Terry Forster

Terry Jay Forster (born January 14, 1952) is an American former left-handed relief pitcher who played for 16 seasons in the Major Leagues. He played for five teams in his career and recorded 127 saves during his time in the majors.

Early life Forster grew up in California and attended Santana High School in Santee, California. A talented pitcher at the high school level, he was made a second round draft pick by the Chicago White Sox in the 1970 MLB Amateur Draft.

Career Forster rapidly ascended to the big league level, making the White Sox's opening day roster in 1971 after only 10 games at the single-A level in the minor leagues. He recorded a 3.99 ERA and hit .400 (2 for 5) as a 19-year-old. He became Chicago's top relief pitcher in 1972, allowing no home runs over 100 innings and earning 29 saves, which ranked second in the American League that season. After splitting time between the bullpen and the starting rotation in 1973, Forster returned primarily to the bullpen in 1974 and led the American League in saves with 24. He received the Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award in 1974. He then missed most of 1975 with an arm injury, which allowed teammate Rich Gossage to become the league leader in saves that season.

In 1976, new White Sox manager Paul Richards decided to put Forster in the starting rotation. The experiment backfired, as Forster responded with a 2-12 record. At the end of the season he was traded, along with Gossage, to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Richie Zisk He also recorded a novelty song called "Fat Is In".

The Braves released Forster shortly before the start of the 1986 season. He was signed two weeks later by the California Angels. Forster finished the year with a 3.51 ERA in 41 appearances, but was not part of the Angels' roster for the ALCS. This was Forster's last season in the major leagues, although he did play minor league baseball in the Minnesota Twins organization in 1987.

Forster was an excellent hitter, something usually not associated with relief pitchers. His .397 lifetime batting average (31 hits in 78 at bats) is the highest for any major leaguer in history with either 50 at bats or with at least 15 years of major league experience.