Cleveland's legendary Herb Score dies at 75

CLEVELAND - Herb Score, the Cleveland Indians pitcher whose promise on the mound was shattered by a line drive, died yesterday at the age of 75.

Mr. Score died at his home in Rocky River, Ohio, the team said. He had been in a wheelchair since suffering a stroke in 2002, four years after he was injured in a car accident.

A hard-throwing lefthander with a big fastball, Mr. Score pitched for the Indians from 1955 to '59. He was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 1955 after going 16-10. He went 20-9 in 1956 and was twice named to the all-star team.

However, Mr. Score's career took a sad and nearly tragic turn May 7, 1957, when Gil McDougald of the New York Yankees lined a ball off Mr. Score's right eye, breaking his nose and a number of bones in his face. As Mr. Score lay fallen on the field covered in blood, the public-address announcer asked the crowd at Municipal Stadium: "If there is a doctor in the stands, will he please report to the playing field."

Fearful of being hit again, Mr. Score changed his pitching motion, with less-than-favorable results. After two losing seasons in Cleveland, he pitched parts of three seasons with the Chicago White Sox. He never won more than nine games after the injury and retired in 1962 with a 55-46 record.

"Herb Score," said Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, "would've been just as good if not better than Sandy Koufax if it wouldn't have been for his injury to his eye."

Feller added: "And Sandy Koufax was the best pitcher I ever saw in my lifetime."

Mr. Score joined the Indians' TV broadcast team in 1964 and moved to radio in 1968. His deep voice and thick New York accent became a fixture for generations of Indians fans.

"Generations of Indians fans owe their love of the Tribe to Herb Score," said team president Paul Dolan.

Mr. Score retired from broadcasting after the 1997 season. He was named to Cleveland's 100th anniversary team in 2001 and inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 2006.

Mr. Score is survived by his wife of more than 40 years, Nancy, and three children.