Rick Mahler, American baseball player and coach (d. 2005)
Richard Keith Mahler (August 5, 1953 – March 2, 2005) was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Atlanta Braves (1979–1988, 1991), Cincinnati Reds (1989–1990) and Montreal Expos (1991). His brother Mickey was a major league pitcher as well; the two were Braves teammates in 1979. The brothers had also played together for the Triple-A Richmond Braves.
In his 13-year career, Mahler posted a 96–111 record with 952 strikeouts and a 3.99 ERA in 1951.1 innings.
Born in Austin, Texas, Mahler graduated from John Jay High School and then attended Trinity University, both in San Antonio, Texas. After being signed by the Braves as an amateur free agent in 1975, he made his debut in the 1979 season.
Mahler started on opening day for the Braves in 1982, when Atlanta won the National League West title. He made four straight opening day starts beginning in 1985. In 1987, he tied an NL record with his third opening day shutout. His best season came in 1984, when he went 13-10 with a 3.12 ERA while hitting .296 at the plate. In 1985, he won his first 7 straight starts and ended up 17-15 with a 3.48 ERA. He pitched twice in the postseason, with the Braves in 1982, and with the 1990 World Series champion Cincinnati Reds. In postseason play, Mahler pitched 3+1⁄3 scoreless innings. Mahler was a key member of the 1990 Reds' pitching staff as a spot starter and reliever, going 7–6 and contributing four saves. He also appeared in ten games with the Montreal Expos in 1991 before returning to Atlanta in mid-season.
After retiring, Mahler served as a minor league pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals and the Florida Marlins, and he was a roving instructor for the St. Louis Cardinals. He also managed St. Louis' Double-A affiliate in the Texas League from 1996 to 1997.
Mahler died at age 51 of a heart attack at home in Jupiter, Florida, where he was preparing for his second season as a minor league pitching coach for the New York Mets. He was survived by his wife, Sheryl, and five children: Ricky, Robby, Timothy, Tyler and Shannon.
1953Aug, 5
Rick Mahler
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Events on 1953
- 28Feb
Francis Crick
James Watson and Francis Crick announce to friends that they have determined the chemical structure of DNA; the formal announcement takes place on April 25 following publication in April's Nature (pub. April 2). - 6Mar
Joseph Stalin
Georgy Malenkov succeeds Joseph Stalin as Premier of the Soviet Union and First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. - 8Apr
Jomo Kenyatta
Mau Mau leader Jomo Kenyatta is convicted by British Kenya's rulers. - 19Aug
1953 Iranian coup d'état
Cold War: The CIA and MI6 help to overthrow the government of Mohammad Mosaddegh in Iran and reinstate the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. - 30Oct
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Cold War: U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower formally approves the top secret document National Security Council Paper No. 162/2, which states that the United States' arsenal of nuclear weapons must be maintained and expanded to counter the communist threat.