1982 Profile: George Frazier

"For George Frazier, the 1981 baseball season was a season of mixed emotions, ups-and-downs, lowlights and highlights.
At the beginning of '81, George was Cardinal property, pitching for their Springfield farm club. Then traded to the Yankees, George found himself assigned to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers of the International League. Taking notice of his great bullpen work, the Yankees called him up to the Bronx where his relief work totaled 16 appearances, an 0-1 record, a 1.61 earned run average and three saves. Along with the Goose, Dave LaRoche, Ron Davis and occasionally Rudy May, George helped to mold one of the finest bullpens in all of baseball.
Just in case the going gets rough, there's always the 6'5", 200-pound Oklahoma City kid wearing number 43 to help put out the fire."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook

"Frazier began the 1981 season with Springfield, moved to Columbus when traded to the Yankees and was called up by the Yankees to start the second half of the season, taking Gene Nelson's spot on the roster. He did not allow a run in his first 13.1 innings with the Yankees, and only one run through his first 19.2 innings. George was the winning pitcher in Game 2 of the ALCS but a hard-luck pitcher in the World Series, absorbing three losses to set a record despite pitching well.
George had a combined 36-25 minor league record with 48 saves in six minor league seasons. He won his first major league game with a 5-4 decision over Atlanta on July 6, 1979, and allowed only one run over his first seven appearances with the Cardinals in '79.
George grew up in Springfield, Missouri where he attended Hillcrest High. He was All-State in baseball (7-0 with a 0.14 ERA in his senior year) and also competed in basketball and in track as a high jumper and pole vaulter. George was offered scholarships in all three sports.
He attended Oklahoma University, playing baseball and appearing in the College World Series for four consecutive seasons. He teamed at O.U. with Keith Drumwright, Jackson Todd and Joe Simpson.
George enjoys fishing."

-1982 New York Yankees Media Guide