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Ken Holtzman

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Ken Holtzman
Holtzman in 1969
Pitcher
Born:(1945-11-03)November 3, 1945
St. Louis, Missouri,U.S.
Died:April 15, 2024(2024-04-15)(aged 78)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Batted:Right
Threw:Left
MLB debut
September 4, 1965, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
September 19, 1979, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
Win–loss record174–150
Earned run average3.49
Strikeouts1,601
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Kenneth Dale Holtzman(November 3, 1945 – April 15, 2024) was an Americanprofessional baseballplayer andcoach.[1]He was a left-handedpitcherinMajor League Baseballfrom1965through1979for theChicago Cubs,Oakland Athletics,Baltimore Orioles,andNew York Yankees.

With the Cubs, Holtzman pitched twono-hitters.He played for the Athletics'dynastythat won three consecutiveWorld Serieschampionships between 1972 and 1974. A two-timeAll-Star,Holtzman was a 20-game-winner for the Athletics in 1973. He is a member of theChicago Cubs Hall of Fame.

Early life[edit]

Holtzman was born inSt. Louis, Missouri,on November 3, 1945, to Henry and Jacqueline Holtzman. He was raised in an observantJewishfamily and graduated fromUniversity City High Schoolin St. Louis in 1963.[2]He attended theUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign,where he playedcollege baseballfor theIllinois Fighting Illini.He graduated with aBachelor of Artsin business administration andFrench.[2]

Career[edit]

Draft and minor leagues[edit]

TheChicago Cubsselected Holtzman in the fourth round of the1965 Major League Baseball draft.[3][4][5]At age 19, Holtzman pitched 12 games in theminor leaguesin 1965, four with theTreasure Valley Cubsin thePioneer League,and eight with theWenatchee Chiefsin theNorthwest League.He was 8–3 in the dozen starts, with a 1.99earned run averageand 114 strikeouts in 86 innings.[6]

Chicago Cubs (1965–1971)[edit]

The Cubs promoted Holtzman to the major leagues in September1965.[7]After making three relief appearances in 1965, Holtzman joined the Cubs' starting rotation in1966,and had an 11–16 rookie campaign as the team finished in last place.[1][4]

As a promising Jewish left-hander, he was heralded as "the newSandy Koufax."[8]He pitched against Koufax in1966on September 25, and took the win by a 2–1 score, becoming the last pitcher to beat Koufax during the regular season. Koufax would make his last regular-season appearance a week later, on October 2.[9]Holtzman served in theNational Guardin 1967 and was only available to play on weekends. He appeared in 12 games and had a 9–0 record.[10]After going 11–14 in1968,he posted consecutive 17-win seasons.[1]Holtzman was namedNL Player of the Monthin May1969with a 6–0 record, a 2.16 ERA, and 44 strikeouts.[1]

That August 19, Holtzman pitched ano-hitteratWrigley Fieldagainst the eventual Western Division championAtlanta Braves,winning 3–0 onRon Santo's three-runhome runand outdueling the Braves'Phil Niekro.[11][12]Holtzman had nostrikeoutsand three walks in the game. This was the first no-hitter by a Cub left-hander at Wrigley Field[4]and the third no-hitter ever thrown without a strikeout (Earl Hamiltonon August 30, 1912;Sad Sam Joneson September 4, 1923), a feat that has not been equaled since.[13][14]In the seventh inning,Hank Aaroncrushed a drive to left field that appeared to be a home run, but the wind held up the ball, enablingBilly Williamsto catch the long fly ball in the recessed "well" at the wall in left field. Holtzman faced Aaron again in the ninth, and got him to ground out to second base to complete the no-hitter. The Cubs led the Eastern Division for much of the season before finishing in second place, eight games behind theeventual world championNew York Mets.[2]

In1970,had a 17–11 record and a 3.38 ERA, and finished third in the NL in starts (38), fifth in both strikeouts (202) andinnings pitched(287+2⁄3), sixth in complete games (15) and ninth in wins.[1]Baseball historianBill Jamesconsiders the Cubs' 1970 rotation of Holtzman,Ferguson Jenkins,Milt Pappas,andBill Handswas the best of the 1970s.[15]

