Bob Moorhead: The First Mets Relief Pitcher (1962 / 1965)
Charles Robert Moorhead was born on January 23, 1938, at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Moorhead would squeeze a rubber ball during his school days in order to make his hands stronger. He pitched well in high school getting drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1958. The six foot one, right-handed pitcher became an original New York Met when he was picked up in the 1961 expansion draft (Rule 5).
Mets Career: Moorhead has the honor of being the Mets very first relief pitcher to ever come into a game. It happened on the first game in Mets history at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis on April 11th, 1962.
He relieved Roger Craig in the 4th inning and allowed five runs (two earned) on six hits in three innings pitched in the Mets first ever loss. He was on the ’62 club all season, mostly as a middle reliever, usually walking into some kind of disaster.
Hank Aaron Trivia: In the second game of a May 12th double header, Moorhead became the first Mets pitcher to give up a HR to Henry Aaron. Hank would hit 45 HRs off Mets pitching in his career.
At the end of July, he was put in the starting rotation & earned two no decisions in Mets losses. On August 5th he earned his first loss, it came against his old Reds teammates, as he allowed four runs in six innings of work at the Polo Grounds. He was back in the bull pen by mid-August & took a loss to the Phillies on August 15th after giving up a 13th inning hit to Johnny Callison.
On August 30th he blew a three-run lead in Philadelphia serving up a grand slam HR to Don Demeter & took another loss. His last appearance on the year was on September 1st. He finished the year at 0-2 with a 4.53 ERA pitching 105 innings in 38 appearances with 63 strike outs & 42 walks.
On August 30th he blew a three-run lead in Philadelphia serving up a grand slam HR to Don Demeter & took another loss. His last appearance on the year was on September 1st. He finished the year at 0-2 with a 4.53 ERA pitching 105 innings in 38 appearances with 63 strike outs & 42 walks.
Trivia: Moorhead is one of very MLB pitchers to pitch in 100 innings in a season without a win.
In his first game back the San Francisco Giants tagged him for two runs at Candlestick Park, giving him the loss. He made just nine appearances, finishing three games on the season.
1966: Moorhead pitched in the minor leagues through 1966. He would never win a game in the majors, posting a lifetime 0-3 record, with a 4.51 ERA, pitching in 119 innings allowing 134 hits & 60 earned runs.
Retirement: After baseball he worked at a trucking company in Lemoyne Pennsylvania.
Retirement: After baseball he worked at a trucking company in Lemoyne Pennsylvania.
Passing: Moorhead passed away on December 3, 1986, at the young age of 48.
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