Milt Pappas
| Birthdate | 5/11/1939 |
| Death Date | 4/19/2016 |
| Debut Year | 1957 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Braves, Cubs, Orioles, Reds |
| Position | Pitcher |
The centerpiece of the deal that brought Frank Robinson to the Baltimore Orioles, Milt Pappas won 209 games, with 43 shutouts and a no-hitter.
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Brooks Robinson played third base in back of Milt Pappas for 9 seasons
Brooks Robinson played third base in back of Milt Pappas for 9 seasons
Milt Pappas spent his first nine big league seasons pitching with Brooks Robinson behind him at third base. In this handwritten letter the 209-game winner writes about the great defense of Robinson, “It was great having Brooks playing behind me. Knowing he was there made my job easier as a pitcher.” Pappas then signs and dates the piece.
The right-hander enjoyed his time with the Os. After appearing in just four games in his first big league season of 1957, Pappas averaged 14 wins per year through 1965. During that time the hurler made three All Star teams. His tenure in Baltimore included 110 victories, 26 shutouts, and 82 complete games.
Pappas was the centerpiece in the deal that brought Frank Robinson to Baltimore
Pappas was the centerpiece in the deal that brought Frank Robinson to Baltimore
Milt Pappas won 110 games for the Orioles, pitching 82 complete games and 26 shutouts for the O’s. He left Baltimore in one of the best trades in franchise history. GM Harry Dalton sent Pappas as the centerpiece of a deal that brought Frank Robinson to the Orioles.
Termed by the Reds to be too old at age 30, Robinson proved them wrong in his first year in Cincinnati. He won the Triple Crown, the regular-season and World Series MVP awards. In six seasons in Baltimore he hit an even .300 with a .401 on-base percentage and a .543 slugging mark.
When Orioles fans think of Pappas today it’s as the man traded for the final piece of the great Baltimore teams of the late 70s and early 80s. Reducing the hurler to that sells Pappas short.
After posting 110 victories for the Os, the hurler had plenty left in the tank. He won 99 more games for the Reds, Braves, and Cubs.
On September 2, 1972, Pappas was one pitch away from a perfect game when he walked the 27th hitter, Larry Stahl. Pappas retired the next batter to preserve the no-hitter. He held a lifelong grudge against Bruce Froemming, the man who called balls and strikes that night. That season Pappas went 17-7, good enough for a top-10 finish in Cy Young balloting.
Th following season was Pappas final big league campaign. With the 209 wins, the three-time All Star finished 45 games over .500 with 129 complete games and 43 shutouts.
Shown here is Topps baseball card showing the 1966 batting leaders. It is signed by Frank Robinson, the man for whom Pappas was traded in the fateful deal. The second and third place finishers, Tony Oliva and Al Kaline respectively, have also signed the card.
Milt Pappas and Don Drysdale finished with 209 wins; Pappas had two less losses
Milt Pappas and Don Drysdale finished with 209 wins; Pappas had two less losses
Born Miltiades Stergios Papastergios, Milt Pappas won 110 games in Baltimore during his first nine big league seasons, pitching in the All Star game in 1962 and 1965.
Overall, Pappas finished with career numbers quite similar to those of Hall of Fame hurler Don Drysdale. The two hurlers each boast 209 wins though Drysdale finished with two more losses than Pappas. Of course Pappas was never the dominant pitcher that Big D was.
The most wins Pappas ever recorded in a single season was 17, a mark eclipsed by Drysdale four times, highlighted by Drysdale’s 25-win Cy Young season on 1962.
Pappas is best remembered as the centerpiece of the trade the brought Frank Robinson to the Orioles.
Shown here is a 1962 Topps baseball card autographed by Pappas.
Bruce Froemming called "ball four" with two out in the 9th during Milt Pappas' perfect game attempt
Bruce Froemming called "ball four" with two out in the 9th during Milt Pappas' perfect game attempt
Few players’ legacies are as tied to an umpire as that of Milt Pappas. In many ways the defining moment of Pappas’ career was came courtesy of umpire Bruce Froemming on September 2, 1972.
After 26 straight outs, Pappas was on the verge of pitching a perfect game. With two out in the 9th and a 3-2 count, Pappas threw a pitch he hoped and believed was strike three. Instead Froemming called it a ball. By doing so, the umpire made Pappas the only pitcher in big league history to see a perfect game ruined by a walk on the 27th batter of a contest.
Pappas held a grudge for the rest of his life. For his part, Froemming has always maintained the pitch was outside. Replays seem to confirm the umpire’s call.
With as many wins as Hall of Famer Don Drysdale – and two less losses – Pappas just might have a plaque in Cooperstown with a perfect game instead of a no-hitter.
In the collection is this payroll check made out to Froemming for his work in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. The check is dated the year before Froemming made his big league debut. Froemming provided his signature in the form of an endorsement on the reverse of the check.
