Just saw the news of his passing on MLB. Showed a clip of him striking out Reggie in the '78 World Series to end game two. Remember that game. Guy had some good years with the A's & Dodgers, pitching coach for the Diamondbacks in '01. Passed from a heart attack, 57 years old. Too soon to go.
Oh NO....very sad news....! I was lucky to see Bob Welch pitch in L.A. more than any other Dodger Pitcher. I couldn't believe the Bums let him go to Oakland either. Welch knew well how to frame the strike zone, and often lived with his fastballs at the knee's, on the corner's....rarely giving the hitter a meat pitch to hit....I enjoyed Welch as much as Bulldog, Valenzuela, (not quite as much as Koufax or Drysdale)....! Damn sad to hear, he was a talent, and like you said, WAY TO YOUNG, to go....! Thanks for the update Michael....
http://mlb.si.com/2014/06/10/bob-welch-dies-oakland-athletics-los-angeles-dodgers/ Here's his K of Reggie in the 78 W.S. http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/06/bob-welch-1978-world-series-mlb Notice how Welch falls towards 1st base after delivering the ball in this video, (W.S.-link above)-shades and memories of Bob Gibson....!!
I loved watching Welch pitch. In modern times, his fundamental pitching approach, wind up, delivery, style, reminded me more of Bob Gibson and Nolan Ryan, rolled up uniquely into his own persona. A true Treat to Watch, a Master of the Mound.... The video of the 78 Series in the link directly-above, notice how Bob fell off the mound towards first base, just like Gibson. His wind up, and high leg kick, no doubt, a cross b/t Gibby and Ryan. (I modeled my own LL pitching style after Bob Gibson)...altho' it wasn't fundamentally sound to fall off the mound for a LL'er, rather plant the lead foot toe in line with the plate, oh well, Live, Learn and Love the Game.
I remember my vocabulary going south when Welch struck Reggie out, I also remember Reggie evening the score with a bomb in a later game. That '78 Yankee Team was not the most talented Yankee Team I've seen but they had guys with big sack and character.
That was a great Series, as was 77. I enjoyed 78 moreso. Watching the Series at my Dad's house. He, an avid Bums Fan, me respect for the Bums, but not my Team. Stunned with Welch's K of Reggie, power versus power, neither Jackson or Welch would back down. My Dad wouldn't either, when Welch K'd Reggie.....! ate plenty of crow, but like you said, got my vindication too....! I recall the announcers saying much the same, "power vs. power"... Little to no local News on Welch's passing. I sit here, Stunned to say the least. I have a problem with heart attacks. To sudden a way to go....to reminiscent of the last 6 years, dealing with the loss of my own 37 year old brother-who passed also from a major fatal cardiac arrest....and he was...the epitome of fitness, - benched reps of 400 lbs. Times, I think the best thing to ever happen to Welch, was to depart Tinsel Town...!
