Doc Medich – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

George “Doc” Medich stands out as one of baseball’s most unique figures—a pitcher who managed something you just don’t see in today’s game. Doc Medich retired from Major League Baseball in 1982 after an 11-year career, all while pursuing medicine and playing pro ball at the highest level.

Born on December 9, 1948, in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, Medich racked up a career record of 124 wins and 105 losses. He played for seven different teams, including the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Milwaukee Brewers.

What set Medich apart wasn’t just what he did on the mound. He actually juggled medical school and the majors. He went to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine during his baseball career, sometimes skipping spring training just to keep up with his studies.

That balancing act between two tough professions made him a fascinating figure in baseball history. Honestly, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone else who pulled off both careers at once.

From his early days playing football at the University of Pittsburgh to his last season with the Brewers in 1982, Medich’s story shows how one guy managed to excel in both athletics and academics. He started as a 30th-round draft pick who almost quit baseball, then turned into a pitcher who won 19 games for the Yankees in 1974.

All the while, he prepared for a second career that would shape his life after leaving the game.

Doc Medich’s Early Life and Education

George Francis “Doc” Medich was born December 9, 1948, in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. He grew up there, developing both his athletic skills and academic drive.

His upbringing in this steel town built his work ethic. While at the University of Pittsburgh, he set the stage for his rare dual career in baseball and medicine.

Childhood in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

Doc Medich spent his childhood in Aliquippa, a busy industrial town about 25 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, right along the Ohio River. Back then, the town had about 27,000 people, and around 8,000 worked in the steel industry during the postwar boom.

His dad, David Medich, was a World War II vet from Ohio who settled in Aliquippa and worked as a carpenter at the Jones & Laughlin steel mill. His mom was Esther Mason Medich.

The family kept a solid middle-class lifestyle and stayed active at St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church. Sports played a big part in the Medich home, which helped young George develop as an athlete.

By age 8, Medich played Little League baseball while going to Five Points elementary school. Looking back, his childhood really captured that “baby-boomer idyll” so many talk about.

High School Athletic Achievements

At Hopewell High School, Medich stood out as a senior at about 6-foot-4. He was a three-sport athlete and played football, basketball, and baseball as the seasons changed.

His size and athletic range got college scouts interested. When he graduated in 1966, he landed a football scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh.

The scholarship came from the same program where Aliquippa’s most famous athlete, Mike Ditka, had starred not long before. That connection helped Medich build his reputation as a top athlete from the steel town.

University of Pittsburgh and Academic Pursuits

At the University of Pittsburgh, Medich started out focused on football. He played tight end and split end from 1967 to 1969. The team didn’t do well—they went 6-24—but sportswriter Russ Franke still called him an “excellent pass receiver” with some NFL draft potential.

By 1969, Medich shifted his attention to baseball. He joined the varsity baseball team and put up solid numbers: 4-2 with a 1.64 ERA in 1969, and 5-2 with a 2.43 ERA in 1970.

His pitching got him onto the Tri-State College All-Star team two years in a row. More importantly, he kept up with his pre-med classes.

He graduated in 1970 with a chemistry degree, already set on going to medical school. That commitment to academics made him different from most pro athletes, and honestly, it worried some baseball scouts about whether he’d really stick with the sport.

Journey to Major League Baseball

Doc Medich took a path to the majors that didn’t look like anyone else’s. He mixed medical school with pro baseball, proving doubters wrong about his dedication to the game.

Draft and Minor League Career

The New York Yankees picked George Medich in the 30th round of the 1970 amateur draft, 700th overall. Scout Randy Gumpert vouched for the tall righty, even though some worried about his career plans.

A lot of teams passed on Medich before the Yankees. The Pittsburgh Pirates actually turned him away at a college tryout. “The scouts all assumed I wouldn’t play, but never bothered to ask me,” Medich later said.

He started his minor league career with Oneonta in the Class-A New York-Penn League, then pitched for Manchester in the Double-A Eastern League that same season. Medich made just 12 starts before cutting his season short.

