Dick Tidrow, a former major-league pitcher and longtime member of the San Francisco Giants front office, has died. He was 74.
The Giants announced his death Wednesday on behalf of the Tidrow family. He died unexpectedly Saturday in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
“Our entire organization is heartbroken by the news of Dick’s passing,” Giants President and CEO Larry Baer said. “So much of our success over these past three decades is directly linked to Dick’s contributions. He will be truly missed by all of us, and our thoughts are with Mari Jo and his entire family during this difficult time.”
Tidrow pitched parts of 13 major-league seasons for the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and New York Mets. The 6-foot-4 right-hander had a 100-94 career record with 55 saves and a 3.68 ERA over 620 appearances, including 138 starts. He won two World Series rings with the Yankees in 1977 and ’78.
The Cubs acquired Tidrow from the Yankees in a May 1979 trade for pitcher Ray Burris. He pitched 31/2 seasons on the North Side, going 28-23 with 25 saves and a 3.36 ERA in 263 games, all out of the bullpen.
After the 1982 season, the Cubs dealt Tidrow across town in a six-player trade. Tidrow went to the White Sox with Scott Fletcher, Pat Tabler and Randy Martz, while Steve Trout and Warren Brusstar came north.
Tidrow went 2-4 with seven saves and a 4.22 ERA in 50 games (one start) in 1983 as the Sox won the American League West.
Tidrow most recently served as the Giants’ senior adviser to the president of baseball operations, He spent 28 seasons in a half-dozen roles with the Giants after joining the franchise before the 1994 season as a major-league scout.
The former pitcher’s guidance was crucial during the Giants’ three World Series championship seasons in 2010, ’12 and ’14. The 2010 championship was the first for the franchise since moving west in 1958.
“Dick was a unique and special person whose influence and impact was legendary throughout the game and whose fingerprints are all over our three World Series trophies,” said Brian Sabean, the Giants’ executive vice president and senior adviser. “On a personal level, we shared some incredible highs and lows together and I’m forever grateful for his 40 years of friendship and support.”
Before returning to his native San Francisco, Tidrow worked as a special assignment scout for the Yankees from 1985 through 1993.
“Crushing! Yet another great baseball man we have lost!” former Giants infielder Kevin Frandsen posted on Twitter. “The ‘ninja’ was so influential with all of us. His random times he’d pop up, maybe say a few words that might help you out, say a few words that you might not of wanted to hear at the time. But he ALWAYS was HONEST!”
Tidrow was born May 14, 1947, in San Francisco. A former Marine, he attended high school and college in the East Bay suburb of Hayward, graduating from Mount Eden High School in 1965 and Chabot Junior College two years later.
He is survived by wife Mari Jo, three children — Andy, Matt and Richelle — and one grandchild, Trista.
“Dick was truly one of a kind. He is loved and missed beyond measure and irreplaceable in our hearts and lives,” Mari Jo Tidrow said.
Services were pending.
