Campbell was putting together two straight monster seasons out of the bullpen, the first for the Minnesota Twins, the second with the Boston Red Sox, in 1976 and 1977 respectively.
In 1976 with Minnesota, he posted an incredible record of 17-5 with a 3.01 earned run average over 78 appearances and 167.2 innings pitched, all out of the ‘pen. That performance would get him both Cy Young and MVP attention, and rightly so.
After being granted free agency in the Winter of ‘76, he’d bring his talents to Boston where he’d continue his success, going 13-9 with a league-leading 31 saves and a 2.96 ERA over 69 appearances.
30 wins and 51 saves in two seasons and 307 innings! Just amazing how relievers were used back then.
He’d end up putting in 15 years as a Major Leaguer, finishing with exactly 700 appearances along with a 83-68 record and 126 saves.
