Rick Langford – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Rick Langford stands out as one of baseball’s most interesting stories from the late 1970s and early 1980s. This right-handed pitcher put together an 11-year run in Major League Baseball, pitching for both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Oakland Athletics between 1976 and 1986.

Born James Rick Langford on March 20, 1952, in Farmville, Virginia, he built a reputation for his durability and determination every time he took the mound.

Langford hit his peak in 1980, leading the American League in complete games and innings pitched. He won a career-high 19 games for the Oakland Athletics. That year, he fired off an unbelievable streak of 22 straight complete games, putting his workhorse mentality on display for everyone to see.

Coaches and teammates admired how Langford squeezed every ounce out of his talent. One coach even said Langford “knew how to pitch to get the most out of his skills” and called out his relentless determination.

Langford’s baseball story really captures the rollercoaster so many players experience. From his amateur days and his pro debut, to his best years with Oakland and the injuries that led to his retirement in 1986, he saw it all.

His career gives a glimpse into how much teams asked of pitchers back in the early 1980s. That workload shaped both his success and, eventually, his struggles.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

James Rick Langford came into the world on March 20, 1952, in Farmville, Virginia. He sharpened his baseball skills throughout high school and college before making the leap to professional ball.

He played at both Manatee Community College and Florida State University. Those years really helped him build the pitching chops that would carry him to the majors.

Birth and Upbringing

James Rick Langford was born in Farmville, Virginia, on March 20, 1952. Growing up in this small town, he found himself surrounded by baseball from a young age.

Farmville’s tight-knit community gave young athletes a real boost. Local leagues and youth teams gave Langford his first shot at organized ball.

His family always had his back. Their support, along with the town’s, helped him grow as a pitcher early on.

With Farmville’s open spaces, Langford had plenty of room to practice. He spent hours working on his throwing motion and building his pitching arsenal.

High School and Early Passion for Baseball

Langford went to Varina High School, where his baseball talent really started to shine. The school had a competitive baseball program that kept him on his toes.

During those years, he became known as a standout pitcher. Scouts from colleges and pro teams started to notice his work on the mound.

The St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the 1971 amateur draft while he was still in high school. Instead of signing, Langford decided to keep going with his education.

He turned down pro baseball to focus on academics, which says a lot about his priorities. That choice ended up helping his growth as both a player and a student.

Collegiate Career at Manatee Community College

Langford kicked off his college baseball journey at Manatee Community College in Florida. Junior college gave him a chance to keep developing on the mound while working toward his degree.

At Manatee, he worked on his pitching under some experienced coaches. The competition there was strong and set him up for the next level.

That time at Manatee worked as a bridge to a four-year university. He grew a lot as a player and as a person during those years.

Florida’s weather meant he could play baseball all year. Having that extra time on the field sped up his development as a pitcher.

Florida State University and Notable College Achievements

After Manatee, Langford transferred to Florida State University. Playing for the Seminoles put him on a bigger stage, facing some of the best teams in college baseball.

At Florida State, he pitched in the Atlantic Coast Conference, which is no joke. The higher level of play pushed him to get even better.

During his college run, the Cleveland Indians drafted him in 1972. Just like before, Langford said no thanks, choosing to finish out his time at Florida State.

Staying in school turned out to be a smart move for his development. That extra year of college ball and classes left him better prepared for pro baseball.

Florida State’s program had a solid reputation for sending guys to the majors. Langford got a lot out of the coaching and the tough competition there.

Entry to Professional Baseball

Rick Langford took a winding road to pro baseball, turning down a couple of draft offers before finally signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1973. He worked his way through the minors, showing steady improvement that eventually earned him a shot in the big leagues three years later.

Amateur Draft Experiences

Scouts took notice of Langford while he was playing college ball. The St. Louis Cardinals drafted him in 1971.

He chose not to sign, wanting to keep playing for Florida State University.

The Cleveland Indians came calling in 1972, drafting him again. That was his second shot at pro baseball.

Langford declined again, sticking with his plan to finish college at Florida State.

Turning down two draft chances showed how much he valued his education. Not every player would make that call.

Teams kept drafting him, so clearly they saw something special in his arm.

Minor League Development with Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates finally signed Langford as a free agent in 1973, after he wrapped up his college career.

He spent a few years working his way up through the Pirates’ farm system. He pitched at several levels, learning the ropes of pro baseball.

His biggest minor league highlight came with the AAA Charleston Charlies in the International League.

On May 30, 1976, Langford tossed a no-hitter against the Memphis Blues. That game really proved he was ready for the next step.

That no-hitter was his ticket to the majors. It showed he could handle top minor league hitters.

