![]() For example, Biff Pocoroba wore “Poco” on his back, Dick Ruthven wore “Rufus”), Phil Niekro wore “Knucksie” and Jimmy Wynn wore “Cannon.” Notably, Messersmith threw over 200 innings in six seasons, had an earned run average under 3.00 in seven campaigns and had at least ten complete game seven times.įor about a month-and-a half of the 1976 season, Ted Turner’s Atlanta Braves – perhaps foreshadowing the current MLB Players’ Weekend – wore nicknames above the numbers on their home jerseys. When he was healthy, however, he was one of the best. His career totals were diminished by a number of injuries: 1970 (ribs) 1972 (finger injury/surgery) 1977 (elbow/surgery) 1978 (shoulder). In 1969, he earned a spot in the Angels’ starting rotation (16-11, 2.52) and the rest is history. He was a first-round draft choice (12 th overall) of the Angels in June of 1966 and was in the majors (with the Angels) by 1968 (when he went 4-2, 2.21 primarily as a reliever). This followed a 1974 season during which he went 20-6, 2.59 and was the NL All Star Game starter.įor those not familiar with Messersmith’s history, he was a high school quarterback and pitcher (going 16-2 in his senior season), before receiving a full scholarship (baseball) to the University of California Berkeley (1963), where he earned All-NCAA District and second-team All American honors. Messersmith’s best year was arguably 1975, when he went 19-14, with a 2.29 ERA (for the Dodgers) and led the NL in starts (40), complete games (19), shutouts (7) and innings pitched (321 2/3) while also earning a Gold Glove. He also gave up his league’s fewest hits per nine innings (among qualifiers) in three seasons.Īndy Messersmith is also noted for his role in successfully challenging (along with Dave McNally) MLB’s reserve clause, which led to the 1975 ruling by arbitrator Peter Seitz that player who played one year for their teams without a signed contract could become free agents at the end of that year (basically ending the acceptance of unilateral contract renewals as a way to “reserve” a player). He led his league one season each in wins, games started, complete games, shutouts and innings pitched. His final career stat line was 130-99, with a 2.86 earned run average and 1,625 strikeouts. ![]() He did all of this with a fastball with movement, hard overhand curve, solid slider and effective change up. ![]() He went on to become a four-time All Star, two-time 20-game winner and two-time Gold Glover. Messersmith, a 6’1”, 200-pound righthander made it to the majors In July of 1968 (at age 22). The answer is Andy Messersmith (initials A.M. Hint: I initially came up with this in the a.m. –Career-Low Opponents’ Batting Average (MLB.com listing)-–
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