In Medich’s first major league game (9/5/72 against Baltimore), he drew a walk as the starting pitcher when the Yankees batted around in the top of the first. In the bottom of the inning he failed to retire a batter, and the next day he began his first year of medical school at Pitt. Medich did better in 1973 (14-9, 2.91), and after two more solid years, he was traded to his hometown Pirates in the deal that brought the Yankees Willie Randolph, Dock Ellis, Ken Brett, and several pennants. Following a rocky 1976 (8-11, 3.51) and an itinerant 1977 split between three clubs, he settled down in Texas and provided the Rangers with five workmanlike seasons before the Brewers acquired him for their 1982 stretch drive. Medich then retired to practice sports medicine near Pittsburgh. His medical training came in handy before a 1978 game in Baltimore when he saved the life of a stricken fan by performing a heart massage.
