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Pedro Borbon Obituary
Borbon had been in hospice care at his home in Pharr, Texas, his son, Pedro, told The Associated Press in a phone interview. Borbon requested to be cremated without a memorial service, his son said.
Borbon was a key member of the bullpen on Cincinnati's 1975-76 championship teams, winning 13 games during those two seasons. He also pitched for the Angels, Giants and Cardinals. In 2010, he became the third reliever to be inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame.
"He was probably most proud of the World Series championships," he son said. "He would talk about it often. He was also proud that he never once had a sore arm. He could pitch almost every day."
Borbon appeared in more games than any other NL pitcher from 1970-78. He holds the club record with 531 career appearances. Borbon pitched in 20 playoff games during his career with a 2.55 ERA.
"The entire organization is very sad to hear of the loss of another member of our baseball family," Reds owner Bob Castellini said. "Pedro was an important contributor to the success of the Big Red Machine, and he always will be remembered for his colorful personality and his contributions to that wonderful time period in our history."
Borbon became part of baseball lore in 1995 when, at age 48, he decided to return to the game as a replacement player during Major League Baseball's labor dispute. He joined the Reds in Florida for spring training and faced two batters. He struck out the only batter he faced in an exhibition against the Pirates in Bradenton.
The Reds released him after he faced one batter in another game against the Indians, fell down while trying to field a bunt and threw wildly to first base for an error.
Borbon also got notice for his mention in the 1980 movie "Airplane!" While trying to concentrate, pilot Ted Striker hears a public address announcer's voice in his head: "Pinch hitting for Pedro Borbon ... Manny Mota."
"He was always talking about that," his son said. "A lot of people remember him by that. He liked that."
Another son, Pedro Jr., pitched nine seasons in the majors.
___
Follow Joe Kay on Twitter: http://twitter.com/apjoekay
JOE KAY
AP Sports Writer
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
52 Entries
Lucy Moreno
May 20, 2014
Hola Marie, mis condolencias para toda la familia. Fue un placer conocerte a ti y a Pedro hace muchos años atras. gracias por brindarnos su amistad, a mi y a mi esposo Rene. Pedro fue un gran hombre y amigo. Dios te bendiga a ti, y a tu familia.
June 4, 2013
You have been gone one year today but you will never be forgotten. Always in my heart.
September 22, 2012
My condolences to Mari and the Borbon family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you, God Bless - Joe F Guzman /McAllen Texas
How you can show support
maria pedro jackie michelle borbon
July 20, 2012
I would like to thank everyone for their kind words.. we all appreciate them very much..
June 13, 2012
To the BORBON family sorry for your loss may GOD give you his love, peace, and strength in this time of sorrow. May he R.I.P -|-
P.S
June 11, 2012
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Valorie Anguilm
June 11, 2012
You may be gone from our sight but you live on in our memories and our hearts. My thoughts and prayers to all your family, friends, and fans during this diffucult time.
Darrel Chaney
June 7, 2012
My prayers are with the Borbon family. Pete was a great teammate. I enjoyed our time on this earth, together. RIP Pete
Kerry Cantrell
June 6, 2012
Watched him faithfully, with my Dad...Rest In Peace...
Alberto Gonzalez
June 6, 2012
Reciban mis mas cálidas y afectuosas condolencias por la perdida irreparable de Don Pedro.
Sinceramente
John Mark Robertson
June 6, 2012
I am sorry to hear of the loss of Pedro Borbon. RIP.
Mercedes sifuentes-avalos
June 6, 2012
He was my grandmas old friend even thouh i never saw him or new himmy grandmas extermly sad to hear him pass at the same age she is and ill put my grandmas name so if there family reads this to tell her
Sherry
June 6, 2012
So sorry to hear about Pedro, I remember him from the Big Red Machine, my condolences to the Borbon Family
Tanya
June 6, 2012
So sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort be with the family and help them to cope with each passing day.(Psalms 55:22)
Jaime and Dalia Reyna
June 6, 2012
We wish to express our deepest sympathy to the Borbon family. Whenever we met for any reason, I enjoyed talking about baseball with him. He loved the Reds, often making fun of me because I was a Yankee fan.
We knew he was ill, but we did not expect to see him go so quickly. Will truly miss him. May God Bless all of you.
nidia garza
June 6, 2012
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
June 6, 2012
Our deepest sympathy to The Borbon Family. Sorry for your loss. God Bless you and help you through your loss. He was a great man.
The Aguilar Family (Houston, Texas)
Danny Gonzalez
June 6, 2012
My sympathy goes out to the family of Pedro Bourbon. We lost a good friend.