The Yankees showed a lot of patience with him. In 1971, Medich went 7-4 with a 2.43 ERA for Kinston in the Class-A Carolina League, all in just two months.

He broke through in 1972 with West Haven in the Eastern League, going 11-3 with a 1.44 ERA over 119 innings. Yankees management finally took notice.

Balancing Medical School and Baseball

Medich kept medical school at the University of Pittsburgh as a top priority during his pro career. He missed spring training for his first two seasons to focus on his studies.

In 1972, Medich set up a key meeting. Yankees GM Lee MacPhail met with Dr. Alvin Shapiro, associate dean of Pitt’s medical school. Medich came in with a detailed plan for doing both careers at once.

“Everybody told me how it couldn’t be done, but they had blinders on,” Medich said. “It seemed like I was the only one who knew it could be done.”

His medical training gave him some unique advantages. “Medicine has helped me to mature faster as a pitcher,” he explained. “In pursuing both careers simultaneously I had to be very careful in evaluating myself.”

The Yankees worked with the Pittsburgh Pirates so Medich could stay in shape. He threw batting practice to the Pirates during April and May while finishing his second year of med school.

Transition to the New York Yankees

Medich made his MLB debut on September 5, 1972, against the Baltimore Orioles. The outing was short and rough. He faced four batters, giving up two walks and two singles, and didn’t get anyone out.

The pressure was real for the rookie. He had to report back to medical school the next day after his debut. That kind of schedule became normal for him.

His first major league exhibition came on August 24, 1972. Medich pitched a complete-game four-hitter against the New York Mets in the Mayor’s Trophy game. The Yankees won 2-1 at Yankee Stadium.

For the 1973 season, Medich finally joined the Yankees for spring training in Fort Lauderdale. That full preparation paid off right away.

People started calling him “Doc” even though he hadn’t finished med school yet. Medich brought a new vibe to a struggling Yankees team during the last years of the “Horace Clarke Era.”

His medical career gave him some emotional balance. “If I fail to make it as a pitcher, my life won’t be shattered,” Medich said. That confidence helped him handle the stress of pro baseball.

MLB Career Overview and Key Teams

Doc Medich played for seven teams over 11 seasons from 1972 to 1982, putting up a 124-105 record with a 3.78 ERA. He had his best years with the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers, where he earned a reputation as a steady starting pitcher.

Tenure with New York Yankees

Medich debuted in the majors on September 5, 1972, with the New York Yankees after they drafted him in the 30th round in 1970. He spent three seasons in their farm system before getting his shot.

His breakout year came in 1973, when he went 14-9 with a 2.95 ERA. That rookie season earned him third place in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.

In 1974, Medich hit his peak with 19 wins for the Yankees, tying teammate Pat Dobson for most wins on the team.

Medich made history as the last Yankees pitcher to win at the original Yankee Stadium, throwing a shutout against the Detroit Tigers on September 29, 1973.

After posting a 16-16 record with a 3.50 ERA in 1975, the Yankees traded Medich to the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 11, 1975. The deal brought Willie Randolph, Dock Ellis, and Ken Brett to New York.

Pittsburgh Pirates Years

Medich played just one season with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1976. While playing for his hometown team, he battled injuries and finished 8-11 with a 3.52 ERA.

Medich made headlines for his medical skills during a game. On April 11, 1976, at Veterans Stadium against the Philadelphia Phillies, a 73-year-old fan collapsed from a heart attack.

Medich jumped in and performed CPR on the fan, showing his commitment to helping people beyond baseball. That moment really highlighted his rare double life as both athlete and med student.

The Pirates traded Medich during spring training in 1977. He joined a massive seven-player deal that sent him to the Oakland Athletics along with Tony Armas, Doug Bair, Dave Giusti, Rick Langford, and Mitchell Page.

Seattle Mariners and New York Mets

Medich’s 1977 season turned into a whirlwind with three different teams. He started with the Oakland Athletics, putting up a 10-6 record and a 4.69 ERA, though he wasn’t thrilled about leaving Pittsburgh.

