Mike Cuellar
Encyclopedia
Miguel Ángel Cuellar Santana (May 8, 1937 – April 2, 2010) [KWAY-ar] was a Cuba
n left-handed starting pitcher
who spent fifteen seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB)
with the Cincinnati Reds
, St. Louis Cardinals
, Houston Astros
, Baltimore Orioles
and California Angels
. His best years were spent with the Orioles, helping them capture five American League East
Division titles, three consecutive American League (AL)
pennant
s and the 1970 World Series
Championship. He shared the AL Cy Young Award
in 1969
and won 20-or-more games in a season four times from 1969 to 1974. He was a part of the last starting rotation to feature four pitcher
s with at least twenty victories each in one season. Cuellar, nicknamed Crazy Horse while with the Orioles, ranks among Baltimore's top five career leaders in wins (143), strikeout
s (1,011), shutout
s (30) and innings pitched
(2,028), and trails only Dave McNally
among left-handers in wins and shutouts.
and change-up, Cuellar was signed by the Cincinnati Reds
as an amateur free agent in after drawing attention with a no-hitter
he pitched for an army team in while serving in the Cuban army during the Batista
regime.
Cuellar made his major league debut with Cincinnati in a 14–9 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies
at Crosley Field
on April 18, 1959. He entered the contest in relief of Don Newcombe
in the second inning
with the Reds losing 4–2. In his two innings of work, Cuellar surrendered a grand slam
to Gene Freese
in the third and a two-run double
to Al Schroll
in the fourth. His only other appearance with the Reds came three days later in its 7–4 defeat to the Milwaukee Braves
at County Stadium
on April 21. Again he pitched two innings in relief, but he gave up two run
s.
Cuellar next spent five years in the minor leagues and Mexican baseball, including periods with the Detroit Tigers
and Cleveland Indians
farm systems. He was acquired in 1964 by the St. Louis Cardinals
, where his win-loss record was 5–5, primarily as a relief pitcher
, while the Cardinals made a late-season surge as the Philadelphia Phillies
collapsed in September. This took the Cardinals and Cuellar to the 1964 World Series
.
to the Houston Astros
for Hal Woodeshick
and Chuck Taylor
at the June 15 trade deadline in . Upon joining the starting rotation in 1966 for the Astros
, Cuellar won his first six decisions. The last of them was a 3–2 complete game
over the Cardinals at the Astrodome
on June 25, in which he ptiched a career-high 15 strikeout
s. In his final start of the campaign, a 4–3 road win over Cincinnati in the second match of a September 28 twi-night doubleheader
, he hit his first major-league home run
off of Sammy Ellis
to lead off the top of the fifth. Cuellar finished at 12–10, with a 2.22 earned run average (ERA)
which was second in the National League
to Sandy Koufax
's 1.73.
Cuellar improved his win-loss record to sixteen victories in 1967 for the Astros
, setting a team record for left-handed pitchers. (This stood for six years until Dave Roberts
surpassed it with seventeen in 1973
). He made the first of four Major League Baseball All-Star Game
appearances at Anaheim Stadium
on July 11. He came into the contest in relief of Chris Short
in the eleventh. Of the seven batters he faced, the only baserunner he allowed in the two shutout innings he pitched was Carl Yastrzemski
who hit a two-out
single
in the twelfth inning.
in December 1968. Finally, Cuellar established a permanent role in the starting rotation with the Orioles. The Orioles began one of their strongest sequences of years in pro baseball in 1969. Then, in August, Cuellar accomplised a sequence of 35 batters gotten out in a row. This one was ended on August 10 by the batter César Tovar
of the Minnesota Twins
. Tovar also got his team's only hit in Cuellar's one-hit shutout against the Twins.
During the baseball season of 1969, Cuellar achieved a win-loss record of 23–11, struck out 182 batters, and recorded an excellent 2.38 earned run average
. For his outstanding year, Cuellar tied the Detroit Tigers
' pitcher Denny McLain
for the American League
Cy Young Award
. Cuellar becoming the first pitcher born in Latin America
to win the Cy Young Award. (Note that following this tie in the voting, the system for voting was changed in a way that did not eliminate the chances for ties for the Cy Young Award, but it did make this tie far more unlikely. No two pitchers have ever tied for the Cy Young Award in either Major League since then.)
