Former Pitcher Pat Dobson Dies at 64

In this file photo Baltimore Orioles pitcher Pat Dobson poses during spring training, on March 12, 1971 in Miami, Florida. Dobson, who was one of four 20-game winners on the Baltimore Orioles' pitching staff in 1971, has died. He was 64. (AP Photo) (AP)

SAN FRANCISCO -- Pat Dobson, one of four pitchers to win 20 games for the Baltimore Orioles in 1971, has died. He was 64.

Dobson died suddenly Wednesday night in the San Diego area, the San Francisco Giants said Thursday. He was a special assistant to Giants general manager Brian Sabean this year, his ninth with the club.

The team didn't immediately release details about the cause of death. But USA Today reported on its Web site that Dobson's wife, Kathe, said he died one day after being diagnosed with leukemia.

Dobson went 20-8 with a 2.90 ERA for the AL champion Orioles in 1971, rounding out a famous rotation that also included Hall of Famer Jim Palmer (20-9), Dave McNally (21-5) and Mike Cuellar (20-9). The 1920 Chicago White Sox are the only other team in major league history to have four 20-game winners.

"He's one of four that everybody will remember," former Orioles manager Earl Weaver told The Associated Press. "He had a great year for us."

The next season, Dobson made the AL All-Star team with Baltimore. Though he finished that year 16-18, he had a solid 2.65 ERA.

"He had a great curveball," said Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, Dobson's teammate with the Orioles. "He was a real gamer, a real competitor. He didn't give in to anybody."

Dobson went 122-129 with a 3.54 ERA in 11 major league seasons and won a World Series ring with the 1968 Detroit Tigers. He was 19-15 with a 3.07 ERA for the 1974 New York Yankees. The right-hander also pitched for San Diego, Atlanta and Cleveland.

Dobson started Game 4 of the 1971 World Series against Pittsburgh and got a no-decision, allowing three runs and 10 hits in 5 1-3 innings. The Pirates beat Baltimore in seven games.

"He was a free spirit and I enjoyed having him," Weaver said. "He was a pleasure to have on the team. He caused a lot of laughs, and he kept his teammates laughing."

Weaver, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996, recalled that Dobson had a terrific curveball even when he was struggling with Detroit mostly as a reliever _ but he rarely threw it for a strike.

So when the Orioles acquired him, Weaver spoke with pitching coach George Bamberger about getting Dobson to cut down on the curve so he could control it better.