Doug Rau – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Doug Rau spent nine seasons as a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, mostly with the Los Angeles Dodgers before calling it a career in 1981.

He grew up in Columbus, Texas, and turned into a reliable starter who helped the Dodgers reach multiple World Series in the 1970s.

Rau wrapped up his MLB career with an 81-60 record and a 3.35 ERA, showing he was a dependable pitcher during one of the Dodgers’ best stretches. His journey from Texas A&M standout to first-round draft pick really highlights how steady development can pay off, and he became a valuable part of the Dodgers’ pitching rotation.

From his rookie year in 1972 to his last appearance with the California Angels in 1981, Rau’s career tells the story of a pitcher who squeezed the most from his talents—even as injuries eventually shortened his time in the majors.

His path through pro baseball gives a glimpse into the ups and downs that shaped pitchers from his era.

Early Life and Background

Douglas James Rau was born on December 15, 1948, in Columbus, Texas. That’s where he first built the foundation for his future MLB career.

He started out with high school baseball success and then played at Texas A&M University. The Los Angeles Dodgers picked him in the 1970 amateur draft, putting him on the road to the big leagues.

Childhood in Columbus, Texas

Doug Rau spent his early years in Columbus, Texas, a small town between Houston and Austin.

Born in 1948, he grew up when baseball was still a huge part of American life.

Columbus had the kind of small-town Texas vibe where young athletes could really hone their skills.

The community probably supported youth baseball programs, which helped Rau develop early as a pitcher.

As a left-handed pitcher, Rau already stood out from other young players.

His childhood in Texas gave him a strong baseball culture, one that valued fundamentals and competition.

The foundation from those early days in Columbus turned out to be crucial for his later success.

He grew as both a person and an athlete in that small Texas community, getting ready for the challenges ahead.

High School and College Baseball at Texas A&M

Rau went to Columbus High School, where his baseball skills really started to shine.

College scouts and pro teams took notice of his performance there.

The Baltimore Orioles picked him in the 20th round of the 1967 MLB June Amateur Draft, right out of high school.

But Rau decided to go to college instead of jumping straight into pro baseball.

He enrolled at Texas A&M University in College Station.

At Texas A&M, Rau kept working on his pitching skills while earning his degree.

His college career made him an even better left-handed pitcher.

The tougher competition and better coaching at Texas A&M helped him refine his technique and baseball smarts.

Draft and Entry into Professional Baseball

The Los Angeles Dodgers picked Rau in the first round (7th overall) of the secondary phase of the June 1970 amateur draft.

That came after his strong college career at Texas A&M.

Being a first-round pick showed the Dodgers really believed in his potential.

The secondary phase draft let teams pick college players who’d been drafted before but chose college over pro ball.

Rau’s choice to attend college first worked out well.

The extra development and education made him better prepared for a pro career than if he’d signed straight out of high school in 1967.

Getting drafted by the Dodgers set him up for a nearly decade-long Major League career.

Major League Debut and Transition

Doug Rau made his major league debut with the Dodgers on September 2, 1972, at 23 years old.

He immediately impressed, tossing a complete game victory.

Jumping from the minors to the National League meant he had to adjust to faster play and more experienced hitters.

His early stats looked promising, with a 2.20 ERA in his rookie appearances.

First Game with the Los Angeles Dodgers

On September 2, 1972, Doug Rau took the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals for his big league debut.

At just 23, he kept his cool and pitched a complete game, earning his first MLB win.

He threw 9 innings, gave up only 3 hits and 1 earned run, and struck out 2.

Rau also walked 2 batters but stayed in control all game.

That performance got the attention of Dodgers management and fans.

He’d just wrapped up a strong 1972 with the Albuquerque Dukes, going 14-3 with a 3.51 ERA.

His minor league success carried right over to his first major league outing.

Adjustment to the National League

Rau had to make some big adjustments moving into the National League.

The league in 1972 had more experienced hitters and a more strategic style, which challenged rookie pitchers.

In his first partial season, Rau appeared in 7 games and started 3.

He completed 2 games, showing he could go deep.

He pitched 32.2 innings, gaining valuable experience against major league hitters.

National League batters were more disciplined, so Rau had to tweak his approach.

His walk rate was 3.0 per nine innings in 1972, which showed he was still learning, but he kept hits to a minimum, allowing just 5.0 per nine.