Still in med school at Pitt, Medich threatened to retire instead of moving to Oakland. He eventually joined the team but never really settled in that season.

In September 1977, Athletics owner Charlie Finley sold Medich’s contract to the new Seattle Mariners. Medich went 2-0 with a 3.63 ERA in three starts for Seattle.

The Mariners put Medich on waivers, and the New York Mets picked him up. He made just one start for the Mets, losing to the Pirates on September 29, 1977.

That quick movement between teams showed both Medich’s value and his desire to stay close to his medical studies.

Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers

After bouncing between teams in 1977, Medich signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers for the 1978 season. He finally found some stability, spending five seasons with Texas from 1978 to 1982.

His first year in Texas saw him go 9-8 with a 3.74 ERA. Medich’s best season came during the strike-shortened 1981 campaign, when he went 10-6 with a 3.08 ERA.

In 1981, he tied for the American League lead with four shutouts, matching Richard Dotson, Ken Forsch, and Steve McCatty. That was probably the highlight of his late career.

Over five seasons with Texas, Medich put up a 50-43 record with a 3.95 ERA. The Rangers gave him the longest run with any team in his career.

On August 11, 1982, the Rangers sold Medich’s contract to the Milwaukee Brewers. That move gave him his only shot at the postseason, and he appeared in Game 6 of the 1982 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Career Highlights and Notable Performances

Doc Medich’s 11-year career featured an impressive rookie year, some memorable pitching performances, and involvement in big trades that changed several franchises. He finished with 124 career wins and a 3.78 ERA while playing for seven teams.

Starting Pitcher and Signature Games

Medich showed early on that he could handle the pressure as a starting pitcher for the Yankees. In his 1973 rookie season, he put up a 14-9 record and a 2.95 ERA, which ranked fifth in the American League.

He completed 11 of his 32 starts and threw 235 innings that year. Over his last six starts, Medich posted a 1.51 ERA, including a three-hitter and a five-hit shutout.

On July 20, 1974, he nearly threw a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals. Medich kept the Royals hitless for eight innings, but Fran Healy singled on Medich’s first pitch of the ninth. Still, Medich picked up the win, 6-2.

His biggest victory came on September 4, 1974, when he tossed a five-hit shutout against the Milwaukee Brewers. That win pushed the Yankees into first place for the first time since October 1, 1964.

Statistical Achievements and WAR

Medich put together solid numbers over 314 career games. He collected 124 wins and 105 losses, kept his ERA at 3.78, and struck out 955 batters over 11 seasons.

His best years came with the Yankees between 1973 and 1975. In 1974, he matched Pat Dobson’s 19-15 record, finished 17 games, and posted a 3.60 ERA in 279⅔ innings.

In 1975, even though the team struggled, Medich still managed a 16-16 record and a 3.50 ERA over 272⅓ innings. He never did reach that elusive 20-win season people thought he might, but he gave his teams plenty of innings as a dependable starter.

Medich’s 3.78 career ERA shows how he managed to pitch well across different teams and leagues. He racked up 955 strikeouts, but he usually preferred pitching to contact rather than going for strikeouts.

Key Trades and Transactions

The biggest trade of Medich’s career happened on December 11, 1975. The Yankees sent him to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a blockbuster trade for Dock Ellis, Ken Brett, and second base prospect Willie Randolph.

This deal ended up hurting the Pirates. Randolph became a perennial All-Star, Ellis won 17 games for New York, and Medich just couldn’t quite live up to expectations in Pittsburgh.

After a couple of rough years with the Pirates, Medich bounced around in 1977, playing for three different teams. He eventually settled in with the Texas Rangers.

Texas finally gave Medich some stability. He spent five seasons there, delivering steady performances before the Milwaukee Brewers picked him up for their 1982 stretch run, which turned out to be his last season.

