It's time for the long awaited next installment in Random random Astro. In this post, let's reminisce about left handed pitcher Denver "Denny" Lemaster.
Denny pitched for Houston from 1968-1971 after being traded from Atlanta following an All-Star season with Denis Menke for Chuck Harrison and Sonny Jackson. He spent the first two and a half seasons with Houston as a starter before converting to relief to finish his career. Overall with Houston he was 30-46 with six saves and a 3.40 ERA.
His first two seasons with Houston were the two best of his career and included a few outstanding starts. On May 2, 1968 Lemaster faced a St. Louis team led by Orlando Cepeda that would go on to the World Series. Denny gave up just three hits and one walk, striking out five as he shutout the Cardinals for a 4-0 victory.
Two months later, the Reds came to Houston to face Lemaster. On July 2, 1968 Denny gave up just four hits and one walk while striking out seven, including Johnny Bench twice, as he shutout Cincinnati for a 2-0 victory.
1969 saw some changes in the National League, as the Astros joined the newly formed NL West. In a June 22 game against new division rival San Diego, Lemaster locked into a pitcher's duel with Joe Niekro as neither of the two would allow a run through the first six innings. In the end the Astros rode Denny's arm to victory, winning 2-0. Denny scattered five hits with a walk and seven strikeouts for his last career shutout.
Following the 1971 season, Lemaster was sold to the Montreal Expos.
These days Denny Lemaster can be found around Lincoln County, Georgia spending his days fishing and wood carving.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
