Former Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Mike Marshall died Tuesday in Zephyrhills, Florida, at the age of 78. Marshall is survived by his wife, Erica, and daughters Rebekah, Deborah and Kerry Jo.
Marshall joined the Dodgers after the 1973 season in a trade that sent Willie Davis to the Montreal Expos. Affectionately known as “Iron Mike,” he set MLB records for most appearances (106), relief innings (208.1), games finished (83) and consecutive games pitched (13) in his first season with Los Angeles.
During the 1974 postseason, Marshall pitched in two National League Championship Series games against the Pittsburgh Pirates and all five World Series games against the Oakland Athletics.
“I had a deal with (manager) Walter Alston,” Marshall famously said in a 2003 interview. “If I warmed up, I was getting into the game.”
Marshall went 15–12 with a 2.42 ERA and 21 saves during an All-Star season in 1974. He became the first relief pitcher in MLB history to win the Cy Young Award, and at the time the fourth member of the Dodgers organization to earn the honor.
Marshall finished ahead of teammate Andy Messersmith in the Cy Young Award voting and third in the MVP race behind Steve Garvey and Lou Brock (Cardinals).
During his three seasons with the Dodgers, the right-hander bypassed using a bullpen cart in favor of the now-tradition of jogging to the mound from the bullpen.
Marshall played for nine teams during a 14-year career, beginning with the Detroit Tigers in 1967. He also spent time with the Seattle Mariners (1969), Houston Astros (1970), Expos (1970-73), Dodgers (1974-76), Atlanta Braves (1976-77), Texas Rangers (1977), Minnesota Twins (1978-80) and New York Mets (1981).
Marshall finished a lifetime 97-112 with 188 saves and 3.14 ERA. He unfortunately adds to a growing list of losses in the Dodgers organization this year, which includes Tommy Lasorda and World Series champion Stan Williams, among others.
Marshall taught Garvey
Prior to becoming Dodgers teammates, Marshall taught Garvey at Michigan State University. While completing a PhD in physiology and minor in physiological psychology during the offseason, Marshall additionally worked as a student teacher. Garvey was a student in his kinesiology class.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
