John Curtis---1976
Whether starting or relieving, John
Curtis was ready for anything.
The 1968 draft pick of the Red Sox
won 10 or more games three
consecutive years as a starter for the
Sox (1972-73) and the Cardinals
(1974) during the early days of his
career.
Acquired by the Giants for the 1977
season, Curtis immediately found
himself in the windy bullpen of
Candlestick Park until they turned
him back into a starter in 1979,
where he proceeded to win 10 more
games as a member of the Giants’
rotation. This prompted the Giants to
shuttle the southpaw off to San
Diego, where he won 10 games
starting for the Padres in 1980.
Naturally, the last place Padres could
not leave well enough alone, as the
Monks sent Curtis to their bullpen the
following season. From that point on,
Curtis finished his career as a
reliever for the Padres and
subsequently the Angels, before
hanging up his curveball in 1985.
Curtis finished his 15-year major
league career with 89 wins, 97 losses
and 11 saves, all supported by his
very respectable 3.96 ERA.
Whatever the case may be, the
affable lefty was ready for anything
as evidenced by the item in his back
pocket here on his 1976 card.
While some may speculate that
Curtis was prepared for a rain
shower by carrying an umbrella in his
pocket; when contacted, Curtis
explained that it was really a
windbreaker. And even though he
was already wearing one, he had an
extra just in case a cool breeze came
along.
Like we said… John Curtis was ready
for anything.
(9/16/08)
Curtis was ready for anything.
The 1968 draft pick of the Red Sox
won 10 or more games three
consecutive years as a starter for the
Sox (1972-73) and the Cardinals
(1974) during the early days of his
career.
Acquired by the Giants for the 1977
season, Curtis immediately found
himself in the windy bullpen of
Candlestick Park until they turned
him back into a starter in 1979,
where he proceeded to win 10 more
games as a member of the Giants’
rotation. This prompted the Giants to
shuttle the southpaw off to San
Diego, where he won 10 games
starting for the Padres in 1980.
Naturally, the last place Padres could
not leave well enough alone, as the
Monks sent Curtis to their bullpen the
following season. From that point on,
Curtis finished his career as a
reliever for the Padres and
subsequently the Angels, before
hanging up his curveball in 1985.
Curtis finished his 15-year major
league career with 89 wins, 97 losses
and 11 saves, all supported by his
very respectable 3.96 ERA.
Whatever the case may be, the
affable lefty was ready for anything
as evidenced by the item in his back
pocket here on his 1976 card.
While some may speculate that
Curtis was prepared for a rain
shower by carrying an umbrella in his
pocket; when contacted, Curtis
explained that it was really a
windbreaker. And even though he
was already wearing one, he had an
extra just in case a cool breeze came
along.
Like we said… John Curtis was ready
for anything.
(9/16/08)
