Thursday, March 19, 2009

Midweek Trivia Answer

With pitchers Radhames Liz and Chris Waters looking at bullpen duty this season, Roar from 34's Midweek Trivia asked on Wednesday,"Which O's reliever holds the team record for most consecutive games won, and how many games in a row did he win?"

Answer: Grant Jackson, who won three straight times on Sept. 29, 30, and Oct. 1, 1974.

Jackson appeared in the World Series three times for three different teams and - you may want to cover your eyes, O's fans - was the winning pitcher for the Pirates in Game 7 of the 1979 Series against the Birds.

The pitcher started his career in Philadelphia, where he didn't have a winning record in six seasons. Originally a starter, Jackson posted a 14-18 record and a promising 3.34 ERA in 1969, but he struggled significantly the following season (3-15, 5.28).

The Orioles acquired Jackson in 1971, and he became a central part of the team's bullpen by committee. He went undefeated in 1973, finishing sixth all-time for wins in a season without a loss at 8-0. He pitched the Birds to a Game 4 victory over the Oakland A's in the ALCS that year.

Jackson also figured indirectly in the O's 1983 World Series championship. In 1976, he was traded to the Yankees in a 10-player deal that brought to Baltimore both the '83 Series MVP, Rick Dempsey, and the Series-clinching Game 5 winner, Scott McGregor.


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