Rich Hand

A right-handed pitcher, he played for four seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and California Angels.

Born in Bellevue, Washington, Hand graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle and attended the University of Puget Sound.

Named the number three pitcher in the starting rotation in 1970, he posted a 3.83 earned run average (ERA) in 35 appearances.

He was a 38th-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1966 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft, but chose to attend college instead.

[3] As a junior, the right-handed pitcher threw a no-hitter against Western Washington University, then earned All-America honors.

[2] In 14 games (13 starts), he had a 7–4 record, a 3.60 earned run average (ERA), 52 strikeouts, 34 walks, and 83 hits allowed in 85 innings.

Bothered by a sore back in the beginning, he recovered in time to become a surprise choice as the third member of the team's starting rotation.

"[3] In his MLB debut on April 9, Hand allowed six runs in 3+1⁄3 innings, taking the loss in a 13–1 defeat to the Baltimore Orioles.

[6] His first win came on June 7, when he allowed four runs and came within one out of throwing a complete game in a 6–4 victory over the California Angels.

[2][14] After going 1–4 with a 4.65 ERA through July 7, Hand was sent down to the Indians' Triple-A team, which in 1971 was the Wichita Aeros of the American Association.

"[15] In 11 starts, Hand had an 8–2 record, a 1.88 ERA, 50 strikeouts, 40 walks, and 66 hits allowed in 86 innings pitched.

[4] He expressed annoyance at having to wait until the end of Wichita's season to be recalled by Cleveland, however, saying, "They just left me there to rot.

"[16] He won his first start back with the Indians but lost two others, posting an 8.10 ERA in the season's final month.

[1] At the Winter Meetings on December 2, 1971, Hand was traded with Roy Foster, Ken Suarez, and Mike Paul from the Indians to the Texas Rangers for Del Unser, Denny Riddleberger, Terry Ley, and Gary Jones.

[18] The Rangers sent Hand to the Triple-A Denver Bears of the Pacific Coast League to begin the year, much to his frustration.

"[19] He made only two starts for Denver, however, before replacing an injured Don Stanhouse in Texas's rotation in early May.

[20] In the only one of those outings he did not win, he held the Orioles to one run through 10 innings before Baltimore ultimately bested the Rangers in the 15th.

[24][25] In 8 games (7 starts) for the Rangers in 1973, Hand had a 2–3 record, a 5.40 ERA, 14 strikeouts, 19 walks, and 49 hits allowed in 41+2⁄3 innings.

On May 20, he was dealt along with Mike Epstein and Rick Stelmaszek from the Rangers to the California Angels for Jim Spencer and Lloyd Allen.

Jeff Burroughs tied it with a home run, after which Hand was removed from the game, though California went on to win 5–4.

Over 24 games (13 starts) combined between Texas and California in 1973, he had a 6–6 record, a 4.39 ERA, 33 strikeouts, 40 walks, and 107 hits allowed in 96+1⁄3 innings.

[1] Sent down to the Salt Lake City Angels of the Pacific Coast League in 1974, Hand considered not playing but ultimately decided to pitch for them.

[2][4] On October 15, 1974, Hand was sent to the St. Louis Cardinals as the player to be named later in a trade that sent Orlando Peña to the Angels on September 5.

"[30] Hand continued to take college classes via correspondence courses after his professional career began, and he completed his political science degree in 1970.

She was drafted by a team in the Women's National Basketball Association, but knee injuries prompted her to retire instead.

Hand appeared at multiple team functions for the Rangers over the years and was involved with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.

Cleveland Stadium was Hand's home ballpark during his two years with the Indians.
The Rangers played at Arlington Stadium during Hand's tenure with them.