Phungo Profile - Little League Coach Ken Holtzman

This past weekend I was out enjoying an adult beverage when I met someone who as a youngster knew Ken Holtzman - who was a pitcher for the Cubs and A's during the 60's and 70s.

The person mentioned that Holtzman was his little league coach that he was the best coach he had ever had.

I knew that Ken Holtzman was a pitcher of some significance but didn't know that much about him.  While he pitched until 1979, the best part of his career was in the books by 1976.

It didn't take much research to find out that Holtzman's career was very impressive.  The left-handed pitcher was a significant contributor to the Oakland A's World Series Championship run of the early 70s recording a 4-1 record across 8 World Series starts.  

He was a two time all-star who won 17+ games 6 of 7 seasons between 1969 and 1975.  Holtzman's career spanned 15 seasons.  He also pitched with the Yankees and Orioles.  Holtzman was once traded with Reggie Jackson.  

1967 Topps #185 Ken Holtzman

Holtzman was also a Jewish ballplayer.  Coming up as a left handed pitching prospect in the middle 60s compelled comparisons to Sandy Koufax.  The two pitchers eventually faced each other on the day after Yom Kippur, September 25 1966.  Holtzman took a No-Hitter into the 9th inning and defeated Koufax and the Dodgers 2-1.  It was the last regular season loss of Koufax's Hall of Fame career. 

Sandy Koufax Hall of Fame career had a higher peak, but it is worth mentioning that of the two pitchers Holtzman had more career victories (174 vs 165) and equaled the legend in World Series Victories (4)

Ken Holtzman Now

According to his Wikipedia Bio Holtzman managed in the Israeli Baseball League in 2007.  As of 2010 he still held the record for Career Wins by a Jewish pitcher.  

I am glad to hear that Holtzman is still involved in baseball, but mostly I was happy to find out that a star ballplayer could be great little league coach.  So often being athletically gifted doesn't translate in any way in coaching (or any other off field activity for that matter).  To have the ability and desire to coach kids is yet another admirable skill.

For the Collector 

The 1967 Topps card above is the Ken Holtzman Rookie Card.  It is slightly dinged in the corners but is otherwise in good condition.   Outside of Chicago the card is likely a common - likely can be found for .15 cents or less.  The text on the B-side of the 1967 Holtzman RC mentions the Koufax game mentioned above.


Sources:
Baseball-Refence Ken Holtzman Page 
Wikipedia Ken Holtzman Page 

Phungo Profile - Brett Myers

2000 Topps Traded #25 Brett Myers

Brett Myers went on the DL last week with an "Inflamed Right Hip" which will require surgery. The timetable for the injury is 10 to 12 weeks. I am not sure, but I think that is the amount of time he will be out before he can begin resuming pitching workouts. This means that there is a fair chance that Myers is done for the year.

I have mixed emotions about Myers. He has pitched well in stretches, and has also had sequences of equally miserable outings. He has had his share of grumbles and he may have only grudgingly accepted his assignments from the Phillies - but whenever he finally did accept whatever role that may be, Myers often excelled. He has been an innings eater, a Quality Starter, and a Closer and done all of those things well at times. His 2008 post season accomplishments included beating C C Sabathia both as a Pitcher and as a Hitter in game 2 of the 2008 NLDS.

And then there is the off the field Brett Myers, who once was arrested for a public altercation with his wife outside of Fenway Park in Boston. He has always been emotionally charged, which works both for and against him as a pitcher. I am not sure that he is any better at keeping those emotions in check off the field.

Brett Myers is in a contract year, and his season may be over. This means that there is a chance he may have thrown his last pitch as a Phillie. That doesn't sound fair, but that is part of the game.

I hope that Myers can return to the Phils. His past experience both as a starter and a reliever certainly allows him more avenues to contribute should he be able to return this year. If Myers comes back and is unable to start but can give the Phils some quality relief appearances that is certainly a better option than to having to trade for a Right-Handed Setup guy down the stretch.