On June 3,1971,Holtzman pitched his second career no-hitter — the first ever atRiverfront Stadium— against the defending league championCincinnati Reds,winning the game, 1–0.[16]

Oakland Athletics (1972–1975)[edit]

Holtzman in 1974

Holtzman asked to be traded at the end of the 1971 season, so he was dealt to theOakland Athleticsin November in exchange for outfielderRick Monday.[17]Oakland had won the Western division in1971but were swept by theBaltimore Oriolesin theAmerican League Championship Series.This was just as Oakland began its run of three straightWorld Seriestitles.[10]

Joining a staff that featuredVida BlueandCatfish Hunter,he won 19 games in1972(7th in the AL) and was named to theAll-Starteam for the first time.[5]He lost Game 3 of the1972 American League Championship Seriesagainst theDetroit Tigersas opposing pitcherJoe Colemanset an ALCS record with 14 strikeouts. After Oakland won the ALCS in five games, Holtzman won Game 1 of theWorld Seriesagainst the Reds. He started Game 4, but left in the eighth inning with a 1–0 lead and a runner on third base. The Reds scored twice to take the lead, but Oakland scored twice in the ninth inning to win 3–2. He relieved Hunter in the eighth inning of Game 7 with a 3–1 lead but after surrendering adoubletoJoe Morgan,he was replaced byRollie Fingers.The A's hung on for a 3–2 win to win the series.[18]

In1973,Holtzman led the A's with a 2.97 ERA (6th best in the league) as each of their three top starters won 20 or more games.[1]He was again an All-Star, going 21–13 in 40 starts (his 21 wins 4th-best in the AL) with 157 strikeouts.[1]Over the next 33 years only two other left-handers had as many starts in a season. In the1973 ALCSagainst theBaltimore Orioles,he won an 11-inning 2–1 duel againstMike Cuellarin Game 3 whenBert Campanerishomered to lead off the last inning. He started three times in the1973 World Seriesagainst the Mets, winning Game 1 2–1. He lasted only1⁄3of an inning in Game 4, departing after a 3-run homer byRusty Staub,which was followed by two more base runners. He recovered to win Game 7, leaving in the 6th inning with a 5–1 lead as the A's won the game 5–2 and their second straight title. In both his victories, he doubled and also scored the firstrunfor the A's after not having batted all season due to the American League using the designated hitter for the first time in the 1973 season.[6]

Holtzman again won 19 games in1974,but this time endured 17 losses despite his 3.07 ERA, which ranked 11th in the League.[1]Facing the Orioles in the1974 ALCS,he pitched a 5–0shutoutin Game 2, taking a one-hitter into the eighth inning and allowing only five singles. Against theLos Angeles Dodgersin theWorld Series,he started Game 1 but was pulled in the fifth inning with a 2–1 lead; the A's went on to win 3–2. He won Game 4 5–2, hitting a home run offAndy Messersmithin the third inning for a 1–0 lead.[19][20]

After losing in salary arbitration in February,[21]Holtzman had an 18–14 record for the1975A's as they won their fifth straightAmerican LeagueWestern Division title. On June 8, against theDetroit Tigers,he had what would have been his third career no-hitter broken up with two out in the ninth by aTom Veryzerdouble.[22]He would have become the third pitcher (afterCy YoungandJim Bunning) to pitch no-hitters in both leagues. Holtzman lost Games 1 and 3 of theALCSto theBoston Red Soxas the A's were swept. He was fourth in the AL in games started (38), sixth in hits allowed per 9 innings pitched (7.33), and seventh in wins.[1]

Later career[edit]

Paid $93,000 in 1975 and one of nine Oakland players refusing to sign 1976 contracts,[23]Holtzman sought a three-year $460,000 pact.[24]Withfree agencyimminent after the season and the expectations of higher salaries for which Athletics owner Finley was unwilling to pay, he was acquired along withReggie Jacksonand minor-league right-handed pitcher Bill Van Bommel by theOriolesforDon Baylor,Mike Torrez,andPaul Mitchellon April 2, 1976.[25]When Jackson received a $60,000 raise to end his season-opening holdout, Holtzman accused Orioles general managerHank Petersof a "double standard" for continuing to impose an automatic 20% pay cut on him and eight other unsigned teammates.[26]A proposed trade that would've sent him andBobby Grichto theKansas City Royalsbut was dependent on him signing a contract failed to materialize on June 13.[27]

