Randy Bockus

Randy Walter Bockus

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 190 lb.
• School Kent State University
• High School Sandy Valley High School
• Debut September 10, 1986
• Final Game May 27, 1989
• Born October 5, 1960 in Canton, OH USA

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Biographical Information

Pitcher Randy Bockus made 39 appearances over four seasons in the majors.

An Ohio native, Bockus played college ball at Kent State University, where he was primarily an outfielder. As a junior, he hit .480 to lead the Mid-American Conference. Overall, he posted a .391 batting average during his college career, topping Thurman Munson's Kent State mark.

Bockus was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 34th round of the 1982 amateur draft and was signed by scout Marty Miller. Converted to pitching, he made his pro debut that summer with the Great Falls Giants, going 2-0 in 18 appearances on the mound. The following year, he went 14-6 with a 3.58 ERA in 30 starts for the Fresno Giants and led the California League with 144 strikeouts. He went 8-5 with a 2.81 ERA and 3 shutouts in 18 starts for the Shreveport Captains in 1984 and also appeared in a handful of games for the AAA Phoenix Giants that year. Back with Shreveport in 1985, he led the Texas League in ERA (2.73), wins (14), and innings pitched (201).

Bockus spent most of 1986 with Phoenix, going 11-6 with a 4.26 ERA and 12 saves while splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen. He earned a September call-up to San Francisco and made his big league debut on September 10th, pitching one inning of scoreless relief against the Cincinnati Reds. In 5 major league outings that year, he posted a 2.57 ERA. He also did play a game in the outfield in his first season: facing the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 28th, he was used as a pinch-hitter in the 14th inning, then played the top of the 15th inning in left and then right field, before being pinch-hit for (by pitcher Mike Krukow) in the bottom of the 15th. Yet another pitcher, Jeff Robinson, took over in right field at that point.

Bockus split the next two seasons between Phoenix and San Francisco, and he recorded his first big league win against the Atlanta Braves on October 4, 1987. Following the 1988 season, he became a free agent and signed with the Detroit Tigers. He appeared in his final two major league games for the Tigers in 1989. He was signed by the California Angels in 1990 and played two summers in their organization before ending his career.

Following his playing days, Bockus worked in sales in Fairlawn, Ohio.

Related Sites

• Randy Bockus - Kent State Golden Flashes Hall of Fame