Dick Ruthven – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dick Ruthven pitched his way through fourteen seasons in Major League Baseball, making his mark before stepping away from the game in 1986.

He spent most of his career with three National League teams, but fans probably remember him best from his days with the Philadelphia Phillies, especially during their wild 1980 championship run.

Ruthven’s journey took him from a first-round pick straight to the majors in 1973. He bounced between teams, faced some tough stretches, and finally retired after the 1986 season at age 35. He didn’t always have an easy path—Atlanta gave him a rough patch that really tested his grit—but returning to Philly turned out to be a turning point.

Dick Ruthven’s story shows how talent, persistence, and a bit of luck all come together in pro sports. He started at Fresno State and wrapped up his career on May 1, 1986, collecting 123 wins and 127 losses, and striking out 1,145 batters in 363 games.

His career really reflects both the struggles and rewards of being a big-league pitcher as baseball changed through the ’70s and ’80s.

Early Life and Education

Richard David Ruthven was born March 27, 1951, in Sacramento, California. He grew up in a family that really valued education and hard work.

His athletic journey started at Irvington High School in Fremont, California. There, he played several sports but eventually found his calling on the pitcher’s mound.

Family Background

Dick grew up in a home where academics came first. His dad, also Dick Ruthven, worked as a civil engineer for the United States Geological Survey.

His mom, Wanda Winslett Ruthven, had a master’s degree and worked as a nurse. The family focus on education made them hesitant about Dick’s baseball dreams.

When the Baltimore Orioles drafted him in the 20th round in 1969, his parents weren’t thrilled. “They think I should have my head in books instead of baseball,” Ruthven once said.

He was one of three kids, and the family’s academic standards definitely influenced his choice to play college baseball rather than go pro right out of high school.

Irvington High School Achievements

At Irvington High, Ruthven played shortstop and also starred on the basketball team. By his senior year, he’d grown to 6’2″ and earned second-team all-league honors in basketball.

He didn’t start pitching regularly until later in high school. As a junior, coaches held him back from pitching because of a sore arm.

His coach changed his mechanics to use his whole body, and that made a huge difference. Suddenly, Ruthven stood out as a pitcher.

That tweak to his delivery really set the stage for his future. It let him show off the arm strength that would eventually catch the eye of college scouts and pro teams.

Collegiate Career at Fresno State

Ruthven first planned to go to Chico State with some friends. But a last-minute scholarship from Fresno State changed his mind.

That move turned out to be a game-changer for his baseball career. As a sophomore in 1971, Ruthven struck out 171 batters, breaking the school record set by Truman “Tex” Clevenger.

He led the country with 13 wins and posted a 1.50 ERA, earning Fresno State’s 1971 athlete of the year award. The next year, as a junior, Ruthven really broke out—153 strikeouts in 113 1/3 innings, including a 20-strikeout game against UC Santa Barbara.

Scouts took notice. At one game, 27 scouts from 16 teams came to watch him pitch.

Key 1972 Achievements:

• First-team All-American by The Sporting News
• Pacific Coast Athletic Association MVP
• One-hit shutout against Long Beach State

The Minnesota Twins picked him eighth overall in the 1972 draft, but they couldn’t agree on a contract. Ruthven returned to Fresno State for his senior year, and the Phillies picked him first overall in the January 1973 secondary draft.

MLB Debut and Initial Years

The Phillies picked Ruthven in 1973 after he chose college over the Orioles. He made his MLB debut at 22 and spent his first three seasons working on his craft as a starting pitcher in Philly’s rotation.

Draft History and Signing

The Baltimore Orioles first picked up on Ruthven’s talent in 1969, drafting him in the 20th round straight out of Irvington High.

He turned them down and instead enrolled at Fresno State to keep playing ball and get an education. That choice paid off.

Four years later, the Phillies drafted him first overall in the secondary phase of the 1973 draft. They saw enough in Ruthven to send him straight to the big leagues.

Rookie Season with Philadelphia Phillies

Ruthven debuted in the majors on April 17, 1973, at just 22. Sports Illustrated’s Ron Fimrite said he looked “like a young Lee Marvin” in the April 30, 1973 issue.

He appeared in 25 games as a rookie and started 23, which showed the Phillies trusted him. Ruthven finished that first year 6-9 with a 4.21 ERA.

