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254. Andy Messersmith

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254. Andy Messersmith
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: August 6, 1945 in Toms River, NJ USA
  • Weight: 200 lbs.
  • Height: 6'1"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: July 04, 1968
  • Final Game: June 01, 1979
  • Gold Glove - 1974
  • TSN All-Star - 1974
  • Gold Glove - 1975
  • Cy Young - 1971
  • Cy Young - 1974
  • Cy Young - 1975
  • MVP - 1969
  • MVP - 1974
  • MVP - 1975
 
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One of the better players of the 1970s who seemed to fly perpetually under the radar was Andy Messersmith, who finished in the top five in Cy Young votes three times.

The righthander made his first Major League appearance in 1968 with the California Angels, and he quickly found a spot in their rotation.  His best season with the Halos was in 1971, where he went 20-13, was an All-Star, and had an ERA of 2.99, and notably the two years before he led the American League in H/9.

Messersmith was traded to the Dodgers in 1973, where he was a massive part of their rotation, going to two more All-Star Games and leading the NL in Wins with 20 in 1974.  This was Messersmith's best year with a 2.59 ERA, a career-high 221 Strikeouts, and a league-leading 1.098 WHIP with a second-place finish in Cy Young voting.  The hurler was fifth in the year after, and after signing with Atlanta in 1976, he was an All-Star for the fourth and final time.  1976 would be the last good season of Messersmith's career, as his skills eroded, and he was out of baseball three years later. 

Messersmith compiled a 130-99 record with 1,625 Strikeouts and an ERA of 2.86.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Toms River, New Jersey, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Tuesday, 01 January 1985
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Played For: Atlanta Braves, California Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (None)  
    All-Star (4) (1971, 1974, 1975 & 1976)
    Gold Glove (2) (NL) (1974 & 1975)
    Most Wins (1) (NL) (1974)
    Lowest WHIP (1) (NL) (1974)
    Lowest H/9 (3) (AL) (1969 & 1970) (NL) (1975)
    Most Innings Pitched (1) (NL) (1975)
    Most Games Started (1) (NL) (1975)
    Most Complete Games (1) (NL) (1975)
    Most Shutouts (1) (NL) (1975)
    Lowest FIP (1) (AL) (1972)
    Highest Win Probability Added (1) (NL) (1974)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Pitcher (1) (AL) (1971)
  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Cy Young Finishes:
    (AL: 1971, 5th), (NL: 1974, 2nd) & (NL: 1975, 5th)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Pitchers)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (ERA)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Wins)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (WHIP)
    8 Top Ten Finishes (H/9)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (BB/9)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (SO/9)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Innings Pitched)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Strikeouts)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Games Started)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Complete Games)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Shutouts) 
    4 Top Ten Finishes (SO/BB)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (ERA+)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (FIP)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)
  • Notable All Time Rankings:

    7.   H/9: 6.937
    67. WHIP: 1.143
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame:

    1985: 0.8%
    1986: 0.7%
  • Should be Inducted As A: Los Angeles Dodger

Should Andy Messersmith be in the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 0%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 0%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 100%
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