Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Ken Holtzman passes away at the age of 78.
His exceptional performance resulted in his name being brought up prior to the 2016 World Series and after the team won the title for the first time in over 100 years.
In both 2015 and 2016, Jake Arrieta achieved two no-hitters, equaling Holtzman’s two no-hitters. Holtzman’s performance with the Cubs is comparable to Jon Lester’s numbers as a southpaw in Chicago. Kyle Hendricks, now the longest-tenured player on the team, has surpassed Holtzman (1,447 innings) on the franchise’s all-time leaderboard. It is a challenge to find a homegrown left-handed pitcher as skilled as Holtzman, who is reminiscent of a bygone era.
At the young age of 20, Holtzman was called up by the Cubs in 1965 to pitch against the San Francisco Giants, led by the legendary Willie Mays. He shared the field with fellow Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Ron Santo, who were beloved by fans of the Cubs throughout the years.
Holtzman had great success playing with renowned pitchers like Catfish Hunter and Vida Blue, managing to win at least one game in the World Series in 1972, 1973, and 1974. He was selected for the All-Star team in 1972 and 1973, his only two career selections. In just the 1973 season, Holtzman made an impressive 40 starts and threw nearly 300 innings.
The image is credited to Sporting News / Getty Images.
Holtzman was born in St. Louis and started his career at the University of Illinois. In his debut at Wrigley Field, he began a successful 15-year career that included playing for the Yankees and Baltimore Orioles.
Holtzman’s legacy also includes his service in the National Guard as well as his prominence as a Jewish pitcher who followed and competed against Sandy Koufax.
Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Ken Holtzman, known for his impressive record of pitching two no-hitters, played a crucial role in the Oakland A’s winning three consecutive World Series titles in the 1970s. He also contributed to the New York Yankees’ World Series victory in 1977. Holtzman passed away at the age of 78.Advertisement
The Cubs made a deal with the A’s in 1971, sending Holtzman and receiving outfielder Rick Monday in return. At the time, being traded to Oakland meant being part of a dynasty, a stark contrast to the present situation in the Bay Area.
The Cubs expressed their grief in a statement on Monday, honoring Holtzman for his notable accomplishments as one of the top left-handed pitchers in the team’s history. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the family and loved ones of Ken during this difficult time.
The southpaw pitcher became a powerhouse, pushing himself to a level that would be unfathomable in today’s sport. Holtzman threw at least 215 innings in nine different years. He had 39 appearances for the 1969 Cubs, a team known for a devastating end-of-season downfall that left a lasting mark on the organization.
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