Books and articles about Jim Merritt

Noted for his pinpoint control, Merritt debuted with the 1965 pennant-winning Twins and tied a since-broken AL record when he fanned seven consecutive batters on July 21, 1966. He was traded to Cincinnati after the 1968 season for Leo Cardenas. Backed by the league's best offense and bullpens that led the NL in saves, Merritt went 17-9 in 1969 and 20-12 for the 1970 league champion Reds. Bothered by a sore arm in the World Series, he went 1-11 the following year, and finished, unsuccessfully, with the Rangers, where he was fined $250 after admitting to using some of teammate Gaylord Perry's K-Y jelly on the ball. (JLE)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » July 21, 1966: Minnesota P Jim Merritt beats the Senators 1–0 and ties an American League record with seven straight strikeouts » August 13, 1967: Completing a 3-game sweep of the White Sox, Jim Merritt pitches the Twins into first place with a 3–2 win. » August 10, 1968: On Old Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium, the Twins stop the Yankees, 3–2. New York's only scores are two solo shots by Mickey Mantle off Jim Merritt. It is the Mick's 46th 2-homer game. » August 21, 1968: Minnesota's Jim Merritt loses his shutout in the 9th when Mickey Mantle hits a pinch homer, but he wins 3–1. It is Mantle's 534th home run, tying him with Jimmie Foxx for 3rd on the all-time list. » August 22, 1968: Jim Merritt loses his shut out in the 9th inning when Mickey Mantle parks a pinch homer at the Metrodome. The Twins win, 3–1. Mick's homer ties him with Jimmie Foxx for 3rd place on the all-time list. » November 21, 1968: Cincinnati trades SS Leo Cardenas to the Twins for P Jim Merritt. » June 23, 1969: The Reds Jim Merritt allows two hits in shutting out the visiting Padres, 5–0. » August 6, 1969: Jim Merritt pitches the Reds back into first place in the National League West with a 3–2 win against the Mets. » August 21, 1969: Jim Merritt pitches Cincinnati back into the National League West lead with a 5–3 win at St. Louis. » September 23, 1969: In his last ML at bat, John Miller homers off the Reds' Jim Merritt, but the Dodgers lose 6–3. In 61 plate appearances over three years, Miller's only other home run was on September 11, 1966, for the Yankees—in his first ML at bat. » April 6, 1970: In the last home opener at Crosley Field, the Reds top the Expos, 5–1, behind Jim Merritt. It is the first win for manager Sparky Anderson. The Reds have three homers in the 4th, when Lee May, Bernie Carbo, and Bobby Tolan connect. It is Carbo's first ML hit. Joe Sparma takes the loss. » July 2, 1970: The Reds hand the Braves their 9th loss in 10 games, as Cincy wins, 2–1. Jim Merritt becomes the National League's 1st 13-game winner and his batterymate Johnny Bench drives in both runs. » August 13, 1970: The Reds Jim Merritt strikes out 13 Mets en route to a 5–1 win in Cincinnati. » August 26, 1970: In the Reds, 6–5 win over the visiting Phillies, Jim Merritt notches his 20th win of the year. Jim Bunning takes the loss. Merritt is the first Reds lefty to win 20 since 1925, but will be 6–26 the rest of his career. » August 21, 1971: Pitching in relief, the Reds Jim Merritt (1-11) records his only win of the year. A 20-game winner last season, Merritt, started the year with 11 straight losses, one short of the National League record. » August 8, 1973: Against Texas, Yankee starter Fritz Peterson injures himself fielding a bunt single by leadoff hitter Dave Nelson and he is replaced by Fred Beene. Beene pitches nine innings, allowing four hits and winning, 3–2 on Gene Michael's 2-out single in the 9th off starter Jim Merritt. » September 28, 1985: Cincinnati's Tom Browning becomes the first rookie since Bob Grim in 1954 to win 20 games, raising his record to 20–9 with a 5–2 win over Houston. He is the first Reds pitcher to win 20 since Jim Merritt in 1970.