ERA Leaders 1978
Annually I will make the trek from
Cincinnati to Florida to begin the
early chores of scouting spring
training. A hundred yards away from
home I am faced with the first
decision of the spring.
I can take a right onto to Route 25
and meander my way down the
eastern division of the Dixie Highway
that connects Sault Ste. Marie with
Miami. The journey would take me
along the back roads of our country
weaving a route from Knoxville,
Chattanooga, Atlanta and
Tallahassee as I make my way to
Orlando. Scenic, but not very sexy.
However, the option I always choose
is to exit my street left onto to Dixie
Highway, go less than a mile and
ease my way onto I-75, which gives
me four lanes to speed my way to the
Sunshine State. Sleek and fast.
In 1977, the two ERA champions
were a contrast in styles, similar to
my annual trip to Florida options.
Tanana was the I-75 of the major
leagues, while John Candelaria was
the Dixie Highway.
At the time, Tanana was a hard
throwing southpaw who teamed up
with Nolan Ryan to give the California
Angels an electric 1-2 punch.
Rewarded with a 5-year contract
following a stellar ’76 campaign that
saw the lefty post 19-wins, while
fanning 261 batters; Tanana was in
the prime of his career.
The Angels entered the ’77 season
with loads of promise, as not only did
owner Gene Autrey whip the out
bankroll for Tanana; he also signed
free agents Joe Rudi and Don Baylor
away from Oakland and Bobby Grich
from Baltimore. Yet, Rudi would
suffer a broken thumb in late June,
Grich would succumb to back
problems which required surgery and
Baylor just slumped. Tanana though
lived up to his new contract, blazing
his way to the American League ERA
title.
The southpaw opened the 1977
season with the first of seven
shutouts in his opening start, hitting
his stride on April 29th, when he
logged the first of 14 consecutive
complete games, yet go just 9-5.
(11/3/08)
