Highlighted Year: Billy Moran, 1962

Second Baseman, Los Angeles Angels

Age: 28

2^nd season with Angels

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 185 

Prior to 1962:

Born in Alabama, Moran moved with his family to the Atlanta area, where he played shortstop at Russell High School. Following graduation in 1952, Moran signed with the Cleveland Indians. Initially assigned to the Green Bay Bluejays of the Class D Wisconsin State League, the 18-year-old shortstop batted .277 in 63 games with 19 extra-base hits, 33 RBIs, and a .372 on-base percentage. In 1953 he moved up to the Spartanburg Peaches of the Class B Tri-State League where his batting production improved to .285 with 17 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs, 50 RBIs, a .362 OBP, and a .446 slugging percentage. Moving to Reading of the Class A Eastern League in 1954 his average dropped to .242 with 19 doubles, 8 triples, 4 home runs, 40 RBIs, and a .296 OBP along with a .332 slugging percentage. Moran missed the next two seasons due to service in the Army, where he played baseball and took classes at Georgia Tech. Resuming his professional baseball career in 1957, he was assigned to San Diego of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. Shifted to second base he batted a miniscule .211 with 25 doubles, 4 home runs, 45 RBIs, and a .254 OBP. Despite his lack of batting production, Moran made it to the Indians in 1958 where he split time between second base and shortstop and hit .226 in 115 games with 11 doubles, a home run, 18 RBIs, and a .262 OBP. Cleveland acquired veteran second baseman Billy Martin in 1959 and Moran saw little action for the Indians before returning to San Diego where he batted .247 with 18 doubles, 5 home runs, 35 RBIs, and a .298 OBP. Moran was out of the majors completely in 1960 as he was still in Class AAA, this time with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League. Manager Mel McGaha helped him with his batting technique and he hit .242 with 14 doubles, 5 triples, 4 home runs, 33 RBIs, and a .300 OBP. Cleveland having sold his contract to Toronto, Moran got off to a strong start at the plate in 1961 and was batting .300 with a .346 OBP in June when he was dealt to the expansion Angels. Given the opportunity to start at second base, where, until shelved by a back injury late in the season, Moran hit .260 with 10 extra-base hits, 22 RBIs, and a .328 OBP and proved to be a capable fielder.  

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 160 games

2B – 160

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 721 [3, tied with Rich Rollins]

At Bats – 659 [2]

Runs – 90 [14, tied with Rocky Colavito & Bill Bruton]

Hits – 186 [6, tied with Rich Rollins]

Doubles – 25

Triples – 3

Home Runs – 17

RBI – 74

Bases on Balls – 39

Int. BB – 2

Strikeouts – 80 [17]

Stolen Bases – 5

Caught Stealing – 1

Average - .282

OBP - .324

Slugging Pct. - .407

Total Bases – 268 [13]

GDP – 8

Hit by Pitches – 4

Sac Hits – 14 [2]

Sac Flies – 5 [20, tied with twelve others]

Midseason snapshot: HR - 11, RBI - 45, AVG - .287, OBP - .326

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 4 AB) at Washington 5/23, (in 5 AB) at Chi. White Sox 6/15, (in 6 AB) at Boston 6/28, (in 5 AB) at Cleveland 7/31

Longest hitting streak – 9 games

HR at home – 9

HR on road – 8

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 5 AB) vs. NY Yankees 8/23 – 13 innings

Multi-HR games – 1

Most RBIs, game – 6 vs. KC Athletics 6/10

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding

Chances – 912

Put Outs – 422

Assists – 477

Errors – 13

DP – 103

Pct. - .986 

Awards & Honors:

All-Star (Started at 2B for AL, second game)

13^th in AL MVP voting (28 points – 10% 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. 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.

Aftermath of 1962:

Moran and the Angels had a lesser season in 1963, although his production was a solid .275 with 29 doubles, 5 triples, 7 home runs, 65 RBIs, and a .310 OBP. In 1964 he lost his starting job at second base to young Bobby Knoop and was shifted to third, an unfamiliar position. In June he was part of a three-team trade that sent him back to Cleveland. Moran appeared in 70 games with the Indians and finished the season with combined batting totals of .241 with 16 doubles, 21 RBIs, and a .304 OBP. He started the 1965 season with Cleveland until being sent down to the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League in June where he played well until being recalled to the Indians in July. He ended up appearing in a total of 22 games for the Indians, mostly as a pinch-hitter. He hit .125 and in the offseason was granted permission to seek a deal with another club that would be willing to pay the waiver fee for his services. Targeting the newly relocated Atlanta Braves, he failed to reach a deal and retired at age 32. For his major league career, Moran batted .263 with 545 hits that included 88 doubles, 10 triples, and 28 home runs. He scored 242 runs and compiled 202 RBIs, a .308 OBP, and a .355 slugging percentage. With the Angels he batted .275 with 200 runs scored, 448 hits, 71 doubles, 10 triples, 26 home runs, 172 RBIs, a .318 OBP, and a .379 slugging percentage. An All-Star in 1962 only, he never appeared in the postseason. It took a long time for him to achieve major league success, and that success proved to be fleeting. After baseball he worked in the insurance industry for many years and died at age 87 in 2021.  