Holtzman was dealt along withDoyle Alexander,Elrod Hendricks,Grant Jackson,andJimmy Freemanfrom the Orioles to theNew York YankeesforRick Dempsey,Scott McGregor,Tippy Martinez,Rudy May,andDave Paganjust before the non-waivertrade deadlineon June 15, 1976.[28]He posted a 12–10 record for the Yankees over three years, but his playing time was increasingly limited.[1]He did not appear in the 1976 or 1977 postseasons with New York.[1]In June 1978, after making five appearances for the Yankees, they traded him to the Cubs forRon Davis.[1][29]He ended his career with Chicago in1979,going 6–9 with a 4.59 ERA.[1]

Over 15 years, he had a 174–150 record with a 3.49 ERA, 1,601 strikeouts, and 31 shutouts in 451 games and2,867+1⁄3innings.[1]He held batters to a.220 batting average with 2 outs and runners in scoring position. His 80 victories with Chicago were the fourth most by a left-hander, behindHippo Vaughn(151),Larry French(95), andDick Ellsworth(84). He received four votes inBaseball Hall of Famevoting in 1985, and five in 1986.[1]

Amongst Jewish pitchers, Holtzman's 174 careervictoriesare the most in the major league baseball, nine more thanSandy Koufax's 165. As of 2010, Holtzman's 1,601 strikeouts were second (behind Koufax), and his 451 games were second (behindScott Schoeneweis) amongst Jewish pitchers. He held the record for most pitching appearances by a Jewish pitcher until 1998, whenScott Radinskypassed him to become the major league leader in appearances. His 3.49 ERA was fifth (behind Koufax, Radinsky,Barney Pelty,andErskine Mayer).[30]

Post-baseball career[edit]

Holtzman went on to attempt a career as aninsurancesalesman.[2]He also worked for the St. Louis Jewish Community Center.[31]He coached the St. Louis baseball team for theMaccabiah Gamesfor a few years and is a member of theChicagoland Sports Hall of Fame,St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame, St. Louis Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, and the University of Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame.[32]

Holtzman managed thePetach Tikva Pioneersin the inaugural 2007 season of theIsrael Baseball League,but left in the middle of the season, unhappy with the way the league was run.[33]

Personal life and death[edit]

Holtzman had three daughters with his ex-wife Michelle.[34][35]

