Ex-Giants closer Randy Moffitt passes away, brother of tennis legend Billie Jean King

Randy Moffitt, a former Major League Baseball reliever who was the brother of tennis great and equality advocate Billie Jean King, died at 76 after a long illness. Moffitt died in Long Beach, California, on Thursday, after suffering several health issues, his family has said.

A valued MLB career on the mound that left a lasting impact

Randall James "Randy" Moffitt was born on October 13, 1948, in Long Beach, California. He was drafted in the first round (18th overall pick) by the San Francisco Giants in the year 1970. His big league debut came two years later, in 1972. Moffitt would pitch 16 seasons in the majors, making and maintaining his spot in the Giants bullpen for 534 games, all but one of them in relief, and closing his career with the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays.

Moffitt finished his career with a win–loss record of 43–52, 96 saves, and an earned-run average (ERA) of 3.65. He was a member of the San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame (2008) and was inducted into the Long Beach State University Athletics Hall of Fame (1986). Beyond the numbers, the respect he commanded around the league was due largely to the consistency and professionalism with which he approached the mound each day; unwavering focus and fierce determination to be the best.

Remembering the man behind the player

Randy, born to Bill and Betty Moffitt, grew up in a close, but competitive environment with his sister, Billie Jean. Though she enjoyed her own success as a tennis player, her relationship with Rogers transcended tennis and baseball; the two were raised to see the world through the eyes of discipline and drive, qualities that defined their journeys into competing in baseball and tennis, respectively. Billie Jean, of course, made her name on the court; Randy made his own in the bullpen, both siblings excelling in their respective arenas.Also Read: San Diego Padres victory over San Francisco Giants overshadowed by brutal takedown of teenagerHe is survived by his daughters Miranda and Alysha, four grandchildren, and his sister Billie Jean King, and her wife, Ilana Kloss.Randy Moffitt's fastball is no longer being thrown across the plate, but his legacy lives on, in the record books, on the Giants Wall of Fame, and with his family and fans whose lives he touched with his steadiness, perseverance, and competitiveness.