It took him three years to climb the ladder. The Pirates saw enough to keep investing in his pitching.

Transition to Major Leagues

Langford got his call to the majors in June 1976. The Pirates brought him up after he dominated at AAA.

He made his major league debut on June 13, 1976 at age 24. That first season, he appeared in 12 games for Pittsburgh.

His rookie stats weren’t eye-popping. He finished 0-1 with a 6.26 ERA in those games.

That high ERA didn’t really show what he could do. Young pitchers often need time to adjust to big league hitters.

Still, he got his foot in the door. The Pirates had developed another homegrown pitcher and gave him a shot.

Major League Career Overview

Rick Langford pitched in the majors from 1976 to 1986, starting with a short stint in Pittsburgh before becoming a mainstay for Oakland. He racked up 73 wins, 106 losses, and that wild streak of 22 straight complete games that made his reputation.

Debut and Early Years with Pittsburgh Pirates

Langford signed with the Pirates in 1973 after growing up in Varina, Virginia. He spent three years in the minors before getting his MLB debut.

On June 13, 1976, he took the mound for Pittsburgh for the first time at 24. His days with the Pirates were short, but he learned a lot from the experience.

The Pirates didn’t use him much as a rookie, but he soaked up lessons from the veterans. That taste of the big leagues set him up for what came next.

Pittsburgh saw enough in Langford to include him in a major trade the next year.

Trade to Oakland Athletics

Before the 1977 season, the Pirates shipped Langford, along with Tony Armas, Doug Bair, Dave Giusti, Doc Medich, and Mitchell Page, to the Oakland Athletics. In return, they got Phil Garner, Chris Batton, and Tommy Helms.

That trade changed everything for Langford. Oakland gave him a real shot to become a regular starter.

The A’s were rebuilding their pitching staff and pegged Langford as a key piece. His move to Oakland kicked off his most productive stretch as a big leaguer.

Leadership and Workhorse Reputation with Oakland

Langford anchored Oakland’s rotation from 1977 through 1986. In 1980, he went on a run of 22 straight complete games starting on May 23.

That streak finally ended on September 17, 1980, when he came up just one out short of another complete game. He bounced back with three more complete games right after that.

1980 Season Highlights:

• Led the American League in complete games
• Led the American League in innings pitched
• Won a career-high 19 games
• Became a team leader

Coach Charlie Metro once said, “Rick Langford was another one of those pitchers with Oakland who was a little short on stuff but great on moxie. He knew how to pitch to get the most out of his skills.”

Manager Billy Martin loved Langford’s grit and reliability. That said, Martin leaned hard on him, and that heavy workload probably played a part in his arm problems later.

In 1983, Langford took a line drive to the elbow and tried to play through it, tearing a muscle. That injury started his decline.

From 1983 to 1986, injuries piled up and he struggled to a 4-19 record. He wrapped up his career with Oakland in 1986 after nearly a decade with the team.

Peak Years and Key Achievements

Langford’s best years came in 1980 under manager Billy Martin with Oakland. That season, his insane workload and durability made him one of the most reliable starters in the game, and he helped lead the A’s to a Division Series win the next year.

1980 Season Highlights

The 1980 season changed everything for Langford. He notched 19 wins and led the league in both complete games and innings pitched.

Billy Martin pushed his starters hard, and Langford answered the call. He threw 28 complete games during the regular season, showing off his stamina and consistency.

His streak of 22 consecutive complete games is still the longest in the American League since 1980. That run really set him apart.

Langford’s pitching helped turn the A’s into surprise contenders in the AL West. His steady hand on the mound made a huge difference for the team.

On October 2, Langford made his first major league error after setting a record of 230 consecutive errorless chances over 142 games as a pitcher.

Complete Games and Innings Pitched Records

Langford’s calling card was his durability during his prime with Oakland. He led the AL in complete games in 1980 and 1981.

In 1980, he pitched more innings than anyone else in the league. That workload showed both his physical toughness and Martin’s old-school pitching philosophy.

Even during the strike-shortened 1981 season, Langford managed 18 complete games to again lead the league. He just kept going, no matter what.

He pitched over 200 innings in four different seasons: 1977, 1979, 1980, and 1982. That kind of durability made him a cornerstone of the A’s rotation for years.

His streak of 22 straight complete games still stands as a modern American League record. Only Bill Dinneen’s 37 in 1904 tops it in AL history.

Postseason Performances

Langford hit his stride during the 1981 Division Series against the Kansas City Royals. He grabbed a crucial win that pushed Oakland deeper into the playoffs.

The 1981 season really marked the height of his game. He picked up 12 victories during the strike-shortened year.