Early Performance Metrics

Rau’s early MLB stats showed he could become a reliable starter.

His 2.20 ERA in 1972 was way better than league average, with an ERA+ of 154.

That meant he performed 54% better than the average NL pitcher.

His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning) was just 0.888, which points to strong command and the ability to keep runners off base.

He struck out 19 and walked 11 in his rookie outings, with a 1.73 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Rau notched a 0.5 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) in limited action.

His 2-2 record gave him a solid foundation for the seasons ahead.

Pitching Career with the Los Angeles Dodgers

Doug Rau became a steady left-handed starter for the Dodgers from 1972 to 1979.

He played a key role on several pennant-winning teams and had his best years in the mid-1970s.

Rise as a Starting Pitcher

Rau debuted in the majors on September 2, 1972, for the Dodgers at age 23.

He posted a 2.20 ERA in 32⅔ innings that first season.

He allowed just 18 hits in his first taste of the big leagues.

That strong start caught the Dodgers’ attention.

By 1974, Rau had a spot in the starting rotation.

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League pennant that year, and Rau chipped in with a 13-11 record.

He moved from reliever to starter, and the transition worked out.

His ability to pitch deep into games made him a real asset for the team’s playoff hopes.

Peak Seasons and Achievements

Rau really hit his stride from 1975 to 1978.

In 1975, he went 15-9 with a 3.11 ERA, proving he was a dependable starter.

His best year was 1976, finishing 16-12 with a 2.57 ERA.

That ERA was second best in the National League that season.

He kept it going in 1977 and 1978, posting records of 14-8 and 15-9.

His winning percentages those years were .636 and .625.

Key Stats (1975-1978):

• 1975: 15-9, 3.11 ERA
• 1976: 16-12, 2.57 ERA
• 1977: 14-8, .636 winning percentage
• 1978: 15-9, .625 winning percentage

World Series Appearances

Rau pitched in two World Series with the Dodgers, in 1977 and 1978.

His results were mixed.

The 1977 World Series was tough for him.

He struggled and didn’t pitch well in the series.

One memorable moment came in Game 4, after he gave up two doubles, a single, and a run in the second inning.

Manager Tommy Lasorda pulled him, and the two got into a heated argument on the mound—Lasorda’s microphone picked it up.

Team captain Davey Lopes stepped in to try and settle things down.

Rau bounced back in the 1978 World Series.

He pitched two innings without allowing a run, showing he could handle the pressure.

Statistical Overview and Career Highlights

Doug Rau finished his career with an 81-60 record and a 3.35 ERA over 222 games from 1972 to 1981.

He pitched 1,261 innings, mostly for the Dodgers.

His peak came in the mid-1970s, when he was a reliable starter with solid durability and consistent performance.

Wins, Losses, and Winning Percentage

Rau ended up with 81 wins and 60 losses, which gave him a .574 winning percentage.

His best years came with the Dodgers from 1974 to 1978.

The 1975 and 1976 seasons were his peak.

He went 15-9 in 1975, and in 1976 he notched a career-best 16 wins against 12 losses.

He kept up that success in 1978, matching his 1975 record with another 15-9 season.

Rau’s last season with California in 1981 didn’t go well.

He managed just 1 win and 2 losses in three starts before retiring.

ERA and Pitching Effectiveness

Rau’s career ERA was 3.35 over nine seasons.

His best year was 1976, when he posted a 2.57 ERA.

That season, his ERA+ was 131, meaning he was 31% better than league average.

His most effective stretch ran from 1975 to 1977.

During those years, he averaged a 2.97 ERA and kept his WHIP at 1.232.

In his 1972 debut, he had a promising 2.20 ERA in limited innings.

But 1979 and 1981 were rough, especially his final season with an 8.71 ERA.

Rau’s WHIP was 1.301 for his career, showing decent command.

He usually allowed about 9 hits per nine innings and kept his walks in check.

Innings Pitched and Durability

Rau threw 1,261 innings in his career, showing he could handle a starter’s workload.

He peaked in the mid-1970s, often pitching more than 200 innings a season.

The 1975 season was his busiest, with 257.2 innings over 38 starts.

He followed that with 231 innings in 1976 and 212.1 in 1977.

Rau’s knack for completing games helped the Dodgers.

He finished 33 complete games in his career, with 8 each in 1975 and 1976.

He also had eleven shutouts, highlighting how tough he could be when he was on.

