Cy Young Profile: Denny McLain, 1969

Pitcher, Detroit Tigers 

Age:  25

6^th season with Tigers

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 185

Prior to 1969:

A Chicago native, McLain grew up in the suburb of Markham, where he played youth baseball. He received a baseball scholarship to attend Chicago’s Mount Carmel High School where he pitched his way to a 38-7 record. Upon graduation in 1962 he was signed by the Chicago White Sox for a $10,000 bonus. Initially assigned to the Harlan Smokies of the Class D Appalachian League he threw a no-hitter in his first professional start while striking out 16 batters. In two games with Harlan he went 1-1 with 32 strikeouts over 18 innings. Promoted to Clinton of the Midwest League McLain was 4-7 with a 3.56 ERA and 93 strikeouts over 91 innings. During his first minor league season he also began to exhibit the carefree and reckless behavior that would become more pronounced over time. Drafted away from the White Sox by Detroit in the offseason, he pitched with teams at the Class A and AA level in 1963 and was 18-6 with a 2.89 ERA and 239 strikeouts. Called up to the Tigers in September, McLain pitched a complete game for a win in his debut against the White Sox on his way to a 2-1 record in his first taste of major league action with a 4.29 ERA. He started the 1964 season with the Syracuse Chiefs of the Class AAA International League and, after getting off to a 3-1 start, he was promoted to the Tigers in June, joining the starting rotation, and going 4-5 with a 4.05 ERA the rest of the way. After a good performance playing winter ball in Puerto Rico, McLain followed up in 1965 with a 16-6 mark and a 2.61 ERA with 192 strikeouts. With command of a high fastball, curve, and changeup he got off to a 13-4 start in 1966 and was an All-Star for the first time. His performance declined during the second half of the season as he became prone to giving up home runs and his final record was 20-14 with a 3.92 ERA and 192 strikeouts. McLain became known for his flamboyant and brash personality and he also was an organist, playing solo and with groups. His 1967 season was ultimately disappointing as he produced a 17-16 tally with a 3.79 ERA and 161 strikeouts. With the Tigers locked in a wild four-team pennant race, McLain was winless in September when he missed time with a foot injury and Detroit came up a game short at season’s end. Detroit did not falter in 1968, winning the pennant in impressive fashion while McLain contributed a 31-6 record and 1.96 ERA. In addition to becoming the first major league 30-game winner since 1934, he was the AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner. LHP Mickey Lolich was the hero of the come-from-behind World Series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, with three wins, but McLain kept the Tigers alive by winning Game 6.

1969 Season Summary

Appeared in 42 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 42

Games Started – 41 [1]

Complete Games – 23 [2]

Wins – 24 [1]

Losses – 9

PCT - .727 [6]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 9 [1]

Innings Pitched – 325 [1]

Hits – 288 [1]

Runs – 105 [9, tied with Mel Stottlemyre, Joe Horlen & Dave Boswell]

Earned Runs – 101 [3, tied with Chuck Dobson & Tom Murphy]

Home Runs – 25 [9, tied with Ray Culp & Stan Williams]

Bases on Balls – 67

Strikeouts – 181 [7]

ERA – 2.80 [7]

Hit Batters – 4

Balks – 2 [2, tied with Bob Locker, Jim Bouton & Mike Cuellar]

Wild Pitches – 5

League-leading games started were +1 ahead of runner-up Dave McNally

League-leading wins were +1 ahead of runner-up Mike Cuellar

League-leading shutouts were +3 ahead of runner-up Jim Palmer

League-leading innings pitched were +22 ahead of runner-up Mel Stottlemyre

League-leading hits surrendered were +21 ahead of runner-up Mel Stottlemyre

Midseason Snapshot: 14-5, ERA - 2.50, SO - 113 in 198.1 IP 

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Most strikeouts, game – 12 (in 9 IP) at Oakland 5/29

10+ strikeout games – 1

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 2 (in 7 IP) vs. California 5/25,

(in 9 IP) at NY Yankees 9/15

Batting

PA – 125, AB – 106, R – 5, H – 17, 2B – 0, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 8, BB – 4, SO – 41, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .160, GDP – 2, HBP – 0, SH – 13 [1], SF – 2

Fielding

Chances – 52

Put Outs – 26

Assists – 24

Errors – 2

DP – 1

Pct. - .962

Awards & Honors:

AL Cy Young Award: BBWAA (co-winner)

AL Pitcher of the Year: Sporting News

All-Star

6^th in AL MVP voting (85 points, 25% share)

AL Cy Young voting:

Denny McLain, Det.: 10 of 24 votes, 42% share

Mike Cuellar, Balt.: 10 votes, 42% share

Jim Perry, Min.: 3 votes, 13% share

Dave McNally, Balt.: 1 vote, 4% share

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Tigers went 90-72 to finish second in the AL Eastern Division, 19 games behind the division-winning Baltimore Orioles. The pitching staff led the league in complete games (55), shutouts (20, tied with Baltimore), and strikeouts (1032). Unable to keep pace with the Orioles, the Tigers settled for second place in the new AL East.

