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Posted By: T206Collector

Marquard finished with a lifetime ERA of 3.08 and was also one of the best strikeout pitchers of his era, leading the National League with 237 strikeouts in 1911, and finishing in the top five four times (1911, 1912, 1913 and 1921). Marquard also finished in the top ten in ERA four times (1911, 1912, 1913 and 1916) and the top ten in wins five times (1911, 1912, 1913, 1917 and 1921). Marquard’s 1,593 strikeouts stood as the National League record for left-handed pitchers for 17 years, until it was eclipsed by Carl Hubbell in 1942, and at the time of his retirement ranked 3rd in Major League history among lefthanders (behind only his namesake, Rube Waddell, and Eddie Plank).

In addition, his three years from 1911-1913 were among the best of any pitcher in history. Marquard led the Giants to three straight pennants from 1911 through 1913, during which he won an amazing 73 games (24 in 1911, 26 in 1912 and 23 in 1913). Marquard’s .774 winning percentage (24 wins and just 7 losses) and 237 strikeouts were best in the National League in 1911 and a record for lefty hurlers that stood for 50 years until Sandy Koufax topped him with 269 strikeouts in 1961.

Marquard takes a lot of grief about getting into the Hall of Fame, but he was an excellent pitcher and his admission, though not overwhelmingly obvious, was certainly deserved.





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