DICK RUTHVEN

ALPHABETIC LIST OF

THE 50 BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1970'S

WHO DIDN'T MAKE MY ORIGINAL 100 FAVORITE PLAYER LIST

#43 DICK RUTHVEN

ATLANTA BRAVES 1976-1978

I left Dick Ruthven off my original 100 list because I remembered him expressing joy when he was traded from the Braves to the Phillies in 1978. That's a no-no for making my list. Atlanta did get Gene Garber from the Phillies in that trade, so it actually proved to be a good swap for the Braves.

During Dick's time in Atlanta, he did have ten wins at the all-star break in 1976 and made the all-star team. He slumped the rest of that season and ended the season leading the league in losses with 17. His best game of that season was a complete game shutout against the Padres and that seasons Cy Young Award winner Randy Jones on August 4, 1976. Ruthven also had two hits in that game.

In Ruthven's defense, he did get to play in the World Series after being traded to the Phillies, so it may have all been for the best.