notable Major League Baseball pitcher. He made his MLB debut with the Milwaukee Braves on July 15, 1962, and continued to play with the Braves through their transition to Atlanta until 1967. Lemaster was known for his left-handed pitching prowess, which included a notable performance in a game against Sandy Koufax where he nearly matched the Hall of Famer, carrying a no-hitter into the eighth inning.

Lemaster was an All-Star in 1967 and had a career record of 90 wins and 105 losses, with an ERA of 3.58 over 357 games. He pitched for the Houston Astros from 1968 to 1971 before briefly joining the Montreal Expos.

was an American professional baseball player and left-handed pitcher who appeared in 357 games over 11 seasons (1962–1972) for the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros and Montreal Expos. A one-time (1967) National League All-Star, Lemaster won 90 games over the course of his MLB career. He was listed as 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and 182 pounds (83 kg).

Lemaster was born in Corona, California, and signed a $70,000 bonus contract with the Braves upon graduation from Oxnard High School. He rose through the team's farm system over the next 41⁄2 years before making his major league debut as the Braves' starting pitcher on July 15, 1962, against the defending league champion Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee County Stadium. He held a 2–1 lead going into the ninth inning, but a Vada Pinson home run, followed by an unearned run, saddled him with a 3–2, complete game defeat.

In 1963, Lemaster became a regular member of the Braves' starting rotation, and exceeded 200 innings pitched three times in the next five seasons. He won 17 games in 1964 (losing 11), threw two one-hitters (in 1964 and 1967), set a team record of 14 strikeouts in one 1966 game, and was selected to the 1967 NL All-Star team during his final season with the club. He did not appear in the game, played at Anaheim Stadium on July 11 and won by the Senior Circuit 2–1 in 15 innings.

After the 1967 season, Lemaster was traded with Denis Menke to the Houston Astros in exchange for infielders Sonny Jackson and Chuck Harrison. He again exceeded 200 innings pitched in his first two campaigns in Houston and posted a solid 3.00 composite earned run average, but won only 23 of 55 decisions. He became a bullpen specialist during his final two seasons in Houston and a partial season with the Montreal Expos before retiring.

In the minors he played for Eau Claire Braves, Jacksonville Braves, Austin Senators, Vancouver Mounties and the Louisville Colonels.

Lemaster passed away on July 24, 2024 at the age of 85. He is remembered for his significant contributions to baseball, including his strong pitching and memorable games.

After his baseball career ended, he was a custom home builder and Master Duck Carver.

He was preceded in death by his wife: the late Earlene Lemaster and sister: the late Lana Lemaster.

Surviving are wife: Barbara "Bunny" Lemaster; children, (Denise Lemaster, Dennis Lemaster "Linda", Kim McLendon "Barry", Kris Garner "Joel"; stepchildren Dan Reppert "Leah", Matt Reppert "Kim", Kelly Reppert; 14 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Meadows Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, August 2, 2024 at The Cross Loganville with Pastor Tim Cash officiating.

Meadows Funeral Home, Inc. was in charge of arrangements.