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105. Frank Tanana

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105. Frank Tanana
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: July 3, 1953 in Detroit, MI USA
  • Weight: 180 lbs.
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: September 09, 1973
  • Final Game: October 01, 1993
  • TSN All-Star - 1976
  • TSN All-Star - 1977
  • Cy Young - 1975
  • Cy Young - 1976
  • Cy Young - 1977
  • MVP - 1976
  • MVP - 1978
 
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Frank Tanana won 240 career games, yet never seemed to be on the tip of the tongue when you think of all time great pitchers; or even really good ones. Yet, a closer look at the Michigan native shows a Pitcher whose career was a lot better than you may initially think.

Tanana began his career as a flame throwing pitcher who in the mid to late 70’s had been a Cy Young threat and led the AL in Strikeouts in 1975. His control was solid too, as his WHIP and ERA were among the top ten during that time frame. Like many pitchers, Frank Tanana’s arm gave out and at the age of 25, had to reinvent himself as a junkball pitcher. It wasn’t the quickest transformation, but he would emerge a s a dependable starter for Texas and later his home town Detroit Tigers.

The man who “threw in the 90’s in the 70’s, and threw in the 70’s in the 90’s” may not be a Hall of Fame Pitcher, but he deserved to have gotten a better total than the zero he received in his lone year of eligibility. 240 Wins has never seemed so undervalued.

Should Frank Tanana be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 54.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 17.8%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 17.8%
No opinion. - 0.6%
No way! - 9.4%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Friday, 01 January 1999
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Played For: Boston Red Sox, California Angels, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers
  • Major Accolades and Awards: World Series Champion (None)
    All-Star (3) (1976, 1977 & 1978)
    Highest bWAR for Pitchers (1) (AL) (1975)
    Lowest ERA (1) (AL) (1977)
    Lowest WHIP (1) (AL) (1976)
    Highest SO/9 (1) (AL) 1975)
    Most Strikeouts (1) (AL) (1975)
    Most Shutouts (1) (AL) (1977)
    Highest SO/BB (2) (AL) (1975 & 1976)
    Highest ERA+ (1) (AL) (1977)
    Lowest FIP (1) (AL) (1975)
    Highest Championship Win Probability Added (1) (AL) (1987)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Pitcher (6) (AL) (1978, 1980, 1984, 1987, 1989 & 1990)
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten Cy Young Finishes:
    (AL: 1975, 4th), (AL: 1976: 3rd) & (AL: 1979: 9th)  
    3  Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Pitchers)
    3  Top Ten Finishes (Earned Run Average)
    2  Top Ten Finishes (Wins)
    4  Top Ten Finsihes (WHIP)
    3  Top Ten Finishes (H/9)
    5  Top Ten Finishes (BB/9)
    5  Top Ten Finishes (SO/9)
    3  Top Ten Finishes (Innings Pitched)
    5  Top Ten Finishes (Strikeouts)
    3  Top Ten Finsihes (Games Started)
    2  Top Ten Finishes (Complete Games)
    7  Top Ten Finishes (Shutouts)
    8  Top Ten Finishes (SO/BB)
    4  Top Ten Finishes (ERA+)
    3  Top Ten Finishes (FIP)
    2  Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    1  Top Ten Finish (Championship Win Probability Added)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 18. Games Started: 616
    26. Strikeouts: 2,773
    35. Innings Pitched: 4,188.3
    59. Wins: 240
    75. WAR for Pitchers: 57.5
    83. Shutouts: 34
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: 1999: 0.0
  • Should be Inducted As A: California Angel

Should Frank Tanana be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 54.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 17.8%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 17.8%
No opinion. - 0.6%
No way! - 9.4%

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