Sports Then and Now

The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month is one of the most celebrated pitchers in Detroit Tigers history and will forever be remembered for his heroic performance in the 1968 World Series.

Mickey Lolich is remembered for his durability, resilience, and ability to deliver in clutch situations. Known for his powerful left arm and an almost superhuman capacity to pitch complete games, Lolich etched his name in baseball history with his stellar performance in the 1968 World Series, leading the Tigers to a championship. His career, spanning from 1963 to 1979, was defined by consistency, longevity, and an unyielding competitive spirit. Lolich may not have the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, but his achievements on the mound have earned him a lasting legacy in the annals of Major League Baseball.

On September 30, 2024, the baseball world lost one of its most controversial and iconic figures, Pete Rose. Known as “Charlie Hustle,” Rose was a player whose tenacity and passion for the game made him one of the greatest hitters in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB). His career was filled with record-breaking achievements and moments of pure brilliance on the field. However, his post-career life was marred by scandal, notably his lifetime ban from baseball for gambling on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds.

As baseball mourns the loss of Pete Rose, it’s important to reflect on both the incredible accomplishments of his career and the complexities of his legacy. While many consider him one of the greatest players to ever grace the diamond, others view his actions off the field as irreparably tarnishing his reputation.

Early Life and Rise to Stardom

Pete Rose was born on April 14, 1941, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up in a working-class family and developed an early love for baseball, inspired by his father, who was an amateur athlete. Rose was a natural competitor, excelling in both football and baseball during his youth. However, it was on the baseball diamond where his relentless work ethic and drive to succeed would truly shine.

Rose signed with the Cincinnati Reds as an amateur free agent in 1960 and made his Major League debut in 1963. From the very beginning, his intensity on the field set him apart from other players. He was known for sprinting to first base after drawing a walk, earning him the nickname “Charlie Hustle” from Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford during spring training.

Rose quickly established himself as one of the most reliable and consistent hitters in baseball. In his rookie season, he won the National League Rookie of the Year award, hitting .273 with 170 hits. It was the start of a career that would see him become the all-time leader in hits, games played, and at-bats, cementing his place in baseball history.

The Career of a Legend

Pete Rose’s career is a testament to his unrelenting work ethic and passion for the game. Over the course of 24 seasons (1963-1986), he played for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos. He became synonymous with the “Big Red Machine,” the Reds teams of the 1970s that dominated the National League and won back-to-back World Series titles in 1975 and 1976.

Leroy “Satchel” Paige is one of the most iconic and legendary figures in baseball history. His career spanned five decades, from the Negro Leagues to Major League Baseball, and his influence on the game transcended the confines of the ballpark. Known for his unparalleled skill on the mound, his charismatic personality, and his trailblazing role in the integration of baseball, Paige’s story is one of triumph, resilience, and a deep love for the game.

Early Life and Entry into Baseball

Though for many years the exact date of his birth was a mystery he liked to propel, it is now well documented that Leroy Robert Paige was born on July 7, 1906, in Mobile, Alabama. Growing up in a segregated South, Paige faced the harsh realities of racism and poverty. As a child, he earned the nickname “Satchel” after working at a train station, where he ingeniously crafted a device to carry multiple bags at once, earning extra money for his family. The nickname stuck, and soon “Satchel” Paige became known for his inventive spirit both on and off the field.

Paige discovered his love for baseball at a young age, honing his skills in local sandlots and semi-professional teams. His natural talent as a pitcher quickly became evident, and by his teenage years, he had developed a reputation as a formidable force on the mound. His unique pitching style, characterized by a high leg kick, a blazing fastball, and a variety of deceptive off-speed pitches, made him nearly unhittable.

In 1926, at the age of 20, Paige made his professional debut with the Chattanooga Black Lookouts, a Negro Southern League team. His performance was electrifying, and it wasn’t long before he caught the attention of the top Negro League teams.

Dominance in the Negro Leagues

Satchel Paige’s time in the Negro Leagues solidified his status as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. Over the next two decades, Paige played for several teams, including the Birmingham Black Barons, the Pittsburgh Crawfords, and the Kansas City Monarchs. His dominance on the mound was unparalleled, and he became the biggest draw in the Negro Leagues, with fans flocking to see him pitch.

Paige’s pitching repertoire was legendary. His fastball was said to be so fast that “it looked like a pea” to hitters, and he could make the ball “hop” with a wicked late break. But it was his off-speed pitches and pinpoint control that truly set him apart. Paige was a master of deception, using his wit and baseball intelligence to outthink and outmaneuver hitters. He famously named his pitches—such as “The Bee Ball” (“it be where I want it to be”) and “The Hesitation Pitch,” which baffled batters with its unexpected timing.

