The Dodgers right-hander, who applied science to his craft, became the first relief pitcher to win the Cy Young Award after appearing in a record 106 games.
at Three Rivers Stadium. The forgettable outing marked the first of 13 consecutive games in which Marshall would appear, a record streak amid a remarkable season 50 years ago that culminated in “Iron Mike” becoming the first reliever to win the Cy Young Award.in a single season since 1901. He earned a doctorate in exercise physiology from Michigan State four years later and claimed all pitchers could appear as often as he did as long as they applied science to their mechanics and conditioning.
Marshall pitched in 66 games for Mauch’s Expos in 1971 and led the National League in games finished for the first of four straight years. His workhorse reputation reached new heights in 1973, when he led the major leagues in games pitched and games finished and led the NL in saves . He went 14-11 with a 2.66 ERA, finishing second to New York Mets ace Tom Seaver in voting for the NL Cy Young Award.
Two games into Marshall’s 13-game streak, which included three off days, the Dodgers opened a three-game series at home against the San Francisco Giants. Marshall was the winning pitcher in each game of the Dodgers’ sweep, earning him NL player of the week honors. “It’s getting so they don’t even bother answering the phone in the Los Angeles Dodger bullpen,” the Associated Press’s Hal Block wrote after Marshall pitched four scoreless innings in his 12th straight appearance. “Mike Marshall knows the call will be for him without picking up.”
Marshall ran his streak to 13 games in the first game of a doubleheader July 3. He didn’t pitch the second game, but the next day, he improved to 11-3 by picking up the win in two innings of relief. Marshall pitched 26⅔ innings over his record stretch, posting a 1.69 ERA, a 6-0 record and two saves. After pitching in two games of the NL Championship Series, Marshall appeared in every game of the 1974 World Series. He allowed the go-ahead homer to Joe Rudi in the seventh inning of Oakland’s title-clinching win in Game 5. Rudi later told reporters he was sitting on a fastball because Marshall, despite his teammates’ encouragement to stay loose, didn’t throw a single warmup pitch during a several-minute stoppage after fans in Oakland threw debris at Dodgers left fielder Bill Buckner.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Music Review: Paul McCartney and Wings' oft bootlegged 1974 'One Hand Clapping' deserves applauseThe sound of Paul McCartney and Wings' “One Hand Clapping” used to only be heard on bootlegs, or in snippets available on archive releases over the years. The AP’s Scott Bauer says the official release deserves two-handed applause.
Read more »
Chart Rewind: In 1974, Waylon Jennings Hit No. 1 for the First ‘Time’Waylon Jennings' 'This Time' earned him his first Hot Country Songs chart-topper. Here's the chart rewind to 1974.
Read more »
Coliseum exit casts ‘sad’ pall as Athletics honor 1974 World Series three-peatBefore the Oakland Athletics move out of the Coliseum after this season, members of their 1974 team returned Sunday in honor of winning the franchise’s third straight World Series.
Read more »
Godzilla Gets New 1974 Legends in 3D Bust from Gentle Giant Ltd. In 1974, fans were introduced to Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, the latest and most thrilling chapter in the Godzilla franchise. Directed by Jun Fukuda, this iconic Japanese kaiju film featured the King of the Monsters coming face to face with one of his deadliest foes to date, Mechagodzilla.
Read more »
Chinatown: 10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About The Jack Nicholson MovieJack-Nicholson-as-J.J Gittes in Chinatown (1974)
Read more »
South Los Angeles pastor and civil rights icon, Rev. James Lawson Jr., dies at 95Lawson served as pastor at Holman United Methodist Church from 1974 to his retirement in 1999.
Read more »