Bob Forsch

Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right
6-4, 200lb (193cm, 90kg)
Born: January 13, 1950 in Sacramento, CA
Died: November 3, 2011 in Weeki Wachee, FL
Draft: Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 26th round of the 1968 MLB June Amateur Draft from Hiram Johnson HS (Sacramento, CA).
High School: Hiram Johnson HS (Sacramento, CA)
School: Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR)
Debut: July 7, 1974 (13,525th in major league history)
vs. CIN 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 SO, 5 BB, 2 ER, L
Last Game: September 25, 1989
vs. ATL 0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 SO, 1 BB, 0 ER
Full Name: Robert Herbert Forsch
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Brother of Ken Forsch

Nine Players Who Debuted in 1974

Robin Yount
Gary Carter
Jim Rice
Keith Hernandez
Fred Lynn
Jim Sundberg
Kent Tekulve
Dennis Leonard
John Montefusco

All-Time Teammate Team

Coming Soon

Notable Events and Chronology for Bob Forsch Career

Sort bySearch Days, Events, Players Title (A - Z)Date (Newest)

January 13, 1950

Bob Forsch is born in Sacramento, CA.

April 16, 1978

Bob Forsch fires first no hitter in 54 years for Cards

September 26, 1983

Cardinal Bob Forsch pitches his second career no-hitter, beating the Expos at Busch Stadium, 3-0. The 33 year-old Redbird right-hander first accomplished the feat against Philadelphia in 1978.

October 24, 1985

Danny Jackson’s five-hitter cuts St. Louis’ lead to 3-2 in the World Series as the Royals take Game 5, 6 – 1

September 5, 1988

1988 – Bob Forsch, Ken’s younger brother who was acquired six days earlier for Denny Walling, strokes a three-run double and scatters five hits in his Houston debut, a 3-0 shutout over Cincinnati. Dave Smith takes over in the ninth for the save. 

November 3, 2011

A week after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before Game 7 of the 2011 World Series, St. Louis Cardinals great Bob Forsch dies suddenly at 61

Biography

Only Hall of Famers Bob Gibson and Jesse Haines pitched more years or won more games for the Cardinals than Forsch. He won 20 games in 1977 and led the Cardinals staff in victories six times. Converted from a third baseman, he threw two no-hitters in the minors, then no-hit the Phillies in 1978 and the Expos in 1983. He and his brother, Ken, were the first brothers to toss ML no-hitters.

A power pitcher early in his career, Bob later relied on a deliberate delivery, pinpoint control, and a changeup, mixed with a sinker and occasional fastball. He helped himself with his bat by becoming an excellent bunter with some home run power. He won TSN’s Silver Slugger Award in 1980 and 1987.

Factoids, Quotes, Milestones and Odd Facts

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