Kirk McCaskill arrived in Anaheim in 1985, a Canadian multi-sport athlete who chose baseball over hockey. Though not as famous as some 1980s pitchers, he offered the California Angels reliable technical skill vital for their mid-1980s success.
McCaskill helped the Angels win the 1986 division, winning 17 games with a 3.36 ERA. He showed durability, recording ten complete games and proving he was more than a supplemental starter for a championship team. After two sub-par seasons, McCaskill had his best season, where he went 15-10 with a 2.93 ERA that was good enough for fifth in the American League. While he recorded another 15-win season, his value was best reflected in his specialized durability, as he tossed over 210 innings and led the staff in quality starts.
Following the 1991 season, McCaskill hit the open market as a proven, high-volume starter with a pedigree for durability. The Chicago White Sox, looking to solidify a rotation behind Jack McDowell and Alex Fernandez, offered a lucrative three-year deal. As an Angel, McCaskill had a 78-74 record, 747 strikeouts, and a 3.86 ERA.
Comments powered by CComment