1982 HEADLINE: Steve Carlton Becomes First Pitcher To Win 4 Cy Young Awards

1982 HEADLINE: Steve Carlton Becomes First Pitcher To Win 4 Cy Young Awards

On this day in 1982, Steve Carlton was awarded with the NL Cy Young Award.

This win, the fourth for Carlton, marked the first time in major league history that a pitcher was honored as the Cy Young winner in four different seasons.

And when looking at his numbers, it is now wonder that Carlton was the pitcher to make this kind of history.

Check the stats:

1972 – 27-10, 1.97 ERA, 30 complete games, 8 shutouts, 310 strikeouts, 3.56:1 K:walk ratio, All-Star, NL Triple Crown

1977 – 23-10, 2.64 ERA, 17 complete games, 2 shutouts, 198 strikeouts, 2.22:1 K;Walk ratio, All-Star

1980 – 24-9, 2.34 ERA, 13 complete games, 3 shutouts, 286 strikeouts, 3.16:1 K:walk ratio, All-Star, World Series title

1982 – 23-11, 3.10 ERA, 19 complete games, 6 shutouts, 286 strikeouts, 3.33:1 K:walk ratio, All-Star

Pretty awesome stuff right there, huh?

Happy Anniversary Mr. Carlton!!!

1983 HEADLINE: Steve Carlton Captures 300th Win!!!

1983 HEADLINE: Steve Carlton Captures 300th Win!!!

On this day in 1983 Steve Carlton recorded the 300th win of his amazing baseball career.

‘Lefty’ and his Phillies teammates were on the road in St. Louis as they prepared to battle the Cardinals.  Ironically, it was the Cardinals that Carlton broke into the major leagues with…  In the game, Carlton was dominant.  He pitched 8 solid innings while allowing 7 hits and 2 runs.  And since he is one of the game’s greatest strikeout artists, he also added 12 more K’s to his resume while also collecting a hit as well.

Congratulations on #300!!!!

1972 HEADLINE: Cardinals Deal Steve Carlton To The Philadelphia Phillies

1972 HEADLINE: Cardinals Deal Steve Carlton To The Philadelphia Phillies

On this day in 1972, the St. Louis Cardinals traded Steve Carlton to the Philadelphia Phillies for Rick Wise.

Carlton spent the first seven seasons of his major league career with the Cardinals and at the age of 26 was just starting to establish himself as a strong talent in the National League.

When joining the Phillies, he would elevate his game to another level and become an elite pitcher in the sport.

Carlton would go on to pitch 15 seasons for the Phillies.

1994 HEADLINE: Steve Carlton Elected To Baseball Hall Of Fame

1994 HEADLINE: Steve Carlton Elected To Baseball Hall Of Fame

Carlton had a dominant 24-season major league baseball career.  His resume boasts some incredibly impressive accomplishments including 4 Cy Young awards, 10-time All-star, 329 career victories, 4,136 strikeouts, 1 Gold Glove award, 1972 National League Triple Crown winner, and member of the 1967 World Series champions.

Carlton was voted into the Hall of Fame on his first ballot.  He captured 436 of 465 votes cast, good for 93.8%.

Happy Birthday Steve Carlton!!!

Happy Birthday Steve Carlton!!!

Steve Carlton turns 69 years old today.

Steve Carlton is one of the game’s greatest pitchers of all-time.  And one of its most under-appreciated as well…

Carlton had a dominant 24-season major league baseball career.  A first ballot Hall of Famer, Carlton’s resume boasts some incredibly impressive accomplishments:

• 4 Cy Young awards
• 10-time All-star
• 329 career victories
• 4,136 strikeouts
• 1 Gold Glove award
• 1972 National League Triple Crown winner
• Member of the 1967 World Series champions

See what I mean??  Not too many men that have played this game can compare.

Cheers to you, ‘Lefty’!!!  And Happy Birthday too!!!

