Warren Brusstar – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Warren Brusstar put together a solid nine-year run in Major League Baseball as a relief pitcher. He worked his way up from the minors and became a key guy for three different teams.

Born in Oakland, California in 1952, Brusstar turned into a reliable middle reliever. He faced some of the game’s greatest hitters in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Brusstar’s biggest moment came in 1980 when he helped the Philadelphia Phillies win their first World Series title. His path through pro baseball took him from the Phillies, where he spent most of his career, to short stints with the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs. He retired after the 1985 season.

He battled through recurring arm injuries, but he still managed to deliver consistently on the mound. His story really shows what relief pitchers went through during an era when that role was still changing. After he stopped playing, Brusstar went into coaching, passing along his baseball know-how to the next generation.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Warren Scott Brusstar was born on February 2, 1952, in Oakland, California. He built up his baseball skills through high school and college before jumping into professional baseball.

His amateur career took him from Napa High School to a few college programs. There, he sharpened the pitching abilities that would eventually land him a nine-year MLB career.

Family Background and Early Years

Warren Scott Brusstar arrived on February 2, 1952, in Oakland, California. His family later moved to Napa, where he grew up.

Living in California’s wine country, Brusstar found a love for baseball early on. He showed natural athletic talent as a kid.

His family always backed his baseball dreams. Moving to Napa gave him a shot to grow his skills in a town that really cared about high school sports.

Standing 6-foot-3, Brusstar started to stand out during his teens. His height and arm strength made him a natural pitcher.

High School Achievements

Brusstar went to Napa High School and graduated in 1970. While there, he quickly made a name for himself as a top baseball player.

He developed his own style on the mound during those years. College scouts started to notice his performances.

That high school success set him up for the next steps in his baseball journey. The skills he picked up at Napa High would carry him through college and into the pros.

When he graduated in 1970, he left behind a strong high school athletic career. Those achievements opened the door to college baseball.

College Baseball at Napa Valley College and Cal State Fresno

After high school, Brusstar started at Napa Valley College. This local school gave him a first taste of tougher competition.

He later transferred to California State University, Fresno. At Fresno State, he got to work with more experienced coaches and kept sharpening his pitching.

Moving to Fresno State meant facing better players and using better facilities. That experience really helped him get ready for pro baseball.

His college years were all about fine-tuning his pitching mechanics. The sinker-slider combo that would define his pro career really came together during this time.

MLB Draft Experiences

Brusstar’s college play eventually caught the eyes of Major League scouts. His size, arm, and improving pitch selection made him stand out.

The Philadelphia Phillies saw his potential and signed him to a pro contract. That deal kicked off his journey through the minors.

His amateur days ended when he signed on for pro ball. All those years in high school and college built the foundation he’d need for the next level.

Jumping from amateur to pro baseball capped off years of hard work. That early development set him up for his MLB debut in 1977.

Minor League Development

Warren Brusstar had to put in years of work in the Philadelphia Phillies farm system before reaching the majors. His minor league career included a key switch from starting pitcher to reliever, which ended up being huge for his pro success.

Minor League Teams and Progression

After the Phillies drafted Brusstar, he started his pro career in their minor league system. He climbed through several levels during the mid-1970s.

He kept working on his pitching at each stop. Facing better hitters at every level, he learned how to adjust and improve.

Brusstar moved up steadily, not in a huge rush, but always progressing. The Phillies liked what they saw, but also knew he needed time to get more consistent.

By 1976, he reached the higher minor league levels. His performance there finally got him noticed by major league scouts and coaches.

Transition from Starter to Reliever

Brusstar started out as a starting pitcher in the minors, which let him try out more pitches and face batters several times in a game.

Eventually, the Phillies’ coaches realized he might be a better fit in the bullpen. He could keep his velocity up and throw strikes when pitching in shorter stints.

That switch really changed his career. Relief work called for a different mindset and skill set, especially coming into games with runners on base.

Brusstar adapted well to being a reliever. He learned how to prep for games differently and built up the mental toughness needed for late-inning pressure.

Performance and Notable Statistics

His minor league numbers got better as he settled into pro ball. Switching to relief let him focus on what he did best.

He really tightened up his control during these years. That improvement was a big reason the Phillies eventually called him up.

His ERA and strikeout numbers in the upper minors showed he was ready for the big leagues. The Phillies trusted him to help out their bullpen.

By 1977, his work in the minors earned him a spot on the Phillies’ MLB roster. That development path from starter to reliever set him up for his nine years in the majors.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Warren Brusstar put together a strong nine-year career as a relief pitcher from 1977 to 1985. He finished with a 28-16 record and a 3.51 ERA in 340 games, helping out winning teams in both Philadelphia and Chicago.

MLB Debut with the Philadelphia Phillies

Brusstar debuted in the majors on May 6, 1977, with the Philadelphia Phillies at age 25. He threw 2.1 innings against the Dodgers, giving up just one hit and striking out two.

The Phillies had picked him in the fourth round of the 1974 draft after his time at Fresno State. He spent three years in the minors before finally getting the call.

In his rookie year, Brusstar quickly showed he could be a reliable bullpen piece. That debut kicked off a career that would last almost a decade.

