Denny Lemaster

Denver Clayton Lemaster (February 25, 1939 – July 24, 2024) was an American professional baseball player and left-handed pitcher who appeared in 357 games over 11 seasons (1962–1972) for the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros and Montreal Expos.

[2][3] At 14, he joined a semi-pro baseball team, the Camarillo Blue Sox, which included adult players.

[3] During high school, Lemaster threw seven no-hitters, one perfect game, and had a 0.14 ERA during his senior year in 1958.

The 19 year old Lemaster leveraged a scholarship offer from the University of Southern California in negotiations with the professional baseball scouts, and ultimately received an $80,000 bonus to sign with the Milwaukee Braves.

[14] He did not appear in the game, played at Anaheim Stadium on July 11 and won by the National League 2–1 in 15 innings.

[15] After the 1967 season, Lemaster was traded with Denis Menke to the Houston Astros in exchange for infielders Sonny Jackson and Chuck Harrison.

[16] He again exceeded 200 innings pitched in his first two seasons in Houston and posted a solid 3.00 composite earned run average, but won only 23 of 55 decisions.

[2] All told, Lemaster posted a 90–105 win–loss record and a 3.58 career earned run average during his MLB tenure.

[2] He also became a hunting and fishing guide, and developed a mastery in carving and painting wooden decoy ducks.