Letters From Home Plate
Baseball history, one player at a time
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Swings and misses
Al McBean
October 16, 2018 · by Chris
A native of the U.S. Virgin Islands, McBean pitched for 10 seasons in the big leagues, going 67-50 with 63 saves. He came up with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1961 and was 15-10 for them in 1962. He was 13-3 the next year with 11 saves as he transitioned from a starter into a bullpen role. This paid huge dividends in 1964 as McBean went 8-3 with 21 saves and a 1.91 ERA. Following the season he was named The Sporting News National League Fireman of the Year. McBean saved 19 more games in 1965 but lost his closing job to Roy Face the next year. He continued to be a reliable arm out of the bullpen for the Pirates until 1968 when he shifted back into the rotation. He went 9-12 that year in 28 starts. Pittsburgh lost McBean in the 1969 expansion draft to the San Diego Padres. He split that season between the Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers. It would be his last full year in the majors. He pitched briefly for the Dodgers in 1970 and ended up back in Pittsburgh to conclude his career with seven games that same year.
Al McBean – career stats
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