Former Reds pitcher Pedro Borbon has died at age 65, according to his business agent Charles Sotto from complications to cancer.
Pedro Borbon was indicted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2010.
Borbon is the Reds leader in career pitching appearances with 531, and from 1970-78 appeared in more games than any other National League pitcher. He was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2010.
Borbon was No. 51 on the list of the Enquirer’s 100 greatest Reds.
Tony Perez said, “You know Sparky had that nickname ‘Captain Hook,’ and it was because he knew he had guys in the bullpen he could go to at any time, and there was never a question about availability. ‘The Hawk’ Clay Carroll was one of them. And so was Pedro.
“He may have been the most critical part of that great bullpen because he was such a rubber arm. He’d give two, three innings – whatever you needed. He could pitch every night. And he wasn’t intimidated by anything. I always enjoyed his company on and off the field. He was a great guy.”
Borbon, a native of the Dominican Republic, began his major league career in 1969 with the then-California Angels. Borbon was traded to the Reds on Nov. 25, 1969 with fellow pitchers Vern Geishert and Jim McGlothlin for outfielder Alex Johnson and infielder Chico Ruiz.
In 20 postseason appearances with the Reds from 1972-76, Borbon had a 1-1 record, 2.42 ERA and three saves.
On June 28, 1979, Borbon was traded to the San Francisco Giants for outfielder Hector Cruz.
The Giants released Borbon in April 1980, and Borbon then signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals released Borbon on May 27, 1980, and Borbon never appeared in the majors again.
When the Reds dealt Borbon away, he reportedly put a voodoo curse on the club and said the Reds would never win again. Years later, Borbon said he had removed the curse.
Borbon was known for his durability and availability to pitch every day, if needed. After appearing in an old-timers game at Riverfront Stadium in 1990, a 43-year-old Borbon said:
“I haven’t lost anything except my age.â€
Borbon also is remembered for his role in two Reds brawls. Following a 1973 fight against the New York Mets in the National League playoffs, Borbon mistakenly placed a Mets cap on his head. Realizing what he had done, Borbon angrily removed the hat and ripped a piece off with his teeth.
Then came a 1974 incident against Pittsburgh, when Borbon mixed it up with Pirates pitcher Daryl Patterson. Borbon pinned Patterson to the ground and bit him on the side. Patterson would require a tetanus shot.
“The public address announcer in Pittsburgh announced me as the Domincan Dracula,†Borbon later said. “I didn’t like that much. I just got over-excited.â€
The Reds issued the following release:
CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Reds offer condolences to the family and friends of Reds Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Borbon, who died earlier today at age 65.
Reds President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Castellini said, “The entire organization is very sad to hear of the loss of another member of our baseball family. Pedro was an important contributor to the success of the Big Red Machine, and he always will be remembered for his colorful personality and his contributions to that wonderful time period in our history.â€
Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Executive Director Rick Walls added, “On behalf of the Reds Hall of Fame’s board of directors and the Reds Hall of Famer fraternity, we are saddened by the news of Pedro’s passing and join Reds fans everywhere in keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers. We should remember Pedro’s contributions to the Reds’ legacy and rejoice in the fact that we were able to honor him and his family in 2010 with induction into the Reds Hall of Fame.â€
Durability and effectiveness were the hallmarks of Borbon’s 10-season career with the Reds.
An essential member of the Big Red Machine’s stellar bullpen corps, Borbon ranked in the National League’s Top 5 in games pitched each season from 1972-1977.
From 1970-1978, Borbon appeared in more games than any pitcher in the National League. He is the Reds’ all-time leader in appearances with 531, while his 76 saves rank eighth on the club’s all-time list.
Borbon was a member of the Reds’ 1975 and 1976 World Championship teams, their National League pennant-winners in 1970 and 1972 and the 1973 National League Western Division championship club. He pitched in 20 post-season games during his Reds career, posting an ERA of 2.55 and including a 1.26 ERA in League Championship Series play.
In 2010, Borbon became the third relief pitcher inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame, joining Clay Carroll (Class of 1980) and Wayne Granger (Class of 1982).
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