(WatchDogReport.org) – Legendary MLB pitcher Ken Holtzman died in a hospital in St. Louis, Missouri on April 14, at the age of 78. In a letter sent to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, his brother Bob said that the former baseball player died of heart issues and revealed that he spent the last three weeks at the hospital. Bob also said that his brother was a great man and that his family and friends will forever miss him.
In a statement, MLB franchise Oakland Athletics said that the team was “saddened” by Holtzman’s death, adding that he was an extraordinary pitcher who managed to win three World Series and be part of two All-Star games where he mesmerized baseball fans in the United States and everywhere around the world. The Athletics also said that Holtzman “created lasting memories” for the franchise because of the titles he won and his massive influence on the team. The franchise closed the statement sending its condolences to his wife, daughters, and grandchildren.
Holtzman was considered such a great pitcher that many fans believe he deserved to be part of the Baseball Hall of Fame because of the titles he won and his great level of pitching during the 1970s. While he earned four votes in 1985 and five votes in 1986, it wasn’t enough for Holzman to be in Cooperstown.
The pitcher’s career started in 1965 when he was signed by the Chicago Cubs, where he delivered such outstanding performances that he eventually became part of the franchise’s Hall of Fame. When his time at Wrigley Field was done, he signed for the Athletics and reached legend status by winning three World Series in a row from 1972 to 1974. In that team, which was nicknamed “Swingin’ A’s,” Holtzman had incredible baseball players as teammates, including Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, Rollie Fingers, and Vida Blue. Holtzman eventually played for the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles before returning to the Cubs to end his career.
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