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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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Bob Lacey, a durable left-handed reliever over seven major league seasons who later devoted himself to education, has died. He was 72.
Rocco Constantino of BallNine.com reported Lacey's death on June 4, and several friends and former teammate confirmed his passing on Facebook.
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Lacey pitched in MLB from 1977-85 with the Oakland A's, Cleveland Indians, California Angels, Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants.
More news: Former Braves All-Star, Rookie of the Year, Dies
Born Aug. 25, 1953, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Lacey grew up in Tucson, Arizona, where he emerged as one of the city’s top amateur pitchers. At Palo Verde High School and later in American Legion competition, he earned a reputation for overpowering hitters. One of Lacey's most notable performances came when he struck out 19 batters in a Legion game.
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The Athletics selected Lacey in the 10th round of the 1972 draft out of Central Arizona College. During his time in the A's organization, he would become the face of a team that prized durability out of its pitchers — and ultimately helped them acquire one of their most valuable position players in the 1980s.
Lacey reached the majors with Oakland in 1977 and immediately became a fixture in the bullpen. He appeared in 64 games as a rookie, posting a 3.03 ERA. A year later, he led the American League with 74 appearances.
More news: Former Braves, Mets All-Star, 1974 ERA Champion Dies
The A's traded Lacey to the San Diego Padres in March 1981 for speedy utility player Tony Phillips. Lacey would never appear in a game with the Padres, who traded him to Cleveland days later.
While Phillips would spend the next seven seasons in Oakland and help the A's win the 1989 World Series, Lacey would pitch for five different teams from 1981-85. He retired in the Giants' minor league system in the summer of 1985.
Over seven major league seasons, Lacey went 20-29 with 22 saves and a 3.67 ERA in 284 games. He made only two career starts.
More news: Former Red Sox Pitcher, Member of 1975 World Series Team, Dies
Lacey was remembered as much for his personality as his statistics. Athletics fans nicknamed him “Spacey Lacey,” a reference to his unpredictable nature and high-energy style.
In his fourth major league appearance in 1977, Lacey struck out former A's star Reggie Jackson twice during Jackson’s first return to the Coliseum as a member of the New York Yankees. The confrontation that followed became part of Athletics lore and helped cement Lacey’s standing among Oakland fans.
More news: Pioneering Broadcaster for Dodgers, Astros, Rangers Dies at 96
In later years, Lacey spoke candidly about mistakes he made as a young player and reflected on a career he believed was affected by labor disruptions (the 1976 lockout and the 1981 players' strike). He remained active in baseball after his playing days, serving in coaching and managerial roles in independent and minor league baseball.
After baseball, Lacey became a secondary teacher in Arizona. For a generation of students — and another generation of baseball fans — Lacey’s legacy extended beyond any box score.
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