Dick Drago Obituary, Death – Dick Drago (1945-2023) The Boston Globe reported that 1975 Red Sox pitcher Dick Drago, 78, died Thursday from surgery complications. “We’re saddened by the passing of Dick Drago, a staple of the 70’s Red Sox pitching staff and a beloved teammate,” the team tweeted. “We feel for the Dragos.” From 1969 to 1981, Drago pitched in MLB. He went 17-11 with a 2.98 ERA and 15 complete games in his first five seasons with the Royals and finished fifth in the 1971 Cy Young.
After being moved, he started and relieved for the Red Sox in 1974. “That was the most difficult year for me on my arm,” Drago stated in an interview. I’d pitch two relief games. I would replace bad starters. That happened all year, and I felt like I pitched 300 innings.” He closed 15 games for the 1975 AL East champions and two more in the ALCS win over Oakland, recording the final out.
Of these 17 saves, 11 had four outs or more. “It would have been great to only have to get three outs for a save,” he said in 2009 about modern relievers’ shorter workload. Saves used to take three innings. Maybe I could have pitched more saves today.” Drago delivered three innings of shutout relief to help Boston win Game 6 of the World Series against the Reds, the best ever.
Cincinnati won the title the night after. After the season, he was dealt to the Angels and allowed Hank Aaron’s 755th home run in a Brewers defeat.