Aftermath of ‘69:

During the offseason, an investigative report in Sports Illustrated linked McLain to mob bookmaking activities leading to his suspension by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn for the first half of the 1970 season. He received further disciplinary action following his return to action and ended up with a 3-5 tally over 14 starts and a 4.63 ERA. In the offseason McLain was traded to the Washington Senators as part of an eight-player transaction. In an ineffective year with the Senators, he led the league only in losses with his 10-22 record along with a 4.28 ERA, while he battled with manager Ted Williams. With the Senators becoming the Texas Rangers in 1972, McLain was dealt to Oakland where he performed poorly both at the major and minor league levels. Following a similar brief trial with Atlanta, McLain, who had a sore arm, was out of condition, and had put on weight, found himself out of baseball at age 29. For his briefly brilliant major league career, he produced a 131-91 record with a 3.39 ERA and 1282 strikeouts over 1886 innings pitched that included 105 complete games and 29 shutouts. With the Tigers he was 117-62 with a 3.13 ERA and 1150 strikeouts. In addition to being AL MVP once and a two-time Cy Young Award winner, McLain was a three-time All-Star. After his baseball career he encountered significant financial and legal problems that caused him to spend several years in prison. Talented and determined to live life according to his own rules, his fall from the pinnacle of baseball stardom was most abrupt.

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Cy Young Profiles feature pitchers who were recipients of the Cy Young Award by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (1956 to present). The award was presented to a single major league winner from its inception through 1966 and from 1967 on to one recipient from each major league.   

Cy Young Profile: Corey Kluber, 2014

Pitcher, Cleveland Indians

Age:  28 (April 10) 

3^rd season with Indians

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’4”    Weight: 215

Prior to 2014:

An Alabama native, Kluber grew up in Coppell, Texas where he was a two-time all-district pitcher. Having suffered a stress fracture in his elbow, he went undrafted by major league teams. Moving on to Stetson University, he had an impressive junior year in 2007 when he was 12-2 with a 2.05 ERA and 177 strikeouts. Kluber was selected by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round of the 2007 amateur draft. Initially assigned to the Eugene Emeralds of the Class A Northwest League, he went 1-1 in 10 appearances, seven of them starts, with a 3.51 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 33.1 innings. With two teams at the Class A level in 2008 he compiled a combined tally of 6-8 with a 4.90 ERA and 147 strikeouts over 141.1 innings. Pitching in Class AA in 2010 he was a throw-in in a three-team trade-deadline deal that landed him with the Indians. For the year, with three minor league clubs, he was 9-9 with a 3.49 ERA and 165 strikeouts. He finished 2010 in Class AAA with the Columbus Clippers of the International League, who he stayed with in 2011. He switched from a four-seam to a two-seam fastball, with which he had a natural sinking movement. For the year he went 7-11 with a 5.56 ERA and 143 strikeouts while starting 27 games. Kluber received a September call-up to the Indians which produced no decisions in three relief appearances. Once again with Columbus in 2012, he was 11-7 with a 3.59 ERA when he was called up by the Indians in August and placed in the starting rotation. In 12 starts he produced a 2-5 record and a 5.14 ERA. Kluber started the 2013 season with Columbus and returned to the Indians. Bolstered by adding a sinker to his repertoire, he had a solid year, despite missing much of August due to a finger injury, in which he went 11-5 with a 3.85 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 147.1 innings pitched., Kluber was part of the rotation from the beginning of the season in 2014. Having advanced from a lightly regarded prospect to a major league starting pitcher was a testament to his outstanding work ethic and determination, as well as his burgeoning talent.

2014 Season Summary

Appeared in 36 games

P – 34, PH – 1, PR – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 34

Games Started – 34 [1, tied with six others]

Complete Games – 3 [2, tied with David Price, Rick Porcello & Masahiro Tanaka]

Wins – 18 [1, tied with Jered Weaver & Max Scherzer]

Losses – 9

PCT - .667 [7, tied with Jered Weaver]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 1 [5, tied with 21 others]

Innings Pitched – 235.2 [3]

Hits – 207 [9]

Runs – 72

Earned Runs – 64

Home Runs – 14

Bases on Balls – 51

Strikeouts – 269 [2]

ERA – 2.44 [3]

Hit Batters – 6

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 3

Midseason Snapshot: 9-6, ERA - 3.01, SO - 142 in 131.2 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 14 (in 7 IP) at Houston 9/16, (in 8 IP) at Minnesota 9/21

10+ strikeout games – 11

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 2 (in 9 IP) at Kansas City 7/24

Batting

PA – 6, AB – 5, R – 0, H – 1, 2B – 0, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 0, BB – 0, SO – 2, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .200, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 1, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 31

Put Outs – 14

Assists – 17

Errors – 0

DP – 1

Pct. - 1.000

Awards & Honors:

AL Cy Young Award: BBWAA

11^th in AL MVP voting (45 points, 11% share)

AL Cy Young voting (Top 5):

Corey Kluber, Clev.: 169 pts. – 17 of 30 first place votes, 80% share

Felix Hernandez, Sea.: 159 pts. – 13 first place votes, 76% share

Chris Sale, ChiWS.: 78 pts. – 37% share

Jon Lester, Bos./Oak.: 46 pts. – 22% share

Max Scherzer, Det.: 32 pts. – 15% share

 

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Indians went 85-77 to finish third in the AL Central Division, 5 games behind the division-winning Detroit Tigers. The pitching staff led the league in strikeouts (1450). The slow-starting Indians were 47-47 in the season’s first half and made a push to challenge for a spot in the postseason that came up short.

