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Reggie Cleveland
Reggie Cleveland
Reggie Cleveland
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Reginald Leslie Cleveland (born May 23, 1948) is a Canadian former professional baseball player. A right-handed pitcher, Cleveland appeared in 428 games in Major League Baseball over 13 seasons (1969–81) for four teams. Born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, and raised in Cold Lake, Alberta, Cleveland was listed as 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and 195 pounds (88 kg) (13 stone, 13 lbs.). He was elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986.

Key Information

Career

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Cleveland originally signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1966, and after a one-game trial with the 1969 Redbirds, he made the major leagues for good during August of 1970. In his first full season, he won 12 games and the 1971 National League Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award from The Sporting News. He hurled for the Cardinals (through 1973), Boston Red Sox (1974–78), Texas Rangers (1978) and Milwaukee Brewers (1979–81).

As a member of the pennant-winning 1975 Red Sox, he was the starting pitcher in Game 2 of the 1975 American League Championship Series against the Oakland Athletics. He allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings of work, exiting the game with the score tied, 3–3. He earned a no-decision, with Red Sox relief pitcher Roger Moret gaining credit for the win when Boston prevailed, 6–3. Then, in the 1975 World Series, Cleveland worked in three games, two in relief. He was the starting pitcher in Game 5 against the Cincinnati Reds on October 16 at Riverfront Stadium. He gave up seven hits and five runs, all earned, and was charged with the 6–2 loss. He also came out of the bullpen in the top of the ninth inning of Game 7 at Fenway Park and got the final out, but the Reds had already forged ahead against Cleveland's predecessor on the mound, Jim Burton, and secured a 4–3 win and the world championship. The 1975 campaign afforded Cleveland his only postseason appearances; in his four games and 112⁄3 innings pitched, he compiled a 0–1 win–loss record and a 6.17 earned run average.

He ended his regular-season MLB career with 105 wins and 106 defeats, with a 3.73 ERA, 930 strikeouts, 57 complete games (in 203 career starting assignments), 12 shutouts and 25 saves. In 1,809 innings pitched, he allowed 1,843 hits and 543 bases on balls. In 1976, while with the Red Sox, Cleveland led the American League in fewest home runs allowed per nine innings (0.159). He allowed only 3 home runs in 170 innings pitched that year. He served as a pitching coach in the Toronto Blue Jays' organisation during the 1990s.

Personal life

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He has five children, adopted sons Timothy and Jonathan Cleveland, former Olympic swimmer, and three biological children, daughter Michelle and sons Michael and Todd from his first marriage to Kathleen (née Kubicki).[1]

References

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Reggie Cleveland

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Reggie Cleveland is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher known for his thirteen-year Major League Baseball career from 1969 to 1981, during which he compiled 105 victories—ranking him among the most successful Canadian-born pitchers in history—and became the first Canadian-born pitcher to start a World Series game. Born on May 23, 1948, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Cleveland played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, and Milwaukee Brewers, excelling as both a starter and reliever while overcoming personal challenges and earning accolades including The Sporting News National League Rookie Pitcher of the Year in 1971. Cleveland's career featured standout performances, such as a career-best 14–10 record and 3.01 ERA with the Cardinals in 1973, and key contributions to the Red Sox's 1975 American League pennant, where he started Game 5 of the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. He later transitioned to a relief role, earning Rolaids Relief Awards with the Rangers and Brewers, and reached the milestone of his 100th win in 1980. Inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, Cleveland remains a significant figure in Canadian baseball history for his pioneering achievements and longevity in the majors.

Early life

Birth and family background

Reginald Leslie Cleveland was born on May 23, 1948, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. He was the son of Gladys (née Porter) and Bob Cleveland. Swift Current was a small town of approximately 6,000 residents at the time of his birth, situated in the southwestern part of the province. Details about his extended family background, including siblings or parental occupations, are not widely documented in available sources.

