Dave Frost
| Dave Frost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pitcher | |||
|
Born: November 17, 1952 Long Beach, California | |||
| |||
| MLB debut | |||
| September 11, 1977, for the Chicago White Sox | |||
| Last MLB appearance | |||
| October 3, 1982, for the Kansas City Royals | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 33–37 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.10 | ||
| Innings pitched | 5502⁄3 | ||
| Teams | |||
| |||
Carl David Frost (born November 17, 1952) is an American former professional baseball player and a former Major League Baseball pitcher. The 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), 235 lb (107 kg) right-hander was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 18th round of the 1974 Major League Baseball draft. During a five-year Major League career, Frost played for the White Sox (1978), California Angels (1978–1981), and Kansas City Royals (1982).
Frost made his MLB debut on September 11, 1977 against the California Angels at Anaheim Stadium. He turned in a quality start, pitching 61⁄3 innings and giving up just two earned runs. He struck out three, walked none, and received a no decision in the 5-4 White Sox loss. His first big league win came a week later in another great start against the Angels, this time at Comiskey Park. He went 72⁄3 innings, gave up three runs, and won 7–3.
He was traded to the Angels on December 5, 1977 in a six-player deal, and became a valuable addition to the Angel pitching staff. He split time between Salt Lake City (PCL) and the big leagues in 1978, and went 5–4 with a 2.58 earned run average in 11 games (ten starts) for the Angels. Next year would be even better.
Frost had his biggest year in 1979. He won 16, lost 10, and led Angel starters in ERA (3.57), winning percentage (.615), and innings pitched (2391⁄3). California had an impressive group of starters that year, including Frost, Nolan Ryan, Don Aase, Jim Barr, Chris Knapp, and Frank Tanana. They ultimately won the American League West Division pennant that year with an 88–74 record.
Unfortunately, elbow problems severely limited Frost's effectiveness the remainder of his career. In the next three seasons (two with the Angels and one with the Kansas City Royals) he was a combined 11–22 with a 5.43 ERA.
Career totals for 99 games pitched include a 33-37 record, 84 games started, 16 complete games, 3 shutouts, 1 save, and 7 games finished. He allowed 251 earned runs in 5502⁄3 innings pitched, giving him a lifetime ERA of 4.10.
Career highlights include:
- A four-hit, no walk complete game shutout vs. the Oakland A's (July 3, 1979)
- An eight-strikeout, no walk complete game win (10–1) vs. the Baltimore Orioles (July 7, 1979)
- A ten-inning, four-hit complete game win (2–1) vs. the Minnesota Twins (April 16, 1980)
- Held All-Stars Sal Bando, Buddy Bell, Mike Hargrove, Rickey Henderson, Roy Howell, Pat Kelly, Hal McRae, Willie Randolph, Jim Rice, and Roy Smalley to a .103 collective batting average (15-for-145)
- Held Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson, Cal Ripken, Jr., and Robin Yount to a .167 collective batting average (3-for-18)
- Threw the opening pitch at a Los Angeles Angels game on Monday, June 27, 2011.