Ken Holtzman, the most successful Jewish pitcher in MLB history, who clinched 3 World Series victories with Oakland, passes away at 78

Ken Holtzman, a legendary Jewish pitcher in Major League Baseball, has passed away at the age of 78. Holtzman, who holds the record for being the winningest Jewish pitcher in MLB history, made significant contributions to the Chicago Cubs and the Oakland Athletics in the 1970s. His death was announced by the Cubs on social media, with his brother confirming that he passed away on Sunday after battling heart issues for three weeks.

Holtzman, originally from the St. Louis area, was a standout player at the University of Illinois before embarking on his MLB career. As a two-time All-Star, the left-hander achieved a 174-150 record and a 3.49 ERA while playing for teams like the Athletics, Cubs, New York Yankees, and Baltimore Orioles from 1965 to 1979. Notably, Holtzman outperformed the iconic Sandy Koufax by winning nine more games in his career.

During his time with the Cubs, Holtzman made history by pitching two no-hitters, one against the Atlanta Braves in 1969 and another against the Cincinnati Reds in 1971. Following his successful tenure with the Cubs, Holtzman was traded to the Oakland Athletics where he played a critical role in the team winning three straight World Series titles starting in 1972. Making All-Star appearances in 1972 and 1973, Holtzman reached a career-high of 21 wins in 1973.

After moving to the Baltimore Orioles in 1976 and later being traded to the New York Yankees, Holtzman continued to make significant contributions to the MLB. His time with the Yankees resulted in another championship win in 1977. Eventually, Holtzman returned to the Cubs during the 1978 season before retiring. The social media post by the Cubs conveyed their deep sadness over Holtzman’s passing and extended condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.