Ken Holtzman died in St. Louis on April 15, 2024, after battling heart issues. He was 78, and had been hospitalized for three weeks prior to his death.[32][36]After a funeral service on April 17, his body was interred at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery inChesterfield, Missouri.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdefghijklmno"Ken Holtzman".Baseball Reference.RetrievedNovember 18,2019.
  2. ^abcd"Ken Holtzman – Society for American Baseball Research".
  3. ^"Welcome to Jews In Sports Online".jewsinsports.org.
  4. ^abcChicago Cubs: Memorable Stories of Cubs Baseball.Game of My Life. Skyhorse. 2007.ISBN9781596701731.RetrievedJanuary 22,2011.
  5. ^abThe Big Book of Jewish Baseball: An Illustrated Encyclopedia & Anecdotal History.SPI Books. 2001.ISBN9781561719730.RetrievedJanuary 22,2011.
  6. ^abKen Holtzmanat theSABR Baseball Biography Project,by Ralph Berger, Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  7. ^"Cubs Purchase Ken Holtzman, Ex-Illini Star".Chicago Tribune.September 2, 1965. p. 80 – via newspapers.
  8. ^"Holtzman, Ken".Jews in Sports.RetrievedMarch 23,2014.
  9. ^Sherman, Ed (September 15, 2016)."Sandy Koufax vs. Ken Holtzman: The 1966 matchup of two Jewish pitching stars".Chicago Tribune.
  10. ^ab"Kenneth Holtzman".Jewish Virtual Library.RetrievedMarch 23,2014.
  11. ^"Cubs' Holtzman fires no=hitter at Braves".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Associated Press. August 20, 1969. p. 24.
  12. ^"Cubs' Holtzman hurls no-hitter".Nevada Daily Mail.Missouri. Associated Press. August 20, 1969. p. 10.
  13. ^"September 4, 1923 New York Yankees at Philadelphia Athletics Box Score and Play by Play".Baseball-Reference. September 4, 1923.RetrievedJanuary 22,2011.
  14. ^Jackson, Frank (May 20, 2014)."No Runs, No Hits, No Strikeouts".hardballtimes.RetrievedJuly 19,2014.
  15. ^Tramel, Berry."Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins has a strong Oklahoma pedigree".The Oklahoman.
  16. ^"Cubs' Ken Holtzman registers no-hitter".Spokesman-Review.Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. June 4, 1971. p. 25.
  17. ^Rappoport, Ken (November 30, 1971)."Cubs trade Holtzman for A's Rick Monday".The Day.New London, Connecticut. Associated Press. p. 18.
  18. ^"A's shut down Big Red Machine in thrilling Game 7 | Baseball Hall of Fame".baseballhall.org.
  19. ^Epstein, Dan (October 5, 2021)."The 12 greatest Jewish feats in baseball playoff history".The Forward.
  20. ^"Every pitcher who went deep in postseason".MLB.
  21. ^"Finley wins – Ken Holtzman will get no raise this year".Gettysburg Times.Pennsylvania. Associated Press. February 14, 1975. p. 10.
  22. ^"Holtzman just misses no-hitter".Morning Record.Meriden, Connecticut. Associated Press. June 9, 1975. p. 9.
  23. ^"A's trade Jackson, Holtzman,"The Associated Press(AP), Saturday, April 3, 1976.Retrieved May 4, 2020
  24. ^"Orioles obtain Reggie Jackson; Baylor, Torrez go to Oakland,"The Associated Press(AP), Saturday, April 3, 1976.Retrieved March 20, 2016
  25. ^"A's trade Jackson, Holtzman,"The Associated Press(AP), Saturday, April 3, 1976.Retrieved December 1, 2015
  26. ^Anderson, Dave. "The Orioles' 'Double Standard,'"The New York Times,Thursday, May 13, 1976.Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  27. ^"Royals Drop Bid For Ken Holtzman,"The Associated Press(AP), Sunday, June 13, 1976.Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  28. ^Chass, Murray. "Players Swap Memories of Yankees-Orioles 10-Player Trade",The New York Times,Sunday, June 15, 1986.Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  29. ^Koppett, Leonard (June 11, 1978)."Holtzman Traded".The New York Times.RetrievedApril 15,2024.
  30. ^"Career Pitching Leaders".Career Leaders.Jewish Major Leaguers. Archived fromthe originalon August 26, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 10,2011.
  31. ^Mitchell, Fred (June 8, 2004)."Ken Holtzman".Chicago Tribune.
  32. ^abHochman, Benjamin (April 15, 2024)."St. Louisan Ken Holtzman, who threw 2 no-hitters for Cubs and won 3 World Series for A's, has died".St. Louis Post-Dispatch.RetrievedApril 15,2024.
  33. ^"Israeli baseball league turns sour for Holtzman".Chicago Tribune.September 17, 2007.
  34. ^Chass, Murray(February 10, 1978)."Holtzman Shuns Lure of the South".The New York Times.RetrievedApril 15,2024.
  35. ^Palmer, Jordan (April 15, 2024)."St. Louis icon Ken Holtzman, 3 x MLB champion and two-time no-hit pitcher, dies at 78".St. Louis Jewish Light.
  36. ^Harrigan, Thomas (April 15, 2024)."Holtzman, author of 2 no-hitters and a 4-time champ, dies at 78".MLB.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toKen Holtzman.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Major League Player of the Month
May 1969 		Succeeded by
Preceded by No-hitter pitcher
August 19, 1969
June 3, 1971 		Succeeded by
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