Highlighted Year: Walter Johnson, 1910

Pitcher, Washington Senators

Age: 22

4^th season with Senators

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 200 

Prior to 1910:

Born in Kansas, Johnson’s family moved west to California where he first began pitching in sandlot games. A sidearm pitcher who threw from a short windmill windup, Johnson relied on his impressive fastball and moved on to Tacoma of the Northwestern League, where he failed to catch on. Playing semiprofessionally in 1906 for $90 per week with Weiser of the Southern Idaho League, he went 7-1 before returning home to California.  Returning to Weiser the next year, he went 14-2 with a 0.55 ERA and 214 strikeouts over the course of 146 innings pitched. The 19-year-old phenom drew the attention of major league teams and signed with the Senators, who he joined in July. In his first taste of major league action, Johnson produced a 5-9 record over 14 games during the second half of the 1907 season, with a 1.88 ERA and 71 strikeouts over 110.1 innings pitched. With the seventh-place Senators in 1908 he was 14-14 with a 1.65 ERA and 160 strikeouts. With the club dropping into the cellar in 1909 and providing inadequate run support, Johnson had a fine 2.22 ERA over 296.1 innings but compiled only a 13-25 record with 164 strikeouts.

1910 Season Summary

Appeared in 45 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 45 [1, tied with Jack Coombs & Ed Walsh]

Games Started – 42 [1]

Complete Games – 38 [1]

Wins – 25 [3]

Losses – 17 [5, tied with Bob Groom & Joe Lake]

PCT - .595 [13]

Saves – 1 [9, tied with twenty-one others]

Shutouts – 8 [2, tied with Russ Ford]

Innings Pitched – 370 [1]

Hits – 262 [1]

Runs – 92 [10, tied with Cy Morgan]

Earned Runs – 56 [18, tied with Eddie Plank, Farmer Ray & Bill Donovan]

Home Runs – 1

Bases on Balls – 76 [10]

Strikeouts – 313 [1]

ERA – 1.36 [3]

Hit Batters – 13 [6, tied with Eddie Cicotte]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 21 [1]

League-leading games started were +4 ahead of runner-up Jack Coombs

League-leading complete games were +3 ahead of runner-up Jack Coombs

League-leading innings pitched were +0.1 ahead of runner-up Ed Walsh

League-leading hits allowed were +2 ahead of runner-up George Mullin

League-leading strikeouts were +55 ahead of runner-up Ed Walsh

League-leading ERA was -0.44 lower than runner-up Eddie Cicotte

League-leading wild pitches were +7 ahead of runner-up Cy Morgan

Midseason Snapshot: 11-12, ERA – N/A, SO - 172 in 204 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 14 (in 9 IP) vs. St. Louis Browns 8/31

10+ strikeout games – 9

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 1 (in 9 IP) vs. Phila. A’s 4/14, (in 9 IP) at St. Louis Browns 9/25

Batting

PA – 143, AB – 137, R – 14, H – 24, 2B – 6, 3B – 1, HR – 2, RBI – 12, BB – 4, SO – 34, SB – 2, CS – N/A, AVG - .175, GDP – N/A, HBP – 0, SH – 1, SF – N/A

Fielding

Chances - 119

Put Outs – 23

Assists – 90

Errors – 6

DP – 3

Pct. - .950

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The Senators went 66-85 to finish seventh in the AL, 36.5 games behind the pennant-winning Philadelphia Athletics. After Johnson pitched a one-hit shutout in the season-opening game in which William Howard Taft became the first US President to throw out the first ball of the season, the Senators (also called Nationals) struggled through a 30-46 first half. Never winning more than four straight games, and despite an 18-14 August record, the club settled into seventh place due to a 10-game September losing streak (in which Johnson suffered two losses due to minimal run support).

Aftermath of 1910:

Nicknamed “The Big Train” as the result of the sound his legendary fastball made, and “Barney” after racecar driver Barney Oldfield, due to his driving habits, Johnson continued to pitch brilliantly for a mediocre team, going 25-13 with a 1.90 ERA and 207 strikeouts in 1911 and 33-12 while leading the league in ERA (1.39) and strikeouts (303) in 1912. By 1913, he had added a curve to his pitching arsenal that ultimately relied on his overpowering speed. Johnson again topped 30 wins in 1913 with a 36-7 record and also led the league in complete games (29), shutouts (11), ERA (1.14), innings pitched (346), and strikeouts (243) while lifting the Senators to a second place finish. He received league MVP recognition for his performance. The gentlemanly Johnson was esteemed for his modesty and sportsmanship, in addition to his pitching talent. He didn’t brush back opposing batters out of fear of inflicting a fatal injury, nor did he engage in disputes with umpires, and avoided brawls. His careful pacing allowed him to pitch many innings without injury. In 1914 “the Big Train” posted a 28-18 record with a 1.72 ERA and league-leading 225 strikeouts over the course of 371.2 innings. His success continued for the remainder of the decade, as he never won fewer than 20 games in any season from 1910 to ’19. He also topped the AL twice more in ERA during the same period. He regularly paced the circuit in strikeouts as well. The Senators finished as high as second twice during the decade, and third on two more occasions, primarily on Johnson’s pitching success. He finally had an off year in 1920, due to sickness, a sore arm, and leg injuries. His record dropped to 8-10 with a 3.13 ERA and only 78 strikeouts over 143.2 innings, his fewest since his rookie year. Nevertheless, he also pitched the only no-hitter of his career against the Boston Red Sox. He rebounded with a 17-14 tally in 1921, topping the American League with 143 strikeouts. Following 15-16 and 17-12 records in 1922 and ’23 and contemplating retirement, he was 23-7 in 1924 as he won the League Award as AL MVP and the Senators gained their first league pennant. In the World Series against the New York Giants, Johnson lost twice before winning the dramatic seventh game in relief. Johnson returned in 1925 and was 20-7 with a 3.07 ERA as Washington again topped the American League. This time he was 2-1 in the World Series against Pittsburgh, taking the loss in a rainy Game 7. Johnson played two more seasons before retiring in 1927. Over the course of a 21-year career with the Senators, “the Big Train” produced a 417-279 record with a 2.17 ERA and then-record 3509 strikeouts over 5914.1 innings pitched. He hurled 531 complete games that included 110 shutouts. He had two 30-win seasons and 12 with 20 or more wins. Pitching for a club that often provided minimal run support, he notched a record 38 wins by a score of 1-0 and suffered 26 losses by the same score. Johnson topped the AL in strikeouts 12 times and his career total remained the major league record until 1983. Twice during his career, he struck out three straight batters on nine pitches with the bases loaded, highlighting his ability to bear down in clutch situations. Following a year of minor league managing with the Newark Bears of the International League in 1928, Johnson managed the Senators from 1929 to ’32 and the Cleveland Indians from 1933 to ’35. His major league teams compiled a record of 529-432 with the Senators finishing second in the AL in 1930 and third in 1931 and ’32. He later became a county commissioner in Maryland and lost an election for the US House of Representatives. Johnson was one of the first five players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, ten years before his death at age 59.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

