Osteen won 196 games in an impressive career that stretched from 1957-1975. He came up with the Cincinnati Reds in 1957 at the age of 17 and pitched in three games. He spent 1958 in the minors before getting into another couple games in 1959. This pattern continued to repeat itself for Osteen until 1962 when he made the Washington Senators staff and stuck. Osteen won 15 games for Washington in 1964 and joined the Los Angeles Dodgers the next year. HIs career really blossomed in Los Angeles. Over the next nine seasons, Osteen would win double-digit games each year, while making three All-Star Games and pitching in two World Series. One of Osteen’s best years came in 1969 when he went 20-15 with a 2.66 ERA. He pitched 16 complete games that year and set a career high in strikeouts with 183. He won 20 games again in 1972 for Los Angeles, the wins going with a 2.64 ERA.
As you can see, Osteen’s questionnaire is just about perfect. Detailed answers for every question. He went 1-1 with a 0.64 ERA in the 1965 World Series which saw the Dodgers beat the Minnesota Twins. He made one start in the 1966 World Series, taking a loss, even though he only gave up one run in seven innings. The Dodgers lost that year to the Baltimore Orioles. Following his playing career, Osteen became a successful pitching coach for the Cardinals, Phillies, Rangers and Dodgers.
Claude Osteen – career stats
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