Mike Marshall’s 1974 performance was one for the ages. That year the reliever established still-standing big league marks with 106 relief appearances and 208 1/3 regular season innings out of the ‘pen. He also pitched in 13 straight games for the Dodgers. A half-century after setting it, the record remains his.
Counting the All-Star Game, NLCS, and Fall Classic, he appeared in 114 games with 222 1/3 innings in 192 days. His work was recognized with his second Fireman of the Year Award. Even more impressive, the writers made him the first relief pitcher to earn the Cy Young Award.
Five years later in Minnesota in ’79, Marshall earned his third Fireman of the Year nod. That year he appeared in 90 games to set the American League record he still owns.
Five men in big league baseball history have tossed in as many as 90 contests in a single-season. Marshall did it three times. In addition to his workhorse seasons with the Dodgers and Twins, Marshall appeared in 92 games for the Expos in 1973. To this day he holds the single-season appearance mark for all three teams.
This image above is from the Heilbroner Baseball Bureau. It’s an information card filled out by Mike Marshall.
The statistical service was the brainchild of Louis Heilbroner, the manager of the 1900 Cardinals. Founded in 1909, the bureau was the first commercial statistical organization dedicated entirely to baseball.
Marshall filled out this card in its entirety including the penning of his name. Believing pro athletes should not be seen as heroes, Marshall refused to sign autographs for most of his life. This card is one of the earliest existing examples of his handwriting.