 

Highlighted Year: Don Mincher, 1969

First Baseman, Seattle Pilots

Age: 31 (June 24)

1^st season with Pilots

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 6’3”    Weight: 205 

Prior to 1969:

A native of Huntsville, Alabama Mincher played football and basketball as well as baseball at Butler High School, captaining the football and baseball teams as a senior. All-State in football, he turned down a football scholarship to the University of Alabama to pursue a baseball career. Having also played American Legion baseball, he was signed by the Chicago White Sox in 1956 for $4000. Initially assigned to Duluth-Superior of the Class C Northern League in ’56, the 18-year-old first baseman batted .282 in 78 games with 19 extra-base hits, 49 RBIs, and a .398 on-base percentage. With Duluth-Superior again in 1957, Mincher hit .288 with 21 doubles, 4 triples, 13 home runs, 80 RBIs, a .387 OBP, and a .440 slugging percentage. He also led the league’s first basemen in putouts (1103), assists (62), and double plays (99). Moving up to Davenport of the Class B Illinois-Indiana-Iowa (or Three I) League in 1958, Mincher was a league All-Star as he batted .330 with 29 doubles, 23 home runs, 97 RBIs, a .427 OBP, and a .544 slugging percentage. Advancing to Charleston of the Class A South Atlantic (or Sally) League in 1959 he hit .272 with 22 home runs, 92 RBIs, a .353 OBP, and a .442 slugging percentage. Prior to the 1960 season he was traded to the Washington Senators as part of the deal for first baseman Roy Sievers. Mincher started the season with the Senators but with his average at .230 he was sent to the Charleston Senators of the Class AAA American Association where he batted .306 with 32 doubles, 12 home runs, 65 RBIs, a .374 OBP, and a .489 slugging percentage. Recalled to the Senators in September his totals in 27 major league games were .241 with 2 home runs, 5 RBIs, and a .330 OBP. With the franchise becoming the Minnesota Twins in 1961, Mincher again spent most of the season in Class AAA, this time with the Buffalo Bisons of the International League, hitting .257 with 24 home runs, 66 RBIs, a .349 OBP, and a .497 slugging percentage. In 35 games with the Twins he hit .188 with 5 homers and 11 RBIs. With Minnesota in 1962, while newly-acquired veteran Vic Power handled regular duty at first base, Mincher appeared in 86 games, pinch-hitting in 63 of them. He had two homers and 5 RBIs in a late April game at Cleveland and went on to bat .240 with 9 home runs, 29 RBIs, a .406 OBP thanks to 34 walks in 157 plate appearances, and a .488 slugging percentage. Getting more action at first base in 1963, Mincher hit .258 with 17 home runs, 42 RBIs, a .351 OBP, and a .520 slugging percentage. In 1964, Mincher was one of six Twins to hit at least 20 home runs as he finished with 23 while batting .237 with 56 RBIs, a .300 OBP, and a .547 slugging percentage. Described as an introvert and intense, he again found himself vying for playing time at first base, this time platooning with Bob Allison, who had been shifted from the outfield. Minnesota won the AL pennant in 1965. With Allison back in the outfield, Mincher saw most of the action at first base, splitting time with Harmon Killebrew, who was signifcantly sidelined by an injury. Mincher hit .251 with 17 doubles, 22 home runs, 65 RBIs, a .344 OBP, and a .509 slugging percentage. In the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers he homered in his first at bat, which was one of three hits that he managed for the entire Series that the Dodgers won in seven games. Used regularly at first base in 1966, Mincher’s power production dropped off somewhat to 14 home runs along with 30 doubles, 62 RBIs, a .251 average, a .340 OBP, and a .418 slugging percentage. In the offseason he was traded to the California Angels as part of the package for RHP Dean Chance. He filled a need at first base for the Angels in 1967 and had his first ever All-Star season while hitting .273 with 23 doubles, 25 home runs, 76 RBIs, a .367 OBP, and a .487 slugging percentage. Trouble struck in the second game of the 1968 season when Mincher was beaned by a pitch from Cleveland’s fireballing LHP Sam McDowell. He was bothered by dizziness and headaches for long after the beaning and his batting dropped off to .236 with 12 doubles, 13 home runs, 48 RBIs, a .312 OBP, and a .368 slugging percentage. Having lost the confidence of Angels manager Bill Rigney, he was left unprotected for the AL expansion draft in the offseason and was taken by the Pilots with their first overall pick.