Youth in Saskatchewan and early baseball involvement

Reggie Cleveland's early baseball involvement developed primarily in Saskatchewan, where he began playing organized ball as a youth. He participated in Little League in Moose Jaw, showcasing his pitching talent early by throwing his first no-hitter at age 13. By age 15, Cleveland had advanced to adult competition, pitching in the South Saskatchewan Senior League for the Swift Current Indians, where he faced significantly more experienced players. His rapid progression reflected his physical maturity and skill, as he was already six feet tall at age 14 and regularly competed against opponents several years older. Although his family's relocation to Cold Lake, Alberta, due to his father's Royal Canadian Air Force service expanded his baseball experiences across provinces, Cleveland continued playing in Saskatchewan's small towns, often against much older boys or men in organized settings. This rural environment, with limited player pools, accelerated his development by forcing him to pitch against seasoned competition from a young age. His amateur career in Saskatchewan peaked in 1965 with the Moose Jaw Phillies, when he threw another no-hitter that demonstrated his standout potential in the province's baseball scene.

Professional baseball career

Minor leagues and debut

Reggie Cleveland signed his first professional contract with the St. Louis Cardinals as an amateur free agent in 1965, receiving a $1,000 bonus after negotiating up from an initial $500 offer from scout Bill Sayles. He began his professional career in 1966, pitching for the Class-A St. Petersburg Cardinals in the Florida State League and appearing in five games for the Eugene Emeralds of the Class-A Northwest League. In 1967, he started the season with St. Petersburg but played only two games before an ankle injury sidelined him; after recovering, he was assigned to the Lewiston Broncs in the Northwest League, where he led the circuit with 19 games started and tied for the lead in complete games with 11. Cleveland returned to St. Petersburg in 1968 and delivered a solid performance, going 15-10 in 27 starts with a 2.77 ERA and 135 strikeouts across 185 innings. He advanced to Double-A in 1969 with the Arkansas Travelers of the Texas League, compiling a 15-6 record, 3.39 ERA, and tying for the league lead in complete games with 13 in 23 starts; late that season, he earned a promotion to the Triple-A Tulsa Oilers of the American Association, where he appeared in six games. On October 1, 1969, Cleveland made his Major League Baseball debut for the St. Louis Cardinals, starting against the Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium at age 21; he pitched four innings, allowing seven hits, four earned runs, one walk, and three strikeouts. Cleveland returned to Tulsa to open the 1970 season, posting a 12-8 record in Triple-A before receiving a recall to the Cardinals in August, after which he remained in the majors without further minor league assignments.

St. Louis Cardinals (1971–1973)

Reggie Cleveland established himself as a durable starting pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals' rotation from 1971 to 1973, making 99 starts across the three seasons without any relief appearances. He pitched more than 220 innings each year, demonstrating exceptional workload capacity while contributing to the team's pitching staff alongside veterans like Bob Gibson. In 1971, his first full major league season, Cleveland posted a 12–12 record with a 4.01 ERA over 34 starts and 222 innings pitched, including 10 complete games and 2 shutouts with 148 strikeouts. He was named The Sporting News National League Rookie Pitcher of the Year for his performance. Despite a slow start, he secured his first major league win on April 20 against the San Francisco Giants, pitching 7⅔ innings in a 2–1 victory. Cleveland followed with a 14–15 record and a 3.94 ERA in 1972, completing 11 games and throwing 3 shutouts over 230.2 innings in 33 starts. He showed particular strength early in the campaign, reaching an 11–4 mark with a 2.99 ERA by mid-July, including a complete-game shutout of the Atlanta Braves on July 13. His strongest season with the Cardinals came in 1973, when he compiled a 14–10 record, a 3.01 ERA, and 224 innings pitched across 32 starts, with 6 complete games and 3 shutouts. This marked his lowest ERA and highest ERA+ (122) during his St. Louis tenure, as he ranked second on the staff in wins and provided consistent performance in a rotation that also featured Rick Wise. Following the season, Cleveland was traded to the Boston Red Sox on December 7, 1973, in a multi-player deal.

