Former Cincinnati Reds left-hander Tom Browning, who threw the only perfect game in franchise history in 1988, dies at his home at the age of 62
Cincinnati left-hander Tom Browning, the former 20-game winner and World Series champion who engineered the only perfect game in Reds history, died Monday at the age of 62.
Browning, the 1985 National League Rookie of the Year runner-up who won 14 or more games six times in his career, was found unresponsive at his home in Union, Kentucky, just after 1 p.m. and was found dead minutes later, according to Boone declares the county sheriff’s office.
Third-party negligence was not suspected, the sheriff’s office said.
Cincinnati left-hander Tom Browning, who set up a perfect game in 1988, died at the age of 62
The Reds said in a statement: “The entire Reds family is stunned and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tom Browning. We join Reds Country in mourning the loss of one of our greats who created so many memories and magical moments for all of us. Our deepest condolences to Tom’s family at this difficult time.’
Browning’s former Reds teammates reacted to his death.
“Very sad to hear the news about my friend and teammate Tom Browning. Mr Perfect was a bulldog on the hill and will be missed. RIP Otis,” tweeted Reds helper Rob Dibble.
Browning was the runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year in 1985, winning 14 or more games six times
Hall of Famer shortstop Barry Larkin tweeted, “RIP my friend Mr. Perfect Tom Browning. We shared some great times as well as sharing the same date of birth on 4/28. We will miss you.’
“This hurts a lot,” tweeted longtime Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart.
In 12 big league seasons, 11 with Cincinnati, Browning had a career-record 123-90 with a 3.94 ERA with exactly 1,000 strikeouts in 1,921 innings. He appeared in two games for the Kansas City Royals in 1995, both losing.
Browning twice led the majors in starts, including 39 in 1986 when he tied on points with Atlanta’s Rick Mahler. Browning has tied for the NL lead in starts on two other occasions (1988, 1990).
He led the majors in starts twice, including 39 in 1986 when he tied on points with Atlanta’s Rick Mahler
On September 16, 1988, after a two-hour rain delay, Browning pitched a perfect game, 12th in the majors, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He batted seven and threw just 101 pitches.
There have only been 23 perfect games in MLB history.
Browning won 15 games in the 1990 season and two more in the postseason as Cincinnati upset the Oakland A’s and won the World Series.
Debbie Browning, his wife, died in March, and on December 14, Browning pleaded guilty to drunk driving charges, according to the Brown County, Ohio, Municipal Court.
Once, during a game at Wrigley Field, he exited the dugout and was seen sitting on a roof
Browning also made news off the field, once walking off the dugout during a game at Wrigley Field, still in uniform on an adjacent rooftop. The team imposed a $500 fine.
Additionally, during Game 2 of the 1990 World Series, Browning went to a Cincinnati hospital for the birth of his child.
“I was supposed to be serving the next game, so I didn’t think – they won’t miss me,” he said afterwards.
Instead, the game went an extra innings and the team had Reds radio announcer Marty Brennaman issue an on-air appeal for Browning to return should he be needed.
The Reds won that game 5-4 in 10 innings en route to a four-game sweep.