Eddie Fisher’s 1965 season was a remarkable one for Major League Baseball, as the Chicago White Sox pitcher led the American League in several categories while also recording impressive stats. He pitched in 80 games, finished 62 of them, and had a WHIP of 0.974 with 24 saves. Despite being a relief pitcher, Fisher also went 15-7 with a 2.40 ERA in 165.1 innings, earning him a spot in the All-Star team and fourth place in the AL MVP voting. His stellar performance set a high standard for relief pitchers in any era.
Fisher, who passed away at the age of 88, had a successful career spanning from 1959 to 1973. He played for several teams including the San Francisco Giants, White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, California Angels, and St. Louis Cardinals. Fisher started his MLB journey with the Giants in 1959 but struggled initially with a 3-8 record and a high ERA. However, he thrived after being traded to the White Sox in 1961, where he established himself as a top relief pitcher of the decade.
After his dominant 1965 season, Fisher continued to perform well in 1966 with the White Sox, posting a 2.29 ERA in 23 relief appearances. However, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles during the season. Despite not playing in the World Series that year, the Orioles went on to sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving Fisher his only World Series ring. Fisher was traded multiple times from 1967-73, playing for five teams in that span and finishing with a career record of 85-70 and a 3.41 ERA.
Following his retirement from baseball, Fisher moved back to Oklahoma where he pursued a career in business and managed golf operations. He was later honored by his alma mater, the University of Oklahoma, with induction into the baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. Fisher’s impact on the game of baseball, especially as a dominant relief pitcher in the 1960s, continues to be remembered and celebrated by fans and the baseball community alike.
