Rick Camp

Rick Camp
Rick Camp
	Camp with the Atlanta Braves c. 1981
	Pitcher
	Born: June 10, 1953; Trion, Georgia, U.S.
	Died: April 25, 2013 (aged 59); Rydal, Georgia, U.S.
	Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
	September 15, 1976, for the Atlanta Braves
Last MLB appearance
	October 5, 1985, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	56–49
Earned run average	3.37
Strikeouts	407
Saves	57
	Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
	Atlanta Braves (1976–1978, 1980–1985);

Rick Lamar Camp (June 10, 1953 – April 25, 2013) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for a total of nine seasons with the Atlanta Braves between 1976 and 1985.^[1]

Biography

Camp was born in Trion, Georgia. He pitched for the Atlanta Braves for nine seasons between 1976 and 1985.^[1]

He was best known for hitting a game-tying 18th-inning home run in a game that began on July 4, 1985, and ended on July 5, against the New York Mets with two outs and an 0–2 count off Tom Gorman; this was the only home run of his twelve-season pro career (including nine in the majors). Representing the tying run in the 19th inning, Camp struck out to end the game and was the losing pitcher. The Braves had run out of position players and had no choice but to let Camp bat in the 18th and 19th innings, even though his career batting average was .074. The game started on July 4 at 7:05 pm, but due to extra innings and three long rain delays, it did not end until 3:55 am on July 5, the second latest any major league game has ever ended (after the last out, the night still wasn't over for people in Atlanta, as the Braves gave their fans a promised fireworks show at 4:00am, which drew a number of complaints from neighborhood residents).^[a] It was the only home run he ever hit in the majors and it occurred in his final season as a pitcher.

In September 2005, Camp was sentenced, along with four other people, including former Georgia State Representative Robin L. Williams, to a term in federal prison for conspiring to steal more than $2 million from the Community Mental Health Center in Augusta, Georgia.^[3] Camp received a three-year sentence, while Williams got ten years.

Camp died on April 25, 2013, at his home at the age of 59.^[4]^[5]

References

^ ^a ^b "Rick Camp, 59, Pitcher gained fame for hitting his only home run in '85 game" (April 28, 2013) The Washington Post. Page C9 [1]
^ "From 1993: 'Let's play two': Phillies flirt with daybreak".
^ Sandy Hodson; Tom Corwin & Sylvia Cooper (May 5, 2005). "Williams is guilty on all 17 charges, Jury also convicts four co-defendants of crimes". Augusta Chronicle. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved January 16, 2009.
^ "Rick Camp, Atlanta Braves pitcher, dies at 59". Washington Post. April 27, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
^ "Trion's 'Favorite Son' – Rick Lamar Camp (1953-2013)".

Notes

^ Eight years later, the record was topped by a doubleheader between the San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies of July 2–3, 1993, which saw the second game end at 4:40 am, coincidentally occurring after rain had delayed the start of the first game. Veterans Stadium also had a scheduled fireworks display that night but postponed it.^[2]

External links

Career statistics from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet

[:0-1] "Rick Camp, 59, Pitcher gained fame for hitting his only home run in '85 game" (April 28, 2013) The Washington Post. Page C9 [1]

[2] "From 1993: 'Let's play two': Phillies flirt with daybreak".

[4] Sandy Hodson; Tom Corwin & Sylvia Cooper (May 5, 2005). "Williams is guilty on all 17 charges, Jury also convicts four co-defendants of crimes". Augusta Chronicle. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved January 16, 2009.

[5] "Rick Camp, Atlanta Braves pitcher, dies at 59". Washington Post. April 27, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2021.

[6] "Trion's 'Favorite Son' – Rick Lamar Camp (1953-2013)".

[3] Eight years later, the record was topped by a doubleheader between the San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies of July 2–3, 1993, which saw the second game end at 4:40 am, coincidentally occurring after rain had delayed the start of the first game. Veterans Stadium also had a scheduled fireworks display that night but postponed it.^[2]

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