Tom Browning March 31, 2003: Former Reds pitcher and parade grand marshal Tom Browning waves to the crowd as the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade rolls down Fifth Street before the Reds Opening game. No Title
MLBBy Stacey Mickles on

One of the most beloved Cincinnati Reds players of all time has died. Former Reds pitcher Tom Browning, who pitched a perfect game in 1988 and was running up for Rookie of the Year in 1985, was pronounced dead in his Kentucky home.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, police were called to Browning’s home in Union, Kentucky, after he was found not breathing. He was pronounced dead and no foul play is suspected.

Browning made history on September 16, 1988, when he threw a rare perfect game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although the Dodgers would go on later that season to win the World Series, no one forgot that perfect game that Browning threw against them 34 years ago.

Many of Browning’s former Reds teammates are paying tribute to the late pitcher who many deemed “Mr. Perfect” after his performance against the Dodgers, including former Reds shortstop Barry Larkin.

“RIP my friend Mr. Perfect Tom Browning, wrote Larkin. “We shared some great times as well as the same birthdate 4/28. You will be missed.”

Former Kentucky basketball star Rex Chapman also shared his grief and sent his condolences to Larkin via Twitter as well.

“RIP Tom Browning,” wrote Chapman.

“RIP Tom Browning. He had the best 84-86 mph high spin rate 4-seam fastball at the top of zone of any LH pitcher of his era. He threw a perfect game, won a World Championship, sat in the Wrigley Field stands during a [Reds] game & took part himself during his own contract negotiations,” wrote Jim Bowden.

Browning spent most of his career with the Reds, winning a World Series with the club in 1990 before leaving for the Kansas City Royals in 1995 where he played one season. But he will always be best remembered as “Mr. Perfect” for the Reds.

{Cincinnati Enquirer}

About Stacey Mickles

Stacey is a 1995 graduate of the University of Alabama who has previously worked for other publications such as Sportskeeda and Saturday Down South.

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