Steve Comer---1979
Steve Comer was a product of the
University of Minnesota who had
never pitched until a rash of sore
arms left the Golden Gophers looking
for volunteers. Despite his success
on the mound, he was bypassed in
the 1976 June draft. Yet while 786
players had their names called
during the process, the righthander
was pitching in the major leagues a
mere two years later, going 11-5 with
a 2.30 ERA in 30 appearances with
the Rangers. Comer posted a 0.90
ERA in his first 15 relief outings as a
rookie before getting his first start, on
July 17, 1978 , at Baltimore. Although
he did not pick up the win, Comer
responded to the challenge by
throwing nine shutout innings,
allowing four hits and striking out
seven, in a game won by Texas, 2-0,
in 11 frames.
Comer made the scouting system
look even worse in 1979 when he
paced the Rangers with 17 victories,
a total that tied for fifth in the
American League. A control pitcher
who had a devastating changeup,
Comer went 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA in
three starts against the eventual
World Champion Orioles. He also
registered a 6-0 record during a
seven-start stretch from June 27-
August 1.
Yet just as it appeared that Comer
would be one of the major leagues’
more consistent winners, a sore
shoulder limited him to 12 games and
a 2-4 record in 1980. He worked hard
to regain his form, but the early
returns were not encouraging. On
Opening Day at Yankee Stadium in
1981, Comer debuted in relief and
surrendered singles by Dave
Winfield, Bob Watson and Lou
Piniella, a sacrifice, an intentional
walk to Graig Nettles, and a pinch-
grand slam by Bobby Murcer. Willie
Randolph followed with a triple.
Comer left the game with a 45.00
ERA, but had a 2.00 ERA and an 8-2
record in his remaining 35 contests,
all but one in relief, to earn Texas
Pitcher of the Year honors.
Comer's rediscovered consistency,
however, proved to be fleeting. He
went 1-6 with a 5.10 ERA primarily as
a reliever in 1982 and was released
by the Rangers in December. He
joined the Phillies in 1983 and spent
most of the season in the Pacific
Coast League before appearing in
three games with Philadelphia late in
the campaign. His last fling as a
starter came with the Indians in 1984
when the righthander went 4-8 with a
5.68 ERA and one complete game to
bring his major league career to an
end.
(8/25/08)
University of Minnesota who had
never pitched until a rash of sore
arms left the Golden Gophers looking
for volunteers. Despite his success
on the mound, he was bypassed in
the 1976 June draft. Yet while 786
players had their names called
during the process, the righthander
was pitching in the major leagues a
mere two years later, going 11-5 with
a 2.30 ERA in 30 appearances with
the Rangers. Comer posted a 0.90
ERA in his first 15 relief outings as a
rookie before getting his first start, on
July 17, 1978 , at Baltimore. Although
he did not pick up the win, Comer
responded to the challenge by
throwing nine shutout innings,
allowing four hits and striking out
seven, in a game won by Texas, 2-0,
in 11 frames.
Comer made the scouting system
look even worse in 1979 when he
paced the Rangers with 17 victories,
a total that tied for fifth in the
American League. A control pitcher
who had a devastating changeup,
Comer went 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA in
three starts against the eventual
World Champion Orioles. He also
registered a 6-0 record during a
seven-start stretch from June 27-
August 1.
Yet just as it appeared that Comer
would be one of the major leagues’
more consistent winners, a sore
shoulder limited him to 12 games and
a 2-4 record in 1980. He worked hard
to regain his form, but the early
returns were not encouraging. On
Opening Day at Yankee Stadium in
1981, Comer debuted in relief and
surrendered singles by Dave
Winfield, Bob Watson and Lou
Piniella, a sacrifice, an intentional
walk to Graig Nettles, and a pinch-
grand slam by Bobby Murcer. Willie
Randolph followed with a triple.
Comer left the game with a 45.00
ERA, but had a 2.00 ERA and an 8-2
record in his remaining 35 contests,
all but one in relief, to earn Texas
Pitcher of the Year honors.
Comer's rediscovered consistency,
however, proved to be fleeting. He
went 1-6 with a 5.10 ERA primarily as
a reliever in 1982 and was released
by the Rangers in December. He
joined the Phillies in 1983 and spent
most of the season in the Pacific
Coast League before appearing in
three games with Philadelphia late in
the campaign. His last fling as a
starter came with the Indians in 1984
when the righthander went 4-8 with a
5.68 ERA and one complete game to
bring his major league career to an
end.
(8/25/08)
