Cincinnati Reds
The Reds battled the Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants for first place in the National League West all through the 1969 season. Merritt's sixteenth victory on August 31 moved his team into a second place tie with the Dodgers, a half game back of the Giants. From there, however, things went south for Merritt as he lost four of his last five decisions. His final loss of the season, against the Houston Astros, eliminated the Reds from playoff contention.
On May 17, 1970, Merritt held Hank Aaron hitless as he stood one hit shy of 3000. His record stood at 14-7 with a 3.46 ERA at the 1970 All-Star break to earn selection to Gil Hodges' National League squad. He pitched two innings, striking out Frank Robinson, and giving up a single to former teammate, Harmon Killebrew.
He finished the season at 20-12, and edging out Gary Nolan for the Johnny Vander Meer Award given each year to the Reds' top pitcher. His only career twenty win season was also the first twenty win season for a Reds pitcher since Eppa Rixey in 1925. He also clubbed three home runs.
The "Big Red Machine" won 102 games and coasted to the post season. Merritt won game two of the Reds' three game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1970 National League Championship Series, however, Merritt and the Reds were less successful in the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles. The O's defeated the Reds in five games. Merritt started the decisive game, and gave up three earned runs in 1.2 innings of work to take the loss.
His career did a complete 180 the following season. After starting the season 0-8 with a 4.96 ERA, Merritt was moved into the bullpen. He lost two games in relief and two more spot starts to bring his record to 0-11 with a 5.38 ERA on August 3. He won his only game of the season on August 21 against the Pirates.
His lack of success in 1971 was attributed to an elbow injury suffered at the end of the 1970 season. He made just four appearances in 1972, and was sent to the double A Indianapolis Indians on May 6. He went 4-8 with a 4.33 ERA for Indianapolis. Following the season, he was dealt to the Texas Rangers for Jim Driscoll and Hal King.
Read more about this topic: Jim Merritt
Famous quotes containing the word reds:
“Holly Golightly: You know those days when you’ve got the mean reds?
Paul: The mean reds? You mean like the blues?
Holly Golightly: No, the blues are because you’re getting fat or maybe it’s been raining too long. You’re just sad, that’s all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you’re afraid and you don’t know what you’re afraid of.”
—George Axelrod (b. 1922)