Maloney, because I listened to a Giants-Reds game as a kid. Maloney was putting up zeroes and throwing hard, matching the Giants hurler who I forgot threw that day.
The Giants ended up winning the game. During the post-game interview, Willie McCovey was asked how hard Maloney was throwing, he responded, "When the ball came out of his hand it was a baseball, when it got to the plate, it was an aspirin."
Loved it.
Anyway, I racked my mind and couldn't think of one great long-time pitcher who EVER threw for the Reds.
No, Jack Billingham does not count.
So, I looked it up and here is the list of Hall of Fame pitchers that have thrown for the Reds since the live ball era started in 1920...
Tom Seaver
Dazzy Vance
That's it!
Cincinnati has never had that one starter who has defined the team that started baseball.
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With the steroid era of the 90's and early 2000's and the ball jumping out of smaller baseball fields since, most offensive baseball records are in peril.
There is one that is not, nor probably ever will be.
Triples.
With baseball fields smaller and with less 'nuances', triples have decreased.
In 2017, three players had 10 or more triples.
In 1927, the 'Murderers Row' year, 25 players had 10 or more triples.
By the way, Lou Gehrig finished that year, first in doubles, second in triples, and second in home runs.
117 of his 218 hits went for extra bases.
Gehrig and Stan Musial are the only two players that can boast of being in the top 50 in doubles, triples, and home runs.
One of the best players of our era is Albert Pujols.
Pujols has played 16 years. He has 16 triples.
Anyway, triples have dried up.
The stadiums are built smaller and similar.
Players do not hustle out of the box. preferring to watch the ball's flight.
We have lived in a long era since the 90's where home runs are king.
So, it is not surprising that just one player who has played since the turn of the century is even in the top 100 of most triples.
Steve Finley.
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Personal opinion, I've never liked Don Sutton.
Never thought much of him as a pitcher and I can't stand listening to him as a broadcaster.
Sutton mastered the art of longevity as a player.
He had 20 years of throwing over 200 innings and even won 20 games once.
Sutton was a good pitcher in an era of great pitchers.
His longevity in the game resulted in a trip to the Hall of Fame.
Longevity is rewarded like that in our game.
We revere players for being good and lasts a long time.
We almost idolize those performing great and lasting a long time. We never think about the other side of the long lasting careers.
Here are a few examples....
Sutton won over 300 games....HE LOST 256!
Pete Rose is the all time hit king...Pete Rose is the all time out maker.
Nolan Ryan struck out almost 800 more batters than any other pitcher...
Nolan Ryan walked almost 1,000 more hitters than any other pitcher...
Cy Young had more Wins in baseball than any other pitcher....and more losses.
The five pitchers who allowed the most bases on balls?
They are all in the Hall of Fame.
1. Nolan Ryan
2. Steve Carlton
3. Phil Niekro
4. Early Wynn
5. Bob Feller
