Thursday, May 29, 2014

JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT- 1970'S BASEBALL TRIVIA PART #52




Thursday trivia time again!
And today we'll take a look at pitchers who just missed out on leading their league in one of the "big three" categories: wins, E.R.A.or strikeouts, something these guys never ended up doing in their careers.
The names may be familiar to you, but as league-leaders they could have had their names in spot-lights had their luck fared  just a little better.
Take a shot and see what you can get:
 1. This guy could have had a killer season in 1979 had he gotten his E.R.A just 0.05 lower to lead the National League, a year which saw him gain both 10+ wins and saves. Who was he?

2. This shaggy dude missed leading the National League in wins by one when he had a successful debut season North of the border in 1978. Who was he?

3. This guy toiled throughout the '70's for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but came within 0.05 of leading the league in E.R.A., finishing second behind John Denny of the Cardinals in 1976. Who is it?

4. This pitcher anchored the "Big Red Machine" teams of the mid-70's, yet never lead the league in any of the "big three" stats, but came within one win of doing so in 1974, settling for second place behind Andy Messersmith of the Dodgers and Phil Niekro of the Braves. Who was it?

5. Here's another Cincinnati Reds pitcher, and he came ever so close to denying Steve Carlton a pitching Triple Crown in 1972, posting an E.R.A. just 0.02 off the mark at 1.99. Who was it?

***SPOILER ALERT! ANSWERS BELOW: 


1. 
Tom Hume, Reds. He finished behind J.R. Richard of the Astros.

2. 
Ross Grimsley, Expos. Gaylord Perry lead the league with 21 that year.

3.
Doug Rau.

4.
Jack Billingham, who posted 19 wins that year.

5.
Gary Nolan.