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Red Sox: Former pitchers that failed to live up to expectations

By Rick McNair

Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A Baseball glove and ball rest on the field prior to a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A Baseball glove and ball rest on the field prior to a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Tom Brewer had one of the greatest curveballs I ever saw and he also got stuck playing for some semi-dreadful Red Sox teams. Brewer was a right-hander who won 19 games for the 1956 Red Sox and had double-digit wins in seven of his eight seasons – all with Boston.

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Brewer was an extremely smooth pitcher with three pitchers that he had great command of. A Brewer fastball followed by a 12-6 curve was a deadly combination. When Brewer had complete control he was simply one of the best in the league. Brewer – like far too many pitchers – was subject to fits of control issues and that resulted in a career 4.0 BB/9.

Big things were expected of Brewer, who reeled off seven straight seasons of 10+ wins for the one-time All-Star, but the last few seasons were symptomatic of a player whose arm was deteriorating. The wins – not helped by a wretched team – declined and the Brewer earned run average climbed.

Brewer was finished by age 29 due to arm and shoulder injuries that with today’s medicine could have been repaired. Still, Brewer posted 91 wins in his brief career.

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