His durability made him a key piece of the Dodgers’ rotation during their successful run.

Runs, Hits, and Notable Performances

Over his career, Rau gave up 1,259 hits and 512 runs (469 earned) while striking out 697 batters. He really shut down hitters during his best years.

The 1975 season was probably his peak. He held opponents to just 227 hits over 257.2 innings and allowed only 96 runs.

In 1976, Rau did a great job keeping runs off the board. He gave up just 71 runs in 231 innings, and people started seeing him as a reliable starter.

His strikeouts hit a high in 1975 with 151, though most seasons he landed somewhere between 100 and 126. Rau focused way more on control than pure velocity, which led to a career strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.82.

Retirement and Final Season

Doug Rau’s career ended suddenly because injuries kept getting in his way during his final seasons. He tried a comeback with the California Angels in 1981, but only managed to pitch in three games before he stepped away from pro baseball for good.

Injuries and Decline

Rau’s promising run took a nosedive in 1979 when injury problems started messing with his performance. That year, he only pitched in 11 games with the Dodgers and finished with a rough 1-5 record.

The worst blow came after the 1979 season, when Rau had to get rotator cuff surgery. For pitchers back then, that surgery was a big deal since medical techniques weren’t nearly as advanced as they are now.

The operation made Rau sit out the entire 1980 season. Missing a full year of baseball really changed the direction of his career.

California Angels and 1981 Retirement

After missing all of 1980, Rau tried to come back with the California Angels in 1981. That last season came and went fast.

He managed to get into just three games for the Angels in 1981. In those appearances, he went 1-2 and just couldn’t find his old form.

Rau’s final MLB game happened on May 26, 1981, against the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched 2.1 innings that day, gave up four hits and four earned runs, and took the loss.

At 32, Rau called it a career after that short stint with the Angels.

Career Legacy and Impact

Rau finished up his nine years in the majors with an 81-60 win-loss record and a 3.35 ERA, which is nothing to scoff at. He racked up 697 strikeouts in 222 games.

His best seasons were with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1972 through 1979. He helped them win the National League pennant in 1974, 1977, and 1978.

That 1976 season really stands out—Rau went 16-12 with a 2.57 ERA, which was good for second in the National League.

Even though injuries cut his time short, Rau’s role in the Dodgers’ success during the 1970s secured his place in the team’s history.

Post-Retirement Life and Recognition

After baseball, Doug Rau moved into the business world when his playing days ended in 1981. He co-founded a financial services company and kept some ties to the sport that shaped his life.

Life After Baseball

When he retired, Douglas James Rau went back to Houston and got into business. He helped start Crown Financial, a lending company that worked with small business owners and entrepreneurs.

That switch from pro athlete to business guy actually worked out for Rau. His background as a professional athlete probably gave him the discipline and work ethic needed to succeed in finance.

It looks like Rau eventually retired from business, too. Unlike some former players who pop up as coaches or broadcasters, he picked a quieter path and stayed out of the spotlight.

His life after baseball feels pretty relatable. So many former players have to figure out new careers and identities once their playing days are over.

Awards and Honors

Most of Doug Rau’s recognition comes from his time with those successful Dodgers teams in the 1970s. He played a key part in three National League pennant-winning squads.

His career stats—81 wins, 60 losses, a 3.35 ERA—show he was a solid pitcher during his eight years in the big leagues. People respected him, teammates and opponents both.

Collectors still hunt for Rau’s baseball cards from 1973 to 1981. That 1976 SSPC card is a favorite, showing him near the stands with young fans in the background.

He never picked up individual awards like the Cy Young, but his contributions to winning teams meant a lot in the world of professional baseball.

Lasting Influence on Baseball

Doug Rau really made his mark on baseball as a dependable starting pitcher during the Dodgers’ run in the 1970s.

He showed up game after game, and that kind of steady performance helped shape the team’s competitive attitude back then.

From 1972 to 1979, Rau gave the Dodgers plenty of reliable innings. He kept delivering quality starts when the team needed them most.

When Rau dealt with rotator cuff injuries in 1979, people started paying more attention to the tough physical demands pitchers face. His struggles added to the larger conversation about pitcher health and career longevity.

After baseball, Rau moved into business. That shift set an example for other former players.

A lot of athletes have tried similar things, heading into entrepreneurship and financial services after hanging up their cleats.