Rick Mahler, 51, Mets Pitching Coach
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Rick Mahler, a New York Mets coach who won nearly 100 games during a 13-year career spent mostly with the Atlanta Braves, died of a heart attack Wednesday at home in Jupiter, Fla.
Mahler was 51, and was set to rejoin the Mets’ Class A team in Port St. Lucie for his second season as pitching coach.
Mahler pitched in the majors from 1979-91, going 96-111 with a 3.99 ERA. His best season was 1985, when he went 17-15 with a 3.48 ERA for the Braves. The next year, he led the majors with 18 losses.
The right-hander started on opening day for the Braves five times in the 1980s. In 1987, he tied a National League record with his third opening day shutout.