Boston Red Sox (1974–1978)

Cleveland was acquired by the Boston Red Sox from the St. Louis Cardinals on December 7, 1973, in a multi-player trade that sent Lynn McGlothen, John Curtis, and Mike Garman to St. Louis. He joined a pitching staff expected to be among the league's strongest, though injuries and conditioning issues limited his early impact. In 1974, Cleveland appeared in 41 games, including 27 starts, compiling a 12-14 record with a 4.31 ERA over 221.1 innings pitched. He recorded 10 complete games but struggled with consistency, including several hard-luck defeats such as complete-game losses where he allowed minimal runs. The 1975 season proved to be Cleveland's most significant with Boston, as he contributed to the team's American League East title. After a mixed start that saw him briefly moved to the bullpen, he returned to the rotation and finished strong, posting a 13-9 record with a 4.43 ERA in 170.2 innings. His September performance was particularly effective, going 4-0 with a 2.21 ERA over 36.2 innings and helping Boston clinch the division. In the postseason, Cleveland became the first Canadian-born pitcher to start a League Championship Series game, taking the mound in Game 2 of the ALCS against Oakland and allowing three runs over five innings in a no-decision as Boston swept the series. In the World Series against Cincinnati, he started Game 5—the first Canadian to start a World Series game—shutting out the Reds through 3.2 innings before yielding Tony Pérez's home run; he ultimately took the loss after further runs in the sixth inning of a 6-2 defeat. Cleveland also appeared in relief in Games 3 and 7, finishing his Series with three appearances, one start, a 6.75 ERA, and 6.2 innings pitched. Cleveland transitioned to a more versatile role in subsequent years. In 1976, primarily working out of the bullpen, he delivered his best ERA of the period at 3.07 while going 10-9 over 170 innings and allowing only three home runs. He returned to starting duties in 1977, finishing 11-8 with a 4.26 ERA across 190.1 innings and nine complete games. In 1978, he appeared in just one game for Boston before his contract was sold to the Texas Rangers on April 18. Across his five seasons with Boston, Cleveland compiled a 46-41 record with a 4.04 ERA in 752.2 innings.

Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers (1978–1981)

Cleveland pitched for the Texas Rangers following the sale of his contract from Boston on April 18, 1978, appearing in games for them during the remainder of the 1978 season. He was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers on December 15, 1978. Cleveland struggled in 1979 with the Brewers, posting a 1–5 record with a 6.71 ERA across 29 games (one start) and 55 innings pitched. He rebounded in 1980, achieving an 11–9 record and a 3.73 ERA in 45 games (13 starts) while logging 154.1 innings, with notable stretches as both a starter and reliever after arriving at spring training in improved physical condition. In 1981, his performance declined to a 2–3 record and 5.15 ERA over 35 relief appearances and 64.2 innings, hampered by tendinitis in his right shoulder after overtraining following the mid-season players' strike, compounded by diminished confidence, ongoing alcohol issues, and family problems. Cleveland voluntarily approached manager Buck Rodgers to request removal from the roster, stating he lacked confidence and did not want to hinder the team's playoff push. His final MLB appearance came on September 23, 1981, and he was released by the Brewers on February 5, 1982, concluding his major league career.

Career statistics and achievements

MLB pitching record

Reggie Cleveland compiled a 105–106 win–loss record with a 4.01 earned run average (ERA) across his 13-season Major League Baseball career spanning 1969 to 1981. He appeared in 428 games, starting 203 of them, and pitched a total of 1,809 innings while recording 930 strikeouts, 25 saves, 57 complete games, and 12 shutouts. His career WHIP was 1.319, with 543 walks issued against 1,843 hits allowed. Cleveland's performance varied across his four MLB teams. With the St. Louis Cardinals from 1969 to 1973, he posted a 40–41 record and a 3.83 ERA over 116 games and 706.2 innings pitched. During his tenure with the Boston Red Sox from 1974 to 1978, he recorded a 46–41 mark with a 4.04 ERA in 150 games and 752.2 innings. In a partial season with the Texas Rangers in 1978, he made 53 relief appearances, earning a 5–7 record, 12 saves, and a 3.09 ERA across 75.2 innings. With the Milwaukee Brewers from 1979 to 1981, he had a 14–17 record and a 4.66 ERA in 109 games covering 274 innings.

