Pedro Borbon(1946-2012)
Borbon was a key member of the bullpen of the Cincinnati Red's "Big Red
Machine" for the 1975-76 championship teams, winning 13 games during
those two seasons. He played Major League Baseball for 12 seasons
(1969-1980) for four teams, including 10 seasons for the Cincinnati
Reds (1970-1979), playing on two World Series winning teams. In 2010,
he became the third reliever to be inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame.
Borbon appeared in more games than any other NL pitcher from 1970-78.
He holds the club record with 531 career appearances. Borbon pitched in
20 playoff games during his career with a 2.55 ERA. Borbon became part
of baseball lore in 1995 when, at age 48, he decided to return to the
game as a replacement player during Major League Baseball's labor
dispute. He joined the Reds in Florida for spring training and faced
two batters. He struck out the only batter he faced in an exhibition
against the Pirates in Bradenton. The Reds released him after he faced
one batter in another game against the Indians, fell down while trying
to field a bunt and threw wildly to first base for an error. Borbon
also got notice for his mention in the 1980 movie "Airplane!" While
trying to concentrate, pilot Ted Striker hears a public address
announcer's voice in his head: "Pinch hitting for Pedro Borbon ...
Manny Mota." They never did play together on any team.