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Former Oakland A’s pitcher Chuck Dobson passes away at 77 years old

By David Hill

Aug 13, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a baseball on the pitcher's mound during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Astros defeat the Rangers 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a baseball on the pitcher's mound during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Astros defeat the Rangers 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oakland A’s family has been hit with another loss. Former pitcher Chuck Dobson passed away at his home on November 30. He was 77 years old.

Dobson pitched for a year at the University of Kansas and was a part of the 1964 US Baseball team for the Olympics. Baseball was a demonstration sport that year, and Dobson was one of seven pitchers on the team. He signed with the A’s that year, getting into one game in the Florida Instructional League before beginning his career in earnest in 1965.

Remembering former Oakland A’s pitcher Chuck Dobson

It did not take long for Dobson to reach the majors. He spent just one season in the minors before making his debut with the Kansas City A’s, becoming the first starting pitcher to make his major league debut in a team’s home opener in the state he was born. Although he spent the entire season in the majors, he appeared in just 14 games, posting a 4-6 record with a 4.09 ERA and a 1.446 WHiP in his 83.2 innings.

Beginning in 1969, Dobson began to show that he could be a part of the A’s pitching staff. A solid middle of the rotation arm, he, along with Vida Blue and Catfish Hunter, were expected to be a key part of the A’s future. He did his part from 1969 through 1971, winning 46 games while posting a respectable 3.86 ERA. Dobson led the American League in starts and shutouts in 1970, showing that the A’s had another young arm on the rise.

Disaster struck at the end of that 1971 season. Dobson had pain in his elbow, eventually undergoing surgery to remove growing calcium deposits. He missed the entire 1972 season, and made just 15 more major league appearances afterwards, his once promising career entirely derailed.

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Former Oakland A’s pitcher Chuck Dobson passed away on November 30 at 77 years old. Our condolences go out to his friends and family.