1969 Season Summary

Appeared in 140 games

1B – 122, PH – 19

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 514

At Bats – 427

Runs – 53

Hits – 105

Doubles – 14

Triples – 0

Home Runs – 25 [16, tied with Jim Northrup & Reggie Smith]

RBI – 78

Bases on Balls – 78 [16]

Int. BB – 13 [4, tied with Rico Petrocelli]

Strikeouts – 69

Stolen Bases – 10

Caught Stealing – 11 [10]

Average - .246

OBP - .366 [15]

Slugging Pct. - .454 [19, tied with Bobby Murcer]

Total Bases – 194

GDP – 8

Hit by Pitches – 5 [17, tied with thirteen others]

Sac Hits – 0

Sac Flies – 3

Midseason snapshot: HR – 17, RBI – 51, AVG – .240, SLG – .455, OBP – .361

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Most hits, game – 3 (in 4 AB) at KC Royals 7/6, (in 3 AB) vs. Baltimore 8/17, (in 4 AB) vs. Minnesota 9/28

Longest hitting streak – 7 games

HR at home – 13

HR on road – 12

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 4 AB) at KC Royals 7/6

Multi-HR games – 1

Most RBIs, game – 4 at KC Royals 7/6, at Cleveland 8/11

Pinch-hitting – 2 for 9 (.222) with 2 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI & 7 BB

Fielding

Chances – 1132

Put Outs – 1033

Assists – 93

Errors – 6

DP – 98

Pct. - .995

Awards & Honors:

All-Star

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In their inaugural season, the Pilots went 64-98 to finish sixth (last) in the AL Western Division, 33 games behind the division-winning Minnesota Twins while leading the league in stolen bases (167) and batting strikeouts (1015). Underfinanced and playing in decrepit Sicks Stadium, where they still managed to draw 677,944 fans, the Pilots were surprisingly competitive until a 10-game August losing streak dropped the injury-riddled club into the AL West cellar. In the offseason they were bought by a Milwaukee group and relocated.

Aftermath of 1969:

Following his fine comeback season in 1969 with the lowly Pilots, Mincher was traded to the Oakland Athletics in the offseason along with infielder Ron Clark for four players. He had a solid season for the A’s in 1970, hitting .246 with 27 home runs, 74 RBIs, a .327 OBP, and a .460 slugging percentage. Early during the 1971 season Mincher was dealt again, this time to the Washington Senators along with two other players for first baseman Mike Epstein and reliever Darold Knowles. For the year he batted .280 with 21 doubles, 12 home runs, 53 RBIs, a .386 OBP, and a .427 slugging percentage. The franchise shifted to Arlington, Texas in 1972 and was renamed the Texas Rangers. Mincher was hitting .236 with 6 home runs and 39 RBIs when he was traded back to Oakland in July. Backing up at first base and pinch-hitting as the A’s headed for the AL West title, Mincher batted .148 with a .281 OBP and no homers. He made two postseason plate appearances as Oakland advanced to winning a World Series title. He retired after the season and for his major league career he batted .249 with 1003 hits that included 176 doubles, 16 triples, and 200 home runs. He scored 530 runs and compiled 643 RBIs, a .348 OBP, and a .450 slugging percentage. Appearing in 11 postseason games he hit .160 with one home run and 2 RBIs. He was a two-time All-Star. Mincher operated a sporting goods store until returning to baseball in 1985 as general manager of the Huntsville Stars of the Southern League. He helped to keep the team in Huntsville and he later became president of the Southern League. Mincher was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2008, four years before his death in 2012 at age 73.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20), pitching wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10), or have been participants in the annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category will also include Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Don Drysdale, 1959

Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers

Age:  23 (July 23)

4^th season with Dodgers

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’5”    Weight: 190 

Prior to 1959:

A native of Van Nuys, California, Drysdale originally played second base in high school until he took up pitching as a senior and posted a 10-1 record. Signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers to a $4000 bonus contract, he was initially assigned to Bakersfield of the Class C California League where he went 8-5 with a 3.46 ERA and 73 strikeouts over 112 innings pitched. Drysdale advanced to Montreal of the Class AAA International League in 1955 but hindered by a hand injury, he broke even at 11-11 with a 3.33 ERA. With his good fastball and with the Dodgers short on pitching, he joined the parent club in 1956. Utilized as a reliever and spot starter during his rookie year, Drysdale appeared in 25 games and compiled a 5-5 record with a 2.64 ERA. Moved into the starting rotation, he broke out in 1957 with a 17-9 tally and a 2.69 ERA with 148 strikeouts over 221 innings. With his fine fastball, curve, slider, and change-up, “Big D” was also an intimidating pitcher who quickly established a reputation for throwing inside and hitting batters. The Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958 and, playing home games at the Memorial Coliseum, a football venue reconfigured for baseball, proved difficult for the pitching staff. Drysdale dropped to 12-13 with a 4.17 ERA and 131 strikeouts over 211.2 innings.

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in 46 games

P – 44, PH – 3

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 44 [14]

Games Started – 36 [4, tied with Warren Spahn & Bob Anderson]

Complete Games – 15 [8]

Wins – 17 [7]

Losses – 13 [8, tied with four others]

PCT - .567 [14]

Saves – 2 [19, tied with six others]

Shutouts – 4 [1, tied with six others]

Innings Pitched – 270.2 [4, tied with Sam Jones]

Hits – 237 [10]

Runs – 113 [7]

Earned Runs – 104 [5]

Home Runs – 26 [4, tied with Harvey Haddix & Orlando Pena]

Bases on Balls – 93 [3]

Strikeouts – 242 [1]

ERA – 3.46 [13]

Hit Batters – 18 [1]

Balks – 2 [2, tied with Jack Sanford & Robin Roberts]

Wild Pitches – 4 [20, tied with fourteen others]

League-leading strikeouts were +33 ahead of runner-up Sam Jones

League-leading hit batters were +4 ahead of runner-up Danny McDevitt

Midseason Snapshot: 9-6, ERA - 3.24, SO - 133 in 155.2 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 14 (in 9 IP) vs. Philadelphia 7/31

10+ strikeout games – 7

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 3 (in 9 IP) vs. San Francisco 4/20, (in 9 IP) vs. Philadelphia 6/25, (in 9 IP) at Pittsburgh 7/15, (in 9 IP) vs. Philadelphia 9/9

Batting

PA – 104, AB – 91, R – 9, H – 15, 2B – 1, 3B – 1, HR – 4, RBI – 12, BB – 4, SO – 31, SB – 0, CS – 1, AVG - .165, GDP – 2, HBP – 0, SH – 8, SF – 1

Fielding

Chances – 69

Put Outs – 18

Assists – 48

Errors – 3

DP – 4

Pct. - .957

Postseason Pitching: G – 1 (World Series vs. Chi. White Sox)

GS – 1, CG – 0, Record – 1-0, PCT – 1.000, SV – 0, ShO – 0, IP – 7, H – 11, R – 1, ER – 1, HR – 0, BB – 4, SO – 5, ERA – 1.29, HB – 0, BLK – 0, WP – 0 

