Brent Strom was born in San Diego and grew up playing baseball locally. He was drafted by the Angels and Giants but never signed with either club. He was finally drafted in 1970 with the 3rd pick in the 1st round by the New York Mets after a great career at USC.
Brent made his debut with the Mets on July 31st, 1972, against the Expos where he pitched 6 2/3 innings, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits, walking 4 and striking out 7. When the 1972 season was over, Brent was traded to the Cleveland Indians where he struggled most of the season finishing with a 2-10 record and a 4.61 ERA.
Brent didn’t pitch at all in 1974 but he was traded by the Indians to the Padres to complete an earlier deal in which the Padres sent Steve Arlin to the Tribe. Brent pitched for the Padres in 1975 and became a starter for the club, posting an 8-8 record with a 2.54 ERA, which was the 2nd lowest among Padres starters (Randy Jones has a 2.24 ERA).
In 1976, Brent made 33 starts for the Padres and had his best season as a starter going 12-16 with a 3.29 ERA and pitching 210 innings. It looked as if Brent was beginning to live up to his full potential when he suffered an injury to his arm.
He was released by the Padres and became the 2nd player to have the now famous Tommy John surgery. In 1979, Brent was signed by the Houston Astros but pitched in the minor league with the club. He would finish his career in 1981 pitching in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ organization with the AAA Albuquerque Dukes.
In a recent interview, Brent had this to say:
Padres360 – What is the proudest moment of your major league career?
Brent Strom – Just getting to realize a dream and pitch in the ML’s.
Padres360 – What path did you take after your major league career ended?
Brent Strom – Stayed in the game and became a pitching coach with the Dodgers.
Padres360 – Where are you-what are you doing now?
Brent Strom – ML pitching coach with Houston Astros.
Padres360 – Who were some of your favorite teammates when you were with the Padres?
Brent Strom – Randy Jones, Gene Locklear, Dave Winfield, Alan Foster, among others.
Padres360 – What is your most special memory of your time with the Padres?
Brent Strom – Being able to pitch in my hometown…born and raised in San Diego. First win/ 2-1 vs Dodgers at Jack Murphy…CG.
Padres360 – What advice would you give young players in the minors or in college?
Brent Strom – Develop your skills as early as possible when learning is easiest.
We hope you enjoyed our Throwback Thursday story and catching up with Brent Strom.
Be sure to let us know what former Padres you’d like to hear from and we will do our best to reach them.
Wayne & Rebecca
Oscar Gamble, Dan Spillner, Jerry Turner, Doug Rader, Mike Ivey Arrgghh too many to think off.. LOVE yer interviews. TY 🙂
Met Brent in ’75 I think when the Padres were in NYC to play the Mets. Asked him who was the toughest out for him and he said Ted Simmons. Very Nice guy.