On what would have been his 70^th birthday, we look back at the short, but memorable, career of one of the great personalities in MLB history.

Mark Fidrych, nicknamed “The Bird,” was one of baseball’s most captivating and unconventional figures. His meteoric rise to fame in the mid-1970s, coupled with his eccentric personality and exceptional talent, made him a beloved figure in the sport. Despite a career that was tragically cut short by injuries, Fidrych left an indelible mark on the game and the hearts of fans everywhere.

Early Life and Path to the Majors

Mark Steven Fidrych was born on August 14, 1954, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Growing up in a blue-collar family, Fidrych was known for his boundless energy and enthusiasm. He excelled in baseball during his high school years, eventually catching the attention of Major League scouts. Despite his unconventional pitching mechanics and gangly frame, Fidrych had an undeniable talent for the game.

Nolan Ryan is often celebrated by some as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, largely due to his extraordinary career longevity, record-setting strikeouts, and seven no-hitters. However, other baseball analysts and fans debate his status as an all-time great pitcher, pointing to several key factors that might detract from his worthiness of high praise. Let’s explore these factors to understand why Nolan Ryan might not be universally regarded as an all-time great pitcher.

1. Win-Loss Record

Ryan’s career win-loss record stands at 324-292, which, while impressive in terms of total wins, reflects a relatively high number of losses. The victory total also reflects that he pitched for 27 seasons, meaning his average season record was just 14-13. The .526 winning percentage is not as dominant as other legendary pitchers, and his record suggests that despite his individual brilliance, his teams did not always convert his performances into victories. In comparison, pitchers like Sandy Koufax, Whitey Ford, Jim Palmer, and Bob Gibson have much higher winning percentages, indicating more consistent success in leading their teams to wins.

Over the last two decades the importance of individual win-loss records for pitchers has been downgraded, but that was not the case during the era in which Ryan pitched. Like most pitchers from the 1970s, Ryan was expected to both start and finish a large portion of his starts. Ryan registered 222 career complete games, including 156 in an eight year stretch between 1972 and 1979.

2. Control Issues

One of the most significant critiques of Ryan’s career is his control issues. He holds the MLB record for career walks with 2,795, a reflection of his frequent struggles with command. By comparison, Steve Carlton is second all-time with 1,833 career base on balls allowed. This high walk total often put him in difficult situations, leading to increased pitch counts and shorter outings. While his overpowering fastball helped him get out of many jams, the walks limited his efficiency and effectiveness.

3. Lack of Cy Young Awards

Despite his longevity and dominance in certain aspects of pitching, Ryan never won a Cy Young Award, the honor given to the best pitchers in the league. This absence is often cited as a significant gap in his accolades, especially when compared to contemporaries like Tom Seaver, Steve Carlton, and Jim Palmer, who each won multiple Cy Young Awards. Ryan finished in the top three of the Cy Young voting only three times in his career and received votes only eight times in 27 seasons, suggesting that while he was excellent, he was rarely seen as the very best in any single season.

Baseball fans has been captivated this season by the emergence of Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes. The first pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Skenes has reached amazing heights having started the 2024 MLB All-Star Game and drawing comparisons to other great rookie pitchers from throughout baseball history.

The journey from promising prospect to Major League Baseball (MLB) rookie can be daunting, but some pitchers have managed to make an immediate and unforgettable impact. We still have two months to see if Skenes will finish as one of the top rookie pitchers of all-time, but in the interim, here are the top 5 rookie pitching seasons in MLB history, showcasing their remarkable achievements and lasting legacies.

1. Fernando Valenzuela (1981, Los Angeles Dodgers)

Fernando Valenzuela’s rookie season in 1981, dubbed “Fernandomania,” is one of the most iconic in MLB history. The young left-hander from Mexico burst onto the scene with a unique screwball and a charismatic presence on the mound.

Valenzuela started the season with eight consecutive complete game victories, capturing the imagination of baseball fans worldwide. He finished the season with a 13-7 record, a 2.48 ERA, and 180 strikeouts in 192.1 innings pitched. Valenzuela’s dominance earned him both the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards, making him the first player to win both honors in the same year. His impact extended beyond statistics, as he brought a new wave of Latino fans to the game and left an enduring legacy in baseball history.

2. Mark Fidrych (1976, Detroit Tigers)

Mark Fidrych, known as “The Bird” for his resemblance to the Sesame Street character Big Bird, captured the hearts of baseball fans with his eccentric behavior and outstanding performance in 1976. Fidrych would talk to the baseball, groom the mound meticulously, and exude a contagious enthusiasm that made him an instant fan favorite.