Pat Dobson

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Lore & Background

Dobson arrived in Baltimore on December 1, 1970, traded from San Diego along with Tom Dukes for Enzo Hernández, Tom Phoebus, Fred Beene, and Al Severinsen. In 1971, he became a cornerstone of the Orioles' pitching staff, achieving a winning streak of 12 games that included nine consecutive complete games. He also posted a scoreless inning streak of 23. On September 24, he secured his 20th win with a 7–0 shutout against the Cleveland Indians, finishing the season with a 20–8 record, 187 strikeouts, and a 2.90 ERA. He joined Dave McNally (21–5), Mike Cuellar (20–9), and Jim Palmer (20–9) as part of the 'Big Four,' making Baltimore one of only two teams in MLB history to have four 20-game winners in a single season. His dominance extended internationally on November 2, 1971, when he threw a 2–0 no-hitter against the Yomiuri Giants in Tokyo, marking the first no-hit game in Japanese-American baseball exhibition history.

In Their Own Story

The 1971 season was a turning point for Dobson after struggling to secure a rotation spot with the Detroit Tigers. Traded to Baltimore, he flourished as the staff ace. The highlight of his tenure came on September 24, 1971, when he recorded his 20th win in a shutout victory over the Indians. This achievement was part of a historic campaign where the Orioles won 101 games. Dobson's performance was so consistent that he earned an All-Star selection in 1972, improving his ERA to 2.65 despite finishing with a 16–18 record, tying for the American League lead in losses. His time in Baltimore ended on December 1, 1972, when he was traded to the Atlanta Braves along with Davey Johnson, Johnny Oates, and Roric Harrison in exchange for Earl Williams and Taylor Duncan.

Reader's Guide

Pat Dobson played for the Orioles from 1971 through the start of the 1973 season. During his time there, he was a key member of the 'Big Four' pitching staff alongside Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar, and Jim Palmer. His most notable achievements include winning 20 games in 1971, throwing a no-hitter in Tokyo on November 2, 1971, and helping the Orioles win 101 games that season. He was an All-Star in 1972. Dobson was traded to the Braves on December 1, 1972, ending his tenure with Baltimore. Fans should remember him for his durability, his role in the 1971 historic season, and his unique no-hitter in Japan.

Did You Know?

• Dobson was one of only two teams in MLB history to have four 20-game winners, joining the 1920 Chicago White Sox.
• He threw the first no-hit game in Japanese-American baseball exhibition history on November 2, 1971, against the Yomiuri Giants in Tokyo.
• In 1971, Dobson recorded a winning streak of 12 games that included nine consecutive complete games.
• Dobson was traded to the Orioles on December 1, 1970, along with Tom Dukes for four players: Enzo Hernández, Tom Phoebus, Fred Beene, and Al Severinsen.