Cuellar started Game One of the very first American League Championship Series
, in 1969 against the Minnesota Twins
, but he recorded "no decision" for good or for bad in this game. The Orioles won this game 4–3 in 12 innings, well-after Cuellar had left the game. This was Cuellar's only appearance in this series while the Orioles were sweeping the Twins three games to none.
In the World Series
against the New York Mets
, Cuellar won Game One in a 4–1 game, and he left Game Four after seven innings, trailing 1-0. However, the Orioles tied the game 1–1, giving Cuellar a "no decision" game, but the Mets won the game 2-1 in the tenth inning. In the next game, the completed the Mets' big upset in the World Series, winning the series four games to one.
Cuellar's win-loss record was 24–8 in with a 3.48 ERA and 190 strikeouts. Cuellar lead the league in victorues and in complete game
s, but he finished just in fourth place in rather-odd voting for the American League Cy Young Award. Once again, the Orioles swept the American League Championship Series in 1970 over the Minnesota Twins, three games to none. Cuellar's pitching was rather ineffective in Game 1 of the ALCS
, but Cuellar helped a huge amount with his bat. Cuellar hit the only grand slam home run by any pitcher in a League Championship Series thus far . Also, since the designated hitter
has become so well established in the American league, it seems to be likely that no other AL pitcher will ever have the chance again.
Nevertheless, Cuellar did not pitch long enough to earn a win in this LCS, since the Orioles manager, Earl Weaver
, removed Cuellar from Game 1 during the fifth inning even though the Orioles had a 9–6 lead. Also, since the Orioles swept the Championship Series, there was no need for Cuellar to pitch in it again.
Cuellar had a rocky start in Game 2 of the 1970 World Series
, with Weaver again pulling him out of the game again, this time in the third inning. Cuellar was again hit hard early in Game 5, giving up 3 runs in the first inning. Cuellar and his pitching coach decided to stop thowing his screwball for the rest of the game that day. Pitching with just his fastball
, curveball
, and changeup
, Cuellar shut out the Reds for the next eight innings to defeat them 9–3. Thus, the Orioles were World Series Champions, winning four games to one.
In , Cuellar's regular-season win-loss record was 20–9 with a 3.08 ERA and 124 strikeouts as the Orioles won the American League Eastern Division
for the third year in a row. Then, in the American League Championship Series
against the Oakland Athletics
, Cuellar won Game Two by the score of 5–1.
However, Cuellar pitched and was the losing pitcher in Game Three and Game Seven of the 1971 World Series
against the Pittsburgh Pirates
. Cuellar and the Orioles were narrowly edged in the decisive seventh game by a score of just 2–1. This was the very unusual year in which the Orioles had four twenty-game winners in their starting rotation, and their manager, Earl Weaver, decided to continue his usual pitching rotation that had already been established.
During 1969–73, Cuellar was a part of a very strong pitching staff, teaming with Jim Palmer
and Dave McNally to form the heart of the finest starting rotation that he Orioles have ever had. These three pitchers combined for eight individual twenty-victory seasons in the three years of 1969 through 71, and they racked up a combined win-loss record of 188–72 (0.723 winning percentage) record—while the rest of the Orioles' pitching staff recorded a very good 130–92 record (0.586 winning percentage).
In 1971, Pat Dobson
joined the Orioles, and he posted a 20–8 record as a starting pitcher, forming the Orioles' one-year-only "Big Four" of 20-game winners. Only one other team in major league history, the Chicago White Sox
, has ever had four 20-game winners.
, Cuellar pitched all of quite long 11-inning game, but he lost by a score of 2–1 to the Oakland Athletics
.
Cuellar had a great pitching season in , finishing with a win-loss record of 22–10, with a 3.11 ERA, but with just 106 strikeouts. Cuellar pitched 20 complete games, including five shutouts, but just earning sixth place in the quite odd Cy Young Award voting that year. The Orioles won the Eastern Division once again, and they faced off again in the 1974 American League Championship Series
against the Oakland Athletics, who had established a dynasty of their own in the Western Division, winning the division four years in a row, and going to the World Series three years in a row.
