TTM Stats
- Sent: 12/20/2021 | Received: 7/14/2022 | 204 Days
- ’78 Topps, ’83 Fleer, ’84 Fleer (kept one card)
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Randy Lerch may not be a household name to casual baseball fans, but in the late 1970s and early 1980s, he carved out a solid career as a reliable left-handed starter. Known for his smooth mechanics, resilience on the mound, and surprising pop at the plate, Lerch played an important role on several competitive teams, particularly the Philadelphia Phillies during their rise to prominence.
Lerch was born on October 9, 1954, in Sacramento, California. A standout athlete from a young age, Lerch caught the attention of major league scouts with his strong left arm and clean delivery. The Philadelphia Phillies drafted him in the eighth round of the 1973 MLB Draft. Lerch moved quickly through the Phillies’ farm system, making his MLB debut on September 14, 1975, just shy of his 21st birthday.
By 1977, Lerch had established himself as a regular in the Phillies’ starting rotation. He was part of a talented staff that supported a lineup filled with stars like Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski, and Larry Bowa. Lerch’s best season came in 1979 when he posted a 10–13 record with a respectable 3.74 ERA across 32 starts.
That same season, Lerch provided one of the most memorable moments of his career — not on the mound, but with the bat. On September 30, 1978, in a critical game during a tight pennant race, Lerch famously hit two home runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates, helping lead the Phillies to a 10–8 victory that clinched the National League East title. That rare feat by a pitcher made headlines and cemented his place in Phillies lore.
After parts of seven seasons with Philadelphia, Lerch was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1981. He joined a strong pitching staff on a team that would soon reach the World Series. While his time with the Brewers saw some ups and downs, he was part of their 1982 AL pennant-winning club in the first part of the season before being traded.
Lerch also spent time with the Montreal Expos and San Francisco Giants before his major league career ended in 1986. Over 11 MLB seasons, he posted a 60–64 record with a 4.53 ERA in 253 games (164 starts). He also hit four career home runs, an impressive total for a pitcher.
After retiring, Randy Lerch faced some major personal challenges, including health issues tied to liver failure. In 2019, Lerch released a memoir titled “God in the Bullpen,” in which he candidly discussed the highs and lows of his career, the clubhouse culture of the 1970s and ’80s, and his battles with substance use and health.
While Randy Lerch may not have enjoyed the longevity or star status of some of his contemporaries, his story remains compelling. He was a key part of a pivotal era in Phillies history and is remembered as a tough competitor with a bat that could surprise. Off the field, his honesty and resilience have inspired many beyond the ballpark.
The Score on Randy Lerch – 7.5
Randy has a great signature. He’s got a style to a bunch of letters, but probably most for his “y” and “L”. And to do that he does a repetitive action which is something I love. But these came out well for other reasons too. The 1983 Fleer card shows off the signature really well, but that 1978 Topps card is a close second.
Thanks Mr. Lerch! I’m giving this return a 7.5 overall.
This is my third successful return from him. To see the other returns check out these posts:
>>> READ MORE ABOUT MY AUTOGRAPH SCORING SYSTEM <<<
Thanks for visiting BravestarrCards.com: Card Collecting and TTM Autographs.
Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.