Rick Reuschel
The iron-clad workhorse who dominated the mound for over a decade.
Rick Reuschel stands as one of the most durable and effective right-handed pitchers in Chicago Cubs history, anchoring the rotation during a tumultuous era for the franchise. Known affectionately by fans and teammates alike as 'The Big R', Reeschel was a workhorse who combined pinpoint control with deceptive stuff, becoming the face of the pitching staff throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.
- Role
- Starting Pitcher
- Primary Affiliation
- Chicago Cubs (1972–1983)
- Career Highlight
- Two-time All-Star selection with the Cubs
- Notable Achievement
- Led National League in complete games (1975, 1976)
- Brother
- Paul Reuschel (Former MLB Pitcher)
Lore & Background
In the mid-1970s, Rick Reuschel wasn't just good; he was arguably the National League's most reliable force, a pitcher who treated complete games as a Tuesday routine. While his contemporaries began rationing their innings, Reuschel ate up strikeout after strikeout with a slider that seemed to defy physics and a sinker that dragged batters into the dirt. Yet, his legacy is tinged with a unique Cubs tragedy: he was often the lone warrior in a losing battle. Despite leading the league in victories and posting elite ratios, he frequently watched from the mound as the lineup behind him sputtered, turning what should have been Cy Young campaigns into stories of unappreciated brilliance that defined the frustration of an entire era.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Wrigley Field hung heavy with that specific Chicago humidity, turning the leather of Reuschel's glove into a lead weight. On the rubber, 'The Big R' wiped sweat from his brow with a rag frayed by countless innings, eyes locked on the batter. Below, the afternoon sun glinted off a sea of blue and red, but Reuschel saw only the strike zone. A quick nod to the dugout confirmed Paul was ready in the bullpen, a silent pact between brothers; if this one dragged on, they'd both be needed. With a grip tightened by habit rather than force, he wound up. The slider didn't just drop; it vanished, diving sharply off the plate before snapping back into the corner. The batter swung at air. Strike three. Reuschel didn't celebrate with a fist pump or a roar. He simply tucked his cap, turned on his heel, and walked toward the mound's edge, already calculating the mechanics for tomorrow's start.
Reader's Guide
Rick Reuschel's tenure at Wrigley (1972–1983) was a masterclass in old-school grit. He didn't rely on blistering velocity but rather on command, a devastating slider, and an iron constitution that allowed him to pitch deep into games when the rest of the league was shifting toward specialization. His peak years saw him leading the National League in complete games twice (1975, 1976) and earning two All-Star selections, anchoring a rotation that kept the Cubs competitive despite chronic offensive struggles. Beyond the stats, Reuschel's legacy is defined by his resilience; he became the ultimate 'winning pitcher' who could drag a team to victory on sheer will alone. While he never captured a World Series ring in Chicago, his unique bond with brother Paul and his unwavering consistency make him the heartbeat of the franchise's most competitive decade.
Did You Know?
- Rick and his brother Paul are one of only nine pairs of brothers in MLB history to play against each other.
- Reuschel led the National League in complete games twice while with the Cubs, a feat unmatched by any Cub pitcher since.
- He was known for his ability to pitch on short rest, often starting multiple times in a single week during the grueling 1970s schedule.
- Despite leading the league in wins and strikeouts at various points, he never received a Cy Young Award vote higher than third place.