Ken Holtzman, renowned for his illustrious Major League Baseball (MLB) career, including four World Series victories and two memorable no-hitters, has passed away at the age of 78, as announced by the Chicago Cubs on social media Monday.
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Holtzman’s brother, Bob Holtzman, disclosed to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he passed away on Sunday night, April 14, 2024, after a three-week hospitalization due to heart complications.
Hailing from the St. Louis area, Holtzman excelled at the University of Illinois before ascending to become a two-time All-Star in MLB.
The left-handed pitcher achieved a notable 174-150 record and maintained a 3.49 ERA during his tenure from 1965 to 1979, representing teams such as the Athletics, Cubs, New York Yankees, and Baltimore Orioles.
Notably, Holtzman’s career surpassed that of the legendary Sandy Koufax, with Holtzman securing nine more victories than the Dodgers’ icon, who boasted a 165-87 record over 12 seasons.
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During his seven-year stint with the Cubs, Holtzman showcased his prowess with back-to-back 17-win seasons and clinched no-hitters against Atlanta at Wrigley Field on Aug. 19, 1969, and at Cincinnati on June 3, 1971.
His no-hitter against Atlanta remains the most recent in MLB history without recording a strikeout.
Following the 1971 season, Holtzman was traded to the Oakland Athletics for Rick Monday, joining forces with Vida Blue and Catfish Hunter to form a formidable rotation that led the Athletics to three consecutive World Series victories starting in 1972.
He earned All-Star selections in 1972 and 1973, securing a career-high 21 wins in 1973.
Subsequently, Holtzman transitioned to the Baltimore Orioles after being traded along with Reggie Jackson on April 2, 1976, and was later traded to the New York Yankees within the same season.
He clinched another championship ring with the Yankees in 1977, although he did not partake in the playoffs, and returned to the Cubs during the 1978 season.
The Chicago Cubs expressed deep sorrow, extending their condolences to Ken’s family and friends during this challenging time.
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