https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/cc344cf0
Just a few excerpts:
In 10 seasons (1967-76), all with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bob Moose pitched in 289 games, winning 76 and losing 71 with a 3.50 ERA. But the real story of Bob Moose is full of what-ifs and a tragic ending. Did the recklessness that killed him in an October 1976 auto accident derail what might have been a stellar baseball career? Did his fun-loving nature that endeared him to others make him lose focus? The repeated pattern of brilliance followed by mediocrity and worse suggests that.
He made his major league debut on September 19, 1967, and the Houston Astros roughed him up in the Astrodome. Ten days later, pitching at home in Forbes Field, he got revenge by pitching a complete game victory over the Astros.4 He was 19 years old.
He was chosen as Pirates Rookie of the Year for 1968
One game was especially memorable. Facing the New York Mets in the middle of their legendary World Series drive, amid a pennant race, the 21-year-old pitcher no-hit them at Shea Stadium.
Before Bob Moose turned 22, he set two records that still stand: most strikeouts (14) in a game by a Pirates right-hander and the youngest pitcher to throw the most no-hit innings in a game at two major league parks. No pitcher went further with a no-hitter in the more than 4,600 games played between 1909 and 1970 at Forbes Field.7 Jim Bunning’s perfect game was the only other no-hitter ever pitched at Shea Stadium.
...
This alternation of brilliance and mediocrity is hard to fathom.
It was said Moose liked to have a good time.11 He may have let that affect his pitching. He really seemed to concentrate and bear down only when things were going badly. However, once he righted his ship, he seemed to let up.
1976 was a turning point season for Bob Moose. For the first time since his rookie year he began the season as a relief pitcher, and that seemed to agree with him. In his first 13 games, over more than 23 innings, he was unscored upon. In those games he had six saves and was 1-0. He finally surrendered some runs but still pitched very well. On June 18, his record was 3-1 with eight saves, along with a 1.09 ERA. Over the next three weeks Moose wobbled some, losing three games. But on July 7 he picked up his 10th save and was the team’s established closer, carrying a good 2.16 ERA.
... his 10 saves led the Pirates in 1976. He might have been the closer for the Pirates the next year.
A plaque was dedicated to Moose in the Pirates locker room at Three Rivers Stadium. It read, “A great competitor who had desire, confidence, class and style, but above all, the ability to be color blind when it came to people from origins other than his own.”
