The Dodgers had four players with at least 100 RBIs during the regular season, Mookie Betts (107), Max Muncy (105), J.D. Martinez (103) and Freddie Freeman (102), In Arizona's 3 game sweep of L.A., the four of them accounted for one. Martinez had one in G2. What a terrible series all-around for L.A.
Jim Palmer 48 years ago today won his second career Cy Young Award, after pacing the American League in wins (23), shutouts (ten), and ERA (2.09). In would be the first of two straight for him as he also won it the following year in 1976. The Hall of Fame legend had previously won his first in 1973.
Steve Carlton joined on this day in 1980 Sandy Koufax, Tom Seaver, and Jim Palmer as pitchers with three Cy Young Awards. Carlton garners all but one of the twenty-four first-place votes to take National League honors. Carlton was 24-9 with a 2.34 ERA and led the National League with 286 strikeouts.
Former Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen on Zack Wheeler, Feb. 2020: “Our health and performance department, our coaches all contributed and helped him parlay two good half-seasons over the last five years into $118 million.” [per B/R]. Wheeler has been worth 19.6 WAR and has a 2.38 playoff ERA since then.