Chuck Hartenstein
Charles Oscar Hartenstein (May 26, 1942 – October 2, 2021) was an American professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for five different teams between the 1966 and 1977 seasons. Listed at 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m), 165 lb (75 kg), Hartenstein batted and threw right-handed. He was signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1964 out of the University of Texas at Austin. He played for them until 1968, before joining the Pittsburgh Pirates (1969–70), St. Louis Cardinals (1970), Boston Red Sox (1970) and Toronto Blue Jays (1977).
| Chuck Hartenstein | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: May 26, 1942 Seguin, Texas, U.S. | |
| Died: October 2, 2021 (aged 79) Austin, Texas, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 11, 1965, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 26, 1977, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 17–19 |
| Earned run average | 4.52 |
| Strikeouts | 135 |
| Teams | |
Career
A Texas Longhorns star pitcher, Hartenstein led his team to the 1962 and 1963 CWS tournaments.
After being signed by Chicago, he led the Texas League with a 2.19 ERA in 1965 while pitching for the Dallas–Fort Worth Spurs.
On June 17, 1965, Hartenstein had one of the most impressive pitching feats in Texas League history, in a game against the Austin Braves as the starter, the Spurs had a 1–0 lead going into the ninth inning when he gave up a tying run. The game continued that way with Hartenstein pitching 18 innings. He allowed only one run, eight hits, walked four and struck out seven.[1] The game continued through the 25th inning with Austin winning 2–1. At the time it was the longest game in Texas League history.
Hartenstein entered the majors in 1965 with the Cubs, appearing in one game as a pinch runner. His most productive season came in 1967 while with Chicago, when he went 9–5 with a 3.08 ERA and 10 saves, all career-numbers. He also enjoyed a solid season with the 1969 Pirates, going 5–4 with a 3.85 ERA and 10 saves in a career-high 952⁄3 innings pitched.
Hartenstein was traded along with Glenn Redmon from the Chicago White Sox to the San Francisco Giants for Skip Pitlock on February 8, 1973.[2]
In a six-season career, Hartenstein posted a 17–19 record with a 3.63 ERA and 23 saves in 187 relief appearances, including 88 games finished, a 1.52 strikeout-to-walk ratio (135-to-89), and 297 innings of work.
After six years of absence pitching in the minors, he played in his last major league season with the expansion Toronto Blue Jays in 1977.
His nickname while with the Blue Jays was "Olde Frankenstein".
Following his playing career, Hartenstein coached for the Cleveland Indians (1979) and Milwaukee Brewers (1987–89). After he was fired by the Brewers, Hartenstein was hired to be a scout for the California Angels.[3]
In 2004, Hartenstein was inducted into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor.
Hartenstein died on October 2, 2021.
References
- Kayser, Tom; King, David (2012). Baseball in the Lone Star State: The Texas League's Greatest Hits. Trinity University Press. p. 149. ISBN 9781595341198. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
- "White Sox Obtain Pitlock". The New York Times. United Press International (UPI). February 8, 1973. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- "The Nevada Daily Mail - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Chuck Hartenstein at SABR (Baseball BioProject)