Ted Abernathy Dies at Age 71

Abernathy, former reliever, dies at age of 71

Associated Press
Published on: 12/17/04

GASTONIA, N.C. —Ted Abernathy, a major-league pitcher who played for seven teams in a 14-year career, has died. He was 71 and had suffered from Alzheimer's disease for the past eight years before his death Thursday.

Abernathy twice led the National League in saves, first in as a Chicago Cub in 1965, when he had a league-leading 31 saves and a 2.57 ERA. He had 28 saves and a 1.27 ERA two seasons later for the Cincinnati Reds. He pitched for the Braves in 1966, going 4-4 in 38 appearances. Abernathy appeared in 681 games and picked up 148 saves during a career that lasted from 1955-1972. His had a 63-69 record and a 3.46 ERA.

Abernathy grew up near Stanley and joined the majors after graduating from high school. Abernathy changed his pitching motion after a shoulder surgery that had left his career in doubt, switching from a three-quarter pitching motion into a side-armed delivery. "He would sling that ball practically underhanded up there, and it looked like the ball was coming right at you as a hitter," his son Todd Abernathy said. "He had the ability to make great hitters look bad."