Awards & Honors:

All-Star (started both games for NL)

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The Dodgers went 86-68 to finish tied for first in the NL with the Milwaukee Braves, which necessitated a season-extending best-of-3 playoff. The Dodgers won the first two games to clinch the NL pennant with a final record of 88-68. The pitching staff led the league in walks issued (614) and strikeouts (1077). The acquisition of outfielder Wally Moon in the offseason buttressed the lineup and the Dodgers were 4.5 games behind the first-place Braves when newcomers who made an impact joined the team, such as shortstop Maury Wills and pitchers Roger Craig and Larry Sherry. A three-team battle for first ensued with the San Francisco Giants joining the fray and taking the lead for all but two days over the remaining 10 weeks before dropping to third as the Dodgers and Braves deadlocked at the end to force the playoff. Won World Series over the Chicago White Sox, 4 games to 2, with Drysdale winning his only start.

Aftermath of 1959:

Drysdale led the NL in strikeouts again in 1960 with 246 to go along with a 15-14 record and 2.84 ERA over 269 innings. By 1961 hard-throwing LHP Sandy Koufax had emerged as a star in his own right and would combine with Drysdale to create a formidable tandem. During the ’61 season, the fourth straight in which he led the NL in hit batters, Drysdale was suspended for five games for throwing at hitters. He finished with 20 hit batters to go with his record of 13-10 and a 3.69 ERA with 182 strikeouts over 244 innings for the second place Dodgers. He had an outstanding season in 1962, leading the league in wins with his 25-9 tally, as well as strikeouts (232), games started (41). and innings pitched (314.1). He also compiled 19 complete games and a 2.83 ERA. The club tied for first in the NL with the San Francisco Giants and lost a season-extending playoff. The Dodgers won the NL pennant in 1963 and Drysdale contributed a 19-17 record with a 2.63 ERA and 251 strikeouts over 315.1 innings, adding another win in the World Series sweep of the Yankees. “Airedale” had another strong season in 1964, going 18-16 with a 2.18 ERA and 237 strikeouts and leading NL pitchers with 40 starts and 321.1 innings pitched while the Dodgers fell to sixth place. But the club returned to the top of the NL in 1965 as Drysdale and Koufax won 49 games between them. Drysdale was 23-12 with a 2.77 ERA and 210 strikeouts over 308.1 innings. He went 1-1 in the seven-game World Series victory over Minnesota. Always a good hitting pitcher, he batted .300 during the ’65 season with 7 home runs and 19 RBIs. Following a joint holdout with Koufax during spring training in 1966, Drysdale slipped to 13-16 with a 3.42 ERA and 177 strikeouts, although he dropped under 300 innings for the first time since 1961. The Dodgers won the NL pennant once more and Drysdale lost twice in the World Series sweep to Baltimore. Koufax retired after the season and “Big D” was 13-16 again in 1967 with a 2.74 ERA and 196 strikeouts while pitching 282 innings. The Dodgers dropped to eighth with a 73-89 mark. In 1968 Drysdale set a then-major league record by pitching 58.2 consecutive scoreless innings on his way to a 14-12 record with a 2.15 ERA, 8 shutouts, and 155 strikeouts. A torn rotator cuff finished Drysdale’s career after 12 starts in 1969. For his major league career, spent entirely with the Dodgers, he compiled a 209-166 record with a 2.95 ERA and 2486 strikeouts over 3432 innings. He pitched 167 complete games and 49 shutouts. Furthermore, he led the NL in hit batters a total of five times and his career total was 154. He was also 3-3 in World Series action with a 2.95 ERA and 36 strikeouts over the course of 39.2 innings. As a batter he hit a total of 29 career home runs. An eight-time All-Star, the Dodgers retired his #53 and he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984. Drysdale moved to the broadcast booth after his playing career, where he remained until his death by a heart attack in 1993.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Roger Craig, 1959

Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers

Age: 29

5^th season with Dodgers

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’4”    Weight: 190 

Prior to 1959:

A native of Durham, North Carolina, Craig was one of eight children. Tall and thin, he played shortstop in high school in addition to pitching. Drawing the attention of a scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers, he signed with the club after a year at North Carolina State in 1950. Assigned to Valdosta of the Class D Georgia-Florida League, he produced a 14-7 record and 3.13 ERA while issuing 150 walks over 167 innings pitched. Promoted to Newport News of the Class B Piedmont League later in the season, he appeared in six games and had an astronomical ERA of 7.11. Returning to Newport News in 1951, he compiled a 14-11 tally and 3.67 ERA with 119 strikeouts and 175 walks over 221 innings. Drafted into the Army, he missed the next two seasons. Resuming his baseball career in 1954, he was back at Newport News where he went 8-3 with a 2.50 ERA and 108 strikeouts over 126 innings, while reducing his walks to 56 despite being sidelined until midseason by an elbow injury. Adding brief stops at Pueblo of the Western League and Elmira of the Eastern League, he finished with a combined record of 9-4. Advancing to the Montreal Royals of the Class AAA International League in 1955, his record stood at 10-2 with a 3.69 ERA and 68 strikeouts over 117 innings when he was called up by the Dodgers. In July. After going the distance and three-hitting Cincinnati in his debut outing, Craig went on to post a 5-3 tally in 21 appearances (10 of them starts) with a 2.78 ERA and 48 strikeouts over 90.2 innings. He capped his season by winning a Game 5 start at Ebbets Field in the World Series victory against the New York Yankees. As part of Brooklyn’s starting rotation from the start in 1956, Craig compiled a 12-11 record and 3.71 ERA with 8 complete games, 2 shutouts, and 109 strikeouts over 199 innings as the club again won the NL pennant. The Dodgers lost to the Yankees in the World Series and Craig made two appearances, one of them a start that he lost. In the team’s last season in 1957 Craig had a disappointing performance, starting in only 13 of 32 appearances and posting a 6-9 tally and 4.61 ERA with one complete game and 69 strikeouts over 111.1 innings. The Dodgers were in Los Angeles in 1958 but Craig was dealing with a sore shoulder and was sent down to the St. Paul Saints of the Class AAA American Association where he pitched through the pain and struggled to a 5-17 record and 3.91 ERA with 8 complete games and 119 strikeouts over 182 innings. Craig started the 1959 season in Class AAA with Spokane of the Pacific Coast League and was 6-7 with a 3.19 ERA and having improved his slider and added a sinker to his repertoire he was recalled to the Dodgers in mid-June. 

