Boddicker, Mike (Michael J.)
Baseball
b. Aug. 23, 1957, Cedar Rapids, IA
A right-handed pitcher who tantalized hitters with a change-up and slow curve, Boddicker spent parts of the 1980, 1981, and 1982 seasons with the AL's Baltimore Orioles before joining the team for good early in the 1983 season. He had a 16-8 record with a 2.77 ERA and a league-leading 5 shutouts to win The Sporting News rookie pitcher of the year award.
In 1984, Boddicker led the league with 20 victories and a 2.79 ERA. He slumped for the next three years and was traded to the Boston Red Sox during the 1988 season. After going 15-11 in 1989 and 17-8 in 1990, Boddicker was signed by the Kansas City Royals as a free agent.
Boddicker was 12-12 with the Royals in 1991 and then developed arm trouble. He retired after having a 3-5 record for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1993.
During his 14 major league seasons, Boddicker had a 134-116 record with 16 shutouts and a 3.80 ERA. He struck out 1,330 hitters and walked 721 in 2,123 1/3 innings. In his only World Series appearance, with Baltimore in 1983, Boddicker pitched a 3-hit shutout.