Apr 7, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; General view as the Pittsburgh Pirates play the Chicago White Sox during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
“Welcome to the club.”
Pirates Hall of Famer Steve Blass personally welcomes the newest members to our Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/dxAfivHfoG
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 20, 2023
If you head to the :33 second mark you can see Steve Blass give the news to Bob’s wife. A tremendous honor. You wouldn’t know it now, but the Pirates have an extremely storied past. Bob Friend is very much a part of that.
Friend holds the franchise records for strike outs, innings pitched, and starts. He’s also holds a few others like most walks, losses, and hits allowed, but when you’ve pitched more than anyone else in team history, you’re gonna be up there in those categories.
At West Lafayette he was an all state fullback in football, as well as an all state pitcher. He signed a contract with the Pirates and attended Purdue during the off season for 8 years and graduated with as an Econ major. Friend even spent time pitching for the Indianapolis Indians. Friend went on to become a 4 time all-star, and a World Series Champion.
This is only the second year for the Pirates Hall of Fame. So that should show you how highly regarded he is.
I’m not this “guys were tougher back in the day” person all the time. Case by case basis.
But Bob Friend throwing 314 innings and making 42 starts in a season is a total “just give me the damn ball and get the hell out of my way” performance. Incredible.— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) April 20, 2023
On this date in 1964, the @Pirates beat the @Mets, 4-3, in the very first game ever played at Shea Stadium. Willie Stargell went 4-for-5 and christened the ballpark with the first home run in the second inning. Bob Friend tossed a complete game to earn the win. pic.twitter.com/TaReR8n23y
— Jimmy T (@JimmyTrdinich) April 17, 2023
TODAY’S 3GK SPORTSCARD 1958 Topps #315 Bob Friend pic.twitter.com/9enaDhsRg9
— 3GK Sportscards (@3gkSportscards) April 5, 2023
Comments