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in 29 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 29

Games Started – 17

Complete Games – 7 [18, tied with four others]

Wins – 11

Losses – 5

PCT - .688 [2]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 4 [1, tied with six others]

Innings Pitched – 152.2

Hits – 122

Runs – 49

Earned Runs – 35

Home Runs – 13

Bases on Balls – 45

Strikeouts – 76

ERA – 2.06 [Non-qualifying]

Hit Batters – 1

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 2 

Midseason Snapshot: 3-0, ERA - 3.10, SO - 16 in 29 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 7 (in 9 IP) vs. Pittsburgh 7/29

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 3 (in 11 IP) at Mil. Braves 7/9, (in 9 IP) at San Francisco 7/21, (in 9 IP) vs. Philadelphia 9/10

Batting

PA – 57, AB – 52, R – 1, H – 3, 2B – 0, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 3, BB – 1, SO – 28, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .058, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 4, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 38

Put Outs – 19

Assists – 18

Errors – 1

DP – 2

Pct. - .974

Postseason Pitching: G – 2 (World Series vs. Chi. White Sox)

GS – 2, CG – 0, Record – 0-1, PCT – .000, ERA – 8.68, SV – 0, ShO – 0, IP – 9.1, H – 15, R – 9, ER – 9, HR – 2, BB – 5, SO – 8, HB – 0, BLK – 0, WP – 0 

Awards & Honors:

13^th in NL MVP voting, tied with Joe Cunningham, StL (12 points, 4% share)

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The Dodgers went 86-68 to finish tied for first in the NL with the Milwaukee Braves, which necessitated a season-extending best-of-3 playoff. The Dodgers won the first two games to clinch the NL pennant with a final record of 88-68. The pitching staff led the league in walks issued (614) and strikeouts (1077). The Dodgers were 4.5 games behind the first-place Braves when Craig arrived, to be joined by impact newcomers in shortstop Maury Wills and RHP Larry Sherry along with a key offseason arrival in outfielder Wally Moon. A three-team battle for first ensued with the San Francisco Giants joining the fray and taking the lead for all but two days over the remaining 10 weeks before dropping to third as the Dodgers and Braves deadlocked at the end, thanks to Craig’s eleventh win, to force the playoff. Won World Series over the Chicago White Sox, 4 games to 2 with Craig having a rough time in two starts, going 0-1 with an 8.68 ERA. For the season, Craig just missed the NL ERA title, narrowly following below the minimum threshold to qualify.

Aftermath of 1959:

Missing time due to a broken collar bone in 1960, Craig was limited to 21 appearances (15 of them starts) in producing an 8-3 record and 3.27 ERA with 6 complete games, one shutout, and 69 strikeouts over 115.2 innings. He appeared in 40 games in 1961, 14 of them starts, with disappointing results as he posted a 5-6 tally and 6.15 ERA with 2 complete games, 2 saves, and 63 strikeouts over 112.2 innings. In the offseason he was taken by the New York Mets in the NL expansion draft for the 1962 season. The top pitcher for a famously poor club, Craig, who started and lost the first regular season game in franchise history, showed great competitive spirit and ability but still ended up with a 10-24 record and 4.51 ERA with 13 complete games and 118 strikeouts over 233.1 innings. The situation was hardly better in 1963 as he lost 18 consecutive decisions, in seven of which the Mets didn’t score on his way to a 5-22 tally and 3.78 ERA with 14 complete games and 108 strikeouts over 236 innings. In the offseason he was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals came from behind to narrowly win the NL pennant and Craig made 39 appearances, 19 of them starts, in posting a 7-9 record with 5 saves, a 3.25 ERA, and 84 strikeouts over 166 innings. In the seven-game World Series victory over the New York Yankees, Craig relieved twice, totaling 5 innings with no runs surrendered, picking up the win in Game 4. In the offseason, he was traded again, this time to the Cincinnati Reds. Appearing in 40 games out of the bullpen in 1965, primarily in long relief, he produced a 1-4 tally and 3.64 ERA with 3 saves and 30 strikeouts over 64.1 innings. Released by the Reds prior to the 1966 season, he joined the Philadelphia Phillies and lasted for 14 games before being let go. Craig took his worn out arm to Seattle of the Pacific Coast League for 6 games before calling it quits. For his major league career, Craig pitched in 368 games and produced a 74-98 record and a 3.83 ERA with 58 complete games, 7 shutouts, 19 saves, and 803 strikeouts over 1536.1 innings. With the Dodgers he made 187 appearances for a 49-38 mark and a 3.73 ERA, 28 complete games, 7 shutouts, 5 saves, and 450 strikeouts over 814 innings. Appearing in 7 World Series games, his record was 2-2 with a 6.49 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 26.1 innings. Never an All-Star, 1959 marked the only season in which Craig received votes in MVP balloting. Following his playing career, Craig scouted for the Dodgers in 1967 and then managed their Albuquerque club in the Class AA Texas League in 1968, where he made his last pitching appearance. After serving as a pitching coach for San Diego and Houston, he managed the Padres in 1978 and ’79. From there he became pitching coach for the Detroit Tigers where he began teaching the newly developed split-fingered fastball. The calm and positive Craig proved to be an effective instructor, especially with Detroit’s pitchers. Following the club’s World Series triumph in 1984, Craig stepped down and soon became manager of the San Francisco Giants from 1985 until 1992. His major league managing record was 152-171 with one pennant. Perhaps better remembered as a pitching coach and manager, Craig died in 2023 at age 93.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Frank Kitson, 1902

Pitcher, Brooklyn Superbas

Age:  33 (Sept. 11)

3^rd season with Superbas

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 165 

Prior to 1902:

