Phil Paine

Phil Paine
Phil Paine
	Pitcher
	Born: June 8, 1930; Chepachet, Rhode Island, U.S.
	Died: February 19, 1978 (aged 47); Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U.S.
	Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
	July 14, 1951, for the Boston Braves
Last MLB appearance
	September 19, 1958, for the St. Louis Cardinals
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	10–1
Earned run average	3.36
Strikeouts	101
NPB statistics
Win–loss record	4–3
Earned run average	1.77
Strikeouts	38
Teams
	Boston Braves (1951); Nishitetsu Lions (1953); Milwaukee Braves (1954–1957); St. Louis Cardinals (1958);

Phillips Steere Paine (June 8, 1930 – February 19, 1978) was an American

Nishitetsu Lions, becoming the first major leaguer to play in Nippon Professional Baseball

. He threw and batted right-handed, and was listed as 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and 180 pounds (82 kg).

Paine was born in

Boston Braves

.

Career in Japan and MLB

Recalled by Boston from the Class A

bases on balls in 351⁄3 innings pitched, but only 12 earned runs, for an ERA

of 3.06.

He then entered the United States Army for military service during the Korean War. When his unit was sent to Japan, Paine was allowed to pitch for the Nishitetsu Lions, making his NPB debut on August 23, 1953.^[1] Unlike in the major leagues, Paine was a starting pitcher for the Lions, making eight starts among his nine appearances, and posting five complete games and one shutout. Overall, his NPB record was 4–3, with a 1.77 earned run average in 61 innings pitched.^[2]

In

waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals. The 1958 campaign was Paine's only full year in the major leagues. He worked in a career-high 46 games, and won another four consecutive decisions (to go 9–0 for his career) before losing his first MLB game on July 29 against his original organization, the Phillies.^[3] As late as August 9, his earned run average was below the 2.00 mark.^[3] But two ineffective appearances over the season's final two months inflated Paine's ERA to 3.56. He was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the off-season, played at the Triple-A

level for three years, and never returned to the majors.

All told, in 95 MLB career games pitched, all in relief, Paine posted a 10–1 win–loss record (for a winning percentage of .909) with one save. In 150 total innings pitched he surrendered 144 hits and 80 bases on balls, with 101 strikeouts.

Personal life

Paine married Jeannette Orsini of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, after meeting her while he was posted nearby during his U.S. Army basic training. They settled in Hummelstown to raise their family, with Paine helping to operate his in-laws' hotel and restaurant. On February 19, 1978, at age 47, he died from a brain tumor at the Veterans Hospital^[4] near Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and was survived by his wife and three children.^[5]

References

^ "Phil Paine chronology at Baseball Almanac". baseballbiography.com. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
^ Baseball Reference
^ ^a ^b Retrosheet: 1958 regular season pitching log for Phil Paine
^ "Phil Paine". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
^ Greene, Chip, Phil Paine. Society for American Baseball Research Biography Project

External links

Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)

[1] "Phil Paine chronology at Baseball Almanac". baseballbiography.com. Retrieved June 6, 2016.

[2] Baseball Reference

[free-3] Retrosheet: 1958 regular season pitching log for Phil Paine

[4] "Phil Paine". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved May 18, 2016.

[5] Greene, Chip, Phil Paine. Society for American Baseball Research Biography Project

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

Career in Japan and MLB

Personal life

See also

References

External links