Pappas began his professional career with the Baltimore Orioles in 1957. He quickly established himself as a reliable starting pitcher, earning a spot in the All-Star game in both 1962 and 1965. During his nine seasons with the Orioles, Pappas won 110 games and helped the team reach the World Series in 1966, although he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds before the series began.
In 1966, Pappas was part of a blockbuster trade that sent him, along with Jack Baldschun and Dick Simpson, to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for future Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. Pappas spent two and a half seasons with the Reds, where he continued to be a solid, if unspectacular, starting pitcher.
In 1968, Pappas was traded to the Atlanta Braves, where he spent just half a season before being traded again, this time to the Chicago Cubs. It was with the Cubs that Pappas achieved one of his most notable career highlights. On September 2, 1972, he pitched a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, missing a perfect game by just one batter. He became the first Cubs pitcher to throw a no-hitter at Wrigley Field in nearly 50 years.
Pappas retired after the 1973 season with a career record of 209 wins and 164 losses. He had a career earned run average (ERA) of 3.40 and struck out 1,728 batters. Despite his impressive statistics, Pappas is often remembered for the trade that sent him to the Reds in exchange for Frank Robinson, a deal that is widely considered one of the most lopsided in baseball history. Nevertheless, Pappas remains one of only 123 pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball to win 200 or more games, a testament to his skill and longevity in the sport.
After his retirement, Pappas remained involved in baseball, working as a broadcaster and making appearances at baseball events. He was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame in 1985. Pappas passed away in 2016 at the age of 76. His legacy as a consistent and reliable pitcher endures, and he is remembered as one of the most successful pitchers of his era.
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2½ hours
Jul 7, 1971
During the 1971 season, the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers had notable performances...
Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers - Scully - Radio Broadcast / During the 1971 season, the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers had notable performances and competed fiercely for a spot in the playoffs. The Cubs showcased their offensive power and solid pitching, led by players like Ron Santo, Billy Williams, and Ernie Banks. They had a strong start to the season and remained in the playoff race throughout July. However, their pitching staff faced challenges at times, impacting their consistency and requiring improvement to maintain their competitive edge.
On the other hand, the Dodgers were renowned for their pitching dominance, with Sandy Koufax leading the way. Their strong bullpen and pitching rotation allowed them to shut down opponents effectively. Throughout July, the Dodgers continued to perform consistently, relying on their pitching staff to secure crucial victories and maintain their position as a formidable force in the National League.
In July, both teams were determined to secure a strong position in their divisions. The Dodgers' pitching staff stood out as their main strength, ensuring they remained a top contender. Conversely, the Cubs relied on their offensive prowess, but they encountered difficulties due to inconsistencies in their pitching performances. Despite the challenges faced by both teams, they remained in contention for a playoff berth, making the 1971 season an exciting and competitive one for fans and players alike.
2½ hours
Sep 2, 1960Sep 2, 1960
On September 2, 1960, the Baltimore Orioles hosted the New York...
New York Yankees vs Baltimore Orioles - Radio Broadcast / On September 2, 1960, the Baltimore Orioles hosted the New York Yankees at Memorial Stadium for a day game. the Orioles opened the scoring in the first inning with a run from Brandt, driven in by a double from Robinson. the Yankees couldn't respond, despite a single from Kubek, as Maris grounded into a double play. the second inning saw both teams held scoreless, with the Yankees striking out twice and the Orioles leaving two on base.
the game progressed with the Orioles gradually extending their lead. They added two runs in the fourth inning, another in the fifth off a solo home run from Dropo, and a final run in the seventh inning. Meanwhile, the Yankees' offense was held in check by Pappas, the Orioles' pitcher, who gave up only three hits and struck out nine Yankees over the course of the game. the Yankees had a particularly difficult time in the third inning, going down in order with two strikeouts and a groundout.
the Orioles' 5-0 victory over the Yankees was largely due to Pappas's stellar pitching performance, which earned him the win. Ford, the Yankees' starting pitcher, took the loss. Following this game, Pappas's record improved to 13-8 while Ford's dropped to 9-8. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, I don't have the specific historical data for the 1960 season. However, both the Yankees and Orioles were competitive teams during this period. the Yankees, in particular, were in the midst of a successful era, having won the World Series in 1958 and going on to win again in 1961 and 1962. This loss would have been a minor setback in their season, but not a decisive factor in their overall performance.