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Dave Tobik

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Dave Tobik
Pitcher
Born:(1953-03-02)March 2, 1953(age 71)
Euclid, Ohio,U.S.
Batted:Right
Threw:Right
MLB debut
August 26, 1978, for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
October 5, 1985, for the Seattle Mariners
MLB statistics
Win–loss record14–23
Earned run average3.70
Strikeouts256
Teams

David Vance Tobik(born March 2, 1953) is an American former right-handed professional baseballrelief pitcher.After attendingOhio University,Tobik played eight seasons in theMajor League Baseball(MLB) with theDetroit Tigers(1978–1982),Texas Rangers(1983–1984), andSeattle Mariners(1985).

Career

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Ohio University

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Tobik played college baseball atOhio Universitywhere he was an All-Mid-American Conferencepitcher from 1971 to 1974.[citation needed]During the 1974 season, Tobik compiled a record of 6-3 with 78strikeoutsand anearned run averageof 0.84.[1]He was inducted into theKermit Blosser Ohio Athletics Hall of Famein 1989.[2][3]

Detroit Tigers

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In January 1975, Tobik was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the first round (second overall) during the secondary phase of the January1975 MLB draft.[4]

From 1975 to 1977, he played for the Tigers' farm teams inLakeland, Florida(theLakeland Flying Tigers) andMontgomery, Alabama(theMontgomery Rebels).[5][6]He moved up to the Triple-AEvansville Tripletsin 1977 and played in Evansville for parts of the 1977 to 1980 seasons.[5]

Tobik made his MLB debut on August 26, 1978, giving up three earned runs in a 9-5 loss to theMilwaukee Brewers.[7]The following year, he appeared in 37 games for the1979 Detroit Tigers.[4]He spent most of the 1980 season in Evansville, but did appear in 17 games (all but one in relief) for the1980 Tigers.[4][5]On August 22, 1980, Tobikstruck out four batters in one inningwhile pitching for Evansville against Denver, asLa Rue Washingtonreached first base on apassed ballafter being struck out by Tobik.[8]

In 1981, Tobik compiled a record of 2-2 with a 2.69 earned run average (Adjusted ERA+of 141) in 60-1/3 innings pitched.[4]

In 1982, and after an injury sidelinedDave Rozema,Tobik became the Tigers' closer. In June 1982,Sparky Andersoncredited Tobik's success to his development of aforkballand called Tobik the "king" of a Detroit bullpen that also includedKevin SaucierandElías Sosa.[9]Anderson added: "I admit, I didn't see it coming. But I'm smart enough to pounce on something good when I see it. We don't have anybody throwing like Tobik. That forkball of his is unreal."[9]In May 1982, Tobik andJack Morriscombined for a two-hit shutout against theCalifornia Angels.[10]In June 1982,Wade Boggshit his first career home run off Tobik—an 11th inning walk-off home run that Boggs later recalled as a turning point in his early career.[11][12]Tobik led the1982 Tigerswith nine saves,[13]and appeared in a career-high 51 games, but also compiled a disappointing record of 4-9.[4]

Texas Rangers

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During spring training in 1983, Tobik was traded to theTexas Rangersfor all-star outfielderJohnny Grubb.[14][15]Playing for the Rangers in 1983, Tobik converted all nine of his save opportunities for the Rangers.[16]Tobik pitched two seasons for the Rangers, appearing in 51 games, all in relief. In July 1984, the Rangers sent Tobik to Oklahoma City. On being sent to Oklahoma City, Tobik told reporters, "I don't know what to think anymore. I don't think they have to have a reason all the time for doing things. I'm a major league pitcher. I don't deserve this but what can you do?"[16]

Calgary and Seattle

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In January 1985, Tobik signed with theCalgary Cannonsin thePacific Coast League.He was the first player to sign with the newly formed Calgary baseball team.[17]He won a career-high 12 games for the Cannons in 1985 and also established the team record for wins in a season.[18]Tobik also compiled a 1-0 record for theSeattle Marinersin 1985.[4][19]He appeared in his final game for the Mariners on October 5, 1985.[4][20]At the end of the 1985 season, the Mariners asked for unconditional waivers on Tobik.[21]

For his career, Tobik had a 14-23 record in 196 games. He had 28 saves and 116 games finished. His career ERA was 3.70 (Adjusted ERA+110).[4]

Family

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Tobik married Anne Harter, whom he met while he played for theEvansville Tripletsand she was a sports writer for theEvansville Press.[22]They have two daughters and a son. Their son, Dan Tobik, was a top baseball recruit for theUniversity of Tennessee at Martin.[23][24]Dan currently pitches in the Los Angeles Angels organization, was drafted in 2013 out of the University of Tennessee at Martin. Tobik today lives in a suburb ofSt. Louis, Missouri.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^"Ohio University's Tobik Signs Pact with Tigers".The Toledo Blade.January 13, 1975.
  2. ^"Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame".Ohio University. Archived fromthe originalon July 19, 2014.RetrievedAugust 1,2011.
  3. ^"Five elected to OU Hall".Portsmouth Daily Times.June 7, 1989.
  4. ^abcdefgh"Dave Tobik".baseball-reference.
  5. ^abc"Dave Tobik Minor League Statistics".baseball-reference.
  6. ^"Tobik Gets Near Miss At A No-Hit Bid".Lakeland Ledger.May 4, 1976.
  7. ^"Aug 26, 1978, Brewers at Tigers Box Score and Play by Play".baseball-reference.
  8. ^"Tobik Fans Four in One Inning".The Sporting News.September 13, 1980. p. 51.
  9. ^abTom Gage (June 28, 1982)."Forkball Turns Tobik Into Bullpen 'King'".The Sporting News.
  10. ^"Morris, Tobik team to throw 2-hitter at Angeles".St. Joseph News-Press.May 23, 1982.
  11. ^"Wade Boggs: Another Solid Hitter for the Red Sox".Baseball Digest. June 1983. p. 32.
  12. ^"Unlikely hero Boggs homers for Sox win".Record-Journal.June 23, 1982.
  13. ^"1982 Detroit Tigers Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics".baseball-reference.
  14. ^"Tigers Trade Tobik for Grubb".Ocala Star-Banner.March 26, 1983.
  15. ^"Tobik going, going, almost gone".The Windsor Star.March 22, 1983.
  16. ^abJim Reeves (July 23, 1984). "Last-Place Rangers Aren't Giving Up".The Sporting News.p. 19.
  17. ^"Cannons acquire veteran reliever".The Calgary Herald.January 18, 1985.
  18. ^"Mariners".The Sporting News.August 3, 1987. p. 27.
  19. ^"Last Mariner in bullpen delivers".Spokane Chronicle.September 10, 1985.
  20. ^"Oct 5, 1985, Mariners at White Sox Play by Play and Box Score".baseball-reference.
  21. ^Bill Plaschke (November 1985). "Off-Season Has Been Worst for Best".The Sporting News.p. 53.
  22. ^"Real troopers: Being a baseball star's wife not all peaches and cream".Beaver County Times.April 5, 1981.
  23. ^"Dan Tobik".Madison Mallards. Archived fromthe originalon July 18, 2011.RetrievedAugust 1,2011.
  24. ^"Dan Tobik".Skyhawk Baseball.
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