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

Rick Waits put together a solid 12-year run in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher, playing from 1973 to 1985 for three different teams. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he made his mark mostly with the Cleveland Indians, where he spent most of his career and delivered some performances that still pop up in playoff race conversations.

Waits retired from professional baseball in 1985 after wrapping up his final season with the Milwaukee Brewers. He finished with 79 wins, 92 losses, and a 4.25 ERA across 329 games. His path through the majors took him from the Texas Rangers, where he debuted, to Cleveland, and finally to Milwaukee. He showed the kind of steady pitching teams really valued in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Waits didn’t quite reach superstar status, but he had pivotal moments that baseball fans still talk about. His story feels familiar—one of those pro athletes who carved out a spot through persistence and adaptability. Eventually, he moved into coaching, sharing what he’d learned with younger players.

Who Is Rick Waits? Early Life and Background

Michael Richard Waits was born on May 15, 1952, in Atlanta, Georgia. Later on, folks in the baseball world would know him as Rick Waits.

He went to Daniel McLaughlin Therrell High School in Atlanta, where he started making a name for himself as a left-handed pitcher. That was the launching pad for his professional baseball journey.

Birth Name and Origin

Michael Richard Waits arrived on May 15, 1952, in Atlanta, Georgia. As his career took off, everyone just called him Rick Waits.

Atlanta set the stage for his early years in the 1950s and 1960s. The city was growing fast back then.

Growing up in Georgia, Waits found himself right in the middle of a region with a strong baseball tradition. That Southern baseball culture shaped a lot of future pros.

His full name, Michael Richard Waits, shows up on all the official records. Still, teammates and fans usually just went with Rick.

Waits spent his formative years in Atlanta’s baseball scene. That environment proved pretty important for his development as a young athlete.

Education and High School Baseball

Rick Waits attended Daniel McLaughlin Therrell High School in Atlanta as a teenager. The school gave him both academic and athletic opportunities.

While at Therrell, Waits started to stand out for his pitching. Being a lefty made him a bit unique among his peers.

The high school baseball program helped him sharpen his fundamentals. Coaches quickly recognized his potential.

His high school performances caught the eyes of professional scouts. That kind of attention set him up for future opportunities.

Waits graduated from Therrell High in 1970. His strong showing as a student-athlete opened the door to the next phase of his baseball life.

Early Passion for Baseball

Waits found his love for baseball growing up in Atlanta. From a young age, the sport became a huge part of his identity.

His left-handed pitching stood out as his main talent. That skill separated him from other kids in his area.

He spent tons of time practicing and fine-tuning his pitching mechanics. Coaches and teammates noticed his dedication.

During high school, Waits really ramped up his commitment to baseball. He focused on developing the skills he’d need to make it as a pro.

By 1970, his talent had caught the eye of Major League Baseball scouts. The Washington Senators picked him in the fifth round of the 1970 MLB Draft, which kicked off his professional career.

MLB Debut and Progression

Rick Waits got his start in pro baseball through the 1970 amateur draft. He made his big league debut three years later with the Texas Rangers.

His early career showed promise as a lefty pitcher, and eventually, he spent most of his playing time with the Cleveland Indians.

Draft and Signing

The Washington Senators picked Rick Waits in the fifth round of the 1970 MLB June Amateur Draft. He was the 110th overall selection, drafted right out of Therrell High School.

At just 18, Waits signed with the Senators organization. He started his pro career right after graduating high school.

Back then, teams really wanted young pitching talent. Waits’ left-handed arm made him a pretty attractive prospect.

Rookie Season Highlights

Waits made his MLB debut on September 17, 1973, with the Texas Rangers at 21 years old. The Rangers had gotten his rights when the Senators moved to Texas.

He first appeared as a reliever against the Chicago White Sox. Waits pitched one inning, allowed one hit, gave up one earned run, and walked a batter.

That debut left him with a 9.00 ERA for his short rookie season. Still, he earned his first major league save in that appearance.

That late-season call-up gave him a taste of the majors. The team showed they believed in his potential.

First Teams and Early Development

After that brief time with Texas, Waits didn’t pitch in the majors in 1974. He spent that season working on his game in the minors.

The Cleveland Indians picked him up before the 1975 season. That move really changed the trajectory of his career.

With Cleveland in 1975, Waits got more regular playing time. He pitched in 16 games, started 7, and posted a 2.94 ERA.

His second season was a step forward—he went 6-2 with 70.1 innings pitched. The Indians used him both as a starter and a reliever.

That versatility helped him become a valuable part of the team. Cleveland would be his main home for most of his career.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Rick Waits built his reputation in the majors with steady performances over 12 seasons. His best years came with the Cleveland Indians.

His left-handed pitching and durability made him a reliable starter in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Notable Seasons

Waits really broke through in 1978, posting a 13-15 record and a 3.20 ERA for Cleveland. He pitched 230.1 innings, finished 15 games, and threw two shutouts. That year, he became a workhorse in the Indians’ rotation.

In 1979, he hit a career-high with 16 wins and a 16-13 record. Waits threw 231 innings and kept his spot as a reliable starter. He completed eight games and had three shutouts that season.

His 1975 season showed early promise—Waits went 6-2 with a 2.94 ERA in 16 games for Cleveland. That strong performance helped him secure a place in the team’s plans.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Waits threw left-handed and stood 6-foot-3, weighing 194 pounds. He focused on control and durability, not overpowering velocity.

He regularly pitched over 200 innings in several seasons. Finishing 47 complete games over his career, he showed a level of durability teams really appreciated back then.

Waits tallied both wins and saves, showing he could handle different pitching roles. He finished with 8 saves and 79 career wins.

Statistical Milestones

Waits wrapped up his MLB career with 79 wins and 92 losses in 317 games. His career ERA landed at 4.25, with 659 strikeouts in 1,427 innings.

He threw 47 complete games and notched 10 shutouts over 12 seasons. His WHIP was 1.459, which tells you he worked around baserunners pretty often.

Waits started 190 games out of 317 appearances. He allowed 1,514 hits, walked 568 batters, and struck out 659.

His best single-season ERA was 2.94 in 1975. That 16-win season in 1979 was his highest win total.

Memorable Games

Waits debuted in the majors on September 17, 1973, with the Texas Rangers at 21. He came in as a reliever and picked up a save in his only game that year.

His complete game efforts stand out as some of his top individual achievements. Those 47 complete games became rare as teams leaned into bullpen specialization.

Waits’ 10 career shutouts included multiple shutouts in the 1976 and 1978 seasons. That ability to blank opposing lineups made him a tough matchup.

After he left MLB in 1985, Waits kept playing in the Senior Professional Baseball Association. In 1989, he went 5-4 with a 3.81 ERA for the Fort Myers Sun Sox.

Major League Teams and Transitions

Rick Waits pitched for three MLB teams from 1973 to 1985. His journey started with a short debut in Texas, continued with his most productive years in Cleveland, and ended with a final stretch in Milwaukee.

Texas Rangers Era

Waits kicked off his MLB career with the Texas Rangers in 1973. The Washington Senators had drafted him in the fifth round of the 1970 draft.

He made his pro debut on September 17, 1973. By then, the Rangers had already moved from Washington.

His time in Texas was short—just one game in 1973 before heading back to the minors.

The Rangers gave him his first shot at professional baseball. That brief stint set the stage for what came next in Cleveland.

Cleveland Indians Tenure

Waits joined the Cleveland Indians on June 13, 1975, in a big trade. The Indians got him along with Jim Bibby, Jackie Brown, and cash for Gaylord Perry.

That trade turned out great for Waits’ career. He spent his best years with Cleveland from 1975 to 1983.

Key Cleveland Stats:

• Years: 1975-1983
• Role: Starting pitcher
• Notable Moment: Beat Yankees in the crucial 1978 regular season finale

His most memorable game came in 1978 when he beat the New York Yankees in the last regular season game. That win forced a one-game playoff between the Yankees and Red Sox for the AL East title.

After the Indians’ win, Fenway Park’s video screen flashed, “THANK YOU, RICK WAITS, GAME TOMORROW.” That moment cemented his place in that year’s pennant race.

Milwaukee Brewers Final Years

Waits actually finished his career with the Milwaukee Brewers, not the New York Mets.

On June 6, 1983, the Indians traded Waits and Rick Manning to Milwaukee. The Brewers sent Gorman Thomas, Jamie Easterly, and Ernie Camacho to Cleveland.

Waits pitched for Milwaukee from 1983 to 1985. He shifted from starting to relieving during those years.

In 1984, he found some success pitching in the seventh and eighth innings. But 1985 was rough—he struggled to get big league hitters out.

He made his final MLB appearance on October 6, 1985, with the Brewers. Waits ended his career with a 79-92 record and a 4.25 ERA over 329 games.

Retirement from Professional Baseball in 1985

Rick Waits wrapped up his twelve-season Major League Baseball career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1985. That final season marked the end of a journeyman pitcher’s run across three teams, with his breakout coming in 1975 with Cleveland.

Final MLB Season

Waits really struggled in his last year with Milwaukee back in 1985. At 33, he put up a rough 6.51 ERA over 24 games, all out of the bullpen.

He finished with a 3-2 record and picked up one save in 47 innings. Opposing hitters batted .305 against him, which was a big drop-off from his earlier years.

Key 1985 Statistics:

• 24 games pitched
• 47 innings
• 67 hits allowed
• 34 earned runs
• 20 walks
• 24 strikeouts

He pitched his final MLB game on October 6, 1985, facing the Boston Red Sox. In that outing, Waits gave up five hits and four earned runs in just one inning, which pretty much summed up his tough season.

You could see his command slip as his walk rate went up and his strikeouts fell.

Legacy as a Player

Waits wrapped up his MLB career with 79 wins and 92 losses over 317 games. He posted a career 4.25 ERA, which shows he was a solid middle-rotation guy, especially during his Cleveland years.

His best stretch came in the late 1970s and early 1980s with the Indians. In 1978, he logged 230.1 innings and a 3.20 ERA, showing off the kind of durability teams love.

Career Highlights:

• 1,427 total innings pitched
• 47 complete games
• 10 shutouts
• 659 career strikeouts

Waits threw left-handed and had a reputation for eating up innings as a starter. He made 190 starts, mostly during his nine seasons in Cleveland from 1975 to 1983.

His career WAR of 14.4 shows he brought above-average value to the teams he played for.

Impact on Future Rookies

Waits lost his rookie status in 1975 with Cleveland after pitching 70.1 innings and posting a 2.94 ERA. That season made it clear he belonged in the big leagues.

His journey showed young players why consistency and adaptability matter. After a tough rookie year in 1973 with Texas, he found new life in Cleveland’s system.

Waits proved that left-handed pitchers could stick around for years by being reliable, even if they didn’t overpower hitters. His 12-year career became a blueprint for crafty southpaws trying to make it.

When he moved from starter to reliever with Milwaukee, he showed rookies how accepting new roles can keep your career going. He pitched wherever the team needed him, and that flexibility helped him stick around.

Young pitchers could take a page from his approach to command and his knack for working deep into games when his team needed it.

Life After Baseball

After retiring in 1985, Rick Waits stayed close to baseball, jumping into coaching and even playing overseas. He spent time in Italy, worked with several MLB organizations, and coached in Taiwan, keeping his baseball journey going for decades.

Coaching and Involvement in Baseball

Waits didn’t waste any time getting back into pro baseball after leaving MLB. In 1987, he joined the Rimini Pirates in the Italian Baseball League. He led them to championships in 1987 and 1988, and also helped win a European Cup in 1989.

While in Italy, Waits led the league in ERA. He took on both player and manager roles for Rimini during the 1988 and 1989 seasons. He also managed the Parma Angels in Italy.

After his time playing overseas, Waits joined the New York Mets organization. He worked there for fifteen years in several positions, including a stint as the bullpen coach in 2003.

The Seattle Mariners later brought him in as their minor league pitching coordinator. In 2014, he moved up to become the big league pitching coach under manager Lloyd McClendon.

Waits went international again when Cory Snyder hired him to coach the Chinatrust Brothers of Taiwan’s CPBL. He worked as their pitching coach in 2017.

Personal Life and Interests

Not much is out there about Waits’ personal life after baseball. Born in Atlanta, Georgia on May 15, 1952, he’s now 73. He’s spent more than half his life since retiring from MLB at 33.

Waits made a short comeback in 1989 and 1990 with the Fort Myers Sun Sox in the Senior Professional Baseball Association. In 1989, he put up a 5-4 record and a 3.81 ERA.

He pitched just two games in 1990, going 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA before the league folded.

Recognition and Honors

Waits pulled off something pretty unique from his 1970 draft class. He stood out as the only 5th round pick from that year to notch both a win and a save in MLB.

Fans remember his biggest moment from 1978, when he pitched for Cleveland. Waits took down the New York Yankees in the last regular season game, which pushed the Yankees and Boston Red Sox into a one-game playoff for the American League East title.

After that win, the scoreboard at Fenway Park flashed a message. It said, “THANK YOU, RICK WAITS, GAME TOMORROW,” giving him a nod for shaking up the playoff picture.

Waits also made his mark in Italian baseball, leading the Rimini Pirates to several championships. The team grabbed Italian Baseball League titles in 1987 and 1988, and then took home the European Cup Championship in 1989.