Born:  Oakland, Calif., 2/2/1952

B-R, T-R...  6'3", 200 lbs

 

A right-handed relief specialist, injuries limited Brusstar to 26 games and 38 innings during the 1980 season.  However, when the playoffs and World Series rolled around, Brusstar was there to contribute to the cause.  A quality middle-reliever, Brusstar helped to bridge the gap between the starting pitchers and Phils' closer Tug McGraw.  Brusstar pitched with the Phillies through 1982, then finished his career in Chicago pitching for both the White Sox and the Cubs.

1980 Statistics

 

Games

 W

 L

Ks

ERA

1980

      26

  2

 2

21

3.72

LCS

        2

  0

 0

  0

3.38

WS

        1

  0

 0

  0

0.00

Lifetime Statistics

Year

Team

IP

W

  L

  S

   K

ERA

1977

Phillies

  71.1

  7

  2

  3

  46

2.65

1978

Phillies

  88.2

  6

  3

  0

  60

2.33

1979

Phillies

  14.1

  1

  0

  1

    3

6.91

1980

Phillies

  38.2

  2

  2

  0

  21

3.72

1981

Phillies

  12.1

  0

  1

  0

    8

4.38

1982

Phillies

  22.2

  2

  3

  2

  11

4.76

1982

White Sox

  18.1

  2

  0

  0

    8

3.44

1983

Cubs

  80.1

  3

  1

  1

  46

2.35

1984

Cubs

  63.2

  1

  1

  3

  36

3.11

1985

Cubs

   74.1

  4

  3

  4

  34

6.05

TOTALS

 

484.2

28

16

14

273

3.51

Phillies Publications

From The Phillies 1980 Media Guide:

 

How Obtained:  Phillies No. 4 selection, secondary phase, Jan. 1974 draft, signed by Eddie Bockman.

 

1979 Season:  A persistent shoulder injury ruined his year...  He hurt the shoulder in spring training and never was 100%...  Originally activated from the DL on 6/28... Was optioned to Reading on 7/25 and made one appearance before resting his arm the rest of the season...  Began a workout program during the offseason to rebuild the shoulder and started throwing again in February...  Picked up his only save on 7/9...  Beat the Mets on 7/3 for his one decision...  Last appearance was in LA on 7/24.

 

Career:  Had developed into one of the league's premier middle relievers before his injury in spring training...  He's a sinker-slider type pitcher who specialized in keeping the ball in the ballpark...  Had a streak of 104.1 consecutive innings without a home run allowed snapped on 7/24 @ LA when Dusty Baker hit a grand slam...  Was one of the final cuts in spring training, 1977, then was recalled from Oklahoma City on 4/22/77...  Was workhorse of the Eastern League in 1976 with a 10-17 record which included a league leading 27 games started, 19 complete games and 199 innings pitched.

 

Personal/Misc:  Graduate of Napa (Calif.) Junior College...  Attended Fresno State...  Now makes his permanent home in suburban Philadelphia.

From The Phillies 1981 Media Guide:

 

1980 Season:  After a season and a half of shoulder miseries, stepping on a major league mound and pitching in competition was a thrill for him...  First time back was two innings against the Pirates on 7/13 @ Vet...  Earlier he had pitched for Phils farm club at Peninsula in preparation for his return to the active roster... Picked up his first win since 7/3/79 when he beat Cubs in suspended game on 8/11 @ Wrigley Field... Was 1-0 in August with a 2.57 ERA...  Most important and dramatic appearance was getting out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam against the Giants to give the Phillies an important late season extra inning win @ S.F.

 

1980 Post-Season: Won Game #4 of the LCS and pitched well in Game #4 of the WS.

 

Career:  Was one of the Phillies bright spots in the bullpen until a mysterious shoulder injury ruined his 1979 season...  Was one of the final cuts in spring training, 1977, then was recalled from Oklahoma City on 4/22/77...  When pitching effectively, he's a ground ball pitcher specializing in keeping the ball in the ballpark...  Had a streak of 104.1 consecutive innings without a home run allowed snapped on 7/24/79 @ LA when Dusty Baker hit a grand slam.

 

Personal/Misc:  One of the hardest working Phillies as far as off-season conditioning... Makes his home in suburban Philadelphia... A graduate of Napa (Cal.) Junior College.

From The 1980 Phillies Yearbook:

  • Favorite Color:  Blue
  • Favorite Singer/Group:  Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin
  • Favorite Song:  Stairway to Heaven
  • Favorite City:  San Diego
  • Least Favorite City:  Pittsburgh
  • Person You'd Most Like To Meet:  Christie Brinkley (Sports Illustrated's Bathing Suit Model)
  • Boyhood Idol(s):  Willie Mays
  • Biggest Turn-On:  Snuggling close by the fire, Margaritas
  • Biggest Turn-Off:  Small, crowded areas
  • Favorite Subject in School:  Mathematics, English
  • Favorite TV Show:  Mork and Mindy, Three Stooges
  • Favorite Book:  The Family by Ed Sanders
  • Person You Most Admire:  My Father
  • Greatest Achievement:  Getting to the major leagues
  • Most Memorable Moment:  In the Gulf of Mexico with my wife Donna
  • Hobbies:  Chopping wood, sports, listening to good music
  • Toughest Batter You've Faced:  George Foster, Steve Garvey