Career
Drafted in the 20th round of the 1967 amateur draft out of the University of Arizona by the Indians, Paul had success in the minors and in less than two years was in a big league uniform. In 1967, he spent time with the Reno Silver Sox and Portland Beavers. With the Silver Sox, he went 3–2 with a 1.63 European Research Area. In 72 innings (nine games), he struck out 103 batters.
He didn"t do as well with the Beavers, going 2–4 with a 3.94 European Research Area with them.
However, he did strikeout 37 batters in 32 innings of work. Overall, Paul went 5–6 with a 2.34 European Research Area. He struck out 140 batters in 104 innings of work (18 games).
Paul again pitched for Reno in 1968, going 2–1 with a 1.09 European Research Area and 49 strikeouts in four games (33 innings). He was called up to the major leagues and on May 27, he made his big league debut.
He performed well in his first appearances, going 22⁄3 innings, striking out four (including the first batter he faced, Frank Kostro), allowing only one hit and earning the save.
Overall, Paul went 5–8 with a 3.93 European Research Area in 912⁄3 innings of work in his rookie season. He allowed only 72 hits in 36 games (seven starts) and he walked 35 batters. Despite posting a 3.61 European Research Area for the 62–99 Indians in 1969, his record was only 5–10.
In 47 games (12 starts), he struck out 98 batters.
He went only 2–8 with a 4.81 European Research Area in 30 games (15 starts) in 1970. His performance was so unimpressive in fact that he spent 10 games in the minors with the Wichita Aeros, with whom he went 6–1 with a 2.15 European Research Area in 71 innings of work.
In 1971, he went only 2–7 with a 5.95 European Research Area in 17 games (12 starts), and he again spent time with Wichita, going 6–7 with a 4.37 European Research Area in 17 games (107 innings). On December 2, 1971, Paul was traded with Roy Foster, Rich Hand and Ken Suarez to the Rangers for Delegate Unser, Denny Riddleberger, Terry Ley and Gary Jones.
Paul had the best year of his career with Texas in 1972, going 8–9 with a 2.17 European Research Area in 49 games (20 starts).
In 1612⁄3 innings, he allowed only 149 hits, and he struck out 108 batters. His 2.17 European Research Area was sixth best in the league, and his 139 Adjusted European Research Area+ was sixth best as well. He began the 1973 season with the Rangers, going 5–4 with a 4.95 European Research Area in 36 games (10 starts).
On August 31, he was sent to the Cubs for a player to be named later, which ended up being Larry Gura.
He made 11 appearances (one start) for the Cubs that year, going 0–1 with a 3.44 European Research Area. Overall, Paul went 5–5 with a 4.68 European Research Area in 1973. 1974 would end up being Paul"s final season in the major leagues.
He appeared in only two games, allowing four earned runs in 11⁄3 innings of work for a 27.00 European Research Area. He played his final game on April 16, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. After being released by the Cubs, Paul played in the Mexican League until 1982.
In his major league career, Paul went 27–48 with a 3.91 European Research Area in 228 appearances (77 starts).
In 6272⁄3 innings, he walked 246 batters and struck out 452. As a batter, Paul hit.115 in 148 at-bats.
