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Mark Alan Clear (born May 27, 1956) is an American former two-time All Star Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for the California Angels (1979–80, 1990), Boston Red Sox (1981–85), and Milwaukee Brewers (1986–88). He batted and threw right-handed.[1]

Early life

Clear was born in Los Angeles and attended Northview High School in Covina, California.[1] He attended Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, California.[2]

Clear's uncle is Bob Clear, who was a minor league pitcher in the 1940s and 1950s, and a coach with the California Angels from 1976 to 1986.[3]

Professional career

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Clear in the eighth round of the 1974 MLB draft.[1] A hard curveballer with shaky control, Clear was a flexible set-up man, and an occasional closer as well. Twice he struck out 100-plus batters without starting a game (becoming the first pitcher to do so), and pitched 100 or more innings in three different seasons.[citation needed]

In 1979, Clear was an All Star and came in 19th in voting for the American League MVP.[1] That year he won the June AL Pitcher of the Month Award.[1] He was 11–5 with a 3.63 earned run average (ERA). His 14 saves were 7th-most in the American League.[1]

On July 6, 1980, Clear won the AL Pitcher of the Week Award.[1] He was traded along with Carney Lansford and Rick Miller from the Angels to the Red Sox for Rick Burleson and Butch Hobson five months later on December 10, 1980.[4]

In 1982, Clear was again voted an All Star, and finished the season with a career-high 14 wins and 109 strikeouts. He had a 3.00 ERA in 105 innings, and his 14 saves were 9th-most in the American League.[1] His 2.20 ERA and 16 saves in 1986 were career bests, and his 16 saves were 8th-most in the American League.[1] In May of that season, Clear won the AL Pitcher of the Month Award.[1]

In his 11-year career, Clear compiled a 71–49 record with a 3.85 ERA, 83 saves, and 804 strikeouts in 804.1 innings.[1]

See also

References

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