Former Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox pitcher Gary Peters, who won the American League ERA title twice, has died at age 85.
The White Sox announced his death on Thursday but didn’t provide further details.
Peters made his major league debut on Sept. 10, 1959, and pitched in just 12 games over four seasons before landing in the White Sox rotation in 1963, when he was named American League Rookie of the Year. That season, the left-hander was 19-8 and led the league in ERA (2.33) while throwing 243 innings in 41 games (30 starts). He had 13 complete games.
He won 20 games in 1964, leading the American League, and also had the league’s lowest ERA in 1966 (1.98). He was selected to the AL All-Star team twice — 1964 and 1967 — with the White Sox.
Chicago traded Peters to Boston on Dec. 13, 1969, with Don Pavletich for Billy Farmer, Syd O’Brien and Gerry Janeski, who was later added to the deal.
The Red Sox released Peters following the 1972 season.
In 359 career games (286 starts), Peters compiled a 124-103 record with a 3.25 ERA. He was 91-78 with a 2.92 ERA for the White Sox, and his 1,098 strikeouts remain eighth in team history.
He also was a decent hitter for a pitcher, and his best season came in 1971 with Boston, when he hit .271 with three home runs and 19 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
