Major League Baseball Player. For thirteen seasons (1976 to 1988), he was a pitcher with the Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals and Oakland Athletics. Signed by the Cincinnati Reds as an amateur free agent in 1969, he was acquired by the Astros (via a trade) prior to the 1976 season. He secured a spot within Houston’s starting rotation and broke into the Major Leagues on April 8, 1976. During that year, he compiled 9 wins. Among the 9 victories included an impressive four shutouts. He saw postseason action during the 1980 NLCS and individually earned All-Star status in 1977 and 1979. He was dealt to the Cardinals just prior to the lengthy baseball strike of 1981. The followings season (1982), he recorded 15 wins during a year in which culminated with a world championship for the Cardinals. During the 1982 World Series, his masterful pitching earned him 2 victories against the Milwaukee Brewers. He produced a league-leading 20 wins during the 1984 season and the following year (1985), he yielded a career-high 21 victories. He achieved All-Star status in both those years (1984 and 1985). He earned a Gold Glove Award in 1984. During the 1985 World Series against the Kansas City Royals, he failed to recapture his magical pitching he experienced in the 1982 Fall Classic. Additionally, he was ejected from game seven by home plate umpire Don Denkinger after arguing balls and strikes. Following two years with Oakland and a return to Houston in 1988, he retired from the Major Leagues. In 405 regular season games, he compiled a 127 win, 118 loss record with a lifetime 3.58 ERA in 2,153 innings pitched. After retiring from baseball, he returned to his native Dominican Republic and founded a trucking company. Additionally, he was involved with charitable causes. He died of complications from diabetes. (bio by: C.S.)