Expansion Team Pitchers

[parlo]

I have always been interested in pitchers who put together good years on some very awful expansion teams. The W-L record may be bad, but their other numbers were good. Oftentimes, their best years came with these bad teams. We can include the first three years of a franchise.

Clay Kirby Padres
Al Jackson Mets
Steve Renko Expos

[dgarza]

Clay Kirby Padres

Dave Roberts might be a better example than Kirby.

[dgarza]

Tom Cheney of the "new" 60s Senators.

[dgarza]

Tom Cheney of the "new" 60s Senators.
Turk Farrell of the Colt .45s.
Omar Daal's 1998.

[125osprey]

Jerry Garvin did a pretty good job with the Blue Jays despite a horrible W/L record.

[parlo]

Dave Roberts might be a better example than Kirby.

I see your point. But I was thinking about Clay Kirbys 1971 season. 231 Ks 2.81 ERA

[parlo]

1971 Padres

Clay Kirby 15-13 2.83 ERA 13CG 2SHO 231Ks
Dave Roberts 14-17 2.10 ERA 14CG 2SHO 135Ks

[Chadwick]

I have always been interested in pitchers who put together good years on some very awful expansion teams. The W-L record may be bad, but their other numbers were good. Oftentimes, their best years came with these bad teams. We can include the first three years of a franchise.

Clay Kirby Padres
Al Jackson Mets
Steve Renko Expos

Best, by franchise:

Angels, 1961-1963
Dean Chance, 1962, 14-10, 2.96 ERA, 130 ERA+, 1.263 WHIP
Senators, 1961-1963
Dick Donovan, 1961 - 10-10, 2.40 ERA, 163 ERA+, 1.026 WHIP
Astros, 1962-1964
Bob Bruce, 1964, 15-9, 2.76 ERA, 124 ERA+, 1.107 WHIP
Mets, 1962-1964
Carl Willey, 1963, 9-14, 3.10 ERA, 111 ERA+, 1.191 WHIP
Expos, 1969-1971
Carl Morton, 1970, 18-11, 3.60 ERA, 114 ERA+, 1.426 WHIP
Brewers, 1969-1971
Lew Krausse, 1971, 8-12, 2.94 ERA, 118 ERA+, 1.253 WHIP
Padres, 1969-1971
Dave Roberts, 1971, 14-17, 2.10 ERA, 157 ERA+, 1.109 WHIP
Royals, 1969-1971
Mike Hedlund, 1971, 15-8, 2.71 ERA, 127 ERA+, 1.167 WHIP
Blue Jays, 1977-1979
Tom Underwood, 1979, 9-16, 3.69 ERA, 117 ERA+, 1.357 WHIP
Mariners, 1977-1979
Mike Parrott, 1979, 14-12, 3.77 ERA, 117 ERA+, 1.382 WHIP
Marlins, 1993-1995
Pat Rapp, 1995, 14-7, 4.12 ERA, 122 ERA+, 1.476 WHIP
Rockies, 1993-1995
Marvin Freeman, 1994, 10-2, 2.80 ERA, 178 ERA+, 1.207 WHIP
Diamondbacks, 1998-2000
Randy Johnson, 1999, 17-9, 2.48 ERA, 186 ERA+, 1.020 WHIP
Devil Rays, 1998-2000
Rolando Arrojo, 1998, 14-12, 3.56 ERA, 133 ERA+, 1.287 WHIP

[Iron Jaw]

Former Oriole Wally Bunker had a good year with the expansion Royals in 1969. Wally was the ace of the Royal staff, going 12-11, 222 innings, completing 10 games, 1 shutout and a 3.23 ERA. Wally, who had a fantastic rookie season with the Orioles as a 19 year old rookie in 1964, and threw a shutout against the Dodgers in the 1966 World Series, began to have arm problems in Baltimore. Enought to get a demotion to the minors in 1968. He came back at the end of that season, did a few relief stints, then, threw a shutout in one of two starts. The Royals drafted Bunker, and he had a good season - his arm troubles appeared to be behind him. But they returned in 1970, and his career would be over after the 1971 season, at age 26.

His Royal teammate, and also former Oriole teammate, Moe Drabowsky, was the ace of the Royal bullpen that season. Moe threw in 52 games, posted an 11-9 record in 98 innings, with 11 saves, 37 finishes, and a 2.94 ERA.

That same season, up in Seattle with the expansion Pilots, Diego Segui had an impressive stint as their ace relief pitcher.

[Buzzaldrin]

Cy Young, Boston 1901, 33-10 1.62 (216 ERA+), also led the league in Ks, WHIp, and shutouts.

I realize the whole league was expansion teams and not just Boston so it's kind of cheating to count, but what the heck, it was a mighty good year.

[parlo]

Thanks guys. There is some really great stuff on here.

Dave Roberts in 1971 was second only to Seaver in ERA.

Clay Kirby and Bill Stoneman (Expos) were 3 and 4 in Ks 1971.

Carl Morton had a great year in 1970 with the Expos. (died of a heart attack at 39)

[Brian McKenna]

Some very impressive stats were put up in the 19th century. Brooklyn moved from the AA to the NL in 1890 and captured the flag. Adonis Terry (26 wins), Tom Lovett (30) and Bob Caruthers (23) led the pitching staff.