Former Mets pitcher has died of COVID complications

The former right-handed pitcher who spent three seasons with the New York Mets, passed away last week.

The coronavirus pandemic arrived in North America earlier this year, and despite a slowing of the curb this spring, the number of new cases are on the rise at alarming rates on a daily basis. COVID-19 has taken the lives of over 233,000 individuals, some of which were former professional athletes. Unfortunately, we have to add another name to the list.

According to the Mets Rewind Twitter account, former New York Mets pitcher Rick Baldwin passed away last Friday due to complications caused by COVID-19. He was 67-years-old.

Baldwin pitched three seasons with the Mets

Baldwin was a ninth-round draft pick by the Mets in the 1971 MLB Draft out of Downey High School in Modesto, Calif. He was a right-handed pitcher, but once stepping up to the plate, he batted left-handed.

Baldwin made his debut with the Mets organization on April 10,1975 at the age of 22, where he allowed one hit in one inning of work against the Philadelphia Phillies.  The Mets ended up losing the contest 3-2. Baldwin pitched 54 games in his rookie season where he struck out 54 batters in 94.1 innings pitched, while posting a 3.33 ERA and a 3-5 win-loss record.

Overall, Baldwin’s career lasted three seasons with the Mets, where he posted a 3.60 ERA and 4-7 record, while recording a total of 86 strikeouts over 182.2 innings pitched. Additionally, Baldwin was 6-for-22 in hitting situations, where he slashed .273/.273/.273 across the board.

We would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the Baldwin family during this difficult time.