Zahn was a minor contributor to the Dodgers' 1974 NL
pennant, going 3-5 with a 2.03
ERA in spot starts and relief. Traded to the Cubs in May 1975 with pitcher