Major League Baseball Player. He was the starting quarterback for Ohio State in 1961 and 1962 before he left the team over differences with coach Woody Hayes. He reportedly received a $32,000 bonus to sign with the Detroit Tigers in 1963. A year later, the right-handed pitcher made his big-league debut. He was 16-9 in 1967 with a 3.76 earned run average. But the following year he had a run-in with manager Mayo Smith and was relegated to the bullpen. However, he filled in for ailing starter Earl Wilson and pitched the Tigers' pennant clincher. He pitched only a third of an inning in the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Sparma was traded to the Montreal Expos on Dec. 3, 1969 for pitcher Jerry Robertson. He went 0-4 for the Expos and was demoted to the minor leagues. He finished his career with a 52-52 record and 3.95 ERA.
Major League Baseball Player. He was the starting quarterback for Ohio State in 1961 and 1962 before he left the team over differences with coach Woody Hayes. He reportedly received a $32,000 bonus to sign with the Detroit Tigers in 1963. A year later, the right-handed pitcher made his big-league debut. He was 16-9 in 1967 with a 3.76 earned run average. But the following year he had a run-in with manager Mayo Smith and was relegated to the bullpen. However, he filled in for ailing starter Earl Wilson and pitched the Tigers' pennant clincher. He pitched only a third of an inning in the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Sparma was traded to the Montreal Expos on Dec. 3, 1969 for pitcher Jerry Robertson. He went 0-4 for the Expos and was demoted to the minor leagues. He finished his career with a 52-52 record and 3.95 ERA.
Bio by: Ron Coons
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