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

Rick Lysander carved out a unique spot in baseball history during his six-year ride through the majors from 1980 to 1985. The right-handed pitcher grew up in Huntington Park, California, and experienced both the highs and lows of professional baseball with the Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins.

Lysander played four active seasons in the big leagues. He finished with a 9-17 record, a 4.28 ERA, and 111 strikeouts over 137 games. His journey to the majors wasn’t exactly straightforward. He spent years grinding in the minor leagues before finally breaking through at age 27. Oakland drafted him in 1974, but Lysander had to put in six years of work before getting his first major league shot.

What stands out about Lysander’s story is how he refused to let go of his baseball dreams, even after his major league days ended. He kept going in the Senior Professional Baseball Association and actually found some new success as a closer. His baseball legacy sticks around, too, thanks to his son Brent, who also became a professional pitcher.

Rick Lysander’s Early Life and Amateur Career

Richard Eugene Lysander was born on February 21, 1953, in Huntington Park, California. There, he discovered his love for baseball and later went to two California colleges to keep chasing the game.

His amateur career really took shape during his college years at Citrus College and California State University, Los Angeles.

Family and Background

Rick Lysander entered the world as Richard Eugene Lysander on February 21, 1953, in Huntington Park. That city, tucked in southeastern Los Angeles County, was the backdrop for his early childhood.

The area was full of working-class families and had some solid youth sports programs. That environment pushed Lysander to get into athletics, especially baseball.

He’s kept most details about his family private, so not much is out there about his parents or siblings. One thing we do know—his athletic talent didn’t stop with him.

His son, Brent Lysander, followed the same path. The Oakland Athletics picked Brent in the 16th round of the 2007 draft, and he played in the minors through 2009.

Education and Colleges

Rick Lysander’s education took him through two California schools that shaped his baseball path. He started at Citrus College in Glendora, California.

At Citrus, Lysander began honing his pitching skills. The baseball program there gave him the foundation he needed to move up.

He later transferred to California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), and kept his baseball career rolling. Playing for the Golden Eagles let him show off his talent at a higher level.

His time at Cal State LA turned out well enough to catch the eyes of pro scouts. The Oakland Athletics ended up drafting him in the 19th round of the 1974 MLB June Amateur Draft.

Early Baseball Influences

Lysander started developing as a right-handed pitcher during his youth in the Los Angeles area. The region’s year-round baseball weather meant he could play and practice nearly all year.

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 190 pounds, Lysander had the kind of build pitchers love. Those physical tools would help him throughout his amateur and pro career.

In college, Lysander sharpened his pitching mechanics and learned the finer points of the game. Coaches at both Citrus and Cal State LA played a big role in shaping his approach.

The competitive college baseball scene in California exposed him to tough opponents. That experience got him ready for the challenges of pro ball after Oakland drafted him in 1974.

Professional Baseball Journey

Rick Lysander’s professional baseball journey started with his draft selection and took him through a four-season major league career with two American League teams. He went from the minor leagues to the Oakland Athletics, making his MLB debut, and then on to the Minnesota Twins.

Draft and Minor League Development

Rick Lysander got into pro baseball after the amateur draft, following his time at Citrus College and Cal State LA. As a right-hander, he spent several years working his way up through the minors before making it to the majors.

He put in a lot of time in the minors, slowly refining his pitching. Lysander climbed through different levels, showing the kind of patience and grit it takes to make it as a pitcher.

The draft gave him the chance to turn his college experience into a pro career. His time at those California schools definitely helped with the transition.

MLB Debut with Oakland Athletics

Lysander finally broke into the majors on April 12, 1980, with the Oakland Athletics at 27 years old. That’s a bit late, but not unusual for pitchers who spend extra time developing.

With the Athletics, Lysander got his first taste of the big leagues. The organization gave him his shot at the highest level.

At 6’2″ and 190 pounds, Lysander both batted and threw right-handed. That build worked well for his role on the mound.

Transition to Minnesota Twins

Lysander kept his major league career going with the Minnesota Twins, finishing his MLB run there. Over 137 games with both teams, he picked up 9 wins and 17 losses.

Switching from Oakland to Minnesota was pretty typical for pro baseball players. Guys bounce between organizations all the time.

He made his last major league appearance on October 1, 1985. That wrapped up his four-season career, which was spread out over six years—sometimes in the majors, sometimes back in the minors.

Major League Career Highlights and Milestones

Rick Lysander’s four-season MLB run stretched from 1980 to 1985. He had a tough debut with Oakland, but then turned in three solid seasons with Minnesota. His best year came in 1983, when he posted a 3.38 ERA over 61 appearances. By the end, he’d racked up 111 strikeouts and 11 saves.

Pitching Performance by Season

Lysander’s MLB debut with Oakland in 1980 wasn’t easy. He made it into just five games, posting a 7.90 ERA over 13.2 innings.

Things turned around when he joined the Minnesota Twins in 1983. That season, he set a career high with 61 appearances and 125 innings pitched. He went 5-12, but his 3.38 ERA was pretty respectable.

In 1984, Lysander put together his most balanced year. He finished with a 4-3 record and a 3.49 ERA across 36 games. He also picked up 5 saves, tying his career best.

His last season in 1985 didn’t go so well. He struggled with a 6.05 ERA in 35 appearances, finishing 0-2 with 3 saves before the team let him go.

Notable Games and Key Moments

Lysander made his MLB debut on April 12, 1980, facing the Minnesota Twins at 27. He pitched 1.2 innings, gave up 2 hits, and didn’t record a strikeout or a walk.

In 1983, he turned in his most productive season and even notched a shutout. That’s pretty rare for a reliever and showed his versatility on the Twins’ staff.

That year, he also struck out a career-high 58 batters over 125 innings.

Defensively, Lysander stayed steady. He finished with a .970 fielding percentage and threw out 5 of 27 attempted base stealers, showing good awareness on the mound.

Trades and Team Changes

Oakland traded Lysander to the Houston Astros after the 1981 season. He never pitched in a big league game for Houston.

The Astros quickly shipped him to the Minnesota Twins for Bob Veselic in the 1982 offseason. That move ended up helping Lysander’s career.

Minnesota gave him his best MLB opportunity. He stuck with the Twins from 1983 to 1985, pitching in 132 games over three seasons.

After the 1985 season, the Twins released Lysander, ending his major league career. He left behind a 9-17 record, 4.28 ERA, and 111 strikeouts in 137 appearances.

Statistical Overview and Advanced Metrics

Rick Lysander’s four-year MLB career added up to a 4.28 ERA and 1.506 WHIP over 256.1 innings. The advanced stats show both strengths and some clear limitations. His career WAR landed at 0.0, so he basically provided replacement-level value. Still, his 1983 season stood out with a 0.7 WAR.

ERA and WHIP Analysis

Lysander’s 4.28 career ERA was just a bit below league average for his era. His best year came in 1983 with Minnesota, where he posted a strong 3.38 ERA over 125 innings. That gave him a 126 ERA+, meaning he was 26% better than league average that season.

His 1.506 WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) stayed high throughout his career. Again, 1983 was his best with a 1.400 WHIP. In his last season, his control issues showed up, and his ERA jumped to 6.05.

That short 1980 debut with Oakland was rough. He put up a 7.90 ERA and 2.049 WHIP over 13.2 innings, which just goes to show how tough it can be for young pitchers to adjust to the majors.

WAR and Overall Value

Lysander’s 0.0 career WAR means he basically matched replacement-level value over his four seasons. He peaked in 1983 with a 0.7 WAR, his only year with positive value. That lined up with his heaviest workload—125 innings.

In 1980 and 1985, his WAR dipped negative, at -0.3 and -0.9. Those numbers reflect his struggles in both his debut and final seasons. He managed a modest 0.5 WAR in 1984 over 56.2 innings.

Minnesota got the most out of Lysander during his three years there. His combined 0.3 WAR with the Twins was a step up from his -0.3 WAR in Oakland. He clearly found a better fit in Minnesota.

Retrosheet and Baseball Reference Data

Baseball Reference covers Lysander’s career pretty thoroughly, including advanced stats like FIP (3.83) and his defensive numbers. His .970 fielding percentage over four seasons was actually above average for pitchers in that era.

The numbers show Lysander struck out 111 batters and walked 96, for a 1.16 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He averaged 3.9 strikeouts per nine innings, which was on the low side for relievers. He allowed 16 home runs in 256.1 innings, so he did a decent job keeping the ball in the park.

Retrosheet would fill in more details about his performance in specific situations. With 11 saves and 45 games finished, he handled closing duties here and there. The stats point to a pitcher who struggled with command but had flashes of effectiveness, especially in that 1983 season with the Twins.

Senior Professional Baseball Association and Later Years

Rick Lysander got a second wind in the Senior Professional Baseball Association, a winter league for players 35 and up. He stood out as one of the league’s best relievers, even though the league didn’t last long.

Bradenton Explorers

Lysander joined the Bradenton Explorers for the 1989 season, coming back after four years away from pro baseball. At 36, he quickly became the league’s top closer.

He led the Senior Professional Baseball Association with 11 saves that first season. His performance was outstanding—a 1.17 ERA, one of the best in the league.

The veteran right-hander got the job done by locating his pitches and relying on experience. That dominant run with Bradenton even caught the eye of major league scouts.

Daytona Beach Explorers

In 1990, Lysander joined the Daytona Beach Explorers for the league’s second season. He kept up his strong pitching in the senior circuit.

Lysander took the mound in eight games for Daytona Beach and didn’t allow a single earned run. He finished with a perfect 0.00 ERA and notched four saves before the league folded.

“A bad hop, then some little dribbler through the middle,” Lysander told The Daytona Beach News-Journal about a rough save. “If I can make them hit the ball like that all the time, I’d be happy.”

His spotless record caught the attention of organized baseball again.

Final Professional Appearances

The Senior Professional Baseball Association opened the door for Lysander to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He pitched for the AAA Syracuse Chiefs in 1990 and appeared in 10 games.

At 37, Lysander gave it one more shot in 1995 during the baseball strike. He played as a replacement at age 42, which turned out to be his last professional appearance.

Lysander’s career stretched over two decades, starting with his 1974 debut for the Athletics organization and ending in the mid-1990s. The Senior Professional Baseball Association let him extend his career and show off his skills one last time.

Legacy and Life After Baseball

Rick Lysander wrapped up his major league career in 1985 after four seasons, but his influence didn’t stop there. He mentored younger players and stayed involved in the game through the Senior Professional Baseball Association.

His stats tell a story about the challenges relief pitchers faced in the 1980s.

Impact on Teams and Teammates

Lysander made his biggest mark with the Minnesota Twins from 1983 to 1985. In 1983, he appeared in 61 games and gave the team some much-needed bullpen depth.

Key Statistics with Minnesota:

• 1983: 5-12 record, 3.38 ERA in 61 games
• 1984: 4-3 record, 3.49 ERA
• 1985: 6.05 ERA in 35 games

He definitely had his ups and downs, but Lysander’s veteran presence helped steady the Twins’ bullpen while the team rebuilt. He took on high-pressure situations, even pitching extra innings, and proved himself as a reliable arm.

After his first major league win, Lysander told the Associated Press, “This is numero uno for me in the big leagues. It’s been a long time, a real long time.”

Family Legacy in Baseball

There’s not much out there about Lysander’s family connections to pro baseball. His path from Cal State Los Angeles to the big leagues fits the classic journey for West Coast players in the 1970s.

Lysander grew up in Huntington Park, California, and worked his way through the Oakland Athletics system. He made the most of the opportunities college-drafted players had back then. His determination to return to pro baseball through the Senior Professional Baseball Association really showed his love for the game.

Influence on Statistical Analysis

Lysander’s career stats really show the tough road relief pitchers faced in the early 1980s. That 9-17 record over 137 games? It kind of proves that wins and losses just don’t tell the whole story for relievers.

Career Highlights:

• Collected 8 saves throughout his major league run
• Posted a 1.17 ERA with the Bradenton Explorers in 1989
• Topped the Senior Professional Baseball Association with 11 saves

When he played in the Senior Professional Baseball Association, Lysander led the league with 11 saves in 1989. He managed that at age 36, which is impressive.

Honestly, his late-career numbers make you wonder why traditional stats keep missing the value veteran relievers bring to the game.