Mike Rochford

Who is Mike Rochford?

Michael Joseph Rochford is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1988 through 1990 for the Boston Red Sox. He also pitched for the Yakult Swallows at the end of the 1990 season.

A 6 ft 4 in, 205 lbs. left-handed specialist, Rochford was selected by the Red Sox in the first round of the 1982 January draft out of Santa Fe Community College. Prior to college, he was an outstanding three-sport athlete at South Burlington High School graduating in 1981. In high school he led the Rebels to Vermont state championships in baseball and football and was one of best basketball players in the state scoring over 1,000 career points as a four-year starter. He is the first and only product of a Vermont high school to be selected in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft and go on to reach the major leagues.

He spent six years in the Boston minor league system before joining the big club late in 1988.

In a three-season big league career, Rochford posted a 0–1 record with a 9.58 ERA in eight appearances, giving up 17 runs on 18 hits and nine walks while striking out two without a save in 10 ⅓ innings of work.