In 1977, just a few months out of Anderson High School, 18-year-old Richard Dotson was involved in what then was a noteworthy trade. The California Angels, who drafted Dotson right out of high school, shipped him and two other players to the Chicago White Sox for three players.

The marquees name involved was Bobby Bonds, father of Barry Bonds, who had a pretty solid resume himself as a 30-30 (30 homers, 30 stolen bases) guy for a good part of his career. Bonds went to Chicago, along with the little-known "Dick" Dotson (as it was reported).

"I was a first-round pick for the Angels in '77," Dotson said. "I got thrown into that trade, which was good for me because I was in the big leagues in two years."

305 games in The Show

He would pitch parts of 12 seasons in the big leagues before arm issues ended his pitching career at age 31. His numbers weren't as dominating as they were at Anderson, but he did win 111 major league games and had three seasons where he pitched over 200 innings. In three others, he logged 196, 197 and 198 innings. At age 22, he threw four shutouts.

His standout year was in 1983 when he went 22-7 with a 3.23 ERA for the White Sox who made the American League Championship Series. Had it not been for teammate LaMarr Hoyt's 24 wins, he may have won the Cy Young Award.

"In '83, we won the Western Division and had the winningest record in major league baseball that year," Dotson said. "The Baltimore Orioles were our nemesis. I had pitched two complete games against Baltimore during the season, gave up four hits and lost both games."

Baltimore won the series 3-1 despite the White Sox stellar staff that also included Jerry Koosman, Floyd Bannister, Dennis Lamp and Britt Burns. The catcher was Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk.
 

A cameo in a National League park

He followed the '83 campaign with 14 wins and was named an American League All-Star for the Midsummer Classic in San Francisco.

"That was old Candlestick and I actually at that time lived in northern California," Dotson said. "I got to go home over the All-Star break and my family got to see me pitch in the All-Star Game."

A few bucks in the Bronx

Dotson made over $1 million in 1987 with the White Sox but never regained the stuff he exhibited prior to a 1985 surgery. Still, he threw 211 innings in '87 for the White Sox, then toughed out a 12-9 campaign with George Steinbrenner's Yankees in 1988.

"It was awesome!" Dotson said. "I never met Mr. Steinbrenner and I was there a year and a half. I didn't go out of my way to meet him. As great as it was to play in Chicago with the White Sox, you go to New York and it's a whole different ballgame. I'm proud to say I wore the pinstripes one time. With what I was throwing up there, 12 wins was pretty good."

Local hero

As a prep player at Anderson, he pitched and hit. Locals say he put out a window at the old Anderson Middle School way beyond the outfield. Only the Herculean effort could reach it and legend is that Dotson did. Unfortunately, once he was being paid to play, the swings went away.

"I got to swing the bat in spring training, but that was it," Dotson said. "I did get to face Dwight Gooden. I think it was the year after he was Rookie of the Year. I didn't fare too well. He struck me out.  I think I screwed up my right knee. He was really good."
 

Dotson also played basketball for the Redskins and Coach Dick Sander who went on to become an athletic director at Virginia Commonwealth. The late 70s included some top notch players at Anderson who went Division I (Rick Becker to Southern Miss, Mark Reed and Rick Elliott to Richmond). They often had epic duels with their rivals down the road, the McNicholas Rockets. McNicholas also featured a future major leaguer in Pat Tabler (Cubs, Indians, Royals, Mets, Blue Jays) along with his brother Greg and fiery coach Jerry Doerger.

Before the 3-point arc was painted, the Redskins and Rockets could score in the 80s with regularity. 

"We had really good teams," Dotson said. "We were pretty good. I know McNick was good. My kids have gone to Turpin and then my daughter just graduated from McNick. I tell them it used to be Anderson and McNick. That was the deal. That was a big thing."

He still keeps in touch with Rick Carr who coached him in junior high and as a freshman and he was sad to hear of the passing of Jeff Watterson, who was Dick Sander's varsity assistant before moving over to coach at Turpin. In baseball, he played for Jim Niemann.

FOR THE COMPLETE AND ORIGINAL ARTICLE, CLICK HERE.