Three-time World Series champion Ken Holtzman dead at 78
(KION-TV)- Ken Holtzman who played a massive role in the Oakland Athletics winning three straight World Series titles in the 1970s has died at the age of 78.
The Chicago Cubs confirmed the pitcher's death on social media on Monday morning.
A St. Louis native, Holtzman got drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the fourth round of the first Major League Baseball Draft in 1965. Holtzman spent his first seven seasons with the Cubs and threw two no-hitters in 1969 and 1971.
Holtzman enlisted in the National Guard and only pitched on weekends during the 1967 season which made 12 starts for the Cubs and went 9-0 with a 2.53 ERA.
However, Holtzman became a playoff legend in the East Bay. He was traded for former No. 1 overall draft pick Rick Monday in 1971.
Holtzman was a key figure in the "Swingin A's' dynasty in the early 1970's. He posted a 1.97 ERA over 59 1/3 innings during those postseason runs from 1972-74.
He was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the 1973 World Series when they took down the New York Mets. Holtzman held the Mets to one run over 5 1/3 innings.
The University of Illinois alum earned his two All-Star selections of his career in his first two seasons with A's.
During his four seasons with the Green and Gold, he posted a 2.92 ERA with 530 strikeouts in 1,084 1/3 innings.
In 15 Big League seasons, Holtzman pitched for the Cubs, A's, Orioles and Yankees. He went 174-150 with a 3.49 ERA and 1,601 strikeouts in 2,867 innings.
