#513 Lindy McDaniel

For the most part a career reliever, and for the most part a good one....a long  time veteran 21 seasons from 1955 to 1975....grew up in a deeply religious family in the Bible Belt...signed on by the Cardinals as a bonus baby right before he turned 20...according to the rules, had to be a Cardinal without benefit of minor league experience....worked way into starting rotation 1957 and was joined by brother Von midseason gaining noteriety...Lindy won 15 games....both brothers came up short in 1958 and both were sent to minor (Von never to return to MLB)....Lindy returns 1959 reinvented as a bullpen specialist....Very effective in 1960 leading NL in win pct and saves, getting AS nod and #3 in Cy Young voting...rare for closer....after two off seasons shipped to Cubs and returned to prominence during 1963....led league in saves and games finished....after two more seasons in Chi town, joined the Giants for 1966....after slow start in 1968 traded midseason to Yankees starting a six year relationship....alternated being the team’s top relief specialist with Jack Aker....Best season was 1970 with 29 saves where he and Jack Aker were best right handed bullpen in baseball….worst season was the following year with  5.01 ERA and 4 saves....performance prompted Yanks to acquire Sparky Lyle...in a support role was able to come back  for two fine seasons....Entering 19^th season was traded to KC for outfielder and future NY icon Lou Pinella....finished 6-5 in two seasons...never appeared in the post season.