Final Season and Retirement in 1982

Doc Medich wrapped up his professional baseball career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1982. He went 12-14 with a 5.06 ERA, then retired at 33 to focus on his medical career.

Milwaukee Brewers Tenure

Medich joined the Brewers for his final season in the majors. The 1982 season brought plenty of ups and downs as he struggled with consistency.

He finished the year with a 12-14 record and a 5.06 ERA. That ERA was one of the highest of his career, reflecting how tough the season was for him.

The Brewers made it all the way to the World Series in 1982, which gave Medich his only shot at postseason baseball. He pitched in Game 6 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

That World Series outing didn’t go well. Medich gave up six runs on five hits in just two relief innings during a 13-1 loss. In the sixth inning, he tied the record for most wild pitches in a single World Series inning with two.

Even though the Brewers reached the Fall Classic, Medich had become more of a backup starter by then. The World Series ended up being a bittersweet finish to his playing days.

Decision to Retire and Circumstances

Before the 1982 season started, Medich made it clear he planned to retire. He said 1982 would be his 11th and last big-league season before spring training even began.

At 33, Medich felt ready to leave baseball behind. His medical career had always been his main goal, and he wanted to focus on it full-time.

“I knew that missing spring training would slow down my baseball a little, but I was willing to make the sacrifice,” Medich once said about juggling both careers. By 1982, he was done with that balancing act.

Performance wasn’t the only reason he retired. Medich had continued his medical education throughout his playing days, and he was eager to finally put all his attention into medicine.

Medich’s unusual path as both a pitcher and a medical student defined his career. Retiring from baseball let him pursue his true calling without a hectic baseball schedule.

Transition to Life After Baseball

Medich’s move away from baseball was pretty rare for a pro athlete. Instead of sticking around the sport, he dove straight into medicine.

His medical background gave him financial stability that a lot of retiring players just don’t have. That security meant he could retire for personal reasons, not because he had to.

The timing worked out with his medical career, too. He’d finished his studies at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine while still playing baseball, so he was ready to start practicing as a physician.

He finished his baseball career with 124 wins and 105 losses in 314 games. His career ERA was 3.78, and he struck out 955 batters over 11 seasons.

Medich played for seven teams: the Yankees, Pirates, Mariners, Athletics, Mets, Rangers, and Brewers. His retirement closed the book on one of baseball’s most unique dual-career stories.

Life Beyond Baseball and Medical Career

After leaving baseball in 1982, Doc Medich went all in on his medical career as an orthopedic surgeon. He completed his residency and built a successful sports medicine practice near Pittsburgh, blending his athletic experience with his expertise as a doctor.

Medical Contributions and Practice

Medich finished his five-year orthopedic residency after his baseball days ended. He set up his sports medicine practice near Pittsburgh, where his background as both an athlete and a doctor really stood out.

His training at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine—which he managed to squeeze in while playing pro ball—laid the groundwork for his surgical career. Medich specialized in orthopedics, focusing on sports injuries and treatments.

During his playing days, Medich’s medical skills actually saved lives. In 1978, he performed CPR on a fan having a heart attack at Municipal Stadium in Baltimore. Two years earlier, he rushed into the stands at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia to help an elderly man in cardiac arrest.

Those moments showed how Medich’s medical training fit right alongside his baseball career. He didn’t just talk about being a doctor—he put his skills to use when it mattered most.

Athlete to Physician: Impact and Influence

Medich made a rare leap from professional baseball to medicine. Honestly, not many people pull off that kind of switch in sports.

He didn’t just stick to one path—he challenged the old idea that athletes have to pick between sports and other careers. His way of balancing baseball and med school really got people thinking.

Other athletes saw what he did and felt inspired to keep studying while chasing their sports dreams. Medich showed that you don’t have to give up on academics to play at the top level.

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine helped make his dual career possible. School officials teamed up with the Yankees to sort out a schedule, so Medich could finish medical school and still play baseball.

His story turned into a pretty strong example for student-athletes aiming for tough academic programs. With some planning and the right support, athletes can really thrive in both worlds.