Aftermath of ‘14:

Kluber got off to an 0-5 start in 2015 prior to an 18-strikeout performance against the Cardinals in May in which he gave up only one hit over eight innings. Effective the rest of the way although often receiving inadequate run support, Kluber finished at 9-16 and a 3.49 ERA with 245 strikeouts. Cleveland topped the AL Central in 2016 and went on to win the league pennant, and Kluber, who was an All-Star for the first time, contributed an 18-9 record with a 3.14 ERA and 227 strikeouts. He went 4-1 in the postseason, although he faltered when pitching on short rest in Game 7 of the World Series against the Cubs, which the Indians lost in extra innings. In 2017, despite missing time due to a lower back strain, Kluber went on to win his second AL Cy Young Award, posting an 18-4 tally with a league-leading 2.25 ERA and 265 strikeouts. The Indians again won the division, but Kluber was hit hard in two starts against the Yankees in the ALDS. The pitcher known as “Klubot” (for his serious and stoical nature) followed up with another strong season in 2018, in which he went 20-7 with a 2.89 ERA and 222 strikeouts. He also led the AL with 215 innings pitched and was one of four pitchers to top the circuit with two complete games, and one of eleven with a league-best one shutout, and he placed third in league Cy Young voting. On May 1, 2019, Kluber suffered a broken right arm when struck by a line drive in a game against the Miami Marlins. He was unable to return that year and was traded to the Texas Rangers in the offseason. He pitched only one inning for the Rangers in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season due to a torn shoulder muscle. The New York Yankees, anticipating a return to good form, signed him for 2021. He pitched a no-hitter against the Rangers in May. As of the 2021 All-Star break Kluber has a lifetime major league pitching record of 102-61 with a 3.15 ERA, 18 complete games, 8 shutouts, and 1517 strikeouts over 1396 innings. He has been a three-time All-Star in addition to winning two Cy Young Awards.

 

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Cy Young Profiles feature pitchers who were recipients of the Cy Young Award by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (1956 to present). The award was presented to a single major league winner from its inception through 1966 and from 1967 on to one recipient from each major league.   

Rookie of the Year: Pat Zachry, 1976

Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds

Age:  24 (Apr. 24)

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’5”    Weight: 180

Prior to 1976:

A Texas native, Zachry survived a gunshot wound at 14 and pitched on the baseball team at Richfield High School in Waco. After throwing three no-hitters in summer league action he was selected by the Reds in the 1970 amateur draft. Signing for a $3500 bonus, he played for two teams at the Rookie and Class A levels in ’70 and produced a combined 3-5 record with a 2.76 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 75 innings pitched. Advancing to Tampa of the Class A Florida State League in 1971, he posted a 12-4 mark with a 3.21 ERA and 115 strikeouts over 143 innings. Sent to Quebec’s Trois Rivieres Aigles of the Class AA Eastern League in 1972, Zachry went 7-7 with a 2.64 ERA and 102 strikeouts while pitching 133 innings. Still with Trois Rivieres in 1973, he was utilized as both a starter and reliever and had a 12-12 tally with a 3.29 ERA and 130 strikeouts over 178 innings. Promoted to Indianapolis of the Class AAA American Association in 1974, Zachry, who started in 17 of his 33 games, produced a 10-7 record with a 3.52 ERA, although his strikeouts fell to 98 in 151 innings. With Indianapolis again in 1975, he again went 10-7 with a league-leading 2.43 ERA and 100 strikeouts. He was a league All-Star selection. Zachry made the staff of the defending World Series champion Reds for 1976. 

1976 Season Summary

Appeared in 38 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 38

Games Started – 28

Complete Games – 6

Wins – 14 [16, tied with five others]

Losses – 7

PCT - .667 [6]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 1

Innings Pitched – 204

Hits – 170

Runs – 70

Earned Runs – 62

Home Runs – 8

Bases on Balls – 83 [8]

Strikeouts – 143 [11]

ERA – 2.74 [5, tied with Randy Jones]

Hit Batters – 2

Balks – 3 [4, tied with six others]

Wild Pitches – 5

Midseason Snapshot: 7-3, ERA – 2.66, SO – 77 in 101.1 IP

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 Most strikeouts, game – 9 (in 9 IP) vs. LA Dodgers 5/28, (in 9 IP) vs. San Diego 9/21

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 2 (in 9 IP) at Atlanta 9/4

Batting

PA – 77, AB – 62, R – 1, H – 7, 2B – 0, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 2, BB – 3, SO – 25, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .113, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 12, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 34

Put Outs – 13

Assists – 20

Errors – 1

DP – 2

Pct. - .971

Postseason Pitching: G – 2 (NLCS vs. Philadelphia – 1; World Series vs. NY Yankees – 1)

