Charlie Hough
By the time he was 30 years old, Charlie Hough had pitched eight seasons in the major leagues and had 34 wins and 52 saves to show for it. A few years later he was dealt to the Rangers, where beginning at the age of 34, he averaged 15 wins, 34 starts, and 240 innings per year over nine seasons. Utilizing a fluttering knuckleball, the right-hander pitched until he was 46 years old, winning 216 games — exactly as many as he lost in his 25-year career.
Played For
Los Angeles Dodgers (1970-1980)
Texas Rangers (1980-1990)
Chicago White Sox (1991-1992)
Florida Marlins (1993-1994)
Best Season: 1976
In 1976, Hough was Walter Alston's primary relief pitcher. Hough pitched 42% of the Dodgers relief games and 45% of their relief innings. In 77 games he racked up 142 2/3 IP, collecting 18 saves, 12 wins and posting a 2.21 ERA. In 1987, Hough was a different type of pitcher, chewing up starts and innings for the Texas Rangers. He started 40 games, completing 13, and eating up more than 285 innings. His record was 18-13 (3.79 ERA), with a career-high 223 strikeouts, an amazing figure for a knuckleball pitcher.
Factoids
Charlie Hough was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He has the most wins of any pitcher born on the islands.
After five unsuccessful tries, Charlie Hough earned his 200th career victory on August 5, 1992, against the Minnesota Twins in a 9-5 win.
In his 11 seasons with Texas and two seasons with the White Sox, Charlie Hough was 92-67 (.579) against AL West teams. His record against AL East teams over that same span was 63-78 (.447).
The Geritol Rotation
In 1990, 42-year old Hough and 43-year old Nolan Ryan enjoyed their second straight season in the Texas Rangers' starting rotation. The two veterans had a .537 winning percentage over that span, while the rest of the team won at a .502 clip.
Born
Charles Oliver Hough was born on January 5, 1948, in Honolulu, HI.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: LAN
Major League Debut
August 12, 1970 ... Hough came on with two outs in the bottom of the ninth in Pittsburgh and walked Al Oliver to load the bases. He proceeded to strike out Willie Stargell to finish off an 11-4 Dodger victory.
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1970
Dave Concepcion
Jose Cruz
Don Baylor
Larry Bowa
Ken Singleton
Bobby Grich
Cesar Cedeno
Bert Blyleven
Charlie Hough
Uniform Numbers
#31 (1970), #49 (1970-1994)
Similar Players
Hough was sort of a poor-man's Phil Niekro.
Related Players
Joe Carter, who slugged three home runs off Hough on June 24, 1989, .
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 2000 |
BBWAA |
4 |
.8% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1974 National League Championship Series
1974 World Series
1977 National League Championship Series
1977 World Series
1978 National League Championship Series
1978 World Series
Feats
In August and early September, 1983, Hough hurled three straight shutouts while putting together a consecutive scoreless streak of 37 1/3 innings pitched... On June 16, 1986, Hough pitched 8 1/3 innings of no-hit ball before surrendering a single to Wally Joyner. The hit sparked a two-run rally which resulted in Hough losing the game, 2-1... Five times in his career, all with Texas, Hough started and pitched at least 11 innings. On June 11, 1986, he pitched 13 innings against the Twins a day after the Rangers had used five pitchers in a 14-10 win.
Transactions
June 29, 1966: Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 8th round of the 1966 amateur draft; July 11, 1980: Purchased by the Texas Rangers from the Los Angeles Dodgers; November 5, 1990: Granted Free Agency; December 12, 1990: Signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago White Sox; October 30, 1992: Granted Free Agency; December 8, 1992: Signed as a Free Agent with the Florida Marlins; October 29, 1993: Granted Free Agency; December 20, 1993: Signed as a Free Agent with the Florida Marlins; October 18, 1994: Granted Free Agency.
All-Star Selections
1986 AL
Replaced
Hough's first regular job was in the Dodgers' bullpen in 1973. Ironically, he essentially replaced knuckleball specialist Hoyt Wilhelm, whom had retired.
Replaced By
The Marlins picked up two new starting pitchers in 1995, the year after Hough retired. They were John Burkett and Hough's former teammate in Texas, Bobby Witt.
Best Strength as a Player
Durability and brains. Hough was also a very good fielding pitcher.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Control
Learn More about Charlie Hough
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