Kenneth Dale Holtzman (born November 3, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher from through for the Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, and New York Yankees.
As a member of the Cubs, Holtzman pitched two no-hitters. He won three consecutive World Series with the Athletics between 1972 and 1974. A two-time All-Star, Holtzman was a 20-game-winner for the Athletics in 1973.
Early and personal life
Holtzman was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from University City High School in St. Louis in 1963.
Holtzman's skill was very noticeable in his teenage years. In the summer of 1964, Holtzman was pitching against the Geldmacher Sporting Goods "Bandits". According to opponent Jim Fernandez, his curveball "froze him in the batter's box". His MLB potential was clear. Fortunately, the determined Fernandez would get a base hit off the future big leaguer later in the game.
Holtzman is Jewish, and through 2010, his 174 career victories were the most in the major leagues by a Jewish pitcher (ahead of Sandy Koufax). He tied Koufax's record for the most wins by a Jewish pitcher in 1977, and passed him in 1978. Holtzman's 1,601 strikeouts were second (behind Koufax), and his 451 games were second (behind Scott Schoeneweis). He held the record for most pitching appearances by a Jewish pitcher until 1998, when Scott Radinsky passed him to become the major league leader in appearances among Jewish pitchers. His 3.49 ERA was fifth (behind Koufax, Radinsky, Barney Pelty, and Erskine Mayer).
Early career
Holtzman obtained his B.A. in business administration and French from the University of Illinois, and was selected by the Cubs in the fourth round of the 1965 amateur draft.
At age 19, Holtzman pitched only 12 games in the minor leagues in 1965, four with the Treasure Valley Cubs in the Pioneer League, and eight with the Wenatchee Chiefs in the Northwest League. He was 8–3 in the dozen starts, with a 1.99 earned run average and 114 strikeouts in 86 innings. He was called up to the major leagues in September and pitched four innings over three games in relief.
Major league career
Chicago Cubs (1965–1971) After three relief appearances in September 1965, Holtzman joined the Cubs' starting rotation in 1966, and had an 11–16 rookie campaign as the team finished in last place. The team's fortunes turned around, however, as they had winning years in every season from 1967 through 1971.
As a promising Jewish left-hander, he was heralded as "the new Sandy Koufax." He pitched against Koufax in 1966 on September 25, and took the win by a 2–1 score. Koufax made his last regular-season appearance a week later, on October 2.
Holtzman served in the National Guard in 1967 and was only available to play on weekends. He appeared in 12 games and had a 9–0 record. Through 2006, only four pitchers in baseball history were undefeated with more decisions. With his military obligations behind him, he became a strong second starter behind Ferguson Jenkins, and the Cubs began being successful in the National League for the first time since World War II.
After going 11–14 in 1968, he posted consecutive 17-win seasons. Holtzman was named NL Player of the Month in May 1969 with a 6–0 record, a 2.16 ERA, and 44 strikeouts.
That August 19, he pitched his first no-hitter at Wrigley Field against the eventual Western Division champion Atlanta Braves, winning 3–0 on Ron Santo's three-run home run and outdueling the Braves' Phil Niekro. Holtzman had no strikeouts and three walks in the game. This was the first no-hitter by a Cub left-hander at Wrigley Field and the third no-hitter ever thrown without a strikeout (Earl Hamilton on August 30, 1912; Sad Sam Jones on September 4, 1923), a feat that has not been equaled since. In the seventh inning, Hank Aaron crushed a drive to left field that appeared to be a home run, but the wind held up the ball, enabling Billy Williams to catch the long fly ball in the recessed "well" at the wall in left field. Holtzman faced Aaron again in the ninth, and got him to ground out to second base to complete the no-hitter. The Cubs led the Eastern Division for much of the season before finishing in second place, eight games behind the eventual world champion New York Mets.
In 1970, Holtzman had his best year with the Cubs, with a 17–11 record and a 3.38 ERA, and finished third in the NL in starts (38), fifth in both strikeouts (202) and innings pitched (), sixth in complete games (15) and ninth in wins.