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| Don Aase | |
|---|---|
| Name | Don Aase |
| Position | Pitcher |
| Bats | Right |
| Throws | Right |
| Birth date | 20 January 1949 |
| Birth place | Long Beach, California |
| Debutleague | MLB |
| Debutdate | July 4 |
| Debutyear | 1977 |
| Debutteam | Boston Red Sox |
| Finalleague | MLB |
| Finaldate | October 2 |
| Finalyear | 1990 |
| Finalteam | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Statleague | MLB |
| Stat1label | Win–loss record |
| Stat1value | 61–64 |
| Stat2label | Earned run average |
| Stat2value | 3.73 |
| Stat3label | Strikeouts |
| Stat3value | 620 |
Don Aase
Don Aase was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1977 to 1990. He appeared for the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers, serving as a starter and later as a closer and middle reliever. Aase was known for his fastball and durability, contributing to postseason rosters and earning All-Star recognition.
Born in Long Beach, California, Aase attended Lakewood High School (California) where he played alongside peers who pursued professional baseball careers. He was drafted out of high school but elected to enroll at Cerritos College and later transferred to San Diego State University where he played for the San Diego State Aztecs baseball program. During his amateur career he faced collegiate opponents from University of Southern California, University of California, Los Angeles, Arizona State University, and University of Arizona, gaining attention from scouts with performances against future major leaguers affiliated with organizations such as the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and St. Louis Cardinals.
Aase began his professional development in the farm systems of the Baltimore Orioles organization following his selection in the MLB Draft; he advanced through minor league affiliates including stops in the Eastern League, International League, and Pacific Coast League. He pitched for teams that matched affiliates like the Rochester Red Wings, Pawtucket Red Sox, and Salt Lake City Gulls, working under minor league managers who had past ties to Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees scouting departments. During this period he refined his repertoire against prospects from the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, and Houston Astros organizations while training at spring facilities associated with Dunedin, Tucson, and Phoenix.
Aase made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox in the late 1970s and later joined the Baltimore Orioles where he established himself as a key member of the bullpen. With the Orioles he closed games and earned saves against teams such as the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, and Detroit Tigers. He was traded to the California Angels and subsequently to the New York Mets, where he faced rotations featuring pitchers from the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Aase signed with the New York Yankees in the mid-1980s, appearing in pennant races against the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians before finishing his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and completing matchups versus lineups from the San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, and Montreal Expos.
Aase worked primarily with a hard four-seam fastball complemented by a slider and a changeup, patterns that he used to retire batters from franchises including the Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, and Texas Rangers. He recorded double-digit save seasons and was selected to an All-Star Game roster, sharing recognition with contemporaries such as Rollie Fingers, Bruce Sutter, Goose Gossage, and Lee Smith. His career included appearances in postseason series against clubs like the Oakland Athletics and participation in games managed by Earl Weaver, Tommy Lasorda, and Bobby Cox. Statistically he posted strikeout totals competitive with relievers from the Montreal Expos and Cincinnati Reds bullpens and earned respect from hitters from the Baltimore Orioles golden era and later Dodgers lineups.
After retiring, Aase returned to California where he engaged with community programs and alumni events tied to San Diego State University, Lakewood High School (California), and former major league clubs including the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets. He participated in old-timers games and charity events associated with organizations such as Major League Baseball Players Association alumni initiatives, supporting causes overlapping with foundations run by figures like Cal Ripken Jr., Brooks Robinson, and Reggie Jackson. His post-playing career included coaching clinics that connected youth prospects who aspired to join systems like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox.
Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:People from Long Beach, California