Once again, Pastor Rich didn’t know what he was getting himself into with his Monster Card suggestions. Last week he suggested 1998 Mark McGwire for a Monster Card not realizing that card’s importance to my one and only IAL Championship team.
This week, he mentions 1974 Ken Holtzman. Aside from growing up as Cubs fan and remember Holtzman pitching along with the likes of Fergie Jenkins, Milt Pappas and Bill Hands. Not only that though, I am a total University of Illinois baseball fan. I work in a building right across the street from Illinois Field and edit the Illinois Baseball Report which covers the team. So as an Illini baseball fan, I know that Ken Holtzman hails from here and is the all-time leader in wins among former Illini pitchers with 174. Go Illini! :)
I’ve heard about this famous Holtzman card but have never seen it so it was quite a treat to see it. By 1972, he had made his way to the Oakland A’s and of course, the DH had taken effect by 1974. Tough break for Holtzman who had always been formidable hitter. As us Cubs fans know, he was known for having a pretty decent stick.
This 1974 card is actually pretty interesting in that his offensive numbers are wholly influenced by his postseason play, something usually not done. He did not bat at all during the regular season. In the World Series against the Dodgers though, he batted five times and came through with a double and homerun.
| Year | Tm | Series | Opp | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | OAK | WS | LAD | 2 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .500 | .600 | 1.500 |
Indeed, it is quite a card. Pastor Rich mentioned he’s never seen a card with a 25-6 before. Holtzman’s power numbers of 1-1-1-1-6-6-6-6 are supplanted by four 14s.
Fun numbers: 22-1, 25-6,
But let’s not forget that Ken Holtzman could also pitch, too. It was 1974 when pitchers were allowed to pitch more innings and Holtzman went 19-17 with a 3.07 ERA in 255 1/3 innings. He gets a Z based on just 51 walks for the year. His 1.8 BB/9 IP was 3rd best that year.
Thanks Pastor Rich! Scott Fennessy once asked me if I ever thought about coming up with a All-Illini APBA team. With players like Big Jeff Pfeffer, Tom Haller and Lou Boudreau, the idea has crossed my mind. Now I’m one step closer.
As always Thomas, you are very welcome.
What does it say about us that Pastor Rich suggests the Monster Mondays, and I suggest the Terrible Tuesdays? I may have to come up with a Terribles lineup to take on the Hurricanes, just to see if they can break the scoreboard.
That’s funny, Tom. Just last night, I had this idea for a solo tournament between the Monster Cards I’ve done and the Terrible Cards.
I’d root for the Terribles of course. ;-)
I have the reissued ’74 set and the Holtzman card is a bit different. 1-6-7-8-8-9 with four 14’s and 15-36, 25-23. I prefer the Pastor Rich card.
Mel