John Candelaria, also known as "The Candy Man," was a left-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for 19 seasons. He was born on November 6, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Puerto Rico. Candelaria was known for his tall stature, standing at 6'7", and his powerful fastball.
Candelaria began his professional baseball career in 1972 when he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round of the amateur draft. He made his major league debut in 1975 and quickly established himself as a dominant pitcher. In his rookie season, he had a record of 8-6 with a 2.76 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 123 innings pitched.
Over the course of his career, Candelaria played for several teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels, New York Mets, Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He was a two-time All-Star, in 1977 and 1984, and won a World Series championship with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979.
Candelaria's best season came in 1977 when he had a record of 20-5 with a 2.34 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 230 innings pitched. He finished second in the National League Cy Young Award voting that year, behind Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Throughout his career, Candelaria was known for his fiery personality and his willingness to stand up for his teammates. He was involved in several on-field altercations, including a brawl with the Atlanta Braves in 1985 that resulted in a suspension for both teams.
Candelaria retired from baseball in 1993 with a career record of 177-122 and a 3.33 ERA. He had 1,475 strikeouts in 2,526 innings pitched. After his playing career, he worked as a pitching coach for several minor league teams and also served as a special assistant to the general manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In conclusion, John Candelaria was a dominant left-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for 19 seasons. He was known for his powerful fastball, his fiery personality, and his willingness to stand up for his teammates. He had a career record of 177-122 and a 3.33 ERA and was a two-time All-Star and a World Series champion.
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