Random Baseball Player of the Day: Bert Blyleven
Player of the Day: Bert “Be Home” Blyleven
Who is this guy?
The best player ever produced by that noted baseball factory called “The Netherlands.” He narrowly edges out two-way threat Rynie Wolters for the honor. Wolters recorded a 19-23 mark as a pitcher and batted .318 in the National Association from 1871-73.
Was he any good?
Blyleven went 287-250 with a 3.31 ERA in a career that spanned from 1970-1992. Along the way he rang up 3,701 strikeouts (5th all-time) and 60 shutouts (9th all-time). Led league multiple times in hot-footing, wearing “Who Farted?” t-shirts, and throwing sick curveballs that made grown men crap their pants. Downside: “only” made two all-star teams and “only” won 20 games once.
Did he achieve his potential?
If one were to answer this question “no” he would essentially be setting the bar on Blyleven’s potential at a Thor, God of Thunder-like level. And yet you can’t help but wonder if he should have won 300 games. His peripherals suggest over 300 wins and immortality in the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, Bert didn’t have the nutsack of a Jack “I’ll Rip Your Head Off, Shit Down Your Neck, and Beat You 8-7″ Morris.*
*Then again, perhaps it was because he didn’t get nearly as much run support.
What was his best year?
There are many worthy candidates here, but it seems obvious it was his 20-win season of 1973. Bert put up a relatively unimpressive mark for a 20-game winner (20-17), but he sported a sterling 2.52 ERA (158 ERA+). He threw 325 innings, completing 25 games on the campaign. A whopping nine of his route-going outings were shutouts. He struck out 258 batters. In all, 1973 produced his career-best in IP, W, ERA, ERA+, K, CG, and SHO.
What was his worst year?
I won’t say 1982 because you can’t fault the Frying Dutchman for a season lost to injury. However, his 2-2 mark in only four starts that year may have ultimately cost him Cooperstown glory. Had he been healthy enough to make his customary 30+ starts and win 10 or 15 games, he’d have either broken 300 by ‘92 or been close enough to breaking it that coming back to achieve the milestone in ‘93 would probably have been a no-brainer. If you look deeper, the four-year run between 1980-83 killed him. He struggled to a pedestrian 28-32 record over that stretch. I’ll go with 1980 as his worst (8-13, 96 ERA+).
Whatever happened to him?
He’s now a broadcaster for the Twins. He circles people with a telestrator when he’s not dropping F-bombs on the air. Actually, he’s pretty good.
Show me a cool baseball card.
Bert displays a visual aid of what his fastball looked like to hitters at that stage of his career.
Sum up his career in five words or less.
Worthy of HOF induction. Now.
OK, you can have more than five words.
Arguably the most underrated pitcher in baseball history. Blyleven compares very favorably with many men considered true legends of the game. The only thing lacking on his resume is the magic 300 number. Due to his career win total of 287, he’s been lumped in with Tommy John (288 wins) and Jim Kaat (283). He’s really a lot more like Gaylord Perry than either of those guys. His popularity with the BBWAA voters has increased over the past several years (his 61.9% total this year was his best showing yet), but it doesn’t look particularly likely he will get the 75% necessary for induction before his eligibility runs out in four years.
Still, wherever a foot is hot - he’ll be there. Whenever there’s a farter that can’t be positively identified, he’ll be there. And whenever there’s a team that scores scores two runs or less for its starting pitcher … he’ll be there too.