Cuellar split a pair of decisions against the Athletics, winning in Game One, but losing the decisive Game Four, and hence the Championship Series three games to one – with the final game again resulting in a very tight 2–1 final score.
After the followsing two sub-par seasons, Cuellar was released by Baltimore. He signed up as a free agent with the California Angels in . Cuellar was released that May after appearing in only two games. Attempting a comeback at age 42 in , he had a combined 7–6 record with three clubs in the Puerto Rican League
and Mexican Leagues.
During his 15-season career Cuellar had a win-loss record of 185–130 with a 3.14 ERA, 1632 strikeouts, 172 complete games, 36 shutouts, and 11 saves
in 453 games and 2808 innings pitched. In five American League Championship Series and in three World Series, Cuellar won four games and lost four with 56 strikeouts and a 2.85 ERA in 12 games.
Also, on August 10, 1971, Cuellar threw the pitch that Harmon Killebrew
hit for his 500th career home run.
In a 1976 Esquire
magazine article, sportswriter Harry Stein published an "All Time All-Star Argument Starter," consisting of five ethnic baseball teams. Cuellar, a Cuban
, was the left-handed pitcher on Stein's Latino team.
After his baseball career ended, Cuellar resided in Orlando, Florida
, and he was an active participant in the Hispanic Heritage Month event.
at the Orlando Regional Medical Center
in Orlando, Florida
. He was the third of the Orioles' four 20-game winners in 1971 to perish, following Dave McNally
in 2002 and Pat Dobson
in 2006. Only Jim Palmer
survives them.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n left-handed starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
who spent fifteen seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB)
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
and California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
. His best years were spent with the Orioles, helping them capture five American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
Division titles, three consecutive American League (AL)
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
s and the 1970 World Series
1970 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 10, 1970 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioThe Jackson 5 performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the game, which almost became an embarrassment when the group realized shortly before their performance that they weren't familiar with the lyrics...
Championship. He shared the AL Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
in 1969
1969 Major League Baseball season
The 1969 Major League Baseball season was celebrated as the 100th anniversary of professional baseball, honoring the first professional touring baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings. A special silhouetted batter logo was created by Jerry Dior to commemorate the anniversary, and is still used...
and won 20-or-more games in a season four times from 1969 to 1974. He was a part of the last starting rotation to feature four pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
s with at least twenty victories each in one season. Cuellar, nicknamed Crazy Horse while with the Orioles, ranks among Baltimore's top five career leaders in wins (143), strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s (1,011), shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s (30) and innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
(2,028), and trails only Dave McNally
Dave McNally
David Arthur "Dave" McNally was a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher from until . He was signed by the Baltimore Orioles and played with them every season except for his final season with the Montreal Expos.McNally has the unique distinction as the only pitcher in Major League...
among left-handers in wins and shutouts.
Professional career
A clever pitcher with an excellent screwballScrewball
A screwball , is a baseball pitch that is thrown so as to break in the opposite direction of a slider or curveball. Depending on the pitcher's arm angle, the ball may also have a sinking action....
and change-up, Cuellar was signed by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
as an amateur free agent in after drawing attention with a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
he pitched for an army team in while serving in the Cuban army during the Batista
Fulgencio Batista
Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar was the United States-aligned Cuban President, dictator and military leader who served as the leader of Cuba from 1933 to 1944 and from 1952 to 1959, before being overthrown as a result of the Cuban Revolution....
regime.
Cuellar made his major league debut with Cincinnati in a 14–9 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies
1959 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was the 77th season in the history of the franchise. During spring training, manager Eddie Sawyer told the press, "We're definitely not a last place club... I think the biggest thing we've accomplished is getting rid of the losing complex...
at Crosley Field
Crosley Field
Crosley Field was a Major League Baseball park located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the home field of the National League's Cincinnati Reds from 1912 through June 24, 1970, and the original Cincinnati Bengals football team, members of the second and third American Football League...
on April 18, 1959. He entered the contest in relief of Don Newcombe
Don Newcombe
Donald Newcombe , nicknamed "Newk", is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers , Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians .Until 2011 when Detroit Tigers Pitcher Justin Verlander did it, Newcombe was the only baseball...
in the second inning
Innings
An inning, or innings, is a fixed-length segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably cricket and baseball during which one team attempts to score while the other team attempts to prevent the first from scoring. In cricket, the term innings is both singular and plural and is...
