NOT REALLY MISSING IN ACTION- 1979 RICK SUTCLIFFE

Fun card to add to the blog today, a "not so missing" 1979 card for future NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young winner Rick Sutcliffe of the Los Angeles Dodgers:

 

Sutcliffe, who actually made his MLB debut in 1976 with a start of five innings as a 20-year-old, was back in the Big League for two games during the 1978 season, tossing 1.2 innings of shutout ball, allowing two hits while not factoring in a decision.

In 1979 he'd be back and would put in an award winning season when he posted a record of 17-10 over 39 games, 30 of those starts, with a 3.46 earned run average and a shutout.

Of course we all know how his career ended up, going on to pitch 18 years in the Majors, winning the Cy Young Award in 1984 when he was traded to the Chicago Cubs after the season started and proceeded to go 16-1 with a 2.69 ERA and three shutouts, leading the NL in wins with 18 in 1987, leading the AL in ERA with 2.96 in 1982 while with the Cleveland Indians, and making three All-Star games along the way.

By the time he was done after the 1994 season, he finished with a record of 171-139, with an ERA of 4.08 over 457 appearances, throwing 18 shutouts while striking out 1679 batters.

The man was a true workhorse.

NOT REALLY MISSING IN ACTION- 1977 RICK SUTCLIFFE

Fun card to add to the “wthballs” virtual collection, a 1977 “not so missing” card for Rick Sutcliffe of the Los Angeles Dodgers, future NL Rookie of the Year in 1979 and NL Cy Young Winner for the Chicago Cubs in 1984:

Sutcliffe appeared in one game during the 1976 season, pitching five innings of scoreless ball in his Big League debut, allowing only two hits and a walk along with three strikeouts.
He’d have to wait until 1979 to get a shot at full-time work, and he wouldn’t disappoint as he’d cruise to a Rookie of the Year season that saw him post a record of 17-10, with a 3.46 earned run average over 39 appearances, 30 of them starts, with five complete games and a shutout.
Of course, he’d end up putting in 18 seasons as a Major League pitcher, leading the AL in ERA in 1982 while with the Cleveland Indians, then on to his banner year of 1984 that saw him lead the Chicago Cubs to the NL East title when he went 16-1 after coming over in a trade from Cleveland.
He’d finish his career with a record of 171-139, with an ERA at 4.08 over 457 appearances, 392 of those starts, with 18 shutouts and six saves and three All-Star nods, before heading into broadcasting, something he still does for ESPN today.