Bob Owchinko

Robert Dennis Owchinko (born January 1, 1955) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played all or parts of ten seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Initially drafted by the San Diego Padres, he played for five teams during the 1980s, including two seasons with the Oakland Athletics. During his career, he worked as both a starter and in relief.

College career
Owchinko played as a left-handed pitcher for Eastern Michigan University (EMU). He helped lead EMU to two straight NCAA College World Series appearances, with a fifth-place finish in 1975 and second place finish in 1976. He was named to the second-team All-America and first-team Academic All-America in 1976.

Owchinko had a 29–9 career win-loss record with a 2.15 ERA with a school record 309 strikeouts in 305 innings pitched. He earned four varsity letters in his time at EMU. He was inducted into Eastern Michigan Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.

Professional career
Owchinko was picked in the first round (fifth overall) by Peter Bavasi for the San Diego Padres in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft. He only played two games for the Padres in 1976. In 1977, he was named National League Rookie Pitcher of the Year. In 1978, he won a career-high 10 games with the Padres, along with posting a career-low earned run average (ERA) of 3.56. In 1979, he appeared in a career-high 42 games.

On December 9, 1980, he was included in a six-player trade for Bert Blyleven and Manny Sanguillén.

National team career
Owchinko helped lead the U.S. men's national team to a silver medal in the 1975 Pan American Games.

Personal life
After retiring, Owchinko transitioned into a career in business. He gives back to his alma mater through the Bob Owchinko Baseball Technology Endowment and the Bob Owchinko Baseball Technology Expendable Funds.