Strikeout Leaders (1968) $510

Beyond the Glory: https://youtu.be/hQ1RFzwdBTM

Dennis Dale McLain (born in Markham, IL on March 29, 1944) is an American former professional baseballplayer. He was a pitcher in Major League Baseball for ten seasons, most notably for the Detroit Tigers. In 1968, McLain became the most recent Major League Baseball pitcher to win 30 or more games during a season (with a record of 31–6) — a feat accomplished by only 11 players in the 20th century.

Baseball History Digest: https://youtu.be/snfCHD8lTEU

Samuel Edward Thomas McDowell (born in Pittsburgh, PA on September 21, 1942), is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a starting pitcher from 1961 to 1975, most notably for the Cleveland Indians. A six-time All-Star, McDowell led the American League in strikeouts five times. Tall (6 feet, 5 inches) and powerful, his left-handed fastball was delivered with an unusually calm pitching motion which led to his memorable nickname, Sudden Sam.

Career Highlights: https://youtu.be/4lpk3BZuKtA

Luis Clemente Tiant Vega (born in Marianao, Cuba on November 23, 1940) is a Cuban former Major League Baseball (MLB) right-handed starting pitcher. He pitched in MLB for 19 years, primarily for the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox. Tiant compiled a 229–172 record with 2416 strikeouts, a 3.30 ERA, 187 complete games, and 49 shutouts in 3486+1⁄3 innings. He was an All-Star for three seasons and 20-game winner for four seasons. He was the American League (AL) ERA leader in 1968 and 1972. He also was the AL leader in strikeouts per nine innings pitched in 1967 and the AL leader in shutouts in 1966, 1968, and 1974. He was inducted to the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997, the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2002, the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009, and the Baseball Reliquary’s Shrine of the Eternals in 2012. Tiant was considered for election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame via voting of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America from 1988 to 2002, and by the Hall of Fame’s era committees in 2011, 2014, and 2017, falling short of the required votes for induction each time.

Strikeout Leaders (1971). $40+

Pack Robert Gibson (Born in Omaha, NE on November 9, 1935-October 2, 2020) began his professional career playing baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and basketball for the Harlem Globetrotters where he was “Bullet Bob Gibson.” Bob Gibson, “Gibby” played his entire 17-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals (1959-1975). Gibson established himself as one of the great power pitchers in his time, brushing batters back and “owning” the plate with two separate fastballs, sliders and sweeping curveballs. In 1968, Gibson posted a remarkable record 1.12 ERA for the season earning him his first of two National League Cy Young Awards, the league’s Most Valuable Player award and his third NL pennant. Gibson appeared in three World Series with the Redbirds, winning the titles in 1964 and 1967, and pitching to a 7-2 record with 92 strikeouts including 17 in Game 1of the 1968 Series. Gibson’s extraordinary performance in the 1968 campaign in often credited for the pitcher’s mound being lowered by five inches in 1969, taking partial advantage back from the pitcher and “leveling the playing field.” Bob Gibson retired with a record of 251-174 adding 3,117 strikeouts and posting a career 2.91 ERA. His 1968 record ERA of 1.12 remains the mark to which pitchers aim. Pack Robert Gibson was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981.

Ferguson Jenkins (Born in Chatham, Ontario on December 13, 1943-) was the first Chicago Cubs pitcher and first Canadian to win the Cy Young Award. Fergie won 20 games in his first full season with the Chicago Cubs, earning a second place finish for the 1967 National League Cy Young Award voting, and award he would later win in 1971. He was also named the 1971 National League TSN Pitcher of the Year. The 1967 campaign began a stretch of six straight 20-win seasons, and seven out of eight from 1967-1974. Jenkins was a premier pitcher for 19 seasons primarily with the Chicago Cubs (1966-1973, 1982-1983), the Texas Rangers (1974-1975, 1978-1981) and the Boston Red Sox (1976-1977). Though somewhat prone to give up the long ball, leading the league in home runs allowed seven times, he was a workhorse who led the league in complete games four times, games started three times and twice in wins. The three-time All-Star selection is among three pitchers to record 3,000 strikeouts or more while allowing fewer than 1,000 walks in a career. Fergie Jenkins retired with a record of 284-226 with 3,192 strikeouts and a career 3.34 earned run average. Ferguson Jenkins was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.

George Thomas “Tom” Seaver (Born in Fresno, CA on November 17, 1944-August 31, 2020) was the 1967 National League Rookie of the Year posting a 16-13 record adding 170 strikeouts and a throwing to a 2.76 ERA. Dubbed “The Franchise” by the Mets, Tom pitched 20 seasons for the Mets (1967-1977, 1983), the Cincinnati Reds (1977-1982), the Chicago White Sox (1984-1986) and the Boston Red Sox (1986). Seaver is the only player to have his number retired by the Mets organization, though Gil Hodges played for the club, his number was retired as a manager. Tom was a 12-time All-Star selection, three-time Cy Young Award winner (1969, 1973, 1975) and twice was a member of the NL pennant winners. In 1969, Seaver was the ace of the Mets pitching staff that also included Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan that won 100 games en route to the World Series title over the Baltimore Orioles. In 1978, Tom threw a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals. Tom Seaver led the league three times in wins and ERA and five times in strikeouts. Tom Terrific compiled a record of 311-205 with 3,640 strikeouts and a 2.86 ERA over 20 seasons. George Thomas Seaver was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992 by the highest percentage ever recorded, 98.8%.