Apr. 7, 1963 - Herb Score, for whom the Boston Red Sox once offered the Cleveland Indians $1 million, quit baseball today after a frustrating 6-year comeback attempt. The once-great left-hander made his decision when he was told by the Chicago White Sox he was to be optioned to Indianapolis following Chicago’s 2-1 exhibition victory over the Cincinnati Reds today. Score broke into the majors with Cleveland in 1955, when he compiled a 16-10 record, had a 2.85 earned-run average, and was named American League rookie of the year. Score struck out 245 batters in 1955, a major league rookie record. In 1956, Score improved on his rookie campaign, going 20–9 with a 2.53 earned-run average and 263 strikeouts, while reducing his walks from 154 to 129. But disaster struck in the first inning of a night game against the Yankees on May 7, 1957. Score was hit over the right eyebrow by a scorching line drive off the bat of Gil McDougald, breaking Score’s facial bones and injuring his eye. It sidelined him for the season, and he never did regain his form. His record was 2-3 in 1958 and 9-11 in 1959. The Indians traded him to the White Sox for a right-hander, Barry Latman. Score spent 1960 with the Sox and had a 5-10 record, after which he was shipped to the minors. Last year, he appeared in four games for the Sox and had no record. He spent most of the season in Indianapolis, where he was 10-7.
