Tom Hausman

Thomas Matthew Hausman (born March 31, 1953, in Mobridge, South Dakota) is a retired American professional baseball player. A pitcher, Hausman played in the Major Leagues from 1975–1982 with the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, and Atlanta Braves.

Early career

Hausman was named to an All-State basketball team once during his high school years.

On June 8, 1971, he was drafted in the ninth round of the amateur draft by the Milwaukee Brewers and was signed with them. He played his first pro season that year in the class "A" New York–Penn League for the fourth place Newark Co-Pilots. The right-handed pitcher played in 13 games and 74 innings and allowed 54 hits and 30 walks. He struck out 54 and had an ERA of 2.68.

Midwest League

The 1972 season was spent playing for Joe Nossek and the class "A" Midwest League champions in Danville. An injury (on DL from June 13 to 6 August) limited his appearances to only 10 games (55 inn). He gave up 53 hits and 17 walks, struck out 32 and his ERA was a very good 2.13.

Texas League and AAA

As a starter, in 1973, at class "AA" Texas League for second place Shreveport, Tom pitched 162 innings in 25 games. His record was 12–9, he allowed 193 hits, 49 walks, struck out 56 and had a rather high 4.44 ERA. However, his performance earned him a promotion to AAA for the 1974 season. In 26 games for the PCL's last place Sacramento Solons, he led the league in number of complete games with 11. In 180 innings (26 games) he gave up 215 hits and 68 walks. His strike out total was 104 and Tom had an inflated ERA of 6.00.

Milwaukee Brewers

The fifth place Milwaukee Brewers needed pitching for 1975 and Hausman made the team. Limited with a back injury, he appeared in 29 games (9 starts) for 112 innings. He allowed 110 hits and 47 walks. His ERA was 4.10 and he had an OBA of .258 with 46 strike outs. He was ranked about number eight on their pitching depth chart.

In 1976, Milwaukee was a last place team and Tom was in only 3 games for them. He was a reliever in each one and finished only 3 innings (3 hits, 3 walks, 2 ER). The rest of the year was spent with the AAA Spokane Indians who finished last in the PCL West. He played in 22 games (111 innings) and allowed 135 hits and 36 walks for an ERA of 5.68. Tom struck out 40 and was on their suspended list from 14 August to 7 September.

In 1977, Tom remained the whole year at Spokane where he led the PCL in games started with 30. He completed a career high 207 innings, had a 13–6 record for the second place team. Hausman gave up 251 hits, 55 walks with a 4.22 ERA. He struck out 88. That year the Brewers ended in sixth place and Tom declared as a free agent after the season.

New York Mets

On November 21, Hausman signed with the New York Mets as their first free agent signing.

During the 1978 season, he split the year equally between the Mets and their AAA farm team at Tidewater (International League) as he appeared in 10 games for each team. For the Tides, in 74 innings, he gave up 64 hits and 23 walks and struck out 42. His ERA was a career best 1.22. For the Mets, he was used exclusively as a starter and finished 52 innings, but was on the DL from May 25 to June 17. He allowed 58 hits and only 9 walks. He struck out 16 batters and had an ERA of 4.67 and OBA of .287 for the last place team.

The 1979 season was again spent in AAA and with the Mets. For Tidewater (12 g, 72 inn), Tom gave up 75 hits, 23 walks and struck out 27. His ERA was at 4.50. His Mets stay lasted 19 games (10 starts) for 79 innings, 65 hits, 19 walks, 33 strikeouts, 2.73 ERA and .226 OBA.

That good performance and his improved 1980 pitching allowed him to spend the whole year with the fifth place Mets. As the number two RHP from the bullpen, he played in 55 games (a career best) and 122 innings. He gave up 125 hits and only 26 walks while striking out 53. His ERA was 3.98 and his OBA was .266.

Slowed by an elbow injury in 1981, he made only 20 relief appearances for the Mets. In 33 innings, he allowed 28 hits and 7 walks with 13 strike outs and an ERA of 2.18. The injuries continued in 1982 with both shoulder and elbow problems. He pitched part of the year for Tidewater (9.00 ERA) and was in 21 games for the Mets (37 inn, 44 hits, 6 walks, 16 so, 4.42 ERA, .295 OBA). On 10 September he was traded to the Braves for Carlos Diaz. He appeared in 3 games (4 innings) for Atlanta and gave up 6 hits and 4 walks. His MLB baseball career was over.

Late career

Signed by the Pirate organization for 1983, he played in the PCL at Hawaii for the Tom Trebelhorn managed third place team. His record was 2–1 with a 1.59 ERA. Tom was out of baseball in 1984.

In 1985, he attempted a comeback in the Pacific Coast League for the Padres' Las Vegas farm team and the Dodger affiliate in Albuquerque. His record was 3–4 with a 5.25 ERA.

In 7 MLB seasons, Tom was in 160 games and 441 innings. His career ERA was 3.80 and OBA was at .262. As with many players, injuries hurt his chances to perform better, but still he had a respectable career.

Tom now lives in Las Vegas.

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball-Reference, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)