Ribant was born on September 20, 1941, and began his professional baseball career in 1961 after signing with the Milwaukee Braves.
He would eventually make his way to the New York Mets in 1964, where he spent the first three seasons of his MLB career.
In November of 1967, Ribant was traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Dave Wickersham.
He spent just one season with the Tigers before being traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1969.
Ribant’s career spanned nine seasons and included stints with the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds before retiring in 1970 with a 37-44 record and a 4.16 ERA.
Dennis Ribant Cause of Death
Former Mets starting pitcher, Dennis Ribant, passed away on Monday at the age of 81. The news was announced on Twitter by Mets broadcaster Howie Rose on Thursday.
The cause of death has not been disclosed. Ribant is survived by his wife Elizabeth, two children, Deron Ribant and Tracy Young, three grandchildren, Cortland Ribant, Jack Young and Peyton Young, and sister Marcia Kamin.
Rose reminisced about one of Ribant’s most memorable games, which he started against Juan Marichal and the Giants.
Ribant broke up Marichal’s perfect game in the sixth inning, much to the surprise of Rose and his friend who were watching the game.
Ribant’s little thirty-eight-hop ground ball through the middle earned him the first hit of the game.
According to the Society of American Baseball Research, Ribant credited his legendary teammate Warren Spahn and pitching coach Harvey Haddix with helping him on his change-up.
Dennis Ribant will always be remembered as the first Mets starting pitcher to have a solid season, helping the team to move up in the National League standings.
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Aiva Arthur