Roxanne Reynolds
June 6, 2012
Our family got to know Pedro when he pitched for the then California Angels. What a fine man and how he loved his children. He will be sorely missed.
Dan Luneau
June 6, 2012
The Big Red Machine will not be the same without him! He was a joy to watch. I thank him for being part of that.
God bless him!
Dan / Vermont
Wayne Simpson
June 6, 2012
To the Borbon family, So sorry for your loss. I played with Pedro and he was a wonderful man.One day soon no more death and pain.
Anzaldua Family Paul/Georgia/Randy
June 5, 2012
Sorry for your loss. Pedro was a great man. It was an honor to have met him. We'll miss him.
ROMAN VILLARREAL
June 5, 2012
I'm glad I got to meet him in Edinburg, Texas in the Liga De Beisbol Del Valle, and I also got to play with his son. May he rest in peace
June 5, 2012
Pedro: Thank you ! God bless and keep you.
-Michael (KY)
Jim Egan
June 5, 2012
I remember Pedo very well--he was a great reliever. now you can rest Pedo
Raul Zamarripa
June 5, 2012
From the Zamarripa family, we wish to express our deepest sympathy to the whole family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. God bless you!
Eduardo Zuniga
June 5, 2012
May GOD , Have Him In His Holy Glory .. He Was A Friend Of Mine..His Hobby For Exotic Bird's..
That's How I Met Him ..Back In 93-94'-95'.. When I Came Back From Dallas In 02'... I Went Lookin For Him But Did'nt Find Him.... Rest In Peace , Mr Pete Borbon..Strike'em Out !
scotty tannenbaum
June 5, 2012
great relief pitcher..you will be missed
June 5, 2012
Truly a good,kind man who is in my heart forever- peace be with you.
June 5, 2012
Solid pitcher and a great leader on the Big Red Machines march into history. Rest in peace and my God bless your family. John Jarrard, Hampton, Georgia
June 5, 2012
Sad to see his passing, he was an able and very tough competitor. A tribute to the game of baseball and one of the last of a breed of true "winners".
Fredrick Moore
June 5, 2012
The BIG RED MACHINE.WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.GOD BLESS YOU R.I.P
Henry Jackson III
June 5, 2012
Pedro will be one of the most missed players of this century.
Aaron Acosta
June 5, 2012
May God provide your family strength to face these difficult times, although no words can really help to ease the loss, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer
K Brown
June 5, 2012
I remember when he played for the Modesto Reds and each afternoon walk by my school and walk me part of the way home. Was such a nice man. I was so proud to see my friend go on to do such great things.
June 5, 2012
My condolences to the Borbon Family. So sorry for your loss of your precious loved one Pedro. Losing a parent can be very emotional for us. But i just want you to know, that there are a lot of people thinking and praying for all of you. Ro. 15:33 May the God who gives peace with all of you. D.B.
Jeff Mure
June 5, 2012
I just remembered you for the mlb highlights and classic games but then I learned more about you when Jr. Began playing for the Atlanta Braves I think in 1992 i was a big Braves fan til about 4 yr ago. Thank you for your great work y Arriba la Raza, Soy Puertorriqueno Pero somos Vencinos......RIP
Herbert JONES
June 5, 2012
ONE HELL OF GUY
Sandy Altizer
June 5, 2012
Thank you for the wonderful memories! You will always be a special part of The Big Red Machine and hold a special place in the hearts of our family! Please say "Hello!" to my stepfather in Heaven who introduced me to baseball. May you rest in peace.
June 5, 2012
I remember going to the ballgames in Cincinnati and watching your pitch. May God have you playing baseball in Heaven for all of his Angels. Sandra Slater Louisville Ky
Jack Hartman
June 4, 2012
One hell of a guy
Jack Hartman
Paul Wroe
June 4, 2012
Important member of a memorable team. My condolences to his family.
June 4, 2012
Our Condolences, to the Borbon Family, May he rest in peace. The Barrera Family.
June 4, 2012
With deepest sympathy to the family during your time of sorrow. Psalms 46:1 says: God is for us a refuge and strength during this difficult time and May God grant you the comfort to endure.
ROMAN VILLARREAL
June 4, 2012
I'm glad I got to meet him in Edinburg, texas in the Liga De Beisbol Del Valle, and I also got to play with his son. May he rest in peace
Percy Brooks
June 4, 2012
Growing up in Dayton, Ohio I had the opportunity to watch Pedro pitch numberous times. He was always in a class of his own. Great style and controll. RIP my brother.
J L
June 4, 2012
My condolences to Borbon family. may the God of all comfort help your family to endure during this time of grief.
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