The Phillies finished last in the National League East at 71-91. Even with the team struggling, Ruthven looked promising as a future rotation regular.

Progression as a Young Pitcher

In 1974, Ruthven took a step forward. He started 35 games, pitched over 200 innings for the first time, and struck out 153 batters.

His record improved to 9-13 with a 4.02 ERA. The Phillies also made some progress, finishing 80-82 and taking third in the division.

Injuries slowed Ruthven down in 1975, limiting him to 11 games and seven starts. He went 2-2 with a 4.20 ERA before the Phillies traded him that December.

Even with ups and downs, Ruthven established himself as a durable starter. He showed enough potential to become a two-time All-Star.

Prime MLB Seasons

Ruthven hit his stride with the Atlanta Braves and then again when he returned to the Phillies. He made two All-Star teams and played a big part in the Phillies’ first World Series title in 1980.

Atlanta Braves Tenure

Ruthven joined the Braves in December 1975 after being traded twice in three days. His 1976 season really put him on the map.

He made his first All-Star team that year, the only Brave picked for the National League squad. Ruthven finished 14-17 with a 4.19 ERA in 36 starts, which, honestly, is impressive given how rough the Braves were that year.

The team finished last in the NL West at 70-92. In 1977, Ruthven ran into trouble with a torn ankle tendon early on and missed over two months.

After returning, he lost eight straight games and ended up 7-13 with a 4.23 ERA.

Return to the Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies brought Ruthven back on June 15, 1978, trading popular reliever Gene Garber to Atlanta. That move changed everything for Ruthven and the Phillies.

He turned his season around after the trade, going 13-5 with a 2.99 ERA for Philadelphia. Overall, he finished 1978 at 15-11 with a 3.38 ERA, and the Phillies won 90 games to take the Eastern Division.

Ruthven started the 1979 season hot, jumping to a 6-0 record with a 1.65 ERA by May 9. Then injuries hit, and he won just one more game, ending up 7-5 with a 4.27 ERA.

His best year came in 1980, when he posted 17 wins and a 3.55 ERA in 33 starts. Ruthven was key in the Phillies’ World Series run, picking up the win in Game 5 of the NLCS with two shutout innings in relief.

Career-Best Performances and All-Star Selections

Ruthven made two All-Star teams, first in 1976 with Atlanta and again in 1981 with the Phillies after going 8-3 before the strike hit.

His 1980 season stood out—17 wins, solid durability, and a big role in the Phillies’ championship. From 1976 to 1981, Ruthven averaged 14 wins a year when he was healthy.

He pitched over 200 innings five times, showing he was a workhorse. Those All-Star nods and the World Series win really cemented his legacy as a top pitcher during his best years.

1980 World Series and Career Highlights

Ruthven reached the top of his career in 1980, helping the Phillies win their first World Series. That year, he went 17-10, his best season, and made two All-Star teams over his 14 years in the majors.

Role in Phillies’ Championship Run

In 1980, Ruthven delivered his finest season with a 17-10 record and a 3.55 ERA in 33 starts. He became a key part of the Phillies’ championship rotation.

Ruthven’s most memorable moment came in Game 5 of the NLCS against Houston. He came out of the bullpen and threw perfect innings in the ninth and tenth to clinch the series.

The Phillies then faced the Royals in the World Series. Ruthven started Game 3 in Kansas City and helped the team secure their first championship.

His cool pitching in pressure moments showed he brought more to the table than just regular season stats.

Significant Pitching Achievements

Across his career from 1973 to 1986, Ruthven notched 123 wins and 127 losses in 363 games. His top individual year was 1980, with 17 victories.

Career Statistics:

• Total Wins: 123
• Career Span: 1973-1986
• Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs
• Games Played: 363

He pulled off something rare by jumping straight from college to the majors in 1973. Since 1962, only five pitchers had done that, and people even compared him to Tom Seaver at the time.

Ruthven’s 1981 season was strong too, finishing 12-7. His steady play made him a reliable starter through the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.

All-Star Game Appearances

Ruthven made the National League All-Star team twice. His first selection came in that big 1980 season.

He made it again in 1981, after posting a 12-7 record with a 5.15 ERA. Those All-Star picks showed he was one of the league’s better pitchers during those years.

His All-Star years lined up with his best seasons in Philadelphia, and both honors came when he was really at his peak as a starter.

