Claude Osteen

Claude Wilson Osteen, born August 9, 1939, was an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. Nicknamed "Gomer" for his resemblance to the television character Gomer Pyle, he pitched for the Cincinnati Redlegs/Reds, Washington Senators, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago White Sox.

Osteen signed with the Cincinnati Redlegs in 1957 after completing high school and joined the major-league team without first playing in the minor leagues. Although this was the era of "bonus babies"—players the league required to be carried on a major-league roster because of large signing bonuses—Osteen's bonus fell below that threshold. He made his major-league debut on July 6, 1957, and remained with the club for parts of four seasons, though he never received a season-long opportunity to start in Cincinnati. On September 16, 1961, he was traded to the Washington Senators for pitcher Dave Sisler.

With the Senators, Osteen got a chance to start regularly in the major leagues, albeit for a consistently sub-.500 team. In 1964 he posted a winning record of 15–13.