That playoff appearance landed right in the middle of his best run, after he’d led the American League in complete games for two straight seasons. This stretch really showed Langford at his sharpest.

Oakland’s Division Series win over Kansas City highlighted the team’s heavy workload strategy. Langford’s performance made a real difference in the team’s postseason push.

Challenges, Decline, and Retirement in 1986

Rick Langford’s career took a tough turn in the early 1980s. Injuries and overuse dragged down his performance, and he ended up retiring from Major League Baseball in 1986.

His last years with the Oakland Athletics were marred by arm problems and declining stats, closing the book on a once-promising pitching career.

Injuries and Performance Declines

Langford’s career started unraveling after his stellar 1980 season. The heavy workload really wore down his arm and affected how he pitched.

In 1981, he sometimes threw as many as 129 pitches per complete game. That’s just a brutal load for any pitcher, honestly. Oakland Athletics manager Billy Martin took a lot of heat for pushing Langford and the rest of the rotation so hard.

By 1982, things were clearly slipping. Langford finished with an 11-16 record and a 4.32 ERA. Reports said his elbow was sore late in the season.

Things only got worse in 1983. A line drive hit him in the elbow during a game, and he tore a muscle trying to pitch through the pain.

Baseball writer Rob Neyer suggested Langford might’ve been hurt even before that. The numbers back it up—his stats kept dropping after his prime.

Final Years in the Major Leagues

Langford’s last seasons with the Oakland Athletics just didn’t go well. Injuries and struggles on the mound piled up, and his win-loss record reflected it.

From 1983 to 1986, he managed only a 4-19 record. That’s a huge drop from his 19-win season back in 1980.

He made his final Major League appearance on July 13, 1986. The Oakland Athletics released him not long after, ending his ten years with the team.

Langford finished his career with 73 wins and 106 losses. His ERA stood at 4.01, which tells you a lot about those tough later years. He struck out 671 batters over his 11 seasons.

His decline really stands as a warning about what overuse can do to a pitcher. That streak of complete games in 1980—impressive as it was—ended up coming with a steep cost.

Retirement and Legacy

Langford retired from Major League Baseball in 1986 at just 34. His career ended quietly, his arm simply unable to keep up with the demands of the game.

He tried to make a comeback in 1988 with the Columbus Clippers, the Yankees’ minor league team. They gave him a shot, but the Yankees never called him up.

After that 1988 season, Langford walked away from professional baseball for good. His playing days were over, but he found new ways to stay involved with the sport.

Langford’s career became a lesson about how much strain pitchers can handle. Those 22 straight complete games in 1980 still stand out, but they also serve as a reminder of the toll that kind of workload can take.

After hanging up his glove, Langford moved into coaching. He joined the Toronto Blue Jays organization in 1996 as a minor league pitching coach.

Life After Baseball

After retiring in 1986, Rick Langford stepped right into coaching. He became the bullpen coach for the Toronto Blue Jays, passing on his knowledge and experience to a new generation of pitchers.

Coaching and Teaching Roles

Langford started coaching as soon as his playing career ended in 1986. He used everything he’d learned as a starting pitcher to help others get better.

He really understood pitching mechanics and strategy, which made him a valuable asset to any baseball team.

As a coach, Langford focused on developing pitchers’ skills. He’d been through the grind himself, so he could relate to what players faced over a long season.

His major league experience gave him credibility with the guys he coached.

Langford worked with both veterans and rookies. He taught proper throwing techniques and helped players read game situations.

His style leaned on the basics he’d picked up with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Oakland Athletics.

Involvement with Toronto Blue Jays and Other Organizations

The Toronto Blue Jays brought Langford on as their bullpen coach. In that job, he worked closely with relief pitchers during games and practices.

He helped pitchers get ready for whatever situations might come up.

Langford also watched the opposition and helped his pitchers prepare for specific hitters. His deep knowledge of American League batters, built from a decade on the mound, gave his pitchers a real edge.

The Blue Jays appreciated how well Langford connected with players. He could break down complicated pitching ideas into language anyone could understand.

His calm attitude helped pitchers stay locked in, even when the pressure was on.

Impact on Young Players

Young pitchers really took to Langford’s teaching style. He pitched 85 complete games in his career, so he clearly understood stamina and how to manage a game.

With that kind of experience, he showed younger players how to pace themselves when they’re on the mound. Langford didn’t just focus on mechanics, though.

He always talked about the mental side of pitching. He’d teach players how to deal with pressure and bounce back after making mistakes.

Since he’d been through both the highs and lows of baseball, Langford could share real stories and lessons. Players looked up to him because he actually played pro ball.

He faced the same tough situations they were dealing with. That made it easier for him to connect and guide them as a coach and mentor in the baseball community.