Those nods reflected his consistency and value during the Phillies’ best years in the early ‘80s.

Final MLB Years and Retirement in 1986

Dick Ruthven wrapped up his baseball career with the Chicago Cubs in 1986, closing out a 14-year run in the majors. That last season brought limited playing time and declining performance, which pushed him to call it a career.

Chicago Cubs Stint

Ruthven joined the Cubs for what ended up being his final MLB season in 1986. At 35, he was the 7th-oldest among the 136 pitchers from California State University, Fresno.

The Cubs cut back his role a lot compared to his earlier seasons as a starter. He pitched in only 6 games during the 1986 regular season, which was a big drop from the days when he was a regular in the rotation.

The team mostly used him out of the bullpen. That move from starter to reliever really showed both his age and what the Cubs thought he still had left.

Challenges and Performance Decline

Ruthven struggled in 1986, and those struggles really pushed him toward retirement. His overall ERA for the season painted a pretty clear picture of his fading effectiveness.

At home, he posted a 6.75 ERA over 6.2 innings, allowing 7 hits, 5 earned runs, and giving up 3 home runs. He also walked 2 batters during those appearances.

On the road, things went a touch better but still weren’t great. In 2 away games, he put up a 2.25 ERA over 4 innings, gave up 5 hits, 1 earned run, and 1 home run, and walked 4.

He pitched just 10.2 innings all season. That was a pretty stark contrast to his prime when he’d routinely clear 200 innings a year.

Retirement Decision

After the 1986 season, Ruthven decided to retire from professional baseball. He finished his career with 123 wins and 127 losses over 363 games across 14 seasons.

The timing made sense, considering his struggles to keep up at the big league level. With his limited usage and slipping stats, it was obvious his best days were behind him.

Ruthven’s retirement closed out a career that included two National League All-Star nods and a spot on the 1980 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. He also contributed to the 1984 National League Eastern Division champs.

Over 14 years, Ruthven pitched for three organizations: the Phillies, Braves, and Cubs. That final season in Chicago really marked the end of his baseball journey.

Statistical Overview and Pitching Style

Across 14 MLB seasons, Ruthven put up a 123-127 record with a 4.14 ERA and 1,145 strikeouts in 2,109 innings. His stats show a durable right-hander who started out wild but grew into a steadier veteran with three National League teams.

Career ERA and WHIP Analysis

Ruthven’s career 4.14 ERA landed him just above the league average for his time, though he definitely had some ups and downs depending on the team and the year. He looked his best in the late ’70s and early ’80s with the Phillies.

His 1.39 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) showed he often struggled with command. Early on, he averaged over 4.9 walks per nine innings, which is a lot.

In 1978, Ruthven really found his groove, posting a 2.99 ERA over 150.2 innings with Philadelphia. That year, his WHIP dropped to 1.088, and he walked just 1.7 per nine innings, showing off much better control.

His ERA bounced around quite a bit. He went over 5.00 in both 1981 and 1984, but dipped below 4.00 in 1978 and 1980.

Notable Wins and Innings Pitched

Ruthven finished with 123 career wins and 127 losses, giving him a .492 winning percentage. He had his best years with the Phillies, winning 17 games in 1980 and helping them win the World Series.

He threw over 200 innings in three different seasons. In 1976 with Atlanta, he racked up a career-high 240.1 innings and made his first All-Star team, even though he went 14-17.

Ruthven pitched 2,109 total innings in the majors, averaging 150.6 innings a year. That kind of durability mattered, and he made 332 starts in 355 games.

He wasn’t a huge strikeout guy, averaging 5.1 per nine innings for his career. His best strikeout year was 1974, when he struck out 153 in 212.2 innings.

Pitching Techniques and Legacy

Ruthven leaned mostly on his fastball and curveball throughout his career. He liked to get ahead of hitters early in the count, but control problems sometimes got in the way.

You can see the era’s pitching habits in his complete game numbers. Ruthven tossed 55 complete games, with 11 coming in that wild 1978 season when he split time between Atlanta and Philadelphia.

When Ruthven cut down on his walks, he looked like a different pitcher. His best years lined up with better command, especially during his second run with Philadelphia from 1978 to 1983.

People remember Ruthven more for his durability and clutch moments than for jaw-dropping stats. He played a key role in Philadelphia’s 1980 World Series win and made two All-Star teams along the way.