Don Aase used his physical ability to see 13 ML seasons
Going into his second major league season, new Angels hurler Don Aase impressed with both his arm and his attitude, The Desert Sun wrote.
Aase'd debuted the previous year with the Red Sox, then got traded to the Angels.
"He's young and wants to do well," Angels pitching coach Merv Grissom told The Sun. "He has the physical ability and is willing to accept advice."
Aase took both his attitude and arm on to 13 total major league seasons, both as a starter and as a reliever. His relief work garnered him an All-Star nod and talk then as one of the league's top relievers.
Aase's career began in 1972, taken by the Red Sox in the sixth round of the draft out of Savanna High School in California.
Aase started with the Red Sox at short-season Williamsport. He made AAA Pawtucket in 1975 and then Boston in 1977. He went 6-2 for the Red Sox in 13 starts that first year, with a 3.12 ERA.
Aase became a regular with the Angels. He went 11-8 that first year, with a 4.03 ERA in 29 starts. He moved to relief work in 1981 and had a 2.34 ERA in 39 outings.
Aase spoke of the switch to the bullpen to The Los Angeles Times in April 1982.
"I really feel comfortable with relief now," Aase told The Times. "At first, it was tough. It was hard to do something completely different when all my life I had been a starter."
Aase continued with the Angels in a relief role through 1984, missing 1983 to injury. He saved 11 games in 1981.
Aase moved to the Orioles for 1985 and saw 54 relief outings, saving 14. He then had his 1986 season where he saved 34 in 66 outings. He also made the All-Star team.
"I'm better suited for relieving," Aase told The Boston Globe in June 1986. "I don't have to pace myself, just come in and throw as hard as I can."
Aase saw seven games in 1987 due to shoulder issues, then 35 for the Orioles in 1988.
He moved to the Mets for 1989, then the Dodgers in 1990. He saw 32 relief outings in Los Angeles. He also saw six starts at high-A Bakersfield. That season in 1990 proved his last.
- Desert Sun, March 28, 1978: Zazz Jazz
- Los Angeles Times, April 2, 1982: Don Aase Relieved to Find That There Is Life After Being a Starter
- Arizona Republic, Boston Globe, June 22, 1986: Big bird
Made the Majors:1,447-31.6%-X
Never Made Majors:3,128-68.4%