Role as a Reliever and Bullpen Contributions

Brusstar worked only as a relief pitcher during his major league days. He never made a start, but he did appear in 340 games over nine seasons, becoming a dependable bullpen arm for three teams.

He finished his career with 28 wins, 16 losses, and 14 saves, posting a 3.51 ERA. His WHIP was 1.360, showing he kept things under control most of the time.

He pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Cubs. Brusstar made the jump between teams but always kept his spot as a middle reliever.

Impact on Team Success

Brusstar helped out several winning teams, especially the Phillies during their championship run. Teams leaned on him to help steady their bullpens.

He played in what a lot of people think was a really fun era of baseball, the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Brusstar worked alongside some big names and contributed to teams that were always in the mix.

His steady work over nine seasons made him a veteran presence in the bullpen. Managers counted on his experience when the pressure was on.

Shoulder Injuries and Career Challenges

Brusstar ran into trouble during the 1985 season, finishing with a career-high 6.05 ERA. That was a big drop from his usual numbers and really signaled the end of his playing days.

Things didn’t get better in 1986 spring training. He didn’t make the team, and that wrapped up his nine-year MLB career at age 33.

His last game came on October 3, 1985, against the Pirates. He pitched a clean inning, not allowing a hit, and honestly, it was a pretty good way to bow out.

Key Seasons and Achievements

Warren Brusstar’s career had some real highlights, especially with the Phillies’ bullpen during their title run. His best years were 1977 and 1978, where he posted ERAs under 3.00 and helped anchor the relief corps.

World Series Championship with the Phillies

Brusstar played a big part in the Phillies’ 1980 World Series championship. He joined their bullpen in 1977 and quickly proved himself as a steady reliever.

His best seasons were 1977 and 1978. In ‘77, he put up a 2.65 ERA over 46 games and went 7-2. The next year was even better—he had a 2.33 ERA in 58 appearances.

During the 1980 championship run, Brusstar chipped in with a 3.72 ERA in 26 games. The Phillies’ bullpen was a huge part of their success, and Brusstar’s experience helped steady things when it mattered.

His playoff time with the Phillies gave him some valuable postseason experience. That championship remains the top moment of his career.

Record-Breaking Scoreless Innings with the Cubs

Brusstar found new life with the Cubs starting in 1983. That year, he put up his best ERA since 1978—2.35 over 59 games.

He threw 80.1 innings for the Cubs that season, showing great control. His WHIP was 1.295, which meant he didn’t let many guys on base.

The Cubs bullpen leaned on him for veteran leadership. He helped mentor younger relievers and gave the team a reliable middle relief option.

In 1984, he kept up the solid work with a 3.11 ERA in 41 appearances. Brusstar also picked up three saves, proving he could handle different roles.

Postseason Performances

Brusstar’s playoff experience came mostly with the Phillies. He pitched in some big games during their 1980 title run.

His regular season work in 1980 earned him a spot on the World Series roster. The Phillies beat the Royals in six games to win their first championship. Brusstar’s bullpen work helped set up that historic win.

He stayed calm in high-pressure moments, which made him a good fit for late-inning duty.

Pitching Style and Signature Pitches

Brusstar threw right-handed and stood 6-3, giving him good leverage on the mound. He focused on control and movement more than overpowering hitters.

Over his career, he posted a 3.51 ERA with 273 strikeouts in 484.2 innings. His strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.49 showed he had decent command.

He liked to get ground balls and keep hitters guessing. Brusstar could work multiple innings, which made him valuable as a long reliever.

Recurring elbow and shoulder injuries limited his durability. Because of those, he only managed to appear in more than 50 games in three seasons.

Career with Other MLB Teams

Warren Brusstar spent nine years in the majors, not just with Philadelphia but also in Chicago, pitching for both the White Sox and Cubs. Before he signed with the Phillies, the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets drafted him.

Chicago White Sox Tenure

The Chicago White Sox picked up Brusstar from the Phillies on August 30, 1982. His stint with the White Sox was short and honestly, not all that memorable.

He pitched in just 10 games for Chicago during the tail end of the 1982 season. That brief run barely made a dent in his overall career.

The White Sox already had a deep bullpen, so they didn’t rely on Brusstar much. He mostly worked as a middle reliever, just like he had before.

Chicago usually put him in low-leverage spots during those 10 games. Still, those outings set him up for his next move.

Chicago Cubs Contributions

On January 25, 1983, the White Sox traded Brusstar and Steve Trout to the Cubs. In exchange, the Cubs sent Scott Fletcher, Pat Tabler, Randy Martz, and Dick Tidrow to the White Sox.

Brusstar spent three seasons with the Cubs, from 1983 through 1985. That run closed out his major league career, which ended on October 3, 1985.

He actually got to reunite with his old Napa High School teammate Bill Buckner during his time with the Cubs. They’d both graduated from Napa High and played together for about a year and a half.

The Cubs slotted Brusstar right back into his usual middle relief job. He kept battling elbow and shoulder issues that had bugged him for years.

He spent nearly a third of his total MLB career with the Cubs. That stretch gave him a bit of stability at the end, which must’ve felt good.

