Fun facts about Jim O'Toole:
-A native Chicagoan, Jim was a Wisconsin Badger before leaving college to sign with the Reds in 1957.
-Went 20-8 with a 2.44 ERA in his first pro experience with AA Nashville to earn a September 1958 call-up to Cincinnati.
-After going 17-20 in his first two full seasons, stunned the National League by going 19-9 with a 3.10 ERA (second-best in the league) and 11 complete games in 1961.
-Pitched well in the 1961 World Series, allowing two runs in each of his two starts, but lost both games to Whitey Ford as the Yankees dispatched the Reds in five games.
-After a 16-13 follow-up season, went 17-14 with a 2.88 ERA in 1963 to earn an All-Star selection.
-Might have had his best season in 1964: 17-7, 2.66 ERA, 145 K against 51 BB.
-Shoulder troubles caused a quick decline. He went 12-20 in just 69 games from 1965-1967, spent 1968 in AAA, and packed it in after being cut from the Pilots spring roster in 1969.
-Was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 1972, having earned all but four of his 98 career victories with the club.
-His brother, Dennis O'Toole, pitched in 15 games for the White Sox between 1969 and 1973.
-Eddie Mathews touched him up for nine home runs in 69 career at-bats against. He also went deep against Robin Roberts and Don Newcombe nine teams each, so O'Toole is in good company!
I can't figure out that "windbreaker under jersey" thing either. He was off to a good start--too bad he had arm problems.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see Jim O'Toole, I think of Timmy O'Toole and my favorite episode of the Simpsons. So I always imagine this major league pitcher at the bottom of a well. Yes, I know there is something wrong with me.
ReplyDeleteMatt - It's almost as though the human arm wasn't meant to fire projectiles at 90+ MPH over and over again for several years, huh?
ReplyDeleteMax - Believe me, I am right there with you! "Gentlemen, this canary died of natural causes."
Shhhhh, Marge, he's a good digger!
ReplyDeleteI was a 12 yr old, lying in my bed late at night in CT. listening to Waite Hoyt do the Reds on west coast swings. The longevity of O'Toole's arm wasn't helped by that one minor league season out of college. He led the AA league that Nashville was in, in wins, Ks AND BB, and innings. He was terrific with Reds for those 4 subsequent years though. I met him in a Hartford department store after that '61 WS, where he and Clete Boyer were doing a PR appearance for Arrow shirts and signing autographs (back then it was free). An interesting guy, O'Toole had an interest in classical music and even did a guest conducting appearance with the Chicago Symphony in his native city.
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