Dick Tidrow, R.I.P.

Former big league pitcher turned executive Dick Tidrow died suddenly on July 10th. No cause of death has been released. Tidrow was 74. 

After declining to sign with the Washington Senators, his hometown San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds after being drafted by these respective teams, Tidrow would eventually sign with the Cleveland Indians in the 4th round of the secondary phase of the 1967 MLB Draft. He would make the Tribe's opening day roster in 1972 having earned a spot in the team's starting rotation.

During the 1974 season, Tidrow was sent to the New York Yankees in a seven player deal along with Chris Chambliss. While with the Yankees, Tidrow was primarily utilized as a reliever appearing in three consecutive World Series between 1976-1978 while earning two rings in '77 and '78. The mustachioed right-hander earned the nickname "Dirt" as he liked to dirty his uniform even before being called into a game.

After a poor start in 1979, the mercurial George Steinbrenner sent Tidrow packing to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for pitcher Ray Burris. Less than three months later, Steinbrenner put Burris own waivers and was claimed by the crosstown New York Mets. Meanwhile, Tidrow would be part of the Cubs bullpen for the next three plus seasons. In 1980, Tidrow led the NL in appearances with 84. Tidrow would be handed the closer's job in 1981 following the departure of Bruce Sutter to St. Louis but Tidrow proved ineffective. By 1983, Tidrow would stroll over to the Southside and would part of the AL West champion Chicago White Sox under Tony La Russa (what's old is new again). Tidrow would return to New York and finish his playing career with the Mets in 1984. In 620 appearances over 13 seasons, Tidrow went 100-94 with a 3.68 ERA along with 55 saves.

Tidrow would never leave baseball. From 1985 to 1993, Tidrow worked as a special assignment scout before returning to San Francisco where he would be in the employ of the Giants until his death. Mos recently, Tidrow was the senior advisor to the President of Baseball Operations. He is credited with helping to build the team that won three World Series titles in 2010, 2012 and 2014. There could be a fourth World Series title to follow. As of this writing, the Giants have the best record in MLB. Winning another World Series would be the finest possible tribute to Tidrow. R.I.P.