 GS – 2, CG – 0, Record – 2-0, PCT – 1.000, SV – 0, ShO – 0, IP – 11.2, H – 12, R – 4, ER – 4, HR – 2, BB – 8, SO – 9, ERA – 3.09, HB – 0, BLK – 0, WP – 0

Awards & Honors:

NL Rookie of the Year: BBWAA (co-winner)

NL ROY Voting:

Pat Zachry, Cin.: 11 of 24 votes, 46% share

Butch Metzger, SD.: 11 votes, 46% share

Hector Cruz, StL.: 2 votes, 8% share

 

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Reds went 102-60 to finish first in the NL Western Division by 10 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The pitching staff led the league in saves (45). The Reds were 28-17 by the end of May and coasted to a second straight NL West title. Won NLCS over the Philadelphia Phillies, 3 games to 0. Won World Series over the New York Yankees, 4 games to 0, making them the first NL club to win back-to-back World Series championships since the 1921-22 New York Giants.

Aftermath of ‘76:

Zachry had a hernia operation in the offseason and missed much of spring training in 1977, which caused him to get off to a slow start, further hindered by a sore arm. He had a 3-7 record and 5.04 ERA in June when he was traded to the New York Mets as part of the deal for star RHP Tom Seaver. His performance improved the rest of the way with his new club, going 7-6 with a 3.76 ERA for an overall record of 10-13 and a 4.25 ERA. With command of a slider, changeup, and fastball, Zachry started well in 1978 and was an All-Star for the only time in his major league career. But when pulled from a late July game against the Reds, he kicked the dugout step and broke a bone in his foot, thus ending his season. His record was 10-6 with a 3.33 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 138 innings pitched. Hindered by a sore elbow in 1979, Zachry got off to a 5-1 start before going on the disabled list and having surgery. He returned to action in May of 1980 and had an uneven season in which he posted a 6-10 tally and a 3.01 ERA with 88 strikeouts. During the strike-interrupted 1981 season, Zachry went 7-14 with a 4.14 ERA. In 1982 he started in only 16 of his 36 appearances and had a 6-9 record and a 4.05 ERA. Dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason, he was utilized almost exclusively as a reliever in 1983 and was 6-1 with a 2.49 ERA. Strictly working out of the bullpen in 1984, Zachry appeared in 58 games and had a 5-6 tally along with a 3.81 ERA and two saves. Traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1985, he made 10 relief appearances until being released in June, which ended his career. Overall, in the major leagues, Zachry compiled a 69-67 record with a 3.52 ERA. He pitched 29 complete games with 7 shutouts and recorded 669 strikeouts over 1177.1 innings. With the Reds he went 17-14 with a 3.35 ERA, 9 complete games, and 179 strikeouts over 279 innings pitched. He appeared in four postseason games with the Reds and Dodgers and was 2-0 with a 2.87 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 15.2 innings. Following his major league playing career, Zachry coached for a time at the minor league level. He later pitched in the short-lived Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989 and ’90. He has been inducted into the Waco Independent School District Athletic Hall of Fame.   

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were recipients of the Rookie of the Year Award by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (1947 to present). The award was presented to a single major league winner from its inception through 1948 and from 1949 on to one recipient from each major league.  

  

Rookie of the Year: Jose Abreu, 2014

First Baseman, Chicago White Sox

 

Age:  27

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’3”    Weight: 235

Prior to 2014:

A native of Cienfuegos, Cuba, Abreu was the son of a former semipro catcher. He began playing youth baseball at seven. As he developed as a player, he built up his lanky frame and made it to Cuba’s top tier, the Serie Nacional. In the 2003-04 season, his first, he batted a solid .271 for the Cienfuegos club at age 16. By 2005-06 he hit .337 with 11 home runs and 64 RBIs. A selective hitter with power, he could hit to all fields and had a good work ethic. His production continued to improve, and he batted .399 in 2009-10 with 30 home runs and 76 RBIs. In 2010-11 Abreu missed nearly a third of the season and still clubbed a record 33 home runs while hitting .453 in 67 games. He made it to the Cuban national team and performed well in the 2011 Baseball World Cup and Pan American Games. Following the 2013 World Baseball Classic, he made the decision to defect to the United States. Following a harrowing passage to Haiti in August of 2013, Abreu worked out for American scouts and signed with the White Sox for six years and $68 million. It was anticipated that he would be the starting first baseman in 2014 and add a potent bat to the middle of the lineup.

2014 Season Summary

Appeared in 145 games

1B – 109, DH – 35, PH – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 622

At Bats – 556

Runs – 80

Hits – 176 [11]

Doubles – 35 [10, tied with five others]

Triples – 2

Home Runs – 36 [3, tied with Mike Trout]

RBI – 107 [4]

Bases on Balls – 51

Int. BB – 15 [4]

Strikeouts – 131 [19, tied with Shin-Soo Choo]

Stolen Bases – 3

Caught Stealing – 1

Average - .317 [5]

OBP - .383 [5]

Slugging Pct. - .581 [1]

Total Bases – 323 [2]

GDP – 14

Hit by Pitches – 11 [4, tied with Alex Gordon & Brandon Guyer]

Sac Hits – 0

Sac Flies – 4

 

League-leading slugging percentage was +.016 ahead of runner-up Victor Martinez

 

