A promising flamethrower whose career was cut short by injury, Berenyi came up to
the Reds at the end of 1980 after leading the American Association in both strikeouts
and walks. In strike-shortened 1981, he led the NL with 77 walks. Lack of control
combined with the Reds' weak offense in 1982 (last in the NL in runs scored) resulted
in a league-leading 18 losses despite a 3.36 ERA.
The Mets, contending for the
pennant in 1984, traded Jay Tibbs, Eddie Williams, and pitcher Matt Bullinger to
acquire Berenyi that June. He was 9-6 the rest of the way with a 3.76 ERA, and got
off to an even better start in 1985. However, on April 24 he tore his rotator cuff
while trying to pitch after his arm had tightened up during a rain delay.
Berenyi
revealed later that his shoulder had hurt most of his career, but he'd gotten used
to it; the trouble had first cropped up in 1978. Out for the rest of the year, he
was unable to come back in 1986, contributing only two wins in the Mets' World Championship
season. His uncle was former Browns' ace Ned Garver.
(SH)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»July 5, 1980: Reds pitcher Bruce Berenyi makes his ML debut and the Astros welcome him with a 6-run first inning. Mario Soto relieves and pitches eight 2/3 inning of shutout ball, allowing just three hits. The Reds rally to win, 8–6.
»April 14, 1981: At San Diego, Reds P Bruce Berenyi fires a 2-hitters to beat the Pads, 4–0.
»June 7, 1981: Andre Dawson's 4th inning single is Montreal's only hit off Bruce Berenyi as the Reds win, 2–0, at Riverfront.
»August 24, 1981:
The Reds top the visiting Mets, 2–0, behind Bruce Berenyi's 2-hitter.
»April 22, 1982: After opening the season with 13 straight wins the Braves finally lose, 2–1, to the Reds. Bruce Berenyi is the winner over Bob Walk.
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