This Day in Reds History: Revisiting Bruce Berenyi's unlucky 1982 season

On this day in 1891, the Reds signed two-way player Ed Crane.

On this day in 1908, the Reds bought first baseman Dick Hoblitzell from the Clarksburg Bees of the Western Pennsylvania League.

On this day in 1914, the Reds scored three runs off of New York's Christy Mathewson in the first inning. That would be all the scoring that Cincinnati would need as the Reds went on to win, 3-2.

On this day in 1920, former Redleg Gerry Staley was born in Brush Prairie, WA. In Staley's one season in Cincinnati, he tossed nearly 120 innings of 4.66 ERA (90 ERA+) ball.

On this day in 1937, George Wright died in Boston at the age of 90. Wright was the star player of the 1869 Red Stockings. He's in the Hall of Fame along with his brother Harry who was the Red Stockings' player-manager.

On this day in 1954, former Red Bruce Berenyi was born in Bryan, OH. Berenyi pitched for the Reds from 1980 until June of 1984 when Cincinnati traded him to the Mets. He was a serviceable starter for the Reds, but had the misfortune of pitching for some awful teams. In 1982, Berenyi threw 222 innings with a 3.36 ERA in a hitter's park in a league with a 3.60 ERA. Despite his efforts, Berenyi ended the year with nine wins and a league-leading eighteen losses. His season would make a great poster child for Brian Kenny's efforts to kill the win.

• On May eighth, Berenyi went eight and a third, surrendering two runs, only one of which was earned. He had a no decision to show for his work.
• On June eighth, Berenyi went six and two-thirds, allowing only two runs. He received the loss as the Reds' offense could only scratch across one run in support, and that lone run came after he had already exited the ballgame.
• On June nineteenth, Berenyi gave up one run in eight innings of work and took the loss.
• On July tenth, in the first game of a doubleheader, he surrendered one run in eight innings, but Chicago's Dickie Noles shut out the Reds to hang the "L" on Berenyi.
• On July twentieth, Berenyi allowed two runs in seven innings, but left the ballpark with a loss as the Reds only scored one run.
• On August fourteenth, he gave up one unearned run in seven innings against Houston, but earned the loss.
• On August nineteenth, Berenyi threw nine innings and allowed only one unearned run. He received no decision.
• On September fourteenth, he surrendered two runs in seven innings, but took the loss.
• On September twenty-ninth, Berenyi allowed only one run in seven and a third, but earned no decision.

The Reds' offense in 1982, as you might have guessed, was abysmal. As a team, Cincinnati hit .251/.310/.350, which was good for an OPS+ of 84, tied for last in the NL. The dreadful offense permeated the records of the Cincinnati's other pitchers. Mario Soto threw nearly 260 innings with an ERA of 2.79 (132 ERA+) and a league-leading walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) figure. He was one of the best pitchers in baseball having what was probably the best season of his career, and he posted a record of fourteen wins and thirteen losses. Frank Pastore tossed 188 innings of 3.97 ERA (93 ERA+) ball. You might expect a win percentage around .500. He posted an eight and thirteen record (.381).

On this day in 1957, former Red Frank Pastore was born in Alhambra, CA. I wrote a little bit more about Pastore's career when he passed away last December.

On this day in 1968, Cincinnati native and former major leaguer Tuffy Rhodes was born. Rhodes signed with his hometown Reds in the winter of 2006, but was released in spring training of that same year.

On this day in 1977, Tom Seaver returned to Shea Stadium for the first time as a member of the Reds. He went the distance, allowing only one run and striking out eleven. Seaver also doubled and scored two runs as the Reds won, 5-1.

On this day in 1990, Billy Hatcher rapped out four doubles as the Reds defeated the Cubs at Riverfront Stadium, 8-1. This was also the game where Lou Piniella chucked the first base bag into the outfield during one of his famous tirades.

On this day in 1991, former Red Arthur Rhodes made his major league debut with the Orioles at the age of 21.

On this day in 2003, the Reds sent righty reliever Scott Sullivan to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for infielder Tim Hummel and cash considerations.