Simultaneously, as I start this tribute to the superb pitcher, Ken Holtzman, who happened to be Jewish and sadly died yesterday, too young at age 78, I am listening to the audio of an excellent article by Ed Sherman, that appeared in the Chicago Tribune 50 years after, recalling a legendary 1966 pitching duel between Mr. Holtzman and the great Sandy Koufax, who also happens to be Jewish. (Noting that the female computer voice is pronouncing Sandy’s name as COWfax–thus I will not link audio, but the old fashioned newspaper).
Ken Holtzman’s achievements as a baseball pitcher are worthy of “Hall” status, certainly, relative to some or many, who got there, while Ken, ostensibly has not even been considered.
Titles, while not end all (something I have often failed to recognize), nevertheless are telling and to me, by any measure, more than telling.
Holtzman was a major part of the three consecutive Oakland A’s titles (1972-1974), winning one World Series game in each of those seasons, including THE game (ode to Duane Thomas who correctly “poured water” on the assertion that the Super Bowl is the “ultimate game” as it is played every year. #7 W.S. is not, however of course has happened many times), #7 of the 1973 World Series vs the New York Mets.
Later he was on the 1977, first in 15 years after 20 such in 40, New York Yankees’ 1977 title team though he did not appear in the post-season.
Before that, Holtzman pitched 2 no-hitters for the Chicago Cubs, went (9-0) pitching on weekends while in the National Guard in 1967 and back to that game vs Sandy, the Cubs and Kenny won (2-1) vs the Dodgers, who were battling for the N.L. crown.
Holtzman, according to the article/audio, unaware of the situation, until the 8th inning, took a no-hitter and a (2-0) lead to the 9th, before holding on for a (2-1) win, that meant and hopefully means so much to Mr. Holtzman, as we look optimistically, to his being in a better place.
The classy, superb $$ pitcher, Ken Holtzman, is pictured above.
As another tribute, since many, maybe most pitchers, from a day when they batted, like to hear about their rare (in most cases), at-bat successes, Ken Holtzman delivered big hits, as “they” and likely Curt Gowdy or Monte Moore intoned on the telecast, “helping his own cause,” in both #’s 1 and the winner take all, #7 of the ’73 World Series.
In the latter, his one out double– B3, was followed by Bert Campaneris’ 2RHR and later in the inning, by Reggie’s (Jackson) such and Oakland, now regrettably in its 57th but final season as Athletics’ home city, was well on their way to the second of three consecutive crowns.
3 crowns all with three excellent starting pitchers, now sadly all gone, far too soon, Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Vida Blue and now Ken Holtzman.
Andy B Sports
1973 World Series, Chicago TRibune, Curt Gowdy, Duane Thomas, Duane Thomas comments on the "ultimate game", Ed Sherman, Ed Sherman article on Ken Holtzman vs Sandy Koufax pitching duel September 25 1966, Ed Sherman Chicago Tribune, Jim Catfish Hunter, Ken Holtzman, Ken Holtzman dies, Oakland Athletics, Sandy Koufax, Vida Blue
Remembering Ken Holtzman
Simultaneously, as I start this tribute to the superb pitcher, Ken Holtzman, who happened to be Jewish and sadly died yesterday, too young at age 78, I am listening to the audio of an excellent article by Ed Sherman, that appeared in the Chicago Tribune 50 years after, recalling a legendary 1966 pitching duel between Mr. Holtzman and the great Sandy Koufax, who also happens to be Jewish. (Noting that the female computer voice is pronouncing Sandy’s name as COWfax–thus I will not link audio, but the old fashioned newspaper).
Ken Holtzman’s achievements as a baseball pitcher are worthy of “Hall” status, certainly, relative to some or many, who got there, while Ken, ostensibly has not even been considered.
Titles, while not end all (something I have often failed to recognize), nevertheless are telling and to me, by any measure, more than telling.
Holtzman was a major part of the three consecutive Oakland A’s titles (1972-1974), winning one World Series game in each of those seasons, including THE game (ode to Duane Thomas who correctly “poured water” on the assertion that the Super Bowl is the “ultimate game” as it is played every year. #7 W.S. is not, however of course has happened many times), #7 of the 1973 World Series vs the New York Mets.
Later he was on the 1977, first in 15 years after 20 such in 40, New York Yankees’ 1977 title team though he did not appear in the post-season.
Before that, Holtzman pitched 2 no-hitters for the Chicago Cubs, went (9-0) pitching on weekends while in the National Guard in 1967 and back to that game vs Sandy, the Cubs and Kenny won (2-1) vs the Dodgers, who were battling for the N.L. crown.
Holtzman, according to the article/audio, unaware of the situation, until the 8th inning, took a no-hitter and a (2-0) lead to the 9th, before holding on for a (2-1) win, that meant and hopefully means so much to Mr. Holtzman, as we look optimistically, to his being in a better place.
Click below to read Ed Sherman’s fine article.
Sandy Koufax vs. Ken Holtzman: The 1966 matchup of two Jewish …
The classy, superb $$ pitcher, Ken Holtzman, is pictured above.
As another tribute, since many, maybe most pitchers, from a day when they batted, like to hear about their rare (in most cases), at-bat successes, Ken Holtzman delivered big hits, as “they” and likely Curt Gowdy or Monte Moore intoned on the telecast, “helping his own cause,” in both #’s 1 and the winner take all, #7 of the ’73 World Series.
In the latter, his one out double– B3, was followed by Bert Campaneris’ 2RHR and later in the inning, by Reggie’s (Jackson) such and Oakland, now regrettably in its 57th but final season as Athletics’ home city, was well on their way to the second of three consecutive crowns.
3 crowns all with three excellent starting pitchers, now sadly all gone, far too soon, Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Vida Blue and now Ken Holtzman.
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