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Sam McDowell’s heater made him one of the American League’s most dominant and feared pitchers. The AL strikeout leader during the 1960s, his 1,663 Ks were surpassed only the NL’s Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson.

McDowell was phenomenal at his peak. From 1965-1971, the Cleveland left-hander averaged 15 wins and 263 strikeouts per season. An All Star in 6 of those 7 years, McDowell led Junior Circuit pitchers in in strikeouts five times, WAR twice, shutouts and ERA once each during the run.

Only 9 pitchers have struck out 300 or more batters in multiple seasons. The list is a who’s who of the all-time greats: Randy Johnson, Nolan Ryan, Curt Schilling, Koufax, Pedro Martinez, J.R. Richard, Walter Johnson, Rube Waddell, and McDowell.

Analytics are likewise bullish on McDowell. Five times the southpaw had an ERA+ at least 20% higher than league average. In 1965 and 1968, his ERA+ was 161 and 165 respectively. McDowell’s WAR totals are also impressive. Buoyed by single-season WAR marks of 8.3, 8.2, 6.6, 5.4, 4.9, and 4.8, his 7-year WAR peak is a strong 41.7.

Though McDowell’s greatness was undeniable, it was not sustained long enough to warrant a plaque in Cooperstown. After his age-28 season in 1971, McDowell was traded by the Indians for Gaylord Perry. From then until the end of his career in 1975 injuries limited McDowell to a 19-25 record and a 4.16 earned run average.

He finished his career with 143 wins, 2,453 strikeouts and a 3.17 ERA. In 2006 McDowell was elected to the Indians team Hall of Fame.

Shown here is a government postcard signed by Sam McDowell. Notice the Cleveland postmark dated May 18, 1969. Two days later McDowell twirled a complete game two-hitter against the Kansas City Royals. Only a 3rd-inning single by Ed Kirkpatrick and a 7th-inning solo home run by Lou Piniella kept McDowell from a perfect game.

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Throughout the history of baseball, there have been many great pitchers who have accomplished amazing feats. Of these feats, striking out 300 or more batters in a single season is one of the most dominant.

Of the 19 hurlers have accomplished this, 9 have done it more than once. Randy Johnson and Nolan Ryan reached the 300-K plateau six times each. Sandy Koufax and Curt Schilling each had a trifecta of seasons in which they fanned 300 batters.

Five men have recorded a pair of 300-strikeout campaigns. They are Rube Waddell, Walter Johnson, J.R. Richard, Pedro Martinez, and Sam McDowell.

Shown here is a 1970 Topps Sam McDowell All Star card autographed by the Indians great.