Lynn McGlothen
Encyclopedia
Lynn Everett McGlothen was a starting pitcher
in Major League Baseball
. From 1972 through 1981, McGlothen played for the Boston Red Sox
(1972–73), St. Louis Cardinals
(1974–76), San Francisco Giants
(1977-1978[start]), Chicago Cubs
(1978[end]-1981[start]), Chicago White Sox
(1981[end]) and New York Yankees
(1982). He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.
In an 11-season career, McGlothen posted an 86-93 record with 939 strikeout
s and a 3.98 ERA
in 1492.2 innings
.
A native of Monroe, Louisiana
, McGlothen pitched in part of two seasons for the Boston Red Sox. He had his first full season with the Cardinals in 1974, finishing 16-12 with a 2.70 ERA and an All-Star berth. He had 15 and 13 wins in 1975 and 1976, respectively, and was sent to the Giants before 1977.
On August 19, 1975, McGlothen struck out three batters on nine pitches in the second inning of a 2-1 win over the then powerful Cincinnati Reds. It is a common misconception that McGlothen became the 11th National League pitcher and the 18th pitcher in Major League history to accomplish the nine-strike/three-strikeout half-inning
feat, but in actuality he yielded a single to left field by Tony Perez to begin the inning.
Hampered by a shoulder problem, McGlothen spent much of 1977 on the disabled list
and was sent to the Cubs in the 1978 midseason. He won 13 for the Cubs in 1979 and 12 in 1980, but elbow problems limited him to a total of six starts with the Cubs and White Sox the following year before closing out his career with the Yankees in 1982.
McGlothen was killed in a fire in Dubach, Louisiana
, at age 34.
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. From 1972 through 1981, McGlothen played for the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1972–73), St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1974–76), San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(1977-1978[start]), Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(1978[end]-1981[start]), Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1981[end]) and New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
(1982). He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.
In an 11-season career, McGlothen posted an 86-93 record with 939 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and a 3.98 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 1492.2 innings
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
.
A native of Monroe, Louisiana
Monroe, Louisiana
Monroe is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208, but 51,636...
, McGlothen pitched in part of two seasons for the Boston Red Sox. He had his first full season with the Cardinals in 1974, finishing 16-12 with a 2.70 ERA and an All-Star berth. He had 15 and 13 wins in 1975 and 1976, respectively, and was sent to the Giants before 1977.
On August 19, 1975, McGlothen struck out three batters on nine pitches in the second inning of a 2-1 win over the then powerful Cincinnati Reds. It is a common misconception that McGlothen became the 11th National League pitcher and the 18th pitcher in Major League history to accomplish the nine-strike/three-strikeout half-inning
Pitchers who struck out three batters on nine pitches
In Major League Baseball, 43 pitchers have thrown a nine-pitch, three-strikeout half-inning, throwing nothing but strikes...
feat, but in actuality he yielded a single to left field by Tony Perez to begin the inning.
Hampered by a shoulder problem, McGlothen spent much of 1977 on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
and was sent to the Cubs in the 1978 midseason. He won 13 for the Cubs in 1979 and 12 in 1980, but elbow problems limited him to a total of six starts with the Cubs and White Sox the following year before closing out his career with the Yankees in 1982.
McGlothen was killed in a fire in Dubach, Louisiana
Dubach, Louisiana
Dubach is a town in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 800 at the 2000 census. Dubach High School, located centrally in the town, is noted for fielding good athletic teams in basketball and often defeats teams from much larger towns and cities...
, at age 34.