The powerfully-built Herbel was a part-time starter who won a career-high 12 games with the 1965 Giants. Hampered by arm problems, he pitched mostly in long relief, leading the NL in 1970 with 76 appearances and nine relief wins for the Padres and Mets. He was the worst-hitting pitcher ever (minimum 100 at-bats), batting a mere .029 (6-for-206). (FS)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»October 2, 1965:
Willie Mays sets a Giants record with his 52nd home run, as Ron Herbel beats the Reds 3–2. Johnny Mize had hit 51 for the Giants in 1947.
»June 7, 1970: Pinch hitter Vic Davalillo of the Cardinals, in for Bob Gibson, gets a record-tying two hits in the 7th inning of a 10–7 win over the Padres. The Birds score seven in the frame after the Padres had built a 7–1 lead against Gibson. Ron Herbel, the 2nd of four pitchers in the 7th, is the loser. Davilillo assumes he receives credit for two pinch hits, and that his 23rd pinch hit on August 31st ties the record of Dave Philley. He will finish the year with 24 pinch safeties but a rule difference between the American League and National League will cost him a pinch hit today.
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