1982 HEADLINE: Steve Carlton Becomes First Pitcher To Win 4 Cy Young Awards

1982 HEADLINE: Steve Carlton Becomes First Pitcher To Win 4 Cy Young Awards

On this day in 1982, Steve Carlton was awarded with the NL Cy Young Award.

This win, the fourth for Carlton, marked the first time in major league history that a pitcher was honored as the Cy Young winner in four different seasons.

And when looking at his numbers, it is now wonder that Carlton was the pitcher to make this kind of history.

Check the stats:

1972 – 27-10, 1.97 ERA, 30 complete games, 8 shutouts, 310 strikeouts, 3.56:1 K:walk ratio, All-Star, NL Triple Crown

1977 – 23-10, 2.64 ERA, 17 complete games, 2 shutouts, 198 strikeouts, 2.22:1 K;Walk ratio, All-Star

1980 – 24-9, 2.34 ERA, 13 complete games, 3 shutouts, 286 strikeouts, 3.16:1 K:walk ratio, All-Star, World Series title

1982 – 23-11, 3.10 ERA, 19 complete games, 6 shutouts, 286 strikeouts, 3.33:1 K:walk ratio, All-Star

Pretty awesome stuff right there, huh?

Happy Anniversary Mr. Carlton!!!

1983 HEADLINE: Steve Carlton Captures 300th Win!!!

1983 HEADLINE: Steve Carlton Captures 300th Win!!!

On this day in 1983 Steve Carlton recorded the 300th win of his amazing baseball career.

‘Lefty’ and his Phillies teammates were on the road in St. Louis as they prepared to battle the Cardinals.  Ironically, it was the Cardinals that Carlton broke into the major leagues with…  In the game, Carlton was dominant.  He pitched 8 solid innings while allowing 7 hits and 2 runs.  And since he is one of the game’s greatest strikeout artists, he also added 12 more K’s to his resume while also collecting a hit as well.

Congratulations on #300!!!!

Steve Carlton 2005 Donruss Champions – NICE!!!

Steve Carlton 2005 Donruss Champions – NICE!!!

I’m often amazed by how many baseball card bloggers out there do not like this set of cards.

Of the complaints about the card’s design, I am only on board with one: ‘Too much empty space’.

Have a peek:

Sure, I understand the complaint, and it is a valid one.

But, for me, there is too much positive about the card to dwell on just one factor…

The color scheme of this set is superb as it matches the team color scheme perfectly.  All of the cards that I have encountered from this set also feature action images of the player – and this one of ‘Lefty’ is a nice choice.  Lastly, I really like the row of flags at the top – it kind of reminds me of the top of a stadium that waves the flags of the other teams in the league.

What about you??  Is this one a keeper or a stinker??

Steve Carlton 2009 Topps ‘Legends Of The Game’

Steve Carlton 2009 Topps ‘Legends Of The Game’

With the exception of the card’s border and text, this one actually reminds me a bit of Gypsy Queen.  The shot is reminiscent of a vintage card and GQ features a lot of players posing in front of empty stands.

Have a look:

I have a few cards from this set already in my collection.  And while some offer better images than this one of Steve Carlton I will say that this is the brightest card most vivid card I have encountered from the set thus far. 

I can actually feel the sun shining on ‘Lefty’.

Steve Carlton 2011 Topps Diamond Anniversary ’60 Years Of Collecting’

Steve Carlton 2011 Topps Diamond Anniversary ’60 Years Of Collecting’

Wow, talk about taking it back to the ‘Old School’ – this one goes way back!!!

Have a look:

I don’t know how I missed this one in 2011 when it was released by Topps, but I am glad that I found it now.

The card front features a re-print of Carlton’s 1967 Topps baseball card – wearing the uniform of the St. Louis Cardinals!

Yep, Carlton was a Cardinal.  The first seven seasons of Carlton’s big league career were in St. Louis – and the first 77 wins of his 329 victory career came in STL.