Diamondbacks Bullpen

[David B]

One of the Seattle Pilots of my youth, Steve Barber, passes at 67.

BALTIMORE — Steve Barber, the first 20-game winner in modern Baltimore Orioles history and the losing pitcher in one of baseball's wildest no-hitters, has died. He was 67.

Barber became ill last week and died from complications of pneumonia Sunday at a hospital in Henderson, Nev., the Orioles said Monday.

A two-time All-Star and a member of the Orioles' Hall of Fame, Barber was 121-106 with a 3.36 ERA from 1960-74. The lefty spent the first half of his career with the Orioles and was traded to the New York Yankees in July 1967. He later pitched for the Seattle Pilots, the Chicago Cubs, the Atlanta Braves, the California Angels and the San Francisco Giants.

Barber's best year was 1963, when he went 20-13 with a 2.75 ERA. On a franchise that became known for its pitching, Barber was the first Baltimore player in the modern era to win 20 games.

The Orioles won their first World Series in 1966, sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers and allowing a total of two runs in the four games. Barber was 10-5 that year but did not get to take part in the Series, having pitched only seven games after the All-Star break because of tendinitis in his left elbow.

Barber started out the 1967 in impressive fashion, holding the Angels hitless before Jim Fregosi doubled with one out in the ninth inning. Two weeks later, however, Barber pitched his most memorable game.

Facing Detroit in the first game of a doubleheader at old Memorial Stadium, Barber took a no-hit bid and a 1-0 lead into the ninth inning despite severe bouts of wildness.

Barber walked the first two batters in the ninth, then retired the next two hitters. But he threw a wild pitch that let the tying run score and, after yet another walk, was pulled from the game.

Stu Miller relieved, and the Tigers scored the go-ahead run on an error. The Tigers wound up winning 2-1 despite getting no hits. Barber's line that afternoon: 8 2-3 innings, 10 walks, two hit batters, a wild pitch and a throwing error.

A hard-thrower, Barber led the majors in walks and also topped the AL in wild pitches as a rookie. The next year, in 1961, he pitched eight shutouts and tied for the major league lead with Camilo Pascual.

[EvilJuan]

[Counsell]

Barber was a stud and a potential superstar, but he was plagued by arm injuries. By the time he got to the Pilots in '69 he was basically done.

If he were pitching today with the tremendous medical and training advances, maybe he could have fulfilled that amazing potential.