Rick “Big Daddy” Reuschel was the anchor of the Giants staff in the late 1980s. He was not the anchor because of his girth– listed as a healthy 235–but he was actually pretty good on the mound. After a successful and noteworthy stint in the 70s with the Cubs, he resurrected his career upon his 1987 arrival in San Francisco, after Roger Craig taught him the split-fingered fastball.
Thanks to his cat-like reflexes, he won a Gold Glove in ’87. He even pinch-ran several times, a testament to his surprising athleticism.
In 1988 and 1989, he compiled 36 victories, with ERAs of 3.12 and 2.94, respectively. He was the National League starter in the ’89 All-Star game and led the G-Men to the World Series.
His real name is Rickey, but he went by Rick. Weird, huh?
In 1997, Reuschel found himself on the Hall of Fame ballot. He received two votes. His 0.4% of the vote fell 74.6% shy of the requisite.
Since hanging up his cleats, “Big Daddy” has retreated to the bucolic Midwest, where he runs his family’s farm along with his brother Paul, who also pitched in the big leagues.
Rick Reuschel [The Baseball Page]
Hey, thanks for posting this nostalgic stuff, guys. I didn’t know about Big Daddy being on the HOF ballot in ’97… 2 votes, that’s awesome.
I just found your blog today, so I’ve missed a lot of great content. But, I, like the Giants, am lookin’ ahead, not back.
And he was Robby Thompson’s brother-in-law!
Hey, I’m Rick’s daughter and I just thought I’d chime in that we don’t live in the midwest on a farm. Also, Scot Thompson was his brother-in-law, not Robby Thompson. However, I do like the page, it’s pretty cool learning stuff about my dad from the internet. Thanks for creating it!!
Rick is my grandpa, Mark Reuschel’s cousin
Kazie, your dad was my favorite Cubs pitcher of all time. One of my favorite moments was in 1977 when he popped the Dodgers’ Reggie Smith with a pitch, Reggie charged the mount, and catcher George “the Baron” Mitterwald jumped in and beat the tar out of Smith. Yes, it gave the Baron an essentially career-ending shoulder injury, but it was worth it to see a Dodger sweetheart like Smith get his. I was sad to see dad move on to the Yankees, and later leave the Cubs for Pittsburgh. But every time I see a current Cub wearing number 48, I think of your dad! Hope he’s doing well!
he’s my great uncle and if i recall correct he lives in Pennsylvania
Where in PA does he live, Cody?
pittsburg penn with his wife where he retired with a nice chunk of change you can imagine.
he doesnt farm with his brother paul anymore though even though paul has started to purchase more land.
paul is retired as well and was a subsitute physcial education teacher at the high school where all the resuchel children went to school.
Wow, thanks for the great info. I also have been a big fan of the Reuschels. And I did here the same thing. Rick married a wonderful gal (lawyer I think) and lives on a horse farm outside pittsburgh.
I cant tell you the number of autographed cards of rick I have (close to 40). Favorite, favorite player. Sure would like to meet him sometime.
Big Daddy: With the start of baseball season I look forward to playing for you again next spring in Mesa!! Work on that golf game and we’ll see ya soon
I love that there is so much info on here about our Dad, but horse farm, lol.. He farmed growing up in Illinois, and never had horses. He is currently the vice president of the Pirate Alumni and it keeps him very busy with golf and raising money for many different charities. The bio forgot to mention the years he spent on the Pirates, where he also won a Golden Glove.
Thanks for the page!
Beth, i was or thought i was a good friend of yours where we met doesn’t really matter i not only had great respect for your Father Rick but i had great respect for you and your son who i think about alot you know how hard i’ve been looking for you i don’t know why you stopped talking to me i never did nothing but have respect for you and then you just walked out of my life you have know idea how many nights i lay in bed thinking of you and your son you know i still carry the ticket stub from the day we went to the movies
Thanks for the note, Beth. I didn’t know that your dad won a Golden Glove with the Pirates as well. What I do know is that he was very popular with the fans in San Francisco. Many of us went out of our way to see him. And the sportscaster of the time, I believe it was still Lon Simmons, always had good stuff to say about your dad. And was amazed, of course, at his athleticism. If you hit a ball anywhere near the mound, you were going to be thrown out.
I am from Brodhead, Wi. where Rick Reuschel bought a farm and would come up during all-star break when he
wssn’t pitching. My husband and I and Rick and a team
mate would start out with a round of golf and watch the all star game at night. One of my most pleasant memories was when his little son (about 3 yrs. old) climbed on his lap to watch the game. Rick as who was that pitching and the little boy (I think his name was Darrell) said Daddy that’s Boooce (Suiter) who was pitching in the all star game. It was a precious moment.
Iam from butler pa. I own a small auto repair shop were Rick and his wife Barb bring there cars.both are wonderful people. Rick has signed balls for my ailing brother in law and a special needs individual mike,both are charished posessions.He recently threw the first pitch out for the start of the local little leauge season were he signed some autographs and had a lengthly conversation with the same special needs individual he signed the base ball for.(mike)said it was the best day of his life.thank you Rick
Kazie & Beth: I was a big fan of your fathers mainly because I played college baseball with your dad’s brother Terry. Terry took me and two other teammates to a game at Wrigley in 1976 (?)when your dad started against the Big Red Machine. Enjoyed very much meeting him then and setting 2 rows behind home plate. Also had the chance to meet you Uncle Paul who was pitching for the Cubs at the time. Very nice family with strong midwestern roots. Hope everyone is doing well.
Hi Kazie & bath . my name is Greyling Sargeant and I live in galesburg il, . I always been a fan of your dads . And I know he played in galesburg in hes teens. Thank you .
Beth,
My Dad went to high school and lived near your dad growing up in Golden, IL. We went and seen him several times over the years and got to sit near the bullpen and talk with him when he had the day off. He invited me and Dad to his hotel in St Louis when he played for the Pirates and he introduced us to all the players. He even gave me a ball that was fouled down the line in the bullpen. That was the COOLEST DAY EVER when I was a kid. You should ask him sometime about my Dad. His name is Gerry Pratt.