Bob McClure was a left-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for 19 seasons. He was born on April 29, 1952, in Oakland, California. McClure attended college at the University of Missouri, where he played baseball and was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the third round of the 1973 MLB draft.
McClure made his MLB debut with the Royals in 1975 and spent the first six seasons of his career with the team. He was primarily used as a relief pitcher during his time with the Royals, but he also made some starts. In 1980, McClure had his best season with the Royals, posting a 14-7 record with a 3.81 ERA in 33 games (22 starts).
After the 1986 season, McClure became a free agent and signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent the next five seasons with the Brewers and was a key member of their bullpen. In 1988, McClure had a 2.36 ERA in 57 games for the Brewers. He also pitched in the 1982 World Series with the Brewers, although they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.
McClure played for four different teams in his final four seasons in the majors. He spent the 1992 season with the Montreal Expos, the 1993 season with the New York Mets, and finished his career with the Florida Marlins in 1993. McClure retired after the 1993 season with a career record of 68-57 and a 3.81 ERA in 698 games (65 starts).
After his playing career, McClure became a pitching coach. He worked in the minor leagues for several years before joining the Colorado Rockies as their pitching coach in 2001. McClure then spent time as the pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals (2006-2011), Boston Red Sox (2012-2014), and Philadelphia Phillies (2016-2017).
Throughout his career, McClure was known for his versatility as a pitcher. He was able to pitch in a variety of roles, including as a starter, long reliever, and left-handed specialist out of the bullpen. He was also known for his durability, as he pitched in over 60 games in a season six times during his career.
Overall, Bob McClure had a successful career as a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was able to play for 19 seasons and was a valuable member of several teams throughout his career. After his playing days were over, he continued to contribute to the game as a pitching coach for several teams.
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