Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Pat Zachry has died at the age of 71. Johnny Bench, Zachry’s former teammate on the Cincinnati Reds, confirmed his passing with the following announcement:
One of the great characters and an unbelievable teammate passed yesterday! #PatZachry was ROY in 1976, had 2 successful starts that postseason and one of the key players in the Tom Seaver trade. Tears have been shed for our friend! @RedsMuseum @reds @mlb
— Johnny Bench (@JohnnyBench_5) April 5, 2024
Zachry, drafted by the Reds in the 19th round of the 1970 MLB Draft, entered the major leagues in 1976 after honing his skills for six years in the minor leagues. His debut season proved stellar, earning him the NL Rookie of the Year title as he contributed to the Reds’ World Series victory with a notable 14-7 record and a 2.74 ERA in 38 games, including 28 starts.
Despite his early success, Zachry’s time with the Reds was relatively brief, spanning just a season and a half before he was traded to the New York Mets in 1977. He remained with the Mets until 1982, at which point he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 1982, exchanged for Jorge Orta.
During his inaugural season with the Dodgers, Zachry demonstrated his prowess with a remarkable 2.45 ERA and a 6-1 record, along with 36 strikeouts in 1983. His second season in Los Angeles saw him tally a 5-6 record with a 3.81 ERA. Overall, Zachry wrapped up his career with a respectable 69-67 record, a 3.52 ERA, and 669 strikeouts.
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Zachry’s presence in pivotal games, such as in the 1983 NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies, further solidified his legacy. Despite his contributions, the Dodgers fell short in the series, which ended in four games.
After his tenure with the Dodgers, Zachry concluded his playing career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1985. Subsequently, he transitioned to minor league coaching with the Dodgers, contributing his experience and expertise to nurturing future talents.
