Ted Abernathy (March 6, 1933 - December 16, 2004) was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He batted and threw right-handed. A native from Stanley, North Carolina, Abernathy joined the majors after graduating from high school. He changed his pitching motion after shoulder surgery left his career in doubt, switching from a three-quarter delivery and becoming an effective sidearmer who developed a nasty submarine pitch that was almost unhittable.
Abernathy appeared in 681 games and picked up 148 saves during a 14-season career between 1955 and 1972, playing for the Washington Senators (1955-57, 1960), Cleveland Indians (1963-64), Chicago Cubs (1966, 1969-70), Atlanta Braves (1966), Cincinnati Reds (1967-68), St. Louis Cardinals (1970) and Kansas City Royals (1970-72). He compiled a 63-69 record with 765 strikeouts and a 3.46 ERA in 1147.2 innings.
In 1965 Abernathy recorded a league-leading 31 saves with the Cubs, along with 104 strikeouts and a 2.57 ERA. He had 28 saves, 88 strikeouts, and a 1.27 ERA two seasons later with Cincinnati. In 1968 Abernathy won 10 games and got 13 saves, and had 10 and 14 in 1970.
Ted Abernathy died in Gastonia, North Carolina at the age of 71.
