Saturday, June 26, 2021

RIP - Dwight Siebler

 
Dwight Siebler, who pitched briefly for the Twins in the mid-1960s, passed away on June 16, 2021. He was 83.
After playing for the University of Nebraska (where he pitched a no-hitter in 1957) Siebler began his pro career in the Phillies' organization in 1959. 
 
He was acquired by the Twins late in the 1963 season, and pitched in a handful of games each season from 1963-65. 
 
Most of his playing time came during 1966, when he pitched 23 games, mostly in relief. It was the only season he was not also in the minors. 
 
Siebler only pitched 2 games for the Twins in 1967, both in April. They primarily used only 10 pitchers that year: Dean Chance, Dave Boswell, Ron Kline, Al Worthington, and 6 guys named Jim
 
Siebler retired after spending most of 1967 in the minors. 
 
  

Sunday, June 20, 2021

RIP - Mudcat Grant

 
Jim "Mudcat" Grant passed away on June 11, 2021 at age 85.
Grant was a starting pitcher for the Indians (1958-64) and Twins (1964-67), before finishing his career as a relief pitcher for the Dodgers, Expos, Cardinals, Athletics, and Pirates from 1968-71. 
 
In 1965 he had a career year, leading the AL with 21 wins and posting a 2-1 record in the World Series vs. the Dodgers. Two years later he was traded to the Dodgers in the deal that brought John Roseboro and Ron Perranoski to the Twins. 
 
After his playing career he was a broadcaster for the Indians and Athletics. He also wrote a book about the history of black baseball players - focusing specifically on all the black 20-game winners. He was honored for that at the White House in 2007.  
 
 

  

Saturday, June 12, 2021

RIP - Mike Marshall

 
Mike Marshall, a workhorse reliever for several teams in the 1970s, passed away on June 1, 2021 at age 78.
Marshall broke in with the Tigers in 1967. He pitched 59 innings (all in relief), but even though he posted a 1.98 ERA, he was back in the minors for all of 1968. He didn't even get a September call-up, and missed the Tigers'  1968 championship altogether. 
 
In 1969 he was a starting pitcher for the expansion Seattle Pilots, the only season where he was primarily a starter. 
 
After pitching part of 1970 for the Astros, he spent several seasons with the Expos. From 1972-74 he led the league in games pitched, with sixty-five, NINETY-TWO, and ONE HUNDRED SIX!  He also won the Cy Young Award in 1974.

All that wear and tear finally caught up with him, as he only appeared in 16 games in 1977. 
 
Marshall made a comeback with the Twins in 1978, pitching in 54 games. The following season he led the league with NINETY appearances. (Some teams don't learn from history.)