“Will Miss You Deeply”- Tennis Icon Billie Jean King Bids Adieu to Younger Brother & MLB Legend Randy Moffitt

Randy Moffitt, the longtime Giants reliever, passed away at the age of 76 in Long Beach, California. For the Giants fans, Moffitt was a steady presence out of the bullpen. Notably, he spent 10 of his 12 big-league seasons with the team from 1972 to 1981.

Well, before reaching the majors, Moffitt starred at Long Beach State, where he earned a spot in the school’s athletic Hall of Fame. There, his standout college career caught the Giants’ eye. And they picked him in the first round of the 1970 MLB draft. And just two years later, he was pitching in San Francisco, eventually earning a place on the Giants’ Wall of Fame.

On the personal front, Moffitt grew up alongside his sister, tennis legend Billie Jean King.

When news of her brother’s passing spread on Friday, King set aside her tennis legacy to honor the memory of her beloved brother. Love for his brother is all she conveyed: “I will miss him deeply.“

What came next was a deeply emotional and heartfelt letter from Billie Jean King. An open letter that was all about the bond she shared with her brother. She turned to social media to honor him, saying, “childhood dream” was to have a “sibling.” Moreover, in her tribute, King reflected not only on Moffitt’s baseball career and achievements but also on the kind of person he was. Someone who cared deeply for his family and friends.

“We had such love and admiration for each other. And as two very competitive athletes, both fortunate enough to play in the pros, we respected each other’s journey, drive, and determination. Randy was loyal, kind, and caring. He was a father who loved his daughters, Miranda and Alysha, and a grandfather who loved his four grandchildren.” King added, further reflecting the warm connection between the siblings.

As reported by the AP, Moffitt leaves behind two daughters, Miranda Harrah and Alysha Gosse, along with four grandchildren, Evan, Cason, Byron, and Derek. He is also survived by his sister, Billie Jean King, and her wife, Ilana Kloss. And with that, ends a remarkable chapter for MLB and the Giants!

Moffitt’s legacy will be remembered

Well, Randy Moffitt’s time in the majors was nothing short of impressive. While he was never considered a superstar, he built a reputation as one of the most reliable relievers in the NL. For instance, from 1973 to 1978, he recorded at least 10 saves each year. That’s averaging over 61 appearances and 91 innings per season during that stretch. Even in his final year, pitching for the Blue Jays, Moffitt managed another 10 saves, finishing his career with 96!

Notably, Moffitt broke into the big leagues in 1972 and quickly became a steady bullpen presence. Interestingly, out of his 534 career appearances, he started just one game. That, too, after spending all but two of his seasons with the Giants. And with San Francisco, he posted a 35-46 record, a 3.68 ERA, and 397 SOs across 682.1 innings.

Unfortunately, health problems struck in 1979 when he was diagnosed with enteritis. An illness caused him to lose 25 pounds. The condition limited him to only 23 games over the 1980 and 1981 seasons, ultimately leading to his release. But still, his place in Giants history was secured when he was named to the team’s inaugural Wall of Fame class in 2008.

Although Randy Moffitt may no longer be with us, his impact and legacy remain deeply woven into the fabric of the sport.