The 1978 season was Mike Caldwell's first and almost certainly his best full season in Milwaukee. While pitching 293.1 innings (the second highest total in franchise history), Caldwell posted a 2.36 ERA and a 1.064 WHIP. He led the American League with 23 complete games, and somehow also recorded a save in one of his three relief appearances. Caldwell finished second in the voting for AL Cy Young to 25-game winner Ron Guidry and received votes for MVP.
On this day that season, Caldwell and Guidry matched up in a Friday night game at Yankee Stadium and Caldwell came out on top. He pitched a four-hit shutout in a 7-0 Brewer victory, tagging Guidry with his first loss of the season. Larry Hisle homered twice off Guidry in the game.
This was the third of Caldwell's six complete game shutouts in 1978, and his second of three against the Yankees. To put that into perspective: Since 1979, only four other Brewer pitchers have recorded six shutouts in a career:
Pitcher | SHO since 1979 |
Mike Caldwell | 12 |
Teddy Higuera | 12 |
Chris Bosio | 8 |
Moose Haas | 8 |
Jaime Navarro | 6 |
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- AZL Brewer and 2011 41st round pick Jalen Harris, who turns 19.
- 2009 Brewer R.J. Swindle, who turns 28.
- 2003-04 Brewer Dave Burba, who turns 45.
- 1978-79 Brewer Tim Nordbrook, who turns 62.