A native of southwestern Michigan, Kitson got his start in baseball pitching for country teams in Allegan County. Pitching for the Muskegon team in the Grand Rapids Western League, he was part of a locally outstanding battery with catcher Ernest Krueger, who was a local contractor with a powerful throwing arm. Moving on to minor league clubs in 1895, ’96, and ’97, Kitson joined the Baltimore Orioles of the National League in 1898 where he saw action in the outfield due to his good hitting, with poor results, as well as on the mound. In 17 pitching appearances, of which 13 were starts, he produced an 8-5 record and 3.24 ERA with 32 strikeouts over 119.1 innings. He also batted .314 with four extra-base hits and 16 RBIs. A raw talent and lacking pitching finesse and poor at fielding his position when he joined the Orioles, he benefited from the tutelage of manager Ned Hanlon, who improved his technique. Kitson broke out in 1899 with a 22-16 tally and 2.78 ERA with 34 complete games and 75 strikeouts over 326.2 innings. With the National League shedding teams prior to the 1900 season, Baltimore was expelled and Kitson joined several of his teammates with Brooklyn, where he was reunited with manager Hanlon. While he tended to struggle when pitching at his home park, Kitson produced a 15-13 record for the pennant-winning Superbas, along with a 4.19 ERA, 21 complete games, and 55 strikeouts over 253.1 innings. The club slipped to third place in 1901 but Kitson had a better performance with a 19-11 tally and 2.98 ERA, 26 complete games, and 127 strikeouts over 280.2 innings.

1902 Season Summary

Appeared in 40 games

P – 32, PH – 8

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 32 [14, tied with Pop Williams]

Games Started – 31 [13]

Complete Games – 29 [10, tied with Mike O’Neill & Deacon Phillippe]

Wins – 19 [8]

Losses – 13 [16, tied with Chick Fraser & Mel Eason]

PCT - .594 [12]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 3 [11, tied with four others]

Innings Pitched – 268.2 [14]

Hits – 258 [15]

Runs – 102 [17]

Earned Runs – 83 [11]

Home Runs – 4 [3, tied with Togie Pittinger, Mal Eason & Luther Taylor]

Bases on Balls – 49

Strikeouts – 114 [9]

ERA – 2.78

Hit Batters – 7

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 4 [16, tied with seven others]

Midseason Snapshot: 9-9, ERA - 2.89, SO - 54 in 146.1 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 9 (in 9 IP) at NY Giants 7/25

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 3 (in 9 IP) at NY Giants 9/29, (in 8 IP) at Phila. Phillies 4/22

Batting

PA – 122, AB – 117, R – 10, H – 32, 2B – 3, 3B – 4, HR – 1, RBI – 11, BB – 3, SO – 12, SB – 0, CS – N/A, AVG - .274, GDP – N/A, HBP – 1, SH – 1, SF – N/A

Fielding

Chances – 80

Put Outs – 7

Assists – 70

Errors – 3

DP – 1

Pct. - .963

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The Superbas went 75-63 to finish second in the NL, 27.5 games behind the pennant-winning Pittsburgh Pirates. The pitching staff led the league in fewest hits allowed (1113). The Superbas got off to a slow start and were 17-19 at the end of May, including a 1-3 performance in a series at Pittsburgh. Things picked up in June and July but after rising to second place, there was no chance of catching the dominant Pirates the rest of the way.

Aftermath of 1902:

In the offseason, Kitson jumped to the Detroit Tigers of the American League, moving before the National and American Leagues reached an accord that ended the player-jumping. With the Tigers in 1903, he compiled a 15-16 record for the fifth-place club, and a 2.58 ERA with 28 complete games and 102 strikeouts over 257.2 innings. Detroit dropped to seventh in 1904 and Kitson’s tally was 9-13 with a respectable 3.07 ERA, 18 complete games, and 69 strikeouts over 199.2 innings. Appreciated for his enthusiasm and clean play, he spent one more season with the Tigers in 1905, producing a 12-14 record and 3.47 ERA with 21 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 78 strikeouts over 225.2 innings. In the offseason he was traded to the Washington Senators. In 1906 he went 6-14 with a 3.65 ERA, 15 complete games, and 59 strikeouts over 197 innings. He split the 1907 season between Washington and the New York Highlanders, compiling a combined tally of 4-3 in 17 total appearances. He finished up with the Kansas City Blues of the American Association and concluded his career at age 38. For his major league career, Kitson compiled a 129-118 record with a 3.17 ERA, 211 complete games, 19 shutouts, 7 saves, and 736 strikeouts over 2221.2 innings. With Brooklyn he went 53-37 with a 3.30 ERA, 76 complete games, 10 shutouts, 6 saves, and 296 strikeouts over 802.2 innings. As a batter he hit .240 with 28 doubles, 17 triples, 4 home runs, 95 RBIs, and a .273 on-base percentage. Following his playing career he returned to Michigan and operated a farm where his health began to fail until his sudden death from a heart attack in 1930 at age 60.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Dean Chance, 1962

Pitcher, Los Angeles Angels

Age:  21 (June 1)

1^st season with Angels

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’3”    Weight: 200 

Prior to 1962:

A native of Wooster, Ohio, where his family owned a farm, Chance compiled an astounding 51-1 record at Northwestern High School that included 17 no-hitters. He was signed by the Baltimore Orioles for $30,000 in 1959 and was 10-3 with a 2.94 ERA for Bluefield of the Class D Appalachian League in ’59 and followed up with a 12-9 tally with a 3.13 ERA and 145 strikeouts for Fox Cities of the Class B Illinois-Indiana-Iowa (or Three I) League in 1960. Reportedly put off by his brashness, the Orioles chose not to protect Chance in the expansion draft for the 1961 season and he was picked by the new Washington Senators franchise, who promptly traded him to the equally new Angels who assigned him to Dallas-Fort Worth of the Class AAA American Association for 1961. Chance was 9-12 with a 3.66 record and earned a late-season trial with the Angels in their inaugural season. He started four games and was 0-2 with a 6.87 ERA. He stuck with the Angels in 1962.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 50 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 50 [11, tied with Jim Coates]

Games Started – 24

Games Finished – 16

Complete Games – 6

Wins – 14 [11, tied with Ed Rakow & Bill Stafford]