Postseason appearances

Reggie Cleveland's only postseason experience came in 1975 with the Boston Red Sox, who captured the American League pennant before falling to the Cincinnati Reds in a seven-game World Series. Across four appearances in the ALCS and World Series, he posted a 0-1 record with a 6.17 ERA, 11.2 innings pitched, 14 hits allowed, eight earned runs, three home runs, four walks, and seven strikeouts. As a right-handed pitcher used both as a starter and in relief, Cleveland achieved historical significance by becoming the first Canadian-born pitcher to start a postseason game and a World Series game. In the 1975 American League Championship Series against the Oakland Athletics, which Boston swept three games to none, Cleveland started Game 2 on October 5 and pitched five innings, surrendering seven hits, three earned runs (including a two-run home run to Reggie Jackson), one walk, and two strikeouts for no decision in a 6-3 Red Sox victory. Cleveland appeared in three games during the World Series loss to Cincinnati. He started Game 5 on October 16 at Riverfront Stadium, pitching 5⅔ innings and taking the loss in a 6-2 defeat after allowing five earned runs on multiple home runs to Tony Perez amid defensive miscues that extended a key inning. In relief, he entered Game 3 with Cincinnati leading 5-1 and threw 1⅓ scoreless innings, striking out Tony Perez and Johnny Bench to end threats before being lifted. In Game 7 at Fenway Park, he relieved in the ninth inning with runners on second and third, walked Johnny Bench to load the bases, then retired Tony Perez on a fly out to end the inning without further damage, though Cincinnati held on for a 4-3 win and the championship.

Media appearances and public profile

Television and self-credits

Reggie Cleveland's television appearances have been limited, consisting primarily of credited self-appearances in postseason baseball broadcasts during his playing career. He is listed as himself in the 1975 American League Championship Series television mini-series, appearing in one episode as a Boston Red Sox pitcher. He also received self-credits for three episodes of the 1975 World Series television mini-series in the same capacity as a Boston Red Sox pitcher. These credits stem from his participation in the Boston Red Sox's postseason run that year, where he pitched in the ALCS and World Series games that were televised nationally. No other film or television credits as himself or in any other capacity are documented on major industry databases.

Personal life

Family and post-retirement activities

Cleveland was married to Kathleen Kubicki in 1968, and the couple had three children: daughter Michelle and sons Michael and Todd. Todd later played shortstop for the University of North Florida. Following his retirement from professional baseball in 1981, Cleveland relocated to Calgary, Alberta, with his second wife, Charlene, and their two children. One of their sons, John, competed as a swimmer for Canada in the 1988, 1992, and 1996 Olympic Games. In Calgary, he worked in automobile sales for Shaganappi Chev-Olds and subsequently entered real estate. From 1991 to 1995, he served as a pitching coach for Toronto Blue Jays minor-league affiliates in the instructional league, New York-Penn League, and South Atlantic League. Cleveland later moved to the Dallas, Texas area, where he sold luxury cars for Park Place Lexus. As of 2014, he resided in Anna, Texas.

Legacy and honors

Hall of fame inductions and recognitions

Reggie Cleveland was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 1986. He was elected on January 28, 1986, and formally inducted on July 31, 1986, in recognition of his major league career and his standing among Canadian-born players. He was also inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame on June 15, 2002, honoring his achievements as a native of Swift Current and his impact on baseball in the province. In addition to these hall of fame honors, Cleveland received recognition as The Sporting News National League Rookie Pitcher of the Year in 1971 for his performance with the St. Louis Cardinals. He later earned the Rolaids Award as the best reliever on his team with the Texas Rangers in 1978 and with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1980.

Impact on Canadian baseball

Reggie Cleveland, born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, achieved a notable milestone as the first Canadian-born pitcher to start a World Series game. In 1975, he started Game 5 for the Boston Red Sox against the Cincinnati Reds, marking an important moment for Canadian representation in Major League Baseball's postseason. His career total of 105 major league wins ranks him fourth on the all-time list among Canadian pitchers. This accomplishment, along with his overall contributions to the sport, led to his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, recognizing his role in elevating the profile of Canadian talent in professional baseball. Cleveland's legacy in his home province is similarly honored through his induction into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, where he is celebrated for his pioneering achievements and for demonstrating the potential for Saskatchewan athletes to succeed at the highest levels of the game. These recognitions underscore his influence in inspiring greater participation and visibility for baseball in Canada, particularly in regions with limited historical exposure to the major leagues.
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