Monday, May 29, 2023

NOT REALLY MISSING IN ACTION: 1979 JUAN EICHELBERGER

On the blog today, we have a 1979 "not so missing" card for seven-year MLB pitcher Juan Eichelberger, who made his Big League debut in 1978 with the San Diego Padres:


Eichelberger appeared in three games for the Padres, not factoring in a decision while tossing 3.1 innings in relief, giving up four earned runs on four hits and two walks.
He'd also appear in three games the following season before getting some regular playing time between 1980 and 1982, winning 19 games over that time across 71 appearances, now a starter, tossing a shutout while completing eleven games.
In 1983 he found himself with the Cleveland Indians, appearing in 28 games with 15 of those starts, completing two games and posting a record of 4-11 with a 4.90 ERA over 134 innings of work.
He would toil in the Minors between 1984 and 1987 before making a comeback at the age of 34, some five years after his last Big League action, pitching for the Atlanta Braves and appearing in 20 games, going 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA in 37.1 innings, calling it a career soon after.
All told, he finished up with a record of 26-36, with a 4.10 ERA and 281 strikeouts over 125 appearances, with 14 complete games and 603.1 innings pitched.