Win–loss record 49–54 Name Don Elston Saves 64 | Strikeouts 519 Earned run average 3.69 Role Baseball player | |
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Died January 2, 1995, Arlington Heights, Illinois, United States | ||
Donald Ray (Don) Elston (April 6, 1929 – January 2, 1995) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs (1953, 1957, 1958–64) and Brooklyn Dodgers (1957). Elston batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Campbellstown, Ohio.
A hard-thrower pitcher, Elston played for perennially weak Chicago Cubs teams for most of his nine-year major league career. He began as a starter, but after switching to the bullpen, he became one of the best relievers in the National League. He led the league with 69 relief appearances in 1958, setting a club mark, and In 1959, he tied with teammate Bill Henry with 65 appearances for the league lead. In that season Elston had a career-high 10 victories and was selected for the All-Star Game. He came in the ninth inning of the first game to preserve a 5–4 victory over the American League.
In 450 career games, Elston posted a 49–54 record with a 3.70 ERA and 63 saves.
Elston died in Arlington Heights, Illinois, at the age of 65.