Dependable, consistent
longevity.....career forged out the 50’s lasting to the mid 70’s....trouble was
it took awhile with losing but noble with new edition of the Washington
Senators...plus work was plentiful....was able to garner a then franchise high
15 wins....Inning eater extraordinaire...11 straight seasons of 200+ innings
plus his last campaign....prime of career was spent in a LA residency bridging
the Kofax and Drysdale era to Sutton, Messersmith, Tommy John....a four pitch
craftman....Value as a Dodger was first proven by critical win in 1965 WS...trolled
along as a mainstay...top LA winner 1967 sans Koufax...Upped his game to 20
wins 1969 and repeated in 1972.... 1973 final season in Dodger blue won 16....With
so many starters Dodgers sent Claude to
Houston; performed at par but as Astros
sunk into mediocrity was traded to contending St Louis....mostly watched on
sidelines as Claude was relegated to bullpen....marked a 9-11 record for the
year 1974....Cards released him prior to 1975...was picked up by Chisox....opportunity
to benefit from coach Johnny Sain’s tutorship....turned out not to be....returned
prolific work (204 innings 37 starts) but was plagued by signs of age and wound
up 7-16 to finish off his career.
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