with the Reds losing 4–2. In his two innings of work, Cuellar surrendered a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
to Gene Freese
Gene Freese
Eugene Lewis Freese is a former third baseman in American Major League Baseball for 12 seasons . A journeyman, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox , Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros, batting .254 with 115 home runs in 1,115 games...
in the third and a two-run double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
to Al Schroll
Al Schroll
Albert Bringhurst "Bull" Schroll was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball. Schroll played from through for the Boston Red Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins . Listed at , , he batted and threw right-handed...
in the fourth. His only other appearance with the Reds came three days later in its 7–4 defeat to the Milwaukee Braves
1959 Milwaukee Braves season
The 1959 Milwaukee Braves season was the seventh season for the franchise in Milwaukee and its 84th season overall. The Braves ended the National League regular season in a first-place tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers. With both clubs finishing with records of 86-68, a special best-of-three...
at County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium was a ballpark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1953 to 2000. It was primarily used as a baseball stadium for the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, but was also used for football games, ice skating, religious services, concerts and other large events...
on April 21. Again he pitched two innings in relief, but he gave up two run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
s.
Cuellar next spent five years in the minor leagues and Mexican baseball, including periods with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
farm systems. He was acquired in 1964 by the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, where his win-loss record was 5–5, primarily as a relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
, while the Cardinals made a late-season surge as the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
collapsed in September. This took the Cardinals and Cuellar to the 1964 World Series
1964 World Series
The 1964 World Series pitted the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals against the American League champion New York Yankees, with the Cardinals prevailing in seven games. St...
.
Houston Astros
Cuellar was traded along with Ron TaylorRon Taylor (baseball)
Ronald Wesley Taylor is a former professional baseball player. He was a pitcher over parts of 11 seasons with the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, New York Mets and San Diego Padres. Taylor was a member of two World Series-winning teams: the 1964 St. Louis Cardinals and the...
to the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for Hal Woodeshick
Hal Woodeshick
Harold Joseph Woodeshick was an American left-handed pitcher who spent eleven seasons in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers , Cleveland Indians , both Washington Senators , Houston Colt .45s/Astros and St. Louis Cardinals...
and Chuck Taylor
Chuck Taylor (baseball)
Charles Gilbert "Chuck" Taylor is a former right-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played from 1969 to 1976 for the St...
at the June 15 trade deadline in . Upon joining the starting rotation in 1966 for the Astros
1966 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. The team finished eighth in the National League with a record of 72-90, 23 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.- Offseason :* November 29, 1965: 1965 rule 5 draft...
, Cuellar won his first six decisions. The last of them was a 3–2 complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
over the Cardinals at the Astrodome
Reliant Astrodome
Reliant Astrodome, also known as the Houston Astrodome or simply the Astrodome, is the world's first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium, located in Houston, Texas, USA. The stadium is part of the Reliant Park complex...
on June 25, in which he ptiched a career-high 15 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s. In his final start of the campaign, a 4–3 road win over Cincinnati in the second match of a September 28 twi-night doubleheader
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...
, he hit his first major-league home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
off of Sammy Ellis
Sammy Ellis
Samuel Joseph Ellis is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, his career began before the 1961 season, when he was signed by the Cincinnati Reds as an amateur free agent after playing college baseball at Mississippi State University.-Biography:Ellis made his major league...
to lead off the top of the fifth. Cuellar finished at 12–10, with a 2.22 earned run average (ERA)
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
which was second in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
to Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax
Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
's 1.73.
Cuellar improved his win-loss record to sixteen victories in 1967 for the Astros
1967 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. It involved the 69-93 Astros ninth-place finish in the National League, 32½ games behind the NL and World Series Champion St...
, setting a team record for left-handed pitchers. (This stood for six years until Dave Roberts
Dave Roberts (pitcher)
David Arthur Roberts was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for eight teams from 1969 to 1981. He was second in the National League with a 2.10 earned run average in for the San Diego Padres, after which he was traded to the Houston Astros, where he spent the...
surpassed it with seventeen in 1973
1973 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the National League West with a record of 82-80, 17 games behind the Cincinnati Reds.- Offseason :...
