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.)

 

USA Today obituary