Edward Thoma
Free Press Staff Writer
June 08, 2009 12:32 am
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In honor of Randy Johnson — who got his 300th win last week — and of Tom Glavine — who got released last week — today’s “Jeopardy” category is Left-handed Pitchers with 300 Wins.
Play along at home — and remember to state your answer in the form of a question.
1) Answer: He led his league in ERA a record nine times, in strikeouts seven times, in wins four times, in winning percentage five times.
Question: Who was Lefty Grove?
2) Answer: “Lefty” was once a common nickname for southpaws. This pitcher was so good, he retired the nickname.
Question: Who is Steve Carlton?
3) Answer: A mainstay of Connie Mack’s first dynasty, he never led the league in wins, ERA or strikeouts, and was never even regarded by Mack as the best pitcher on his team.
Question: Who was Eddie Plank?
4) Answer: He leads all pitchers who began their careers after Babe Ruth became an outfielder in career victories with 363.
Question: Who was Warren Spahn?
5) Question: A member of the greatest multi-season pitching rotation ever assembled, he won 20 games more often than the rest of his rotation mates combined.
Question: Who is Tom Glavine?
Double Jeopardy
6) Answer: He stands second only to Nolan Ryan in career strikeouts, and leads even Ryan in strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
Question: Who is Randy Johnson?
7) He won a Bronze Star and Purple Heart as a combat engineer in World War II before he won his first major league game.
Question: Who was Warren Spahn?
8) Answer: Of the six left-handed pitchers with 300 wins, he has, in postseason play, both the lowest ERA (1.32) and worst winning percentage (2-5, .285).
Question: Who was Eddie Plank?
9) Answer: He led the league in ERA, strikeouts, winning percentage and games started in 1929 — and was relegated to relief chores in the World Series.
Question: Who was Lefty Grove?
10) Answer: He is the only left-hander to win his first 300 games with one franchise.
Question: Who was Warren Spahn?
Final Jeopardy
11) He was identified by the Pioneer Press in a photo taken at the White House after his team won the World Series as an unnamed Secret Service agent.
Question: Who is Steve Carlton?
Edward Thoma is a Free Press staff writer. He is at 344-6377 or at ethoma@mankatofreepress.com. He also has a baseball blog at www.mankatofreepress.com/ethomabaseball
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