Denny Lemaster Passes Away

Denny Lemaster, a former All-Star pitcher, passed away late last month, according to a funeral facility in

Georgia’s obituary. The former pitcher for the Expos, Astros, and Braves was 85 years old.

Lemaster, a native of California, signed a contract with the Milwaukee Braves in 1958, just after he

graduated from Oxnard High School. Despite not making his major league debut until July 1962, the

southpaw pitched admirably for the Braves in 17 games—12 of which were starts—with a 3.01 ERA over

86 2/3 innings of work. Lemaster’s tryout in his rookie season secured him a more consistent spot in the

team’s rotation moving forward. In his first big league season from start to finish, the lefty tossed 237

innings while recording a solid 3.04 ERA.

31 of the 46 appearances were starts. It was also during that first full season as a big leaguer that he hit

two of his four career home runs.

Despite a modest decline in performance from his stellar sophomore season, Lemaster continued to be a

significant source of innings for the Braves during their 1964–1966 shift from Milwaukee to Atlanta.

Late in 1966, Lemaster showed signs of improvement as he finished the season with a 1.64 ERA over his

final three starts. On August 9, he outperformed future Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, striking out ten and

giving up just one run in a three-hit masterpiece against the Dodgers, who were the defending World

Series champions.

a full game against an All-Star group that featured John Roseboro and Jim Lefebvre. Unfortunately, a

pinched nerve would keep Lemaster out of action after August 19, forcing an early end to his 1966

campaign.

In 1967, however, the left-hander returned to the mound with a vengeance. In 127 2/3 innings of work,

including six complete games, he posted a strong first half with a 2.82 ERA. He also turned in a stellar

13-inning performance in a 15-inning game against the Dodgers, striking out 12 and giving up just one

earned run. Lemaster did not appear in that game, but that performance was sufficient to make him an

All-Star for the first and only time in his career.

year’s All-Star match as a result of a disability. Due to injuries, the southpaw pitched just 87 2/3 innings

in the second half. On September 22, he made his last appearance wearing a Braves uniform.

After the 1967 season, Lemaster was traded for infielders Sonny Jackson and Chuck Harrison, along with

All-Star infielder Denis Menke, to the Astros. Lemaster had two very successful seasons in Houston,

pitching to a 3.00 ERA in 69 starts and 468 2/3 innings of work. Lemaster was shifted to the bullpen for

the second half of the 1970 season after a terrible first half, and he would stay in a relief role for the

remainder of his career. The left-hander left Houston after the 1971 campaign and concluded his playing

career in 1972 with the Expos. On June 21 of that year, he made his MLB debut as a pitcher.

Lemaster worked 1787 2/3 innings, struck out 1305 batters, and had a strong career 3.58 ERA with a 90-

105 record over his 11 seasons in the major leagues. Lemaster’s obituary states that after his playing

days, he worked as a custom home builder and honed his skill at woodcarving wildfowl.

We at MLBTR send our deepest sympathies to Lemaster’s loved ones, family, and friends.