At first glance, this might seem like a random group of pitchers from the second half of the last century. But, they share a certain notable season accomplishment of which no other hurlers can boast. What is it?
- Brian Anderson
- Rolando Arrojo
- Roger Craig
- Dick Donovan
- Clay Kirby
- Dave Lemanczyk
- Tony Saunders
- Bill Stoneman
Hint: one of these seasons is not like the others
For bonus marks, what career accomplishment distinguishes these pitchers among all major league moundsmen?
Pretty stumped so far. What’s the significance of the quiz title, I wonder?
The quiz title ties in with the hint provided and, looked at in a certain manner, also with the quiz solution.
Ah the old Ernie classic.
Positive or negative accomplishment?
Mostly negative, but there is one season that isn’t like the others.
It’s got something to do with the expansion draft.
Not about the draft, but definitely about expansion.
All of the pitchers led the league in a standard pitching stat the year after being drafted by the expansion teams. Mostly negative (walks, HR allowed, runs allowed), but Dick Donovan led in ERA.
That, besides expansion, are the only things I see in common.
Unless you have more hints to give, I’m out of ideas.
You’ve got it. Only pitchers with black ink playing for an expansion franchise in its maiden season. As you noted, only Dick Donovan had “good” black ink, leading in ERA, ERA+ and WHIP, one of 99 such pitchers since 1901, but one of only 7 on a losing team, and the only one for a sub-.400 club. It wasn’t black ink but Bill Stoneman twirled the first of his two no-hitters for the ’69 Expos, the only such game for an expansion team in its first season.
The second list are pitchers holding a franchise record for lowest career winning percentage (min. 60 decisions) accomplished in a stint including the franchise’s inaugural season. Bennie Daniels is notable on the list as Donavan’s teammate on the ’61 Senators and accomplishing the franchise worst W-L% despite leading the Sens as their only starter with a winning record in ’61.
Sometimes I don’t know how you come up with these but I’m glad you do.