Charlie Hough, Bob O'Brien, Mike Strahler The Dodger farm system was a gold mine with
star hitters in the 1ate 1960’s and early
1970’s…not so much with pitching….Exception to the rule was Charlie Hough a
knuckleballer who got his first taste of the LA Dodger scene 1970 at age
22….Charlie did not reach regular status until 1973 with middle
relief…established himself as closer in 1976-77…relegated to secondary bullpen
duties in light of injuries and trials as a starter….career ascends with trade
to Texas in 1981….becomes firmly entrenched
in starting rotation circa 1982…reaches double figure wins for 10
consecutive years….at age 43 moves to White Sox via free agency for two years
holding his own in the rotation….last venture in free agency Hough lands
himself in the fledging Florida Marlin franchise…. Was the starter in their
first game ever…got the win in a quality start against LAD….hung up cleates in
1994 age 46….with his incredible longevity hold marks that may not be
broken….finish career at an even 216-216 W-L the highest number of win to do
so….plus last pitcher to start 40 games…only pitcher to start and relieve over
400 games….Sometimes a good a hitter with a .313 clip over 4 years… self
admittedly would have no where without the Knuckleball…. Bob O’Brien’s station
in MLB was over by the time this card came….went 2-2 in MLB play 1971 ….lost
effectiveness in minors that year and the rest of his playing days….career
highlight was being included in a deal for Frank Robinson ….minor league play
ended in….prospects good for Mike Strahler….at the conclusion of 1971 had
logged in 31 innings with 2.01 ERA over two call ups….unfortunately quality of
work declined slowly and never able to find a foothold to steady work….spent
1972 with a 1-2 record and 3.47 ERA over 47 innings…traded twice once off
season, once at the beginning of 1973 finally
landing in Detroit….last and prolific work of career going 80 innings
with 4.56 ERA….eventually faded from view.
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