Bob Owchinko – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bob Owchinko pitched in Major League Baseball for a decade, making his debut with the San Diego Padres in 1976 and wrapping up his career with the Montreal Expos in 1986. This lefty from Detroit wore the uniforms of six different teams, switching between starter and reliever roles through the 1980s.

He finished his career with 37 wins, 60 losses, a 4.28 ERA, and 490 strikeouts in 275 games. Owchinko’s professional journey began after a standout run at Eastern Michigan University. There, he helped the Eagles reach two NCAA College World Series and picked up National League Rookie Pitcher of the Year honors in 1977.

He started out as a first-round draft pick, then spent his later years as a veteran journeyman. Owchinko’s story really shows the ups and downs athletes often face. He went from rookie hype to the grind of rebuilding teams and shifting roles, and eventually moved into business after retiring at 31.

Early Life and Background

Bob Owchinko was born January 1, 1955, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in a city where sports are almost a way of life.

His journey toward pro baseball really started in Detroit during his younger years and carried on into his high school days.

Childhood in Detroit

Robert Dennis Owchinko came into the world on New Year’s Day, 1955, in Detroit. He spent his childhood in the Motor City during the 1960s and early 1970s, soaking up the city’s rich sports atmosphere.

Detroit’s professional teams were thriving back then. The Detroit Tigers in particular stood out, and baseball was everywhere.

Owchinko learned to pitch left-handed early on. He sharpened his skills in Detroit’s youth baseball leagues, facing off against some pretty tough local talent.

Those early years set the stage for his baseball future. Detroit’s gritty sports culture taught him a strong work ethic and a competitive edge that stuck with him.

Education and High School Baseball Career

There isn’t much detailed info about Owchinko’s high school career, but he clearly impressed enough to earn a scholarship to Eastern Michigan University. His performance in Detroit-area high school baseball showed the kind of promise that would later make him a college standout.

He kept working on his left-handed pitching and built up the fundamentals that carried him at the next level. His knack for striking out hitters and controlling the game on the mound started to show during these years.

Jumping from high school to college ball was a big leap. Owchinko’s prep career caught the eyes of college scouts, earning him the chance to play for Eastern Michigan.

His education in Detroit-area schools gave him a solid academic base, and at the same time, he kept improving as a pitcher.

College Achievements and Entry Into MLB

Bob Owchinko’s path to the majors really took off at Eastern Michigan University, where he became a top pitcher. His strong college numbers got him picked 5th overall in the 1976 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres.

Eastern Michigan University Highlights

At Eastern Michigan, Owchinko stood out as a left-handed pitcher. He played well enough in college to get serious attention from MLB scouts.

His performance at EMU made him a first-round draft candidate. Teams liked his left-handed delivery and all-around ability.

During his time at the university, Owchinko built the foundation for his pro career. Those years in college really set him up for the jump to MLB.

1976 MLB Draft Selection

The San Diego Padres grabbed Owchinko with the 5th overall pick in the first round of the 1976 MLB June Amateur Draft. That high pick showed the Padres believed in his potential.

Peter Bavasi, representing the Padres, made the call to select Owchinko. The team saw him as a key piece for the future.

Owchinko started his pro career in the minors with the Amarillo team in the Texas League. He went 6-2 with a 3.26 ERA in Double-A ball that year.

He moved up fast, debuting in MLB on September 25, 1976, for the Padres. At just 21, he made it to the majors the same year he left college.

Professional Playing Career Overview

Bob Owchinko spent most of his MLB career with three teams. He started with the San Diego Padres from 1976 to 1979, then played for the Cleveland Indians in 1980, and the Oakland Athletics from 1981 to 1982. His career totals: 37 wins, 60 losses, 275 games, and a 4.28 ERA.

San Diego Padres Years

Owchinko began his MLB career with the Padres as the 5th overall pick in 1976. He made his big-league debut at 21 on September 25, 1976.

His rookie year was short and tough. He pitched just 4.1 innings over 2 games, racking up a 16.62 ERA.

In 1977, Owchinko got his first full season. He played in 30 games, starting 28 times, and posted a 9-12 record with a 4.45 ERA over 170 innings.

1978 was his best year with San Diego. He pitched in 36 games, started 33, and ended up with a 10-13 record and a solid 3.56 ERA. That year, he really showed he could handle a starter’s workload.

He wrapped up his Padres stint in 1979, splitting time between starting and relieving. Owchinko made 42 appearances (20 starts), finishing 6-12 with a 3.74 ERA in 149.1 innings.

In his four years with San Diego, he went 25-39 with a 4.00 ERA in 110 games.

Cleveland Indians Tenure

The Cleveland Indians picked up Owchinko for the 1980 season. That year turned out to be one of his roughest.

With Cleveland, he struggled quite a bit. He played in 29 games, started 14, and managed just a 2-9 record.

His 5.27 ERA was the highest he’d post as a regular contributor. Over 114.1 innings, he allowed 138 hits and walked 47, ending up with a WHIP of 1.618.

Owchinko’s control slipped during this time. He struck out 66 but walked 47, not matching his command from the San Diego years.

He did manage to throw one shutout for Cleveland, which turned out to be the last of his MLB career.

Oakland Athletics Period

Owchinko joined the Oakland Athletics in 1981 and took on a new role as a reliever. This was a pretty big change for him.

He actually did better in the bullpen that year. Owchinko pitched in 29 games—all in relief—going 4-3 with a 3.20 ERA. He picked up 2 saves as a setup man.

