[1] Originally a starting pitcher when he came up to MLB with the Cleveland Indians in 1972, he was moved into the bullpen by New York Yankees manager Bill Virdon toward the end of the 1974 season.

He acquired his nickname, "Dirt", while playing for the Yankees, for his somewhat unkempt appearance and his tendency to get his uniform shirt dirty even before the start of a game.

He was also drafted by his hometown San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds, but opted not to sign with either club.

[5] Over five seasons in the Indians' farm system, Tidrow compiled a 33–20 record, with a 3.65 earned run average and 441 strikeouts before joining the major league roster out of spring training in 1972.

[6] He made his MLB debut on April 18, 1972, at the age of 24, giving up four earned runs and striking out one over 1 inning before being charged with the 4–2 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

[7] His second start against the Baltimore Orioles saw him pitch five scoreless innings before surrendering a two-run home run to Terry Crowley in the sixth.

[15] Although the Yankees were initially criticized for the aforementioned trade with the Indians,[16] with the deal nicknamed "The Friday Night Massacre", it ultimately turned out in their favor.

He was primarily known as a setup man (the pitcher who would come on before the closer), however, he closed 23 games, and earned five saves.

[26][27] In late August, with injuries to Catfish Hunter[28] and Don Gullett, Tidrow was moved into the starting rotation.

[29] Tidrow was back in the bullpen for the American League Championship Series, as the Yankees faced the Royals for a second year in a row.

[31] In the 1977 World Series, Tidrow appeared in two games, and served up a two-run home run to Reggie Smith in 3+2⁄3 innings of work.

[32] Following their World Series victory, the Yankees improved their bullpen by signing free agent closers Rich Gossage and Rawly Eastwick.

[2] Through May, the Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Yankees were involved in a three-way race atop the American League East.

[34] The Yankees mounted a comeback to conclude their 162-game schedule with an identical 99–63 record as the Red Sox, forcing the first tiebreaker playoff game in the AL since 1948.

Light-hitting Royals shortstop Freddie Patek, who had two home runs during the regular season, homered off Tidrow.

The Yankees, meanwhile, scored two in the sixth and another in the eighth to tie the game, and eventually won it in extra innings.

[38] In his National League debut, Tidrow pitched two innings of scoreless relief against the New York Mets.

[41] While Burris performed poorly with the Yankees (1–3, 6.18 ERA, before being placed on waivers in late August),[42][43] the change of scenery unquestionably helped Tidrow.

He became manager Herman Franks' favorite long reliever in front of Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter.

Tidrow ultimately led Cubs' relievers with 102.2 innings, 63 appearances and eleven wins, even though he only joined the team in late May.

Along with Sutter and Tidrow, it featured Bill Caudill (4–6, 1 save, 2.10 ERA, 115.2 IP) and a rookie Lee Smith.

[48] Tidrow pitched 10.1 innings before allowing his first earned run,[49] with one of his strongest performances that season coming in the April 19 victory over the Mets.

After earning his first win against the Mets on April 11,[52] Tidrow blew a save and lost to the Expos in his next appearance.

[62] During the off season, the Cubs engineered a trade with their crosstown rival Chicago White Sox, sending Tidrow, Scott Fletcher, Randy Martz, and Pat Tabler to the ChiSox for pitchers Warren Brusstar and Steve Trout.

With runners on first and third and two outs in the sixteenth inning, Tidrow induced what should have been an inning-ending groundball from A's slugger Jeff Burroughs.

[70] He pitched a scoreless inning in the season opener,[71] He made eleven appearances with a 9.19 ERA before playing his final major league game on May 7, 1984, one week before his 37th birthday.

[72][73] Along with general manager Brian Sabean, Tidrow built a ballclub that appeared in four World Series, winning three championships (2010, 2012, and 2014) within a span of five seasons.

He oversaw a farm system that produced Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Sergio Romo, Pablo Sandoval, and Buster Posey.