MLB notes: Ex-A’s pitcher Bob Welch
Bob Welch, the 1990 A.L. Cy Young Award winner of the Oakland Athletics and the last major leaguer to win at least 25 games in a season, has died. He was 57.
Welch died Monday night at his home in Seal Beach, California, the team said Tuesday. Police said officers responded to a call for medical aid and found Welch dead in the bathroom area.
No cause of death was released. The coroner was awaiting toxicology test results, which can take eight to 12 weeks.
Welch was an admitted alcoholic early in his career and spent time in rehabilitation. He co-authored a book in 1981 with George Vecsey about his addiction titled “Five O’Clock Comes Early: A Ballplayer’s Battle With Alcoholism.”
“The fact is, I’m crazy when I’m drunk,” Welch said in the book. “There’s every chance I would have been dead by now if I was drinking.”
The right-hander played on five teams that reached the World Series (1978, 1981, 1988, 1989 and 1990) and won two titles, one in 1981 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and another in 1989 with the A’s.
In Oakland, Welch figured prominently on teams that won three straight A.L. championships from 1988-90, including the club that swept the San Francisco Giants in the earthquake-interrupted World Series.
Welch finished 211-146 with a 3.47 ERA in 17 seasons with the Dodgers (1978-87) and Athletics (1988-94).
Welch led Eastern Michigan to two trips to the College World Series.
The A’s said Welch is survived by sons Dylan, 25, and Riley, 23; daughter Kelly, 18; and former wife Mary Ellen.
Machado suspended
Orioles third baseman Manny Machado received a five-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for tossing his bat in Sunday’s game against Oakland. He appealed the suspension and was in the starting lineup Tuesday.
Clearing the bases
The Rangers have placed first baseman Mitch Moreland on the 15-day disabled list and selected the contract of Brad Snyder from Triple-A Round Rock. … Twins right-hander Mike Pelfrey has undergone elbow surgery and will be sidelined for at least two months. … Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia has been cleared to resume baseball activities, more than a week after being struck by a foul tip and going on the concussion disabled list. … Rockies star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez had a small tumor removed from his left index finger during a procedure at the Cleveland Clinic. The expectation is a biopsy will determine the tumor is benign.