). He made the first of four Major League Baseball All-Star Game
1967 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1967 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 38th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 11, 1967 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. The game resulted...
appearances at Anaheim Stadium
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a modern-style ballpark located in Anaheim, California. It is the home ballpark to Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League, and was previously home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams...
on July 11. He came into the contest in relief of Chris Short
Chris Short
Christopher Joseph "Style" Short was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , and in his final year, for the Milwaukee Brewers . He was a left-handed pitcher, but batted righty. He was born in Milford, Delaware.Short was considered a top pitcher from 1964 through 1968 with...
in the eleventh. Of the seven batters he faced, the only baserunner he allowed in the two shutout innings he pitched was Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Michael Yastrzemski is a former American Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox . He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career...
who hit a two-out
Out (baseball)
In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive, or fielding, team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. When a player is called out, he is said to be retired...
single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
in the twelfth inning.
Baltimore Orioles
Cuellar was traded to the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in December 1968. Finally, Cuellar established a permanent role in the starting rotation with the Orioles. The Orioles began one of their strongest sequences of years in pro baseball in 1969. Then, in August, Cuellar accomplised a sequence of 35 batters gotten out in a row. This one was ended on August 10 by the batter César Tovar
César Tovar
César Leonardo Tovar , nicknamed "Pepito" and "Mr. Versatility", was a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins , Philadelphia Phillies , Texas Rangers , Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees...
of the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. Tovar also got his team's only hit in Cuellar's one-hit shutout against the Twins.
During the baseball season of 1969, Cuellar achieved a win-loss record of 23–11, struck out 182 batters, and recorded an excellent 2.38 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. For his outstanding year, Cuellar tied the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
' pitcher Denny McLain
Denny McLain
Dennis Dale "Denny" McLain is a former American professional baseball player, and the last major league pitcher to win 30 or more games during a season —a feat accomplished by only thirteen players in the 20th century....
for the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
. Cuellar becoming the first pitcher born in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
to win the Cy Young Award. (Note that following this tie in the voting, the system for voting was changed in a way that did not eliminate the chances for ties for the Cy Young Award, but it did make this tie far more unlikely. No two pitchers have ever tied for the Cy Young Award in either Major League since then.)
Cuellar started Game One of the very first American League Championship Series
1969 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 4, 1969 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MarylandIn the opener, 20-game winner Jim Perry held a 3–2 lead over the Orioles entering the ninth inning, Boog Powell tied the score with a smash over the right-field fence. Reliever Ron Perranoski, who worked in all three games,...
, in 1969 against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, but he recorded "no decision" for good or for bad in this game. The Orioles won this game 4–3 in 12 innings, well-after Cuellar had left the game. This was Cuellar's only appearance in this series while the Orioles were sweeping the Twins three games to none.
In the World Series
1969 World Series
The 1969 World Series was played between the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles, with the Mets prevailing in five games to accomplish one of the greatest upsets in Series history, as that particular Orioles squad was considered to be one of the finest ever...
against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, Cuellar won Game One in a 4–1 game, and he left Game Four after seven innings, trailing 1-0. However, the Orioles tied the game 1–1, giving Cuellar a "no decision" game, but the Mets won the game 2-1 in the tenth inning. In the next game, the completed the Mets' big upset in the World Series, winning the series four games to one.
Cuellar's win-loss record was 24–8 in with a 3.48 ERA and 190 strikeouts. Cuellar lead the league in victorues and in complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s, but he finished just in fourth place in rather-odd voting for the American League Cy Young Award. Once again, the Orioles swept the American League Championship Series in 1970 over the Minnesota Twins, three games to none. Cuellar's pitching was rather ineffective in Game 1 of the ALCS
1970 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 3, 1970 at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, MinnesotaBaltimore only had to use their bullpen once in the series when Dick Hall came on to relieve Mike Cuellar in Game 1. Dave McNally and Jim Palmer both pitched complete games in Games 2 and 3.The Twins...
, but Cuellar helped a huge amount with his bat. Cuellar hit the only grand slam home run by any pitcher in a League Championship Series thus far . Also, since the designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
has become so well established in the American league, it seems to be likely that no other AL pitcher will ever have the chance again.
