Dave Frost

Dave Frost
Pitcher
Born: (1952-11-17)November 17, 1952
Long Beach, California, U.S.
Died: April 14, 2023(2023-04-14) (aged 70)
Westminster, California, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 11, 1977, for the Chicago White Sox
Last MLB appearance
October 3, 1982, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics
Win–loss record33–37
Earned run average4.10
Strikeouts222
Teams

Carl David Frost (November 17, 1952 – April 14, 2023) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. The 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), 235 lb (107 kg) right-hander was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 18th round of the 1974 Major League Baseball draft. During a five-year Major League career, Frost played for the White Sox (1978), California Angels (1978–1981), and Kansas City Royals (1982).

Career

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Frost made his MLB debut on September 11, 1977, against the California Angels at Anaheim Stadium. He turned in a quality start, pitching 613 innings and giving up just two earned runs. He struck out three, walked none, and received a no decision in the 5–4 White Sox loss. His first big league win came a week later in another start against the Angels, this time at Comiskey Park. He went 723 innings, gave up three runs, and won 7–3.

Frost was traded along with Brian Downing and Chris Knapp to the Angels for Bobby Bonds, Richard Dotson, and Thad Bosley on December 5, 1977.[1] He split time between the Salt Lake City Gulls of the Pacific Coast League and the big leagues in 1978, and went 5–4 with a 2.58 earned run average (ERA) in 11 games (ten starts) for the Angels.

Frost had his biggest year in 1979. He won 16, lost 10, and led Angel starters in ERA (3.57), winning percentage (.615), and innings pitched (23913). California had an impressive group of starters that year, including Frost, Nolan Ryan, Don Aase, Jim Barr, Chris Knapp, and Frank Tanana. They ultimately won the American League West Division pennant that year with an 88–74 record.

Elbow problems severely limited Frost's effectiveness for the remainder of his career. In the next three seasons (two with the Angels and one with the Kansas City Royals) he was a combined 11–22 with a 5.43 ERA.

Frost's career totals for 99 games pitched include a 33–37 record, 84 games started, 16 complete games, 3 shutouts, 1 save, and 7 games finished. He allowed 251 earned runs in 55023 innings pitched, giving him a lifetime ERA of 4.10.

His career highlights include a four-hit, no walk complete game shutout vs. the Oakland A's (July 3, 1979), an eight-strikeout, no walk complete game win (10–1) vs. the Baltimore Orioles (July 7, 1979), and a ten-inning, four-hit complete game win (2–1) vs. the Minnesota Twins (April 16, 1980).

Later life

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Frost threw the opening pitch at a Los Angeles Angels game on Monday, June 27, 2011.

Frost died from injuries sustained in a car accident on April 14, 2023, in Kindred Hospital in Westminster, California, at the age of 70.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Durso, Joseph. "Angels’ Bonds Is Acquired By White Sox," The New York Times, Tuesday, December 6, 1977. Retrieved June 6, 2020
  2. ^ "Dave Frost". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
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