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 20, HR – 29, RBI – 73, AVG – .292, SLG – .630

 

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Most hits, game – 3 on fourteen occasions

Longest hitting streak – 21 games

Most HR, game – 2 (in 5 AB) at Colorado 4/8, (in 4 AB) vs. Cleveland 4/10, (in 5 AB) vs. Tampa Bay 4/25, (in 3 AB) at Toronto 6/27

HR at home – 15

HR on road – 21

Multi-HR games – 4

Most RBIs, game – 6 vs. Tampa Bay 4/25

Pinch-hitting – 0 for 1 (.000)

 

Fielding

Chances – 1045

Put Outs – 970

Assists – 69

Errors – 6

DP - 105

Pct. - .994

 

Awards & Honors:

AL Rookie of the Year: BBWAA

All-Star

Silver Slugger

4^th in AL MVP voting (145 points, 35% share)

 

AL ROY Voting (Top 5):

Jose Abreu, ChiWS.: 150 pts. – 30 of 30 first place votes, 100% share

Matt Shoemaker, LAA: 40 pts. – 27% share

Dellin Betances, NYY: 27 pts. – 18% share

Collin McHugh, Hou.: 21 pts. – 14% share

Masahiro Tanaka, NYY: 16 pts. – 11% share

 

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White Sox went 73-89 to finish fourth in the AL Central Division, 17 games behind the division-winning Detroit Tigers. Abreu, who more than met expectations with his bat, and LHP Chris Sale were the two best players on a disappointing team.

 

Aftermath of ‘14:

Following up on his big rookie season, Abreu batted .290 with 30 home runs and 101 RBIs in 2015 for a White Sox club that failed to meet expectations and lacked sufficient power production around him. His hitting remained solid in 2016 as he batted .293 with 32 doubles, 25 home runs, and 100 RBIs. Once more a productive hitter with a losing team in 2017, Abreu batted .304 with 43 doubles, 33 home runs, and 102 RBIs. Limited to 128 games due to injuries in 2018 (and only 35 following the All-Star break), he hit .265 with 22 home runs and 78 RBIs. Abreu rebounded in 2019 by leading the AL with 123 RBIs while batting .284 with 38 doubles and 33 home runs. He re-signed with the White Sox in the offseason for three years and $50 million. Appearing in 60 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season he again led the American League in RBIs (60) as well as hits (76), slugging (.617) and total bases (148) while also batting .317 with 19 home runs. He received AL MVP honors for his performance and the White Sox reached the postseason. For his major league career through the 2021 All-Star break, he has batted .291 with 1192 hits that include 247 doubles, 15 triples, and 213 home runs. He has scored 571 runs and compiled 737 RBIs with a .349 OBP and .515 slugging percentage. Abreu has been a three-time All-Star and has been awarded three Silver Sluggers as well.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were recipients of the Rookie of the Year Award by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (1947 to present). The award was presented to a single major league winner from its inception through 1948 and from 1949 on to one recipient from each major league.  

Cy Young Profile: Bruce Sutter, 1979

Pitcher, Chicago Cubs

Age:  26

4^th season with Cubs

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’2”    Weight: 190

Prior to 1979:

A Pennsylvania native, Sutter (pronounced SUE-ter) excelled in football, as well as baseball, at Donegal High School in Mount Joy. Initially drafted by the expansion Washington Senators as a 17-year-old out of high school in 1970, he was too young to sign and went to Old Dominion University, dropped out, and pitched for a semipro baseball team in the Lebanon Valley League. Drawing the attention of a scout for the Cubs, he signed a $500-per-month contract with a $500 signing bonus in September of 1971. Assigned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 1972, Sutter almost immediately suffered a career-threatening elbow injury, returned to Lancaster to work in a plant, and had elbow surgery at his own expense, fearing the Cubs might otherwise let him go. Arriving at spring training in 1973, he found he had lost his fastball and minor league pitching instructor Fred Martin taught him the split-fingered fastball that was an off-speed pitch requiring less velocity, which became his primary pitch. Learning to control the splitter, he was sent to Quincy of the Class A Midwest League. Pitching out of the bullpen, he appeared in 40 games and posted a 3-3 record with 5 saves and a 4.13 ERA. Starting off the 1974 season with the Key West Conchs of the Class A Florida State League, Sutter was 1-5 with a 1.35 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 40 innings before being promoted to Midland of the Class AA Texas League where he finished off the year in good fashion. With Midland in 1976, he appeared in 41 games and recorded 13 saves along with a 5-7 tally. Moving up to Wichita of the Class AAA American Association in 1976, he got off to an excellent start and was called up by the Cubs in May. Joining a weak pitching staff, Sutter had a fine rookie season in which he went 6-3 with 10 saves and a 2.70 ERA while appearing in 52 games. The Cubs contended in the NL East during the first half of 1977, and Sutter played a key role until he had to go on the disabled list in August due to a sore shoulder. The club suffered without him and, while he did return, it was too late for the Cubs. Sutter finished at 7-3 with 31 saves and a 1.34 ERA while appearing in 62 games. He also struck out 129 batters over the course of 107.1 innings and was an All-Star for the first time. Chicago started well again in 1978 and Sutter had 14 saves by the All-Star break. He ended up having a lesser season than in ’77, producing an 8-10 tally with 27 saves and a 3.19 ERA while striking out 106 batters in 98.2 innings pitched. Heading into 1979, he had established himself as a top bullpen closer whose performance suffered when overworked.

