CINCINNATI — Tom Browning, the former All-Star pitcher who threw the only perfect game in Cincinnati Reds history and key member of the 1990 World Series team, passed away on Monday. He was 62.
The Boone County Sheriff's Office announced Browning's death via Twitter, saying he died at his home in Union, Kentucky. No cause of death was given.
Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call to Browning’s home at about 1 p.m. after receiving a report of a man found not breathing. Deputies entered the home and discovered him unresponsive on a couch, and efforts by deputies and EMS personnel to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. Browning was pronounced dead at 1:13 p.m. Foul play is not suspected, the Sheriff’s Office said.
“The entire Reds family is stunned and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tom Browning. Affectionately referred to as “Mr. Perfect,” Tom was a true Red who after his playing days made the Cincinnati area his home and remained heavily involved with the organization,” the club said.
“A fan favorite, the Reds Hall of Famer touched fans’ hearts at team events, Reds Hall of Fame festivities and Reds Community Fund activities. We join Reds Country in mourning the loss of one of our all-time greats, who created so many memories and magical moments for us all. Our deepest condolences to Tom’s family during this difficult time.”
Known for being colorful character, Browning is famously known for leaving the bullpen during a Reds-Cubs game at Wrigley Field 1993. He went across the street and sat in full Cincinnati uniform with Chicago fans atop a rooftop while the game was still going. Browning was fined $500 for the stunt, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.
As for his playing career, the left-hander's biggest individual moment happened when he retired all 27 batters he faced in a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Riverfront Stadium on Sept. 16, 1988.
The feat came following a two-hour rain delay, where the game started at 10:02 p.m. and took only 1 hour, 51 minutes. Browning's accomplishment against the Dodgers was one of just 23 perfect games in the major league and the only one in Reds history, baseball's oldest professional franchise.
His perfect game came a little more than three months after losing a no-hit bid against San Diego in the ninth inning on a one-out single by Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.
Browning was 18-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 1988 and made the National League All-Star team in 1991. He went 20-9 with a 3.55 ERA in 1985, finishing second to St. Louis Cardinals speedster Vince Coleman for NL Rookie of the Year and sixth in NL Cy Young Award voting.
Browning won at least 14 games in six seasons. He led the NL in starts four different times, had six years with over 225 innings pitched and gave up the most home runs in the league three times.
Browning went 15-9 with a 3.80 ERA during the 1990 season to help the Reds win their most recent pennant and World Series crown. During the postseason, he was 2-1 with a 3.71 ERA in three starts, beating the powerhouse Oakland Athletics 8-3 on the road in Game 3 of the World Series as the Reds pulled off a stunning four-game sweep.
Browning spent 11 seasons with Cincinnati from 1984-94. He broke a bone in his arm during a game in 1994 and finished his career with the Kansas City Royals in 1995 by pitching in just two games.
He was 123-90 with a 3.94 ERA in 302 games (300 starts) in 12 seasons as a major leaguer.
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