When the Cincinnati Reds staged the 50th anniversary of the Big Red Machine last month, Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench phoned former UA and Marana High pitcher Rich Hinton and offered him free travel and lodging to the event.
Hinton, who pitched for the Reds, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers and Mariners from 1971-79, also won 19 games for the Tucson Toros in the early ’70s. That wasn’t any surprise for those who watched the former three-sport star from Marana from 1963-65, who became Arizona’s leading pitcher, winning 32 games, which is still fourth in UA history. In addition, he was the starting quarterback for Marana’s 1964 state football championship team.
Sadly, Hinton died last week at his home in central Florida. He was 78. Hinton spent his post-baseball days as a general contractor. At least he got to enjoy a final celebration of his remarkable baseball career, spending time with Tucsonan Pat Darcy of Rincon High, also a Big Red Machine alumnus.
Former Cincinnati Reds player Manny Sarmiento, front right, embraces teammate Rich Hinton, front left, during the national anthem prior to a game between the San Diego Padres and the Reds, June 27, 2025, in Cincinnati.
The one piece of unfinished business in Hinton’s sports career was to be inducted into the UA Sports Hall of Fame. For whatever reason, Hinton was never chosen for induction, even though former teammates Dave Jacome and Pat Anderson strongly advocated for him. Hinton went 14-2 with a still-standing school record 1.09 ERA in the 1969 Arizona season. He remains third in career ERA (1.84), third in complete games (31), and was a first-team all-WAC pitcher in 1967 and 1969. He also hit .286 when he wasn’t pitching, a run-producing right-fielder. His career was Hall of Fame worthy.