1979 Season Summary

Appeared in 62 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

 

Pitching

Games – 62 [12, tied with Elias Sosa]

Games Started – 0

Compete Games – 0

Wins – 6

Losses – 6

PCT - .500

Saves – 37 [1]

Shutouts – 0

Innings Pitched – 101.1

Hits – 67

Runs – 29

Earned Runs – 25

Home Runs – 3

Bases on Balls – 32

Strikeouts – 110

ERA – 2.22 [Non-qualifying]

Hit Batters – 0

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 9 [7, tied with Bert Blyleven & Charlie Hough]

League-leading saves were +6 ahead of runner-up Kent Tekulve

Midseason Snapshot: 2-2, G – 32, SV – 22, ERA - 1.34, SO - 62 in 53.2 IP

 

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Most strikeouts, game – 7 (in 5 IP) vs. Cincinnati 5/10

10+ strikeout games – 0

Batting

PA – 15, AB – 12, R – 0, H – 3, 2B – 0, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 3, BB – 1, SO – 5, SB – 1, CS – 0, AVG - .250, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 2, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 27

Put Outs – 9

Assists – 15

Errors – 3

DP – 0

Pct. - .889

Awards & Honors:

NL Cy Young Award: BBWAA

NL Reliever of the Year: Rolaids

All-Star

7^th in NL MVP voting (69 points, 21% share)

NL Cy Young voting:

Bruce Sutter, ChiC.: 72 pts. – 10 of 24 first place votes, 60% share

Joe Niekro, Hou.: 66 pts. – 9 first place votes, 55% share

J.R. Richard, Hou.: 41 pts. – 4 first place votes, 34% share

Tom Seaver, Cin.: 20 pts. – 17% share

Kent Tekulve, Pitt.: 14 pts. – 1 first place vote, 12% share

Phil Niekro, Atl.: 3 pts. – 3% share

 

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Cubs went 80-82 to finish in fifth place in the NL Eastern Division, 18 games behind the division-winning Pittsburgh Pirates. The pitching staff led the league in strikeouts (933) and most hits allowed (1500). The Cubs, who were a very respectable 48-38 during the season’s first half, won only nine games in September in dropping to fifth. Manager Herman Franks quit in disgust on September 23 and Joey Amalfitano finished out the season. Sutter and slugging outfielder Dave Kingman provided the team’s best performances.

Aftermath of ‘79:

Following his outstanding 1979 performance, Sutter received a $700,000 contract via arbitration. As closer for a poor club in 1980, he again led the NL in saves with 28 to go along with a 5-8 record and 2.64 ERA in 60 appearances. Seeking a long-term contract, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, who signed him to a four-year contract extension. During the strike-shortened 1981 season, Sutter appeared in 48 games and was 3-5 with 25 saves and a 2.62 ERA. He faltered down the stretch in September as the Cardinals, who had the best overall record in the NL East, failed to qualify for the revamped postseason format by not finishing first in either half of the season. The result was much better for the Cards in 1982, as they succeeded in winning the division. Sutter contributed six saves down the stretch in September, on his way to 36 for the year (leading the NL for the fourth consecutive season), in addition to a 9-8 record with a 2.90 ERA while appearing in 70 games. In the NLCS vs. Atlanta, he retired 13 straight batters on his way to a win and a save as the Cardinals pulled off a sweep. In the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, he added another win and two saves, the second coming in the climactic Game 7 win. In 1983, Sutter had a down year along with the rest of the club, finishing at 9-10 with 21 saves and a 4.23 ERA in 60 appearances. He rebounded in 1984 to 45 saves and a 1.54 ERA along with a 5-7 tally while appearing in 71 games. A free agent in the offseason, he signed with the Atlanta Braves for $4.8 million over six years along with additional inducements. He started strong in 1985 and had nine saves by the end of May. But he encountered rough going thereafter due to the affects of a sore shoulder. He finished with 58 appearances and a 7-7 record with 23 saves and a 4.48 ERA. Following offseason shoulder surgery, he was limited to 16 appearances and three saves (and as many blown saves) in 1986. He missed all of 1987. Returning in 1988, Sutter was no longer the reliable closer he had once been. While his 14 saves led the last-place club, his ERA was 4.76. He retired following the disappointing season. For his major league career, Sutter appeared in 661 games and posted a 68-71 record with 300 saves and a 2.83 ERA. He further struck out 861 batters over 1042 innings pitched. With the Cubs he appeared in 300 games and went 32-30 with 133 saves and 494 strikeouts over 493 innings. 1982 marked the only year in which he appeared in the postseason. He led the NL in saves five times and was a six-time All-Star. The Cardinals retired his #42 (which all major league teams retired in tribute to Jackie Robinson), and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006, becoming the first pitcher to be enshrined who never started a major league game.

