Bob Welch, the 1990 AL Cy Young winner and last pitcher to win at least 25 games in a season, died Monday at his home in Seal Beach, Calif., after suffering a heart attack. He was 57 years old.
Welch grew up in Michigan and attended Eastern Michigan University before being drafted by the Dodgers in the first round of the ’77 draft. He made his debut in 1978 at age 21 and went 7-4 with a 2.02 ERA and pitched in the World Series that season. He spent 10 seasons with the Dodgers and made the All-Star team in 1980.
The Dodgers traded Welch to the Oakland A’s before the 1988 season, and Welch proved he was not done. He won the 1990 Cy Young at the age of 33 after going 27-6 with a 2.95 ERA.
Welch was part of the A’s teams that made three straight World Series from ’88-’90, winning the ’89 series. He made two World Series with the Dodgers, losing in ’78 and winning in ’81.
Welch was well loved by members of the A’s organization. Below are tweets from current or former A’s players:
R.I.P Bob Welch. Amazing person to be around. Great attitude, always wanted to talk baseball, plus he was a winner!
— Josh Donaldson (@BringerOfRain20) June 10, 2014
So sad about bobby welch. rest in peace buddy hug for u.
— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) June 10, 2014
Devastated to learn of Bob Welch's passing. The A's organization lost not only one of its best pitchers, but one of its best people. #RIP35
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) June 10, 2014
Brutal to hear about the passing of Bob Welch…it was always a pleasure being around him.
— Brett Anderson (@BAnderson_30) June 10, 2014
