About the Back: Todd split most of the 1987 season between AA Reading and AAA Maine, posting a 2.09 ERA and saving 22 games. Oh, and Topps shows criminal negligence by not mentioning the circumstances of the pitcher's debut on August 10. He replaced Kevin Gross when the Phillies' starter was caught with sandpaper in his glove and ejected. Frohwirth tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief and was awarded the win.
Triple Play:
1. Todd was a workhorse for the Orioles, with 32 relief appearances of three or more innings from 1991 through 1993. On July 4, 1992, he entered in the 10th inning and held the Twins without a run through the 14th, but his five innings of work were for naught as Gregg Olson lost the game in the 15th.
2. Frohwirth faced Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett 22 times, more than any other batter. In their meetings, Puckett batted just .105/.227/.263, with two hits in 19 at-bats and three walks.
3. He served as pitching coach for Milwaukee's Beloit Snappers minor league club in 1999, and has also coached varsity basketball at Marquette High School in Milwaukee. He is currently a scout for the Orioles.
11-Year-Old Kevin Says: Todd is largely responsible for my longtime fascination with sidearm and submarine pitchers. Mark Eichhorn, Chad Bradford, and Darren O'Day have been among my favorite unheralded relievers as an O's fan.
Bill James Said: "His career has degenerated to a puzzling extent over the last two years; I suspect he is not getting the support he needs from his organization." Frohwirth's ERA climbed to 3.83 in 1993, which proved to be his last full season in the majors, but I'm not sure what James meant by the last remark. Was he blaming the O's coaches for Todd's decline?
On This Date in 1993: April 29. Dave Stieb wins the penultimate game of his career, as the White Sox top the Brewers 7-4. His next (and final) big league win would come five years later, during a brief comeback with the Blue Jays.
I'm thinking the ball has left his hand and his arm has curved closer to his body. If you look carefully I believe you can see the ball's shadow right above the left orange stripe. My 2 cents anyway. Great photo nevertheless.
ReplyDeleteAndy - You may be right.
ReplyDelete