Rich Rundles

Richard Lambert Rundles (June 3, 1981 – December 16, 2019) was a Major League Baseball (MLB) relief pitcher who played for the Cleveland Indians in 2008 and 2009. From 1999 to 2007, Rundles played in minor league baseball with six different organizations. He served as a pitching coach for the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and for the University of West Alabama baseball team.

Rich Rundles
Relief pitcher
Born: (1981-06-03)June 3, 1981
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Died: December 16, 2019(2019-12-16) (aged 38)
Livingston, Alabama
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
September 3, 2008, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
May 25, 2009, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
Win-loss record0–0
Earned run average1.50
Strikeouts7
Teams

Through 836 minor-league innings, Rundles compiled a 3.39 ERA. He always showed good control, since being a third-round pick out of high school in 1999. As a starter in Class A ball a year later, he walked 13 while fanning 114 in 132 innings. Various injuries stalled his development—until signing with the Indians as a minor-league free agent in January 2007. The Tribe moved Rundles to the bullpen in an attempt to avoid his durability issues.

Sent to the Double-A Akron Aeros in 2007, Rundles went 3-0 with a 1.83 ERA and two saves in 23 games, 21 of which were out of the bullpen. That earned him his first call to Triple-A, where he was 2-4 with a 2.70 ERA in 17 relief outings at Buffalo. Rundles then went to the 2007 Arizona Fall League to continue his transition to relief. In limited work, he allowed one run in 8​2⁄3 innings (1.04 ERA) over eight outings.

On July 2, 2008, Rundles was named to the 2008 Triple-A All-Star Game as the Buffalo Bisons lone representative.[1] He was called up to the majors on September 1, 2008, and made his debut on September 3, walking the only batter he faced.

During his stint in the majors, Rundles had a total of 6 strikeouts, 2 walks, and gave up 1 earned run through 4​1⁄3 innings of work from the bullpen. Rundles appeared in 7 games for the Tribe in that season therein, compiling a 2.08 ERA.

Rundles was then returned to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on March 15, 2009.[2]

Rundles was released by the St. Louis Cardinals organization on May 31, 2011.

On June 7, 2012, the Baltimore Orioles purchased Rundles contract from the Lancaster Barnstormers. The Orioles released him in April 2013.

Rundles died on December 16, 2019, from natural causes at the age of 38.[3]

References
  1. "Rich Rundles Named IL All-Star". Buffalo Bisons. July 2, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  2. Indians Cut 3 Pitchers Yahoo Sports, March 15, 2009
  3. "West Alabama Baseball's Richard Rundles Passes Away". WTOK-TV. December 16, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
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