Switching to the bullpen seemed to suit him at first. His ERA dropped, and he walked fewer batters per inning than he had in Cleveland.

In 1982, the Athletics used him even more. He pitched in 54 games, again all in relief, and got 3 saves, but his ERA rose to 5.21 over 102 innings.

In his two seasons with Oakland, Owchinko put together a 6-7 record and a 4.65 ERA in 141.1 innings over 83 relief appearances. He became a reliable bullpen arm for the team during that stretch.

Late Career and Final MLB Seasons

Bob Owchinko’s last MLB years included short stays with three teams from 1983 to 1986. He barely saw action with the Pittsburgh Pirates, had a more solid run with the Cincinnati Reds, and finished up with the Montreal Expos.

Time with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Owchinko’s 1983 season with the Pirates was as brief as it gets. He appeared in just one game and didn’t record any official stats worth mentioning.

He faced two batters, gave up two hits and a run, and didn’t get an out. No wins, no losses, no strikeouts—just a quick, forgettable outing.

The Pirates released him after that lone appearance. That was one of the shortest stops in his ten-year career.

Cincinnati Reds Contributions

The Cincinnati Reds gave Owchinko his most productive late-career season in 1984. He pitched in 49 games, going 3-5 with a 4.12 ERA over 94 innings.

Mostly coming out of the bullpen, Owchinko made four starts, struck out 60, and picked up two saves. His WHIP was 1.383, and he finished nine games.

That 1984 season was his steadiest since leaving San Diego. Owchinko proved he could still contribute in different roles, which kept him in the majors for nearly ten years.

Montreal Expos Final Games

Owchinko’s MLB career wrapped up with the Montreal Expos in 1986 after missing the majors in 1985. He pitched in just three games, all as a starter, finishing with a 1-0 record and a 3.60 ERA.

He threw 15 innings, struck out six, allowed 17 hits, and gave up six earned runs. He walked just three batters, ending with a 1.333 WHIP.

That Montreal stint marked the close of his MLB journey. After 1986, he was done with the majors, though he did play briefly in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1990.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Bob Owchinko finished with a 37-60 record and a 4.28 ERA over 275 games in his ten MLB seasons. He struck out 490 batters while playing for six teams, with his best years coming with the Padres from 1976 to 1979.

Pitching Records

Owchinko’s career stats show he filled many roles during his time in MLB. He ended up with 37 wins and 60 losses, a .381 winning percentage, and pitched 890.2 innings.

His best season came in 1978 for the Padres. Owchinko went 10-13 with a 3.56 ERA over 202.1 innings, throwing four complete games and one shutout.

He struck out 490 batters in his career, averaging 5.0 per nine innings. Owchinko also walked 363 hitters, giving him a 1.35 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Key Career Numbers:

• Games: 275
• Starts: 104
• Complete Games: 10
• Shutouts: 4
• Saves: 7

Memorable Performances

Owchinko really shined in 1978 with the Padres. He pitched in 36 games, starting 33 of them.

That year, he threw 202.1 innings, which ended up being the most he’d ever pitch in a season.

In his four years with San Diego, he put together a 25-39 record and a 4.00 ERA. He managed two shutouts in 1977 and added another in 1978.

Owchinko reached a personal best of 101 strikeouts in 1977.

After he left San Diego, his role changed a lot. When he joined Oakland in 1981 and 1982, he mostly pitched out of the bullpen.

He picked up five saves during that time, and in 1981, he posted a 3.20 ERA.

Owchinko wrapped up his MLB career with Montreal in 1986. He started three games, finishing with a 1-0 record and a 3.60 ERA.

Comparisons to Peers

Robert Dennis Owchinko’s stats put him squarely in the journeyman pitcher category for his era. His 4.28 career ERA sat a bit higher than the league average during the late ’70s and early ’80s.

He finished his career with 490 strikeouts, which is decent, though plenty of his peers racked up more thanks to longer careers or steadier roles.

He bounced between starting and relieving, which was pretty standard back then. Owchinko made 104 starts and finished 54 games, showing how teams used him in all sorts of situations.

Over 10 seasons, he posted a WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 2.1, so he contributed a bit more than a replacement-level player. Not flashy, but he got the job done.

For left-handed pitchers of that time, Owchinko’s numbers look pretty typical, especially for guys who moved around a lot.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Robert Dennis Owchinko ended his major league career in 1986 after playing his final game on October 1st with the Montreal Expos.

He came back to professional baseball for a short stint in 1990 with the Senior Professional Baseball Association.

Retirement in 1986

Owchinko’s ten-year MLB career wrapped up in 1986. His last appearance came on October 1, closing out a decade that took him to six different teams.

He finished with 37 wins, 60 losses, and 275 games under his belt. Owchinko worked both as a starter and a reliever in the majors.

From 1976 to 1986, he played for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and Montreal Expos. At 31, he decided to walk away from major league baseball after that 1986 season.

Life After Baseball

Four years after he retired from MLB, Owchinko tried to make a comeback with the San Bernardino Pride in 1990.

This team played in the Senior Professional Baseball Association, a league for older players.

His time with the Pride was short, but honestly, it stood out. He pitched in four games and managed to record one save while he was there.

Owchinko had a 4.50 ERA during his stint in the senior league. Unfortunately, he lost his shot when the entire Senior Professional Baseball Association folded partway through the season.

That league’s sudden collapse marked the end of Owchinko’s professional baseball days. Not much is really known about what he did after his playing career wrapped up.