MILWAUKEE — The Brewers announced today that they gave right handed pitcher Reggie Cleveland his outright release. Cleveland is now free to sign with any club.
Acquired from the Texas Rangers prior to the 1979 season, the 33-year-old Cleveland spent three seasons with the Brewers. Used mainly as a relief pitcher, the hurler from Saskachewan had possibly his finest season in 1980 when he also made 13 starts. He finished that season with an 11-9 record and 3.73 ERA in 154 1/3 innings pitched.
His other two seasons in Milwaukee, however, were not so productive. Cleveland’s 1980 season was a pleasant surprise given a disastrous 1979 debut when he went 1-5 with a 6.71 ERA. He fell out of favor during the 1981 season, as Cleveland struggled to a 2-3 record and 5.15 ERA in 64 2/3 relief innings.
Reggie Cleveland started his career with the St. Louis Cardinals as a 21-year-old in 1969 and also spent time with Boston before moving on to the Rangers. Cleveland has a career 105-106 record and 4.01 ERA.
Those close to Cleveland speculate that he will choose to retire rather than sign to pitch another year.