Former Phillie of the Day - Pat Combs

Pat Combs was part of that not-so-elite Phillies club whose members were destined to be the next great thing but didn't quite make it. The lefthanded pitcher was a first-round pick out of Baylor University in 1988 and was in the majors less than 15 months later.

Combs blew through 3 levels of minor league play in 1989, giving up just 154 hits in 191 innings and posting a 2.54 ERA. He struck out 121 and walked 58. The 1989 Phillies were pretty awful, so Combs got a September call-up and did not disappoint.

His first start came on Sept. 5 against the Pirates, and he pitched 6 innings, allowing 3 unearned runs, 3 hits, 3 walks, and 4 strikeouts. He didn't figure in the decision, but the Phils won, 3-2.

His next start was Sept. 10 in Montreal against the Expos, and Combs was solid. He gave up just 1 run in 7 innings, striking out 8 and walking 1. He scattered 7 hits and got his first win, 4-2.

Combs had one of the best starts of his career in his next turn, shutting out the Cardinals on just 4 hits with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts on Sept. 15, 1989.  Combs finished his rookie year with a 4-0 record and a 2.09 ERA in 6 starts. The Phillies won every game he started.

Fans were anxious to see their new ace in action in 1990. Combs was nothing special that season, posting a 10-10 record with a 4.07 ERA. He gave up less than a hit per inning, but he walked more than 4 hitters per 9 innings. In an Aug. 9 start against the Mets, he touched off a huge brawl by hitting Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden with a pitch. It was probably retaliation for Gooden hitting 2 Phillies earlier in the game. As baseball fights go, this was a good one. Phils announcer Richie Ashburn even called for the police to intervene. Four Phillies and 3 Mets, including Combs and Gooden, were ejected.

His control was almost completely gone in 1991 and 1992. In 83 innings, he walked 55, an average of 6 every 9 innings. Oof. His ERA in 1992 was 7.71. Double oof. And he'd never pitch in the majors again.