Great out of the Gate

INbuc · Post by **INbuc** » Sat May 09, 2020 12:19 pm

Before we got cable in 1978, we would get one or two baseball games a week on TV. However, I could get all the Cubs, Reds, and Cardinals games on the radio. Anytime the Bucs played one of these teams I tuned in. And many nights I listened to the Reds and Cards just to get updated scores. One night in 1975, the Reds’ Marty Brenneman gave me the first review of a new Pirate pitcher after winning his first big league game. Brenneman said something like “John Candelaria is going to be a problem in this division for a long time.” In the middle of a decade long arms race between the Bucs and the Reds, I am sure Brenneman knew all about Candelaria’s arrival.

Candelaria had a great rookie season. But in that era, he wasn’t the only Pirate to have a strong rookie season. Don Robinson, Randy Tomlin, and Jose DeLeon were highly effective in their first seasons. A couple decades later, I remember Zach Duke had a similar type season.

I am sure forgot or left out others who were strong out of the gate, but I never forgot the five I mentioned. Does anyone else have memories of great Pirate rookie pitchers?

iwatch · Post by **iwatch** » Sat May 09, 2020 12:54 pm

In the mid to late 80’s I seem to recall Mike Dunne having a great rookie year. I was excited about his arrival as he had pitched on the US Olympic baseball team. Seems like he only lasted a few years but I don’t recall why

ArnoldRothstein · Post by **ArnoldRothstein** » Sat May 09, 2020 1:21 pm

Tim Wakefield's probably No. 1 on the list: 8-1 down the stretch, 2 complete game wins in the playoffs.

Sean Burnett was 5-2 with five straight wins before he fell back to 5-5. He was probably pitching hurt for the last month.

ArnoldRothstein · Post by **ArnoldRothstein** » Sat May 09, 2020 1:35 pm

Rich Loiselle had a decent cup of coffee in 1996, 20.2 innings. He got shoved into the closer role in 1997, because the team miraculously came up with six plausible starters, and rang up 29 saves.

2drfischer@gmail.c · Post by **2drfischer@gmail.c** » Sat May 09, 2020 3:25 pm

I remember Woodie Fryman having a fairly decent rookie season and who can forget Bruce Kison's impact in '71.

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Sat May 09, 2020 5:14 pm

George "Red" Witt 1958. 9-2, 1.61 ERA, 3 shutouts.

JollyRoger · Post by **JollyRoger** » Sun May 10, 2020 5:29 am

I remember John Smiley made the team in 1987 and pitched in relief. He was converted to a starter in 1988 and won 13 games.

Of course he would go on to become a 20 game winner with the Bucs in 1991

ChitownBucco · Post by **ChitownBucco** » Sun May 10, 2020 11:39 pm

I can't remember if Todd Ritchie was technically a rookie when he came over from (the twins I think) but he was close to a rookie and his is first year with the Pirates he had a very impressive first year.

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Mon May 11, 2020 12:44 am

6843425F445C45695E4848442B0 wrote: I can't remember if Todd Ritchie was technically a rookie when he came over from (the twins I think) but he was close to a rookie and his is first year with the Pirates he had a very impressive first year.
Ritchie was in the Twins BP for 2 years before the Bucs got him. But the Bucs made him as starter.