Nevertheless, Cuellar did not pitch long enough to earn a win in this LCS, since the Orioles manager, Earl Weaver
Earl Weaver
Earl Sidney Weaver is a former Major League Baseball manager. He spent his entire 17-year managerial career with the Baltimore Orioles . Weaver was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.-Playing career:After playing for Beaumont High School in St...
, removed Cuellar from Game 1 during the fifth inning even though the Orioles had a 9–6 lead. Also, since the Orioles swept the Championship Series, there was no need for Cuellar to pitch in it again.
Cuellar had a rocky start in Game 2 of the 1970 World Series
1970 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 10, 1970 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioThe Jackson 5 performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the game, which almost became an embarrassment when the group realized shortly before their performance that they weren't familiar with the lyrics...
, with Weaver again pulling him out of the game again, this time in the third inning. Cuellar was again hit hard early in Game 5, giving up 3 runs in the first inning. Cuellar and his pitching coach decided to stop thowing his screwball for the rest of the game that day. Pitching with just his fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
, curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
, and changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
, Cuellar shut out the Reds for the next eight innings to defeat them 9–3. Thus, the Orioles were World Series Champions, winning four games to one.
In , Cuellar's regular-season win-loss record was 20–9 with a 3.08 ERA and 124 strikeouts as the Orioles won the American League Eastern Division
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
for the third year in a row. Then, in the American League Championship Series
1971 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Sunday, October 3, 1971 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MarylandDave McNally, a 20-game winner for the fourth season in a row, survived a rocky start to win the opener. He trailed, 3–0, after four innings pitched, giving up three doubles and a triple. The A's had McNally tottering in the...
against the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, Cuellar won Game Two by the score of 5–1.
However, Cuellar pitched and was the losing pitcher in Game Three and Game Seven of the 1971 World Series
1971 World Series
The 1971 World Series matched the defending champion Baltimore Orioles against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with the Pirates winning in seven games. Game 4, played in Pittsburgh, was the first-ever World Series game scheduled to be played at night....
against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. Cuellar and the Orioles were narrowly edged in the decisive seventh game by a score of just 2–1. This was the very unusual year in which the Orioles had four twenty-game winners in their starting rotation, and their manager, Earl Weaver, decided to continue his usual pitching rotation that had already been established.
During 1969–73, Cuellar was a part of a very strong pitching staff, teaming with Jim Palmer
Jim Palmer
James Alvin "Jim" Palmer , nicknamed "Cakes", is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in .As of 2008, Palmer and his wife Susan have homes in Palm Beach, Florida, and...
and Dave McNally to form the heart of the finest starting rotation that he Orioles have ever had. These three pitchers combined for eight individual twenty-victory seasons in the three years of 1969 through 71, and they racked up a combined win-loss record of 188–72 (0.723 winning percentage) record—while the rest of the Orioles' pitching staff recorded a very good 130–92 record (0.586 winning percentage).
In 1971, Pat Dobson
Pat Dobson
Patrick Edward Dobson, Jr. was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers , San Diego Padres , Baltimore Orioles , Atlanta Braves , New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians...
joined the Orioles, and he posted a 20–8 record as a starting pitcher, forming the Orioles' one-year-only "Big Four" of 20-game winners. Only one other team in major league history, the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, has ever had four 20-game winners.
Cuellar's baseball career from 1972 onwards
Cuellar won of 18 games apiece in both of the baseball seasons of and . In 1972, the Orioles did not make it to the playoffs, but they were back again in 1973. Unfortunately, in Game Three of the American League Championship Series1973 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 6, 1973 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MarylandIn Game 1, Jim Palmer spent 16 minutes retiring the side in the top of the first inning. He walked the first two batters and struck out the next three. The Orioles went to work against lefty Vida Blue and his...
, Cuellar pitched all of quite long 11-inning game, but he lost by a score of 2–1 to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
.
Cuellar had a great pitching season in , finishing with a win-loss record of 22–10, with a 3.11 ERA, but with just 106 strikeouts. Cuellar pitched 20 complete games, including five shutouts, but just earning sixth place in the quite odd Cy Young Award voting that year. The Orioles won the Eastern Division once again, and they faced off again in the 1974 American League Championship Series
1974 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 5, 1974 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, CaliforniaThe Birds jumped all over the ace of the Oakland staff, Catfish Hunter, pounding him for six runs and eight hits, including three homers in less than five innings. Hunter had a skein of seven straight...
against the Oakland Athletics, who had established a dynasty of their own in the Western Division, winning the division four years in a row, and going to the World Series three years in a row.
