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)

"When he started throwing that curveball for a strike, it was all over," Weaver said. "He could throw the curveball at any time in the count."

After his playing career ended, Dobson spent eight seasons as a big league pitching coach for Milwaukee (1982-84), San Diego (1988-90), Kansas City (1991) and Baltimore (1996).

"He made his life baseball," Weaver said, "and enjoyed every minute of it."

Dobson joined the Giants in 1997 and served as an advance scout before becoming a special assistant to Sabean _ and a trusted adviser.

"Pat's untimely death is a complete shock to the whole organization and me and it's hard for us to express our feelings right now," Sabean said. "We've all become so close through the years and we're going to miss him dearly. ... I can't put into words the impact Pat had on the Giants over the years."

Dobson was the Colorado Rockies' first advance scout from 1993-95. He also spent five years as a minor league pitching instructor and managed the Fort Myers Sun Sox in the Senior League in 1989-90.

"I got to know Dobber well when he returned to our organization as pitching coach in 1996 and will never forget the fun times we had, talking baseball and telling stories, before and after games," Orioles executive vice president for baseball operations Mike Flanagan said. "He will be missed."

Dobson's bio in San Francisco's media guide said he was living in El Cajon near San Diego and had six children: Pat III, Nancy, Stacy, Chris, Shannon and Stephanie.

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AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick in New York and AP Sports Writer Howard Fendrich in Washington contributed to this report.