Don Mossi: The Greatest Baseball Player You’ve Never Heard Of

Don Mossi was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era, yet he’s largely unknown. Here’s why he deserves to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Introduction

Don Mossi was one of the most successful and dominant pitchers in baseball history. Over his 13-year career, he compiled a won-loss record of . . .

Early Life and Career

Donald Joseph Mossi was born on February 11, 1925, in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was one of five children born to Italian immigrants. Mossi grew up poor and had to drop out of high school to help support his family. He began his professional baseball career in 1943, when he was just 18 years old.

Mossi spent the next few years bouncing around the minor leagues. He finally made it to the major leagues in 1951, when he was 26 years old. He pitched for the Cleveland Indians for two seasons before being traded to the Chicago White Sox.

Mossi became a star pitcher in Chicago. He was selected to the All-Star team three times and pitched in two World Series. In 1959, he won the American League ERA title with a 2.58 ERA.

Mossi’s career came to an abrupt end in 1962, when he suffered a severe arm injury. He attempted to come back in 1963, but he was never the same pitcher again and he retired after just four games.

Major League Career

Don Mossi’s Major League Baseball career spanned from 1951 to 1963, during which he played for the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, and Cincinnati Reds. He compiled a career record of 87-62 with 1,402 strikeouts and a 3.43 ERA. He was an All-Star in 1957 and 1959.

Later Life and Career

Don Mossi continued to be an effective pitcher into his early 30s. In 1963, at the age of 32, he won 13 games and posted a 3.43 ERA for the White Sox. But after the 1964 season, Mossi’s career began to decline. He was traded to the Detroit Tigers in 1965 and had a 6-10 record with a 4.50 ERA that year. The Tigers released Mossi in August 1966, and he was picked up by the Cleveland Indians. He appeared in only three games for the Indians that season, posting an 0-1 record with a 9.82 ERA. After being released by the Indians, Mossi retired from baseball.

Mossi finished his career with a 97-93 record and a 3.43 ERA in 10 seasons. Despite his impressive career numbers, he was never selected to play in an All-Star game. In retirement, Mossi became a successful businessman and was inducted into the Ohio Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.

Legacy

Don Mossi was one of the most versatile and dominant pitchers of his era, a pitcher who could also hit and field his position well. He played for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Cincinnati Reds over his 13-year career, winning over 200 games and making three All-Star teams. Although he is not in the Hall of Fame, he is widely considered one of the greatest players not enshrined in Cooperstown.