Ted Abernathy

Theodore Wade Abernathy
Born: March 6, 1933 in Stanley, N.C.
Died: Dec. 16, 2004 in Gastonia, N.C.
Debut: 1955 | Pos: P
H: 6'4" | W: 215 | B: R | T: R

YR	W	L	G	SV	IP	SO	ERA
14	63	69	681	148	1147.2	765	3.46

>> Visit the Ted Abernathy biography on Baseball Almanac for complete statistics

Ted Abernathy, who posted 148 saves in a 14-year career in Major League Baseball, died on Dec. 16, 2004 in Gastonia, N.C., following complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 71.

His career numbers include a 3.46 ERA, 63 wins and 148 saves in 1,147.2 innings pitched. His time in the majors spanned from 1955 to 1972 and he was known for his "submarine" style of pitching.

He made his debut at the age of 22 with Washington in 1955 and had struggles early in his career as a starting pitcher. In 1957, he was 2-10 for Washington with a 6.78 ERA. He did not appear again in the majors until 1960 when he pitched three innings in two games for Washington.

He pitched for the Indians in 1963 and 1964, for the Cubs (1965-1966), the Braves (1966), the Reds (1967-1968), the Cubs (1969-1970), the Cardinals (1970) and the Royals (1970-1972).

His greatest success came in the 1960s when he posted 31 saves for Chicago in 1965 and 28 saves for the Reds in 1967, leading the league in each of those seasons. In 1965, he led the league with appearances in 84 games and posted a 2.57 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 136.1 innings pitched.