Losses – 10

PCT - .583 [18]

Saves – 8 [9, tied with Ryne Duren]

Shutouts – 2 [11, tied with fourteen others]

Innings Pitched – 206.2 [15]

Hits – 195 [16, tied with Don Mossi]

Runs – 83

Earned Runs – 68

Home Runs – 14

Bases on Balls – 66

Strikeouts – 127 [18]

ERA – 2.96 [4]

Hit Batters – 5 [14, tied with seven others]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 2 

Midseason Snapshot: 6-4, ERA - 3.81, SV – 4, SO - 40 in 78 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 9 (in 9 IP) at Minnesota 9/10, (in 10 IP) vs. Detroit 9/14

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 1 (in 9 IP) at Minnesota 9/10

Batting

PA – 75, AB – 65, R – 1, H – 4, 2B – 0, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 1, BB – 3, SO – 29, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .062, GDP – 1, HBP – 0, SH – 7, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 50

Put Outs – 12

Assists – 37

Errors – 1

DP – 2

Pct. - .980

Awards & Honors:

3^rd in AL Rookie of the Year voting, tied with Bernie Allen, Min. & Dick Radatz, BosRS (1 vote – 5% share)

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In their second season, the Angels went 86-76 to finish third in the AL, 10 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees. The pitching staff led the league in shutouts (15), saves (47), fewest complete games (23), and fewest home runs allowed (118). Shifting to Dodger Stadium where they improved their home attendance to 1,144,063, the Angels started well and were alone in first place on July 4, a stay that didn’t last long although they drew much attention. Under the guidance of manager Bill Rigney and pitching coach Marv Grissom, who managed the bullpen effectively, the club remained in the first division for the remainder of the season, despite sagging in September. Chance started the season in the bullpen, making an occasional spot start, but was moved into the starting rotation in August with impressive results.

Aftermath of 1962:

1963 was tougher for both the young pitcher and the Angels. Chance posted a 13-18 record for the 70-91 club, with a 3.19 ERA and 168 strikeouts over the course of 248 innings pitched. His most effective pitches were his sinking fastball, sweeping curve, and slider, which he threw with a three-quarters delivery after turning his back to the plate during his windup. Chance had an outstanding season in 1964, leading the American League in wins with his 20-9 record, and in ERA (1.65), complete games (15), shutouts (11), and innings pitched (278.1). He received the major league Cy Young Award for his performance. Chance had a lesser but respectable season for the seventh-place Angels in 1965, going 15-10 with a 3.15 ERA. Rechristened the California Angels, the team moved into the new Anaheim Stadium in 1966 and Chance’s record dropped to 12-17 with a 3.08 ERA. He was traded to the Minnesota Twins in the offseason and had a fine performance for a contending club, leading the AL with 283.2 innings pitched and 18 complete games while compiling a 20-14 record and 2.73 ERA with 220 strikeouts. Along the way he pitched a no-hitter against Cleveland. Chance was 16-16 in 1968, with a 2.53 ERA and 234 strikeouts over the course of 292 innings pitched. It would prove to be his last effective season. A back injury before the 1969 season limited him to 20 appearances and a 5-4 tally with a 2.95 ERA. He was dealt to the Cleveland Indians after the injury-marred year and struggled to a 9-8 record with a 4.24 ERA in 1970 until being sold to the New York Mets in September where he pitched a total of two innings and had an 0-1 record. Chance was traded one more time, to the Detroit Tigers in 1971 where he compiled a 4-6 record with a 3.51 ERA in his last season. Overall in the major leagues Chance was 128-115 with a 2.92 ERA, 83 complete games, 33 shutouts, and 1534 strikeouts over 2147.1 innings. He was 74-66 with a 2.83 ERA, 48 complete games, 21 shutouts, and 857 strikeouts over 1236.2 innings with the Angels. In all, he was a two-time All-Star. Chance was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame in 2015, just a few months before his death at age 74.    

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Bo Belinsky, 1962

Pitcher, Los Angeles Angels

Age:  25

1^st season with Angels

Bats – Left, Throws – Left

Height: 6’2”    Weight: 191 

Prior to 1962:

Born in New York City, Robert Belinsky moved with his family to Trenton, New Jersey at a young age and acquired the nickname “Bo”. A pool hustler with a bad temper that led to frequent fights and prone to getting into trouble, he didn’t play sports at Trenton Central High School but played sandlot and semipro baseball. Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1956, he was assigned to Brunswick of the Class D Georgia-Florida League with disastrous results. With a 7.36 ERA over 33 innings, he quit the team and was sold to the Baltimore Orioles. Moving on to Pensacola of the Alabama-Florida League in 1957, Belinsky flashed his potential and outstanding fastball, with a 13-6 tally, 3.00 ERA, and 202 strikeouts over 195 innings. He also solidified a reputation for being a carouser who proved frustrating to managers. Spending most of the 1958 season in South Dakota with the Aberdeen Pheasants of the Class C Northern League, he posted a 10-14 tally and 2.24 ERA with 15 complete games, 4 shutouts, and 184 strikeouts over 181 innings. Belinsky spent 1959 with four minor league teams and went a combined 8-7 and relieved more often than he started. Threatening to quit, he was then assigned to Vancouver of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in 1960. In a season interrupted by Army Reserve duty, he injured his hand in a bar fight and only appeared in 10 games, totaling 32 innings, and went 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA. Sent down to Little Rock of the Class AA Southern Association in 1961, Belinsky appeared in 31 games, 23 of them starts, and produced a 9-10 record and 3.72 ERA with 182 strikeouts over 174 innings. Along the way he struck out 18 batters over 11 innings in a game, after which he quit the club to return home to Trenton and study electronics. He thought better of his decision and returned to Little Rock to complete the season. In the offseason he was taken by the Angels in the Rule 5 draft and was sent to play winter ball in Venezuela. With Pampero he had an outstanding performance in which he generated a 13-5 record, 2.13 ERA, and 156 strikeouts over 156 innings. Although he balked at signing a league-minumum $6000 contract, he joined the Angels for the 1962 season. His fastball, screwball, and curve helped to allay concerns about his past conduct.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 34 games