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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: Ken McBride, 1962

Pitcher, Los Angeles Angels

Age:  27 (Aug. 12)

2^nd season with Angels

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 190 

Prior to 1962:

Born in Alabama, McBride grew up in Cleveland, Ohio where he excelled in basketball and baseball at West High School. Following his graduation from high school in 1953, he pitched for a semipro team before being signed by the Boston Red Sox for a $500 bonus. He was first assigned to Bluefield of the Class D Appalachian League in 1954 where he performed well with an 18-8 record and 2.53 ERA with 178 strikeouts over 210 innings. Spending most of 1955 with Corning of the Class D Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York (or Pony) League he produced a 10-9 tally and 3.81 ERA with 100 strikeouts over 170 innings. He finished the season with Greensboro of the Class B Carolina League, where he played in 1956. He tossed a no-hitter on his way to a 9-7 record and 2.64 ERA with 9 complete games, and 86 strikeouts over 177 innings pitched. Plagued by injuries in 1957 with Oklahoma City of the Class AA Texas League, McBride was limited to 19 games and produced a 2-2 tally with a 4.70 ERA and 24 strikeouts and 21 walks issued over 44 innings, mostly out of the bullpen. Sent to Memphis of the Class AA Southern Association in 1958, his record was 9-10 with a 3.58 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 156 innings while he started in 21 of his 31 games pitched. He had a strong season in 1959 with Indianapolis of the Class AAA American Association and was 11-5 with a 2.79 ERA when he was sold to the Chicago White Sox on August 1. With a fine sinker to go along with a fastball and curve, he made two starts among his 11 appearances for the White Sox, who were in the midst of a pennant race which they won. He showed promise in going 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA. Sent to San Diego of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in 1960, he put together an 11-14 tally and 3.23 ERA with 131 strikeouts over 198 innings before finishing up with another short stint with the White Sox. Left exposed in the AL expansion draft, McBride was chosen by the Angels and became part of the starting rotation for the 1961 inaugural season. His 1961 record was 12-15 with a 3.65 ERA, 11 complete games, and 180 strikeouts over 241.2 innings. He was selected as an All-Star.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 24 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 24

Games Started – 23

Complete Games – 6

Wins – 11 [20, tied with five others]

Losses – 5

PCT - .688 [4]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 4 [4, tied with Bill Monbouquette]

Innings Pitched – 149.1

Hits – 136

Runs – 66

Earned Runs – 58

Home Runs – 9

Bases on Balls – 70

Strikeouts – 83

ERA – 3.50 [Non-qualifying]

Hit Batters – 9 [7, tied with Dan Pfister]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 5 [19, tied with eleven others]

Midseason Snapshot: 8-3, ERA - 3.87, SO - 56 in 111.2 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 8 (in 6 IP) at Boston 5/20

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 2 (in 7 IP) at Minnesota 6/24

Batting

PA – 55, AB – 55, R – 6, H – 9, 2B – 2, 3B – 0, HR – 1, RBI – 2, BB – 0, SO – 23, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .164, GDP – 1, HBP – 0, SH – 0, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 63

Put Outs – 20

Assists – 41

Errors – 2

DP – 7

Pct. - .968

Awards & Honors:

All-Star

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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. McBride was part of the club’s success until a cracked rib and bout with pleurisy prematurely ended his season.

Aftermath of 1962:

The Angels dropped in the standings in 1963 but McBride remained an All-Star with his 13-12 record, 3.26 ERA, 11 complete games, and 147 strikeouts over 251 innings. Appreciated for being classy, he was a well-liked player. His sinker was highly effective when he was at his best, but he lacked consistency. Two starts into the 1964 season, an arm injury led to a 4-13 record and 5.26 ERA with 66 strikeouts over 116.1 innings. The situation was no better in 1965, and McBride was demoted to San Jose of the Class A California League after having produced an 0-3 mark and 6.14 ERA after eight appearances. His ERA was 11.57 in three starts for San Jose and he retired. For his major league career, which was primarily spent with the Angels, McBride posted a 40-50 record and 3.79 record with 28 complete games, 7 shutouts, and 503 strikeouts over 807.2 innings pitched. A three-time All-Star, physical problems derailed a promising career. Following his playing career, he was briefly a minor league manager and pitching coach for the Milwaukee Brewers. He later was CEO of a construction company. 

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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.