Dick Drago

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Drago began his professional journey after graduating from Woodward High School in Toledo, Ohio, in 1963. Originally signed by the Detroit Tigers in the 1964 amateur draft, he entered the majors with the Kansas City Royals following the 1968 expansion draft. He quickly became the ace of their staff in 1971, posting a 17–11 record with a 2.98 ERA and finishing fifth in the AL Cy Young Award voting behind Vida Blue, Mickey Lolich, Wilbur Wood, and Dave McNally. After a solid 1972 campaign where he recorded a 3.01 ERA despite a 12–17 loss record, his performance dipped to 12–14 with a 4.23 ERA in 1973. On October 24, 1973, the Royals traded him to the Boston Red Sox for Marty Pattin. His time in Boston was interrupted by stints with other teams; he was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles from the California Angels on June 13, 1977, for Dyar Miller. After filing for free agency following his lone season in Baltimore, he returned to Boston on November 21, 1977.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Drago's career occurred on July 20, 1976, when he was pitching against Hank Aaron. In that game, Drago surrendered the hit that would become the last of Aaron's then-major league record 755 career home runs. This event cemented his place in baseball history as a specific footnote to one of the sport's greatest achievements. Following this milestone, Drago continued to pitch for the Angels and Orioles during parts of two seasons before returning to Boston. During his final three years with the Red Sox from 1978 to 1980, he saved 13 games and posted a 10–6 record in 1979 specifically. He concluded his major league tenure with the Seattle Mariners in 1981, ending a career that spanned 13 seasons, 519 appearances (including 189 starts), a 108–117 win-loss record, and 58 saves.

Reader's Guide

Richard Anthony Drago's tenure with the Seattle Mariners was brief but significant as it marked the end of his long career. He joined the team for the 1981 season, becoming the final stop on a journey that included five different franchises. His statistics reflect a solid middle-of-the-rotation or late-inning presence, highlighted by 58 career saves and a 3.62 ERA. Fans of the Mariners can point to Drago's 1981 season as the closing chapter of his professional life, following his earlier success in Kansas City where he led the staff with a 2.98 ERA in 1971. His career path also illustrates the movement of players during that era, moving from expansion drafts to trades involving specific players like Marty Pattin and Dyar Miller.

Did You Know?

• Drago gave up the final home run of Hank Aaron's career on July 20, 1976.
• He finished fifth in the 1971 AL Cy Young Award voting behind Vida Blue, Mickey Lolich, Wilbur Wood, and Dave McNally.
• In 1981, he became the final pitcher to play for the Seattle Mariners before his retirement.
• Drago started his major league career with the Kansas City Royals in 1969 after being selected in the 1968 expansion draft.
• He posted a 10–6 record and saved 13 games during his final three years with the Red Sox (1978–1980).