 

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Cy Young Profiles feature pitchers who were recipients of the Cy Young Award by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (1956 to present). The award was presented to a single major league winner from its inception through 1966 and from 1967 on to one recipient from each major league.  

 

MVP Profile: Carl Yastrzemski, 1967

 Outfielder, Boston Red Sox

 

Age:  28 (Aug. 22)

7^th season with Red Sox

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 175

Prior to 1967:

A native of Long Island in New York state where his family had a potato farm, Yastrzemski was the son of a semipro baseball-playing father who instilled a passion for baseball in in him as a youth. The two played alongside each other for a local sandlot team while the younger Yastrzemski was in high school, drawing the interest of major league scouts. Not receiving a bonus offer out of high school, Yastrzemski headed off to college at Notre Dame where he played his freshman year and then signed with the Red Sox for a $108,000 bonus in November of 1958. Initially assigned to the Raleigh Capitals of the Class B Carolina League in 1959, he played second base and batted .377 with 15 home runs and 100 RBIs. Promoted to Minneapolis of the Class AAA American Association for their playoff appearance, he hit well and returned to Minneapolis in 1960 to learn to play left field, with the expectation that Boston’s star left fielder, Ted Williams, would retire following the ’60 season. Yastrzemski hit .339 with 36 doubles, 8 triples, 7 home runs, and 69 RBIs and, with Williams indeed having departed, he made the Red Sox as the starting left fielder in 1961. He struggled initially and Williams was called back to give the rookie some additional coaching. Yastrzemski went on to hit a respectable .266 with 31 doubles, 6 triples, 11 home runs, and 80 RBIs. He improved in 1962 to .296 with 43 doubles, 19 home runs, and 94 RBIs. In 1963, “Yaz” won the AL batting title with a .321 mark and further topped the circuit in hits (183), doubles (40), walks drawn (95), and on-base percentage (.418). Along the way, he was an All-Star for the first time. Yastrzemski’s batting average dropped to a still-solid .289 in 1964 along with 15 home runs and 67 RBIs, and he was overshadowed by rookie Tony Conigliaro, who primarily played in left field while “Yaz” moved to center field. Back in left field in 1965, with Conigliaro shifted to right field, Yastrzemski batted .312 and led the league in doubles (45), OBP (.395), and slugging (.536), while also producing 20 home runs and 72 RBIs. In 1966, the Red Sox finished ninth and Yastrzemski hit .278 with a league-leading 39 doubles along with 16 home runs and 80 RBIs. By 1967, he was recognized as a good line-drive hitter with an excellent natural swing that produced some power. His defense had been improving in the outfield and he was a key player with a chronically underproducing team.

1967 Season Summary

Appeared in 161 games

LF – 161, CF – 1, PH – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 680 [5]

At Bats – 579 [8]

Runs – 112 [1]

Hits – 189 [1]

Doubles – 31 [3]

Triples – 4

Home Runs – 44 [1, tied with Harmon Killebrew]

RBI – 121 [1]

Bases on Balls – 91 [4]

Int. BB – 11 [6, tied with Curt Blefary, Ron Hansen & Reggie Smith]

Strikeouts – 69

Stolen Bases – 10 [13, tied with six others]

Caught Stealing – 8 [8, tied with four others]

Average - .326 [1]

OBP - .418 [1]

Slugging Pct. - .622 [1]

Total Bases – 360 [1]

GDP – 5

Hit by Pitches – 4

Sac Hits – 1

Sac Flies – 5 [11, tied with seven others]

League-leading runs scored were +7 ahead of runner-up Harmon Killebrew

League-leading hits were +16 ahead of runner-up Cesar Tovar

League-leading RBIs were +8 ahead of runner-up Harmon Killebrew

League-leading batting average was +.015 ahead of runner-up Frank Robinson

League-leading OBP was +.007 ahead of runner-up Al Kaline

League-leading slugging pct was +.046 ahead of runner-up Frank Robinson

League-leading total bases were +55 ahead of runner-up Harmon Killebrew

Midseason snapshot: HR - 19, RBI - 56, AVG - .324, SLG - .602, OBP – .420

 

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Most hits, game – 5 (in 8 AB) at NY Yankees 4/16 – 18 innings

Longest hitting streak – 13 games

HR at home – 27

HR on road – 17

Most home runs, game – 2 on five occasions

Multi-HR games – 5

Most RBIs, game – 4 vs. Baltimore 5/17, at Washington 9/5, vs. Minnesota 9/30

Pinch-hitting – 1 for 2 (.500) with 1 2B & 1 RBI

 

Fielding

Chances – 317

Put Outs – 297

Assists – 13

Errors – 7

DP – 1

Pct. - .978

 

Postseason Batting: 7 G (World Series vs. St. Louis)

PA – 30, AB – 25, R – 4, H – 10, 2B – 2,3B – 0, HR – 3, RBI – 5, BB – 4, IBB – 1, SO – 1, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .400, OBP - .500, SLG -.840, TB – 21, GDP – 1, HBP – 1, SH – 0, SF – 0

Awards & Honors:

AL MVP: BBWAA

MLB Player of the Year: Sporting News

Gold Glove

All-Star (Started for AL in LF)

 

Top 5 in AL MVP Voting:

Carl Yastrzemski, Bos.: 275 pts. – 19 of 20 first place votes, 98% share

Harmon Killebrew, Min.: 161 pts. – 58% share

Bill Freehan, Det.: 137 pts. – 49% share

Joe Horlen, ChiWS.: 91 pts. – 33% share

Al Kaline, Det.: 88 pts. – 31% share

(1 first place vote for Cesar Tovar, Min., who ranked seventh)

 

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Red Sox went 92-70 to win the AL pennant by 1 game over the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins, their first pennant since 1946, while leading the league in runs scored (722), hits (1394), doubles (216, tied with Minnesota), home runs (158), RBIs (666), batting (.255), slugging (.395) & total bases (2162). The upstart Red Sox, under new manager Dick Williams, became involved in a dramatic four-team pennant race with the Twins, Tigers and White Sox. All four clubs were in first on Sept. 6 and Boston stayed at or near the top the rest of the way. By the season’s final weekend, the Twins were in first by one game and heading into Fenway Park for a two-game series. The Red Sox, who were one behind, swept both games, while the Tigers lost to California, to take the flag and achieve “the Impossible Dream”. In the final 12 games of the season, Yastrzemski went 10-for-13, including 7-for-8 with 6 RBIs in the last two games against the Twins, which propelled him to the AL Triple Crown. Lost World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals, 4 games to 3, despite “Yaz” hitting .400 with 5 RBIs, which could not overcome St. Louis ace RHP Bob Gibson’s three complete game wins.

 

Aftermath of ‘67:

In 1968, a season dominated by pitching, Yastrzemski won another batting title by hitting .301 (his closest competitor batted .290) and paced the circuit with a .426 OBP and 119 walks drawn as well. His home run total dropped to 23, which was more in line with his previous production, and he compiled 74 RBIs. The injury-plagued Red Sox dropped to fourth place. 1969 was a year of dissension in Boston and Yastrzemski became a part of it when he was fined $500 by manager Dick Williams for loafing during a game in Oakland. For the year, his average dropped to .255 but he still accounted for 40 home runs and 111 RBIs. “Yaz” hit another 40 home runs in 1970 and his batting average rebounded to .329, which narrowly missed being the AL’s best. He did lead the league in runs scored (125), OBP (.452), slugging (.592), and total bases (335). His RBIs totaled 102 and he stole 23 bases. Prior to the 1971 season Yastrzemski signed a three-year, $500,000 contract. He suffered through a mediocre year in ’71 in which he batted .254 with 15 home runs and 70 RBIs. He also became a target of criticism from some of his teammates which contributed to an offseason purge. The 1972 season started late due to a strike by the players, which led to teams playing an unequal number of games, which narrowly cost Boston the AL East title. Yastrzemski missed a month due to a knee injury, and although he hit well down the stretch in September, he finished at .264 with 12 home runs and 68 RBIs. He also saw considerable action at first base, where he primarily played in 1973. “Yaz” made up for a slow start in ’73 with another strong performance down the stretch as the Red Sox chased the Orioles and he ended up hitting .296 with 19 home runs and 95 RBIs. Boston started well in 1974 and collapsed down the stretch. Yastrzemski batted .301 and led the league with 93 runs scored in a year of disappointment in which he hit 15 home runs with 79 RBIs while splitting time between first base and left field. Almost exclusively a first baseman in 1975, he had a mediocre season at bat as he hit .269 with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs and was overshadowed by rookie sensation Fred Lynn. The Red Sox did not fall short in their battle for the AL East title and “Yaz” was outstanding, both offensively and defensively, as the club defeated Oakland for the AL pennant. He further played well in the seven-game World Series loss to Cincinnati. The aging star hit 21 home runs with 102 RBIs in 1976, while batting .267, and splitting time between first base and left field, for the third place Red Sox. Back in left field in 1977, Yastrzemski hit a solid .296 with 28 home runs and 102 RBIs. The Red Sox started fast in 1978, ultimately losing out to the Yankees in a playoff and, down the stretch, “Yaz” was hindered by back and wrist injuries on his way to batting .277 with 17 home runs and 81 RBIs. Playing on two bad feet in 1979, he hit .270 with 21 home runs and 87 RBIs and joined the 3000-hit club. Now into his forties, Yastrzemski played on until 1983, primarily appearing as a Designated Hitter in his last seasons. For his major league career, spent entirely with the Red Sox, “Yaz” batted .285 with 3419 hits that included 646 doubles, 59 triples, and 452 home runs. He scored 1816 runs and compiled 1844 RBIs while drawing 1845 walks and ending up with a .379 OBP and .462 slugging percentage. Appearing in 17 postseason games he hit .369 with 4 home runs and 11 RBIs. In addition to three batting titles, Yastrzemski received seven Gold Gloves for his defensive play in left field. An 18-time All-Star, he placed in the top ten in league MVP voting five times. The Red Sox retired his #8, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. His grandson, Mike Yastrzemski is currently an outfielder for the San Francisco Giants.

 

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MVP Profiles feature players in the National or American leagues who were winners of the Chalmers Award (1911-14), League Award (1922-29), or Baseball Writers’ Association of America Award (1931 to present) as Most Valuable Player.