Steve Carlton

Steve Carlton is a former Major League Baseball player. He played for six teams, but the bulk of his career was spent with the Philadelphia Phillies. Carlton was born on December 22, 1944 in Miami, Florida. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1963 while attending Miami-Dade Community College. Carlton played until 1988 and retired as one of the best left handed pitchers of all time. During his career he was voted an All-Star 10 times and won the Cy Young Award 4 times. He finished his career with an ERA of just 3.22, 329 wins and 4,136 strikeouts. Carlton was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994.

Steve Carlton started his career with the Cardinals in 1965, at the age of 20. He pitched in 15 games, all but two of them in relief. Carlton only pitched 25 innings, but struck out 21 and had an earned run average of 2.52. He started nine games in 1966, won 3 and compiled a 3.12 ERA. Carlton continued to improve and over the next three seasons won 44 games, struck out 540 batters and had an ERA of under 3.00 each season. In 1970 he struggled to an ERA of 3.73 and lead the league in losses with 19.http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carltst01.shtml Carlton had his first 20 game victory season in 1971, but was traded by Cardinals' owner Gussie Busch to the Philadelphia Phillies for Rick Wise before the 1972 season due to a salary dispute.

In Carlton's first season with the Phillies in 1972, he won 27 of the team's 59 victories, had eight shutouts, 30 complete games, 310 strikeouts and was unanimous choice for his first Cy Young Award.http://www.carlton32.com/bio.html From 1973 through 1975 he was less effective. He lead the league in losses in 1973 with 20 and won just 44 games over that span.http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carltst01.shtml Carlton improved greatly in 1976 with the addition of long time friend and personal catcher Tim McCarver. He also began an intense workout regimen with trainer Gus Hoefling, which he maintained the rest of his career.http://www.carlton32.com/bio.html In 1977, Carlton won his second Cy Young Award. He won a league leading 23 games, 283 innings, 17 complete games and 198 strikeouts. The Phillies won their second consecutive National League East Division title but failed to advance to the World Series.http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carltst01.shtml

Carlton won 34 games over the next two seasons and the Phillies won another division championship in 1978, but lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. In 1980, at the age of 35, Carlton had his best season since 1971. He lead the league in wins with 24 and in strikeouts with 286 and won his third Cy Young Award. In the National League Championship Series against the Houston Astros, he had one win and won two games against the Kansas City Royals to help the Phillies win their first World Series in franchise history.http://www.carlton32.com/bio.html

Steve Carlton won his fourth Cy Young Award in 1982 at the age of 37. He lead the league in wins, complete games, shutouts and strikeouts. Carlton lead the league in strikeouts in 1983 and won 15 games. Injuries started to take their toll on Carlton, but he still won 13 games in 1984. He pitched in just 16 games due to injuries in 1985 and won just one game, although he had a respectable earned run average of 3.33.http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carltst01.shtml The Phillies released Carlton on June 25, 1986 after he continued to have injury and control problems.http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NjQyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aqYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4207,4365109&dq=phillies+release+steve+carlton&hl=en

After being released by the Phillies in June of 1986, Carlton signed with the San Francisco Giants. He won just one game and lost three in six starts and hit a home run in his only win. It appeared that Carlton was retired when he signed with the Chicago White Sox, where he'd pitch the remained of the 1986 season. He showed signs of old when he pitched to a respectable 3.69 ERA and 4 wins in 10 starts with the White Sox. Carlton played with the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins in 1987, but was ineffective. He combined with 6 wins, 14 losses and an ERA of 5.74. In 1988, Carlton pitched in just 4 games before retiring from baseball after 329 wins, 4,136 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.22.http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carltst01.shtml Carlton was elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1994.http://baseballhall.org/hof/carlton-steve

• World Series Championships: 2 (1967, 1980)
• Gold Glove Awards: 1 (1981)
• All-Star Appearances: 10 (1968 - 1972, 1974, 1977, 1979 - 1982)
• Cy Young Awards: 4 (1972, 1977, 1980, 1982)
• Hall of Fame Induction: 1994