Pat Zachry – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Patrick Paul Zachry made his mark over a decade in Major League Baseball, pitching for four teams between 1976 and 1985. He grew up in Richmond, Texas, born in 1952, and exploded onto the scene as a rookie with the Cincinnati Reds‘ Big Red Machine. Before long, he found himself at the center of one of baseball’s most talked-about trades.

Zachry hit his peak early, grabbing the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1976 and helping the Reds win their second straight World Series. That breakout season made him the main piece in a blockbuster deal—Tom Seaver went to Cincinnati, and Zachry landed with the New York Mets, where he spent most of his career.

He moved from World Series glory to All-Star recognition, and later took on relief roles with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. His journey really covers the wild ups and tough downs of pro baseball. From championship highs to injuries that changed everything, Zachry’s story gives a real look at the unpredictable life of a big-league pitcher.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Patrick Paul Zachry started his baseball journey in Richmond, Texas, where he was born on April 24, 1952. Going from a small Texas town to the majors, he shined in high school and got his shot in the 1970 MLB draft.

Childhood and Family Background

Zachry grew up as the youngest of three, born to Wallace Barton Zachry and Cora Mae Schulze Zachry.

His family roots in America ran deep, stretching back to John Zachry’s birth in Philadelphia in 1704. Over generations, they moved south to Virginia and Georgia.

Several Zachry ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Many joined the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Pat’s grandfather, William Dawson Zachry, moved to Texas from Georgia in the early 1900s. Wallace Zachry, Pat’s dad, built a career in sales and settled the family in Waco, Texas.

Athletics seemed to run in the family. Relatives on both sides earned athletic scholarships over the years.

Pat’s teenage years weren’t without trouble. At 14, he got shot in the abdomen during what folks called “early teenage antics.” That close call pushed him to focus on sports instead.

Richfield High School Baseball Achievements

Zachry went to Richfield High School in Waco, a school with a real baseball pedigree.

Two other Richfield grads, Tim Spehr and Todd Haney, also made it to the big leagues after their time there.

Pat really made waves in summer league play. He threw three no-hitters, which put him on the radar for pro scouts.

Those no-hitters proved he could dominate hitters for a whole game.

Scouts started paying close attention after that. They saw he had the tools for pro ball.

Path to the Major Leagues

The Cincinnati Reds picked Zachry in the 19th round of the 1970 draft, making him the 454th overall pick.

Scout Tony Robello signed him fast, offering a $3,500 bonus and some incentives.

For a bit of trivia, Zachry went 47 picks ahead of future Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter in that same draft.

The Reds’ scouts saw something special in this Texas pitcher. His high school stats and physical ability made him a solid prospect.

Military service nearly got in the way. He drew a low draft number for Vietnam, so it looked like he might get called up.

But an old childhood injury to his right ankle and lower leg helped him out. He failed his Army physical and got to keep playing baseball.

Major League Debut and Breakthrough

Pat Zachry made his MLB debut for the Reds on April 11, 1976. He quickly became a key arm on one of the most dominant teams of the era. That rookie year ended with National League Rookie of the Year honors and a World Series ring with the Big Red Machine.

MLB Debut with Cincinnati Reds

The Reds gave Zachry his big-league shot on April 11, 1976, against the Astros. He started out in relief, but the team soon moved him into the starting rotation.

He adapted to the majors fast. By May 28, he was 4-0 with a 1.17 ERA, including a shutout over the Dodgers.

The Reds had cleared a rotation spot for him by trading Clay Kirby to the Expos the previous winter. That move paid off, as Zachry became a steady starter.

His rookie stats were eye-popping—he finished 1976 at 14-7 with a 2.74 ERA over 204 innings.

He also led the team with 143 strikeouts, showing he could get hitters out at the highest level. That season cemented his status as a legit big-league starter.

1976 National League Rookie of the Year

Zachry’s stellar rookie year earned him the National League Rookie of the Year Award. He shared it with Padres closer Butch Metzger, the first time there were co-winners.

He got the news while recovering from hernia surgery after the season. His 14 wins and strikeout total made him stand out, even on a veteran-heavy Reds team.

Pitching for the defending champs, he handled the pressure and proved he belonged with the game’s best.

The award capped off his quick climb through the Reds’ system. In the minors, he’d put up a 54-42 record and a 3.00 ERA, so clearly he was ready for the next step.

1976 World Series Participation

Zachry played a big part in the Reds’ 1976 World Series win over the Yankees. He got the win in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, helping the Reds secure back-to-back titles.

He started his postseason run in the NLCS against the Phillies, winning Game 2 at Veterans Stadium and pushing the Reds toward a sweep.

The 1976 Reds became the first team to sweep the entire postseason since the League Championship Series began in 1969. Zachry’s wins were key to that run.

World Series Highlights:

• Game 3 win at Yankee Stadium
• Helped Reds sweep the postseason
• Contributed to their second straight championship

That World Series win capped a rookie year that set Zachry up as a core piece of a legendary team.

Career with the New York Mets

Pat Zachry joined the New York Mets in June 1977 in a huge trade that sent Tom Seaver to Cincinnati. He became a mainstay in the Mets’ rotation through 1982, earning an All-Star nod and Pitcher of the Month honors, though injuries often got in his way.

Trade to the Mets in 1977

The Mets brought in Zachry on June 15, 1977, during what’s now called “The Midnight Massacre.” Tom Seaver went to the Reds, and the Mets got Zachry, Doug Flynn, Steve Henderson, and Dan Norman.

At the time, Zachry was struggling with a 3-7 record and a 5.04 ERA. Taking over for Seaver was a tall order, no matter how he pitched.

He debuted for the Mets two days later at Shea Stadium against the Astros. He lost, giving up four runs in six innings. He quickly realized the Mets’ offense wasn’t going to bail him out like the Reds’ lineup did.

His first Mets win came almost a month later, on July 10, against the Expos. He wrapped up 1977 with a 7-6 record and a 3.76 ERA over 19 games for New York.

Pitching Highlights and Records

Zachry’s top season with the Mets came in 1978, when he earned his only All-Star selection. He started hot, going 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA in April.

1978 Highlights:

• Only Mets All-Star that year
• Two complete game shutouts
• 10-6 record, 3.33 ERA
• Five complete games

On July 4, 1978, he threw a two-hit shutout against the Phillies at Shea. Lee Mazzilli hit a grand slam for all the runs in a 4-0 win.

Zachry took home National League Pitcher of the Month honors in July 1980. He went 4-0 with three shutouts and four complete games that month. His 21-inning scoreless streak stood out.

Over six years with the Mets, Zachry went 41-46 with a 3.63 ERA. He struck out 391 and walked 300 in 742 innings and 145 games.

Injuries and Challenges

Injuries dogged Zachry throughout his Mets days. The worst came on July 24, 1978, during Pete Rose’s record-tying hit streak.

After Rose singled off him in the seventh, Zachry kicked at a helmet in frustration but missed and hit the dugout step, breaking his left foot and ending his season.

Major Injuries:

• Broken left foot (1978)
• Strained ulnar nerve in his right elbow (1979)
• Achilles tendon injury (1979)

Elbow surgery kept him out until May 1980, and his return was slow and tough.

Still, he had flashes of his old form. In 1979, he went 5-1 with an .833 winning percentage before injuries shut him down in June.

The Mets’ rough organizational state frustrated him too. He remembered flying on “Agony Airlines,” dealing with bad food and broken air conditioning.

Later MLB Years: Dodgers and Phillies

Pat Zachry spent his last three seasons mostly in the bullpen. He found some late-career success with the Los Angeles Dodgers before a short stint with the Phillies.

Tenure with Los Angeles Dodgers

Zachry joined the Dodgers in 1983 and found new life as a reliever. That first year, he posted a 2.49 ERA in 40 games.

He made just one start in two seasons with LA, working almost entirely out of the bullpen.

In 1983, he went 6-1 with 61.1 innings pitched, a big improvement from his final Mets years.

His role grew in 1984. He appeared in 58 games, all in relief, logging 82.2 innings and a 3.81 ERA.

His control slipped that second year, though. Zachry walked 51 batters in 1984, pushing his WHIP up to 1.633.

Final Season with Philadelphia Phillies

Pat Zachry wrapped up his major league career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1985. That final season only lasted 10 games, all as relief appearances.

At 33, Zachry struggled with his command during his short time in Philadelphia. He walked 11 batters in just 12.2 innings, ending up with a 1.974 WHIP.

He posted a 4.26 ERA in that last season. He managed to strike out eight while giving up 14 hits and six earned runs.

After nearly a decade in the majors, Zachry made his last appearance. The Richmond, Texas native finished with 69 wins and 67 losses over his 10-year career.