P – 33, PH – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 33

Games Started – 31 [17, tied with Don Lee]

Complete Games – 5

Wins – 10

Losses – 11 [20, tied with four others]

PCT - .476

Saves – 1

Shutouts – 3 [6, tied with four others]

Innings Pitched – 187.1

Hits – 149

Runs – 86

Earned Runs – 74

Home Runs – 12

Bases on Balls – 122 [1]

Strikeouts – 145 [12]

ERA – 3.56 [13]

Hit Batters – 13 [2, tied with Jim Bunning]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 9 [7, tied with Chuck Estrada & Ed Rakow]    

League-leading bases on balls issued were +1 ahead of runners-up Chuck Estrada & Don Schwall

Midseason Snapshot: 7-4, ERA - 3.14, SO - 89 in 100.1 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 11 (in 7.1 IP) vs. Chi. White Sox 5/11

10+ strikeout games – 2

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 0 (in 9 IP) vs. Baltimore 5/5 (No-hitter with 4 BB, 2 HB, 1 WP & 9 strikeouts. Angels won 2-0)

Batting

PA – 69, AB – 60, R – 1, H – 10, 2B – 0, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 2, BB – 7, SO – 24, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .167, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 2, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 40

Put Outs – 6

Assists – 30

Errors – 4

DP – 2

Pct. - .900

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In their second season, the Angels went 86-76 to finish third in the AL, 10 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees. The pitching staff led the league in shutouts (15), saves (47), fewest complete games (23), and fewest home runs allowed (118). Shifting to Dodger Stadium where they improved their home attendance to 1,144,063, the Angels started well and were alone in first place on July 4, a stay that didn’t last long although they drew much attention. Under the guidance of manager Bill Rigney and pitching coach Marv Grissom, who managed the bullpen effectively, the club remained in the first division for the remainder of the season, despite sagging in September. Belinsky contributed to the team’s success with a 5-0 start that included a no-hitter. Although his penchant for wildness that had opposing batters often hitting the dirt and his distracting off-field behavior and newfound celebrity status led to questions regarding his work ethic as his performance began to drop off. Nearly traded to the Kansas City Athletics at one point, he finished the season with the Angels.

Aftermath of 1962:

More celebrated for his lifestyle, involving a flashy car and dating actresses such as Ann-Margaret, Tina Louise, and Connie Stevens, than his pitching, the handsome Belinsky also made several acting appearances. Prone to moodiness he could also be polite and engaging. Just prior to the 1963 season, it was announced that he was engaged to actress Mamie Van Doren, which proved to be of short duration. The distractions seemed to catch up to him once the season was underway and he pitched poorly. At 1-7 with a 6.39 ERA in late May, Belinsky was sent to the Hawaii Islanders of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, where, following a delay in his reporting to the team, he pitched well in nine appearances (4-1, 2.50 ERA, 47 strikeouts over 54 innings).and proved to be a major drawing card. Returning to the Angels in September, he ended up with a major league record of 2-9 with a 5.75 ERA and 60 strikeouts over 76.2 innings. Reporting to the Angels in 1964, he appeared to be more serious and purposeful and following an uneven start he went on a 10-game run from late May to July in which he posted a 6-2 tally with a 1.82 ERA and culminated in a 2-hit shutout of the White Sox. After expressing a desire to quit the Angels, a fight with a 64-year-old reporter at a hotel in Washington during a road trip to play the Senators led to his suspension. Told he was being sent down to Hawaii again, he refused to report and finished the season with a 9-8 record and 2.86 ERA with 4 complete games and 91 strikeouts over 135.1 innings. In the offseason, Belinsky was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for two prospects. Often criticized for a lack of commitment and unwillingness to work out, he drew the following comment from Phillies manager Gene Mauch: “He could pitch. He just wouldn’t work out. I wish I had a thousand guys with his arm and none with his head.” Dealing with injuries and following seven poor starts in 1965, Belinsky was demoted to the bullpen. He finished the season with a 4-9 tally and 4.84 ERA with 71 strikeouts over 109.2 innings. By 1966 he was using amphetamines to enhance his performance, which led to drug addiction. Benched by the Phillies, he found himself back in the Pacific Coast League by midseason, this time with San Diego where he made 13 appearances (10 of them starts) and compiled a 2-4 mark and 4.83 ERA with 54 strikeouts over 54 innings. Drafted away from the Phillies by the Houston Astros in 1967, Belinsky started in 18 of 27 appearances and, outstanding on occasion, but usually not, he went 3-9 with a 4.68 ERA and 80 strikeouts over 115.1 innings. More committed to a relationship with Jo Collins, the 1965 Playboy Playmate of the Year, who he married the following year, than to baseball, the Astros sold his contract to the Hawaii Islanders, who were now affiliated with the White Sox. Belinsky went on to have a surprisingly good season, producing a 9-14 tally and 2.97 ERA with 181 strikeouts over 176 innings. Along the way he pitched the first no-hitter in the club’s history. He played winter ball in Venezuela where he was effective. Back with Hawaii again in 1969 he had a 12-5 record and 2.82 ERA with 111 strikeouts over 147 innings when he was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates at the end of July. He appeared in eight games, three of them starts, and was 0-3 with a 4.58 ERA. Dealt to the Cincinnati Reds in the offseason, he made his last three major league pitching appearances in 1970 and had no decisions. He returned to the minors where his career came to an end. For his major league career, Belinsky had a 28-51 record and 4.10 ERA with 14 complete games, 4 shutouts, and 476 strikeouts over 665.1 innings pitched. With the Angels he went 21-28 with a 3.74 ERA, 11 complete games, 4 shutouts, and 296 strikeouts over 399.1 innings. Following baseball, Belinsky struggled while dealing with alcohol and drug abuse, the demise of his marriage to Jo Collins which was followed by two more failed marriages. Through a religious conversion he sought to achieve sobriety with uneven results. In failing health, he died in 2001 at age 64. Talented, tormented, and erratic, Belinsky once summed up his baseball career (and life) by saying “There isn’t one regret, not one. I’ve been there. I’ve done everything…I’ve lived enough for two lives.”

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years.