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Bruce Kison was a professional baseball player who played as a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels, Boston Red Sox, and Cleveland Indians. He was born on February 18, 1950, in Pasco, Washington, and began his baseball career in 1968 when he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 14th round of the Major League Baseball draft.
Kison made his Major League debut in 1971 and quickly established himself as a reliable pitcher for the Pirates. He was a key member of the team that won the World Series in 1971 and 1979, and he was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1971 World Series. Kison was known for his ability to pitch in pressure situations and was often called upon to pitch in important games.
In 1977, Kison was traded to the California Angels, where he continued to pitch well. He had a career-best season in 1978, when he won 20 games and was named an All-Star. Kison spent three seasons with the Angels before being traded to the Boston Red Sox in 1980.
Kison's time with the Red Sox was short-lived, as he was traded to the Cleveland Indians midway through the 1981 season. He spent the remainder of his career with the Indians, retiring after the 1985 season.
Throughout his career, Kison was known for his strong fastball and his ability to pitch effectively in pressure situations. He finished his career with a record of 115-88 and an ERA of 3.66. Kison was also a skilled fielder, winning a Gold Glove award in 1978.
Kison passed away on June 2, 2018, at the age of 67. He was remembered by his former teammates and colleagues as a talented pitcher and a great person. His contributions to the game of baseball will not be forgotten.
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Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring Bruce Kison Biography
On September 30, 1979, the Chicago Cubs met the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium...
1979-Sep-30 • CHC/PIT • Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates - Clinch - Radio Broadcast / On September 30, 1979, the Chicago Cubs met the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium in a game that would determine the fate of the Pirates' season. Coming into the game, the Pirates had a magic number of one to clinify the National League East title, meaning a win against the Cubs would secure their place in the postseason. The Pirates were having a stellar season, with players like Willie Stargell and Dave Parker leading the charge. The Cubs, on the other hand, were struggling to find their footing, but still posed a significant threat with their roster that included the likes of Bruce Sutter and Bill Buckner. This game wasn't just about securing a playoff spot, but also about the Pirates proving their dominance in the league.
The 1979 season was historic for the Pirates as they would go on to win the World Series, with Stargell picking up the NL MVP and World Series MVP awards. This game, therefore, holds a pivotal place in that narrative. The Cubs, despite their struggles, were no easy opponent, and the tension of the game was palpable on the radio broadcast. The stakes were high, the air was thick with anticipation, and the game was set to be a memorable one.
The game took place on Monday, September 22, 1975, between the Pittsburgh Pirates...
Philadelphia Phillies vs Pittsburgh Pirates - Clincher - Radio Broadcast / The game took place on Monday, September 22, 1975, between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies at Three Rivers Stadium. The Pirates, who were having a solid season, were looking to solidify their standing in the National League East, while the Phillies were trying to keep their playoff hopes alive. The starting pitchers for the game were Bruce Kison for the Pirates and Tom Underwood for the Phillies. Kison was in the midst of a solid season, looking to build on his 11-11 record, while Underwood, with a 14-12 record, was hoping to provide the Phillies with a much-needed boost. The 1975 season overall had been marked by the dominance of the Cincinnati Reds, also known as the "Big Red Machine", who were in the midst of one of the greatest seasons in baseball history.
The game started off with both teams unable to score in the first inning. The Pirates got on the scoreboard first in the second inning and added three more runs in the fourth inning. The Phillies, on the other hand, were held scoreless until the fifth inning when they managed to score a single run. The Pirates' offense was led by Willie Stargell and Dave Parker, who combined for five hits and six runs batted in. Stargell, in particular, had a big day at the plate, reaching base five times and scoring four runs. The Phillies' offense was largely stifled by Kison and reliever Kent Tekulve, who combined to allow just three runs.
The Phillies made an attempt to come back in the seventh inning, scoring two runs to cut the Pirates' lead to 5-3. However, the Pirates responded with a massive five-run eighth inning, highlighted by a two-run home run by Parker, his 25th of the season, to extend their lead to 11-3. The Phillies were unable to mount a comeback in the ninth inning, and the Pirates secured a comfortable victory.
The Pirates' victory on September 22, 1975, was a key moment in their successful season. They would go on to finish second in the National League East, just 6.5 games behind the division-winning Philadelphia Phillies. Despite their loss in this game, the Phillies would rally to win the division and make the playoffs, but they were defeated by the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Championship Series. The Reds would go on to win the World Series, cementing their status as one of the greatest teams in baseball history. The 1975 season also saw a number of individual accolades, with Joe Morgan of the Reds winning the National League Most Valuable Player award, and Tom Seaver of the New York Mets winning the Cy Young Award.