That brief Philadelphia stint closed the book on Zachry’s professional journey. He retired after the 1985 season at age 33.

Retirement and Transition from Baseball

Patrick Paul Zachry ended his Major League Baseball career in 1985 after those 10 games with the Phillies. After baseball, he found coaching opportunities and even made a short return to competitive play.

Factors Leading to Retirement in 1985

Pat Zachry decided to retire from Major League Baseball following a tough final season with the Phillies. He only made 10 appearances in 1985, which signaled the end of his nine-year MLB run.

By then, he had moved from being a starting pitcher to working out of the bullpen. He’d spent two seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1983 to 1984, pitching in relief and even closing some games before heading to Philadelphia.

With limited innings in 1985, it seemed like his effectiveness had faded. After almost a decade in the majors, the grind of pro ball had definitely caught up to him.

His career stretched from 1976 to 1985, and he played for four teams. The Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies all used his arm at different points.

Post-Retirement Activities

After stepping away from playing, Pat Zachry stayed close to baseball through coaching. He joined the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league system as a pitching coach, hoping to pass on what he’d learned.

He couldn’t quite stay away from the game, though. In 1989, he played with the St. Petersburg Pelicans in the Senior Professional Baseball Association, a league for former pros.

The Pelicans actually won the league championship that season. But Zachry’s time there was rough—he battled injuries and ended up breaking his leg when Pat Putnam hit a line drive back at him.

That comeback turned out to be his last shot at competitive baseball. The injury pretty much ended any thoughts of playing again, even in senior leagues.

Personal Life, Legacy, and Impact

Patrick Paul Zachry’s life went well beyond his years on the mound, shaped by family and a surprisingly enduring mark on the game. His place in baseball history stands out, thanks to his rookie season and his role in one of the sport’s most famous trades.

Life After Baseball

After retiring in 1985, Pat Zachry stayed close to his family. He was born April 24, 1952, in Texas to Wallace Barton Zachry and Cora Mae Schulze.

He came from pretty humble roots in Bossier City, Louisiana. His dad worked as a mechanic, and his mom taught school.

Zachry spent most of his post-baseball years out of the spotlight. He eventually settled in Austin, Texas, living with his son during his later years.

His family history ran deep in America. The Zachry line traced back to John Zachry, born in Philadelphia in 1704, with relatives who served in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

Patrick Paul Zachry died on April 4, 2024, at 71 after a long illness. He passed away at his son’s home in Austin, closing the chapter on a life that touched a lot of folks in the baseball community.

Contribution to the Game

Zachry made his biggest impact during that wild 1976 rookie season with the Cincinnati Reds. He helped lead the team to a World Series title and put up a 14-7 record with a 2.74 ERA.

He shared the National League Rookie of the Year Award with Butch Metzger from San Diego. That was actually the first time the award had ever been split.

Notable Career Achievements:

• Won World Series with Cincinnati Reds (1976)
• Shared NL Rookie of the Year Award (1976)
• Posted 2.74 ERA in rookie season
• Struck out 143 batters in 205 innings (1976)

Zachry’s name is forever tied to the infamous “Midnight Massacre” trade. The Reds sent him to the New York Mets for future Hall of Famer Tom Seaver.

Over his ten-year MLB career, Zachry played for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies. Four teams, a lot of stories, and a legacy that still gets talked about.

Recognition and Remembrance

Pat Zachry stands out as one of just three pitchers to win Rookie of the Year while also helping his team snag a World Championship. Fernando Valenzuela (1981) and Dontrelle Willis (2003) are the other two who pulled it off.

Back in 1976, Zachry set a handful of records that lasted all the way through 2012. He pulled off something rare, too—he became the latest-round draft pick to ever win Rookie of the Year as a pitcher, coming out of the 19th round.

Out of the 19 pitchers who started more than 25 games and won ROY, Zachry’s 2.74 ERA landed him at seventh best. He even edged out Tom Seaver’s rookie ERA of 2.76, which is kind of wild if you think about it.

When Zachry passed away in 2024, people in baseball circles remembered him with real warmth. Former teammates called him “one of the great characters and an unbelievable teammate.”

But his legacy goes beyond numbers and stats. He played a key role in one of baseball’s most talked-about trades, the one involving Tom Seaver. That trade really showed how business can shake up the game, and honestly, it’s still a moment people talk about in baseball history.