In Medich's first major league game (9/5/72 against Baltimore), he drew a walk as
the starting pitcher when the Yankees batted around in the top of the first. In the
bottom of the inning he failed to retire a batter, and the next day he began his
first year of medical school at Pitt. Medich did better in 1973 (14-9, 2.91), and
after two more solid years he was traded to his hometown Pirates in the deal that
brought the Yankees
Willie Randolph,
Dock Ellis,
Ken Brett, and several pennants.
Following a rocky 1976 (8-11, 3.51) and an itinerant 1977 split between three clubs,
he settled down in Texas and provided the Rangers with five workmanlike seasons before
the Brewers acquired him for their 1982 stretch drive. Medich then retired to practice
sports medicine near Pittsburgh. His medical training came in handy before a 1978
game in Baltimore when he saved the life of a stricken fan by performing heart massage.
(FDS)