Bobby Bolin, retired Giants pitcher who briefly ranked among MLB’s best in 1968, dies at 84

Bobby Bolin, the former San Francisco Giants pitcher who pitched in two World Series games in 1962, has passed away at age 84.

A cause of death was not released in his online obituary. The South Carolina Robinson Funeral Home lists the date of Bolin’s death as June 2.

A reliable reliever, Bolin was briefly transformed into one of baseball’s most dominant players in 1968 in what became known as the “Year of the Pitcher.” The South Carolina native finished second to St. Louis Cardinals legend Bob Gibson with a minuscule 1.99 ERA that season on a Giants staff led by Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry.

Bolin won his only pennant in 1962 before the Giants lost the World Series to the hated New York Yankees.

Drafted by the Giants in 1956 at just 17 years old—before the team moved from the banks of the Harlem River to the Bay Area—Bolin didn’t reach the majors until he was 22. During 13 seasons, Bolin would also pitch for a year for the Milwaukee Brewers before ending his career with the Boston Red Sox in 1973.

Bolin, the Giants pitcher who pitched in two World Series games in 1962, died at age 84

For his career, Bolin was 88-75, with a respectable 3.40 ERA, 51 saves and 1,175 strikeouts

For his career, Bolin was 88-75, with a respectable 3.40 ERA, 51 saves and 1,175 strikeouts.

A member of the Gideons, Bolin was a devout Christian whose “greatest love was for his Lord and doing the work of the Lord,” according to his obituary.

After retiring from baseball, he embarked on a sales and marketing career and joined the Rock Springs Baptist Church.

Bolin is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Irene, his daughter, Donna B. Nations (Gary); his son, Brett Bolin (Mindy); three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his three siblings: Joe, Benny, and Peggy.