Richard Elde Hyde (born September 19, 1928 in Hindsboro, Illinois) is an American former relief pitcher in professional baseball who worked in the Major Leagues for six seasons from 1955 to 1961 for the Washington Senators (1955, 1957-1960) and Baltimore Orioles (1961). A right-handed pitcher, he stood 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) and weighed 170 pounds (77 kg).
Professional career
After going to tryout camps for the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals in 1947, Hyde was signed by the Washington Senators in 1949. By 1954 Hyde had made very little progress in Washington's farm system. One day after watching him throw, Calvin Griffith suggested Hyde might become more effective if came down a little when he threw. Hyde eventually adopted the submarine style of pitching.
While he made three it appearances with the Senators in 1955 it wasn't until 1957 that Hyde established himself in the major leagues.
Hyde made it to the major leagues in 1956. His best year was 1958 when he went 10-3 with 19 saves and a 1.75 Earned Run Average. He also finished 12th in the voting for Most Valuable Player.
Due to arm trouble, Hyde was not very effective for the rest of his Major League playing career which ended with the Baltimore Orioles in 1961.
Of the 169 games Hyde appeared in, all but two were done as a relief pitcher.
Transactions
Hyde was purchased by the Baltimore Orioles from the Washington Senators on July 2, 1960.
In 1959, Hyde was included in a trade between Washington and the Boston Red Sox. On June 11, Hyde and Herb Plews were sent to Boston for Murray Wall and Billy Consolo. When it was discovered Hyde had a sore arm, he and Wall were returned to their original teams.