A tall
control specialist, Downs spent six full seasons in the minors before finally
reaching the Giants in 1986. He was plagued by misfortune throughout his brief
ML career. He posted a 2.75 ERA in 14 starts as a rookie in 1986 and was one of the
Giants' top starters for most of 1987, but he was relegated to the bullpen when San
Francisco acquired Rick Reuschel for its successful pennant drive. Downs rejoined
the rotation in 1988 and was 13-9, 3.32 before spending the last month of the season
on the DL with shoulder problems that plagued him through 1989. Originally with the
Phillies organization, Downs was one of two pitchers traded to San Francisco for
Al Oliver in 1984. His older brother, Dave, was 1-1 in four starts for the Phillies
in 1972, including a 3-0 shutout against the Braves in his ML debut.
(SCL)
Contribute your recollections of Kelly Downs by clicking here.
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»August 20, 1984: The Giants trade veteran 1B Al Oliver, whom they acquired from Montreal in February, and pitcher Renie Martin to the Phillies for P George Riley and minor leaguer Kelly Downs.
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