Pedro Borbon(1946-2012)

Borbon was a key member of the bullpen of the Cincinnati Red's "Big Red Machine" for the 1975-76 championship teams, winning 13 games during those two seasons. He played Major League Baseball for 12 seasons (1969-1980) for four teams, including 10 seasons for the Cincinnati Reds (1970-1979), playing on two World Series winning teams. In 2010, he became the third reliever to be inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame. Borbon appeared in more games than any other NL pitcher from 1970-78. He holds the club record with 531 career appearances. Borbon pitched in 20 playoff games during his career with a 2.55 ERA. Borbon became part of baseball lore in 1995 when, at age 48, he decided to return to the game as a replacement player during Major League Baseball's labor dispute. He joined the Reds in Florida for spring training and faced two batters. He struck out the only batter he faced in an exhibition against the Pirates in Bradenton. The Reds released him after he faced one batter in another game against the Indians, fell down while trying to field a bunt and threw wildly to first base for an error. Borbon also got notice for his mention in the 1980 movie "Airplane!" While trying to concentrate, pilot Ted Striker hears a public address announcer's voice in his head: "Pinch hitting for Pedro Borbon ... Manny Mota." They never did play together on any team.