Cuellar split a pair of decisions against the Athletics, winning in Game One, but losing the decisive Game Four, and hence the Championship Series three games to one – with the final game again resulting in a very tight 2–1 final score.
After the followsing two sub-par seasons, Cuellar was released by Baltimore. He signed up as a free agent with the California Angels in . Cuellar was released that May after appearing in only two games. Attempting a comeback at age 42 in , he had a combined 7–6 record with three clubs in the Puerto Rican League
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
and Mexican Leagues.
During his 15-season career Cuellar had a win-loss record of 185–130 with a 3.14 ERA, 1632 strikeouts, 172 complete games, 36 shutouts, and 11 saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
in 453 games and 2808 innings pitched. In five American League Championship Series and in three World Series, Cuellar won four games and lost four with 56 strikeouts and a 2.85 ERA in 12 games.
Also, on August 10, 1971, Cuellar threw the pitch that Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Clayton Killebrew , nicknamed "Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon", was an American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder. During his 22-year career in Major League Baseball , he played for the Washington Senators, a team which later became the Minnesota Twins, and...
hit for his 500th career home run.
In a 1976 Esquire
Esquire (magazine)
Esquire is a men's magazine, published in the U.S. by the Hearst Corporation. Founded in 1932, it flourished during the Great Depression under the guidance of founder and editor Arnold Gingrich.-History:...
magazine article, sportswriter Harry Stein published an "All Time All-Star Argument Starter," consisting of five ethnic baseball teams. Cuellar, a Cuban
Cubans
Cubans or Cuban people are the inhabitants or citizens of Cuba. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
, was the left-handed pitcher on Stein's Latino team.
After his baseball career ended, Cuellar resided in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, and he was an active participant in the Hispanic Heritage Month event.
Death
On April 2, 2010, Cuellar died of stomach cancerStomach cancer
Gastric cancer, commonly referred to as stomach cancer, can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus, lungs, lymph nodes, and the liver...
at the Orlando Regional Medical Center
Orlando Regional Medical Center
Orlando Regional Medical Center , is a 808-bed tertiary hospital in downtown Orlando, Florida.-External links:* Official Website* Official Website...
in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. He was the third of the Orioles' four 20-game winners in 1971 to perish, following Dave McNally
Dave McNally
David Arthur "Dave" McNally was a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher from until . He was signed by the Baltimore Orioles and played with them every season except for his final season with the Montreal Expos.McNally has the unique distinction as the only pitcher in Major League...
in 2002 and Pat Dobson
Pat Dobson
Patrick Edward Dobson, Jr. was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers , San Diego Padres , Baltimore Orioles , Atlanta Braves , New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians...
in 2006. Only Jim Palmer
Jim Palmer
James Alvin "Jim" Palmer , nicknamed "Cakes", is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in .As of 2008, Palmer and his wife Susan have homes in Palm Beach, Florida, and...
survives them.
Other career highlights
- A four-time member of the American League All-Star TeamMajor League Baseball All-Star GameThe Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
(1967, 1970–71, and 1974) - Led the American League in winning percentage in 1974.
- Finished eighth in the voting for the American League MVPMLB Most Valuable Player AwardThe Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America...
in 1969, and tenth in the voting for MVP in 1974. - Became the first player to hit a grand slamGrand slam (baseball)In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
in any League Championship Series in 1970 against the Minnesota Twins. He remains the only pitcher to hit a grand slam in any League Championship Series.
Quote
- I gave Mike Cuellar more chances than my first wife. – Earl WeaverEarl WeaverEarl Sidney Weaver is a former Major League Baseball manager. He spent his entire 17-year managerial career with the Baltimore Orioles . Weaver was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.-Playing career:After playing for Beaumont High School in St...
, former Orioles manager.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball wins champions
Sources
- The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia – Gary Gillette, Peter Gammons, Pete Palmer. Publisher: Sterling Publishing, 2005. Format: Paperback, 1824pp. Language: English. ISBN 1-4027-4771-3