Tom Niedenfuer was a professional baseball player who played as a relief pitcher for various teams during his career. He was born on August 13, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York, and attended high school in California. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round of the 1980 Major League Baseball draft and made his debut in the same year.
Niedenfuer played for the Dodgers from 1981 to 1987 and was known for his fastball and slider pitches. He was a key player in the Dodgers' 1981 World Series win, pitching in four games and earning a save in Game 1. He also played in the 1985 and 1986 National League Championship Series.
In 1987, Niedenfuer was traded to the Baltimore Orioles, where he played for one season before being traded again to the St. Louis Cardinals. He played for the Cardinals from 1988 to 1990, and his performance declined during this time. He retired from baseball in 1990 at the age of 31.
Throughout his career, Niedenfuer had a record of 46 wins and 39 losses, with an earned run average (ERA) of 3.48. He had 97 saves and struck out 547 batters in 696 innings pitched. He was known for his ability to pitch in high-pressure situations and was often called upon to close out games.
After retiring from baseball, Niedenfuer worked as a pitching coach for various teams, including the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also worked as a scout for the Dodgers and as a baseball analyst for ESPN.
Niedenfuer's career was not without controversy. In the 1985 National League Championship Series, he gave up a home run to Jack Clark of the Cardinals, which led to the Dodgers' elimination from the playoffs. In 1986, he hit a pitch that resulted in a brawl between the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. In 1988, he gave up a home run to Kirk Gibson of the Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series, which is considered one of the most memorable moments in baseball history.
Despite these setbacks, Niedenfuer is remembered as a talented relief pitcher who played an important role in the Dodgers' success in the 1980s. He was known for his competitive spirit and his ability to perform under pressure, and his contributions to the sport of baseball will not be forgotten.
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