Involvement with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets

The Giants noticed Brusstar early in his amateur days. They drafted him in the 27th round (635th overall) in 1970 right after high school.

Brusstar turned down the Giants and went to Fresno State University instead. They tried again in 1971, picking him in the sixth round (114th overall), but he still didn’t sign.

The New York Mets drafted him in the 33rd round (684th overall) in 1973. He passed on that offer too.

Teams kept drafting Brusstar, clearly seeing something in his arm. The Giants especially seemed convinced he could make it.

He chose to keep playing college ball, which eventually led him to sign with the Phillies in 1974. That decision gave him more time to grow before jumping into pro baseball.

Retirement and Post-Playing Career

Warren Brusstar wrapped up his nine-year MLB career on October 3, 1985, after pitching for the Cubs one last time. After retiring, he moved into coaching at different levels and stayed close to the game at Napa Valley College.

Retirement in 1985

Brusstar’s last big league outing happened on October 3, 1985, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He pitched an inning, gave up no hits or runs, and walked one guy.

He finished with a 28-16 record and a 3.51 ERA over 340 games. For all nine seasons, he worked only out of the bullpen and never started a game.

Shoulder problems followed Brusstar from 1977 to 1982, limiting his time on the mound. Those injuries probably played a big part in his decision to retire at 33.

He played for three teams: the Phillies, White Sox, and Cubs. Brusstar also helped the Phillies win their first World Series in 1980.

Coaching and Mentorship Roles

Once he stopped playing, Brusstar jumped into coaching in the minors. He took pitching coach jobs with several teams over more than a decade.

He worked with the San Bernardino Spirit in 1994 and the Atlantic City Surf in 1998. In 2000, he returned to the Phillies organization to coach pitchers for the Clearwater Phillies.

From 2002 to 2004, Brusstar served as pitching coach for the Batavia Muckdogs. That was his longest run with any one team as a coach.

In 2005, he joined a fantasy camp in Clearwater with other members of the 1980 and 1993 Phillies championship teams. That event let him reconnect with former teammates and pass on some of his baseball wisdom to fans.

Personal Life and Legacy

Brusstar moved back to Napa, California, where he’d gone to high school. He became the pitching coach at Napa Valley College, staying involved in developing young pitchers.

His wife Jennifer cared for former teammate Tug McGraw before McGraw passed away from cancer. McGraw and Brusstar had shared the bullpen with the Phillies.

Brusstar’s playoff numbers still stand out. He put up a 1.96 ERA in 13 postseason games and never gave up a run in the World Series.

From May 18 to July 7, 1983, he threw 32⅔ consecutive scoreless innings for the Cubs, setting a club record for relievers. Not bad, considering those shoulder issues that bugged him for much of his career.

Career Statistics and Legacy

Warren Brusstar put together a solid nine-year career: 28 wins, 16 losses, a 3.51 ERA, and 340 games. His 3.9 WAR shows he was a reliable relief pitcher, and that World Series title with Philadelphia is definitely his top achievement.

Detailed MLB Statistics

Brusstar pitched from 1977 to 1985, always as a reliever. He never started any of his 340 games.

His best years came early. In 1978, he had a 2.33 ERA in 88.2 innings with the Phillies and didn’t allow a single home run while striking out 60.

Career Totals:

• Games: 340
• Innings Pitched: 484.2
• Strikeouts: 273
• Saves: 14
• WHIP: 1.360

He played for three teams: six seasons with the Phillies (1977-1982), three with the Cubs (1983-1985), and a short stint with the White Sox in 1982.

His last year, 1985, didn’t go so well. He finished with a 6.05 ERA in 74.1 innings for the Cubs before calling it a career.

Advanced Metrics: WAR, ERA, and More

Brusstar’s 3.9 career WAR made him a solid contributor above replacement level. He peaked in 1983 with the Cubs, putting up 2.3 WAR.

His ERA+ of 110 says he was 10% better than league average over his career. That metric takes park and era into account.

Key Advanced Stats:

• Career ERA: 3.51
• ERA+: 110
• FIP: 3.54
• Strikeout Rate: 5.1 per nine innings

After he left Philadelphia, Brusstar’s control got a lot better. With the Cubs, he walked 3.9 per nine innings, compared to 3.1 with the Phillies.

His best single season by WAR was 1983, when he posted a 2.35 ERA in 59 games for the Cubs.

Recognition and Historical Impact

Brusstar pulled off his biggest achievement when he won the 1980 World Series with Philadelphia. He pitched in both the National League Championship Series and the World Series that October.

During Philadelphia’s championship run, he stepped up as a setup man in the bullpen. The Phillies took down Kansas City, four games to two, in that World Series.

His best years were definitely with Philadelphia. He played a big part in keeping their bullpen steady through the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Notable Achievements:

• World Series Champion (1980)
• Six seasons with Philadelphia Phillies
• 340 career appearances

Brusstar really fit the mold of the steady, workmanlike relief pitcher of his time. He didn’t close games, but he handled the middle relief job well.

He wrapped up his career quietly after the 1985 season. For a relief pitcher from that era, his numbers look pretty solid.