Early Seventies Italian / American Mets Pitching Prospect: Barry Raziano (1966-1972)
In Greenville in 1966 he was 9-4 which got him promoted to A ball Durham in 1967. In 1968 he was moved up to AA Memphis, where he was third on the club in wins (8) behind Rich Folkers (13) & Jerry Hinsley (9).
Late in the season he was promoted to AAA Jacksonville, where many future Mets, including Tug McGraw, Gary Gentry & Duffy Dyer just to name a few were his team mates. After missing all but one game in 1969 he was promoted to AAA Tidewater in 1970. He pitched there for three seasons, enjoying the most success in 1972.
On that club Harry Parker won 14 games, he would make it to the Mets staff that year & pitch for the 1973 pennant winners as an important reliever. Tommy Moore was second on the club with 11 wins, he made it to the Mets, pitching just six games in the 1972 & 1973 seasons. Raziano, was third on the staff in wins, going 10-12 with a 3.49. He led the team in strike outs with 132 but also earned runs (66) & was second in walks (70).
In February of 1973 the Mets traded him to the Kansas City Royals for Jerry Cram.
Post Mets Career: That August, Raziano made his MLB debut, pitching in relief of a 8-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox, at Fenway Park. He made one other appearance before getting sent back to AAA Omaha.
In 1974 he was back on the Royals by June, earning a save in New York, in a 5-4 win over the A.L. New York team. On June 14th he pitched two innings in a 15 inning game, earning his only career win.
On that same home stand he blew a save against the California Angles, allowing three runs in the 9th inning. On June 20th he blew another save in Texas as the Rangers beat him with three runs in the 8th inning.
He was back in the minors by mid July & never got back to the big leagues. In 13 career games he was 1-2 with a 6.48 ERA with nine strike outs. He pitched in AAA through 1977.
Post Mets Career: That August, Raziano made his MLB debut, pitching in relief of a 8-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox, at Fenway Park. He made one other appearance before getting sent back to AAA Omaha.
On that same home stand he blew a save against the California Angles, allowing three runs in the 9th inning. On June 20th he blew another save in Texas as the Rangers beat him with three runs in the 8th inning.
He was back in the minors by mid July & never got back to the big leagues. In 13 career games he was 1-2 with a 6.48 ERA with nine strike outs. He pitched in AAA through 1977.
Comments