Rick Honeycutt is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on June 29, 1954, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and attended Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School. Honeycutt was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 17th round of the 1976 MLB draft and made his debut with the team in 1977.
Honeycutt played for the Pirates for three seasons before being traded to the Seattle Mariners in 1980. He spent two seasons with the Mariners before being traded to the Texas Rangers in 1982. Honeycutt played for the Rangers for four seasons and was named the team's Pitcher of the Year in 1983.
In 1987, Honeycutt was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he spent the remainder of his career. He played for the Dodgers for nine seasons and was a key member of the team's bullpen during their 1988 World Series championship season. Honeycutt was known for his versatility, as he was able to pitch in both relief and as a starter.
Throughout his career, Honeycutt was known for his control and ability to keep the ball down in the strike zone. He finished his career with a 109-143 record, a 3.72 ERA, and 1,244 strikeouts. Honeycutt also appeared in 30 postseason games, posting a 2.79 ERA and helping the Dodgers win the World Series in 1988.
After retiring from playing, Honeycutt became a pitching coach for several teams. He served as the pitching coach for the Dodgers from 2006 to 2019, helping the team win two National League pennants and seven division titles. Honeycutt was known for his ability to develop young pitchers and was highly respected throughout the league.
In addition to his coaching career, Honeycutt has also been involved in several charitable organizations. He has worked with the Dodgers Dream Foundation, which provides assistance to underserved youth in the Los Angeles area, and has also been involved with the ALS Association, which raises awareness and funds for research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Overall, Rick Honeycutt had a successful career as a pitcher and has continued to make an impact in the baseball world as a coach and philanthropist. His contributions to the game have been recognized by his peers and fans alike, and he remains a respected figure in the sport.
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