Mike Paxton, a native of Memphis, was an outstanding high school baseball and football player. He was a standout at Oakhaven High School from 1969-1971 and received a baseball scholarship to attend then Memphis State University. He pitched for Memphis State from 1972 to 1975 with a career record of 22-12.
When he graduated, he was the school’s career strikeout leader. Paxton was drafted in the 23rd round by the Boston Red Sox of major league baseball. He batted and threw right-handed. Paxton reached the majors in 1977 with the Boston Red Sox, spending one year with them before moving to the Cleveland Indians (1978-80).
In his rookie season with the Red Sox, Paxton was called up from the minor league mid-season to be part of an exciting pennant race. That year, Paxton had a record of 10-5 and received Red Sox Co-Rookie of the Year honors.
His most productive season came in 1978 with Cleveland, when he recorded career-highs in wins (12), strikeouts (96), earned run average (3.86), shutouts (2), complete games (5), and innings pitched (191.0).
In a four-season career, Paxton posted a 30-24 record with 230 strikeouts and a 4.71 ERA in 466 innings. On July 21,1978, he tied a major league record when he struck out four batters in the fifth inning of an 11-0 win over the Seattle Mariners. Paxton was inducted to the M Club Hall of Fame at the University of Memphis in 1982.