Four time World Series champion Ken Holtzman dies at 78

Three-time World Series champion Ken Holtzman has passed away after a long battle with heart trouble at the age of 78. He had been hospitalized for three weeks prior to his death.

A native of St Louis, Missouri, Holtzman was drafted by the Cubs out of the University of Illinois in the fourth round of the 1965 draft. Compared early on to Sandy Koufax, Holtzman is the winningest Jewish pitcher in MLB History with 175 over his career.

Playing with Chicago from 1965 to 1971, Holtzman threw no-hitters iin 1969 and 1971, back when a no-hitter was an individual achievement. No “combined” about it, Holtzman went all nine innings and the one on August 19, 1969 against the Atlanta Braves remains the last no-hitter to be thrown without a single strikeout in MLB to this day.

Traded to the A’s in 1971, Holtzman became a key part of their rotation, and a postseason staple as Oakland won three consecutive World Series. The first two seasons with the A’s, Holtzman was named to the All-Star team, and in 1976, he was traded to the Orioles along with Reggie Jackson. Traded again to the Yankees, Holtzman won his fourth World Series ring in 1977, although he did not pitch in the post season.

Traded in 1978 to the Cubs, Holtzman’s career finished where it started. Over a 15 year career, he was 174-150 with a 3.49 ERA, notching up 1601 Ks in 2867.1 innings pitched.

After baseball, Holtzman tried his hand as an insurance salesman, and also worked for the St. Louis Jewish Community Center. Holtzman managed the Petach Tikva Pioneers in the inaugural 2007 season of the Israel Baseball League, but left in the middle of the season, unhappy with the way the league was run.

In a statement released upon hearing of Holtzman’s death, the A’s said, “We are saddened by the passing of former A’s pitcher Ken Holtzman. The two-time All-Star and three-time World Series Champion with the Green and Gold, Holtzman created lasting memories for our franchise. We send our deepest condolences to his three daughters, Robyn, Stacy, and Lauren; his four grandchildren; and all who loved him.”

The Cubs added in a post on social media: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Cubs pitcher Ken Holtzman. … We send our condolences to Ken’s family and friends during this time.”