RetroSimba

Al Hrabosky was desperate for a final chance to extend his big-league pitching career. He was released by the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 30, 1982, and as 1983 spring training was about to begin no team had reached out to the left-handed relief pitcher known as the “Mad Hungarian.”

Hrabosky thought he still had something to offer. He had dropped 15 pounds, shaved his Fu Manchu, cut his hair, added a forkball to his mix and conceded that “some of my off-the-field habits need changing.”

He called Roland Hemond, general manager of the Chicago White Sox, and asked for a spring-training tryout. Hemond agreed. When Hrabosky arrived, he went to work trying to impress the White Sox manager and pitching coach: Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan.

Duncan was in his first season as La Russa’s pitching coach. Twenty-six years later, he still is La Russa’s pitching coach _ with the Cardinals _ and Hrabosky is one of the Cardinals’ TV broadcasters.

In the spring of 1983, it was Duncan’s job to determine whether Hrabosky could help the White Sox. After Hrabosky’s first workout, Duncan said, “He threw the ball pretty good and he’s in good shape.” (The Sporting News, March 7, 1983).

But La Russa and Duncan eventually decided to open the season with Kevin Hickey and Jerry Koosman as their left-handed relievers. Hrabosky was signed to a contact on April 8 and assigned to the Class AAA Denver Bears. It was his first minor-league assignment in 10 years.

Hrabosky had pitched for the Cardinals from 1970-78 and was a dominant closer for part of that stretch. At Denver, he joined a staff that included two other former Cardinals: right-handers John D’Acquisto and Steve Mura.

Hrabosky appeared in 26 games for Denver and made 15 starts. But he never got the call to Chicago from La Russa and Duncan. Hrabosky finished the Class AAA season with a 7-6 record and 5.82 ERA, giving up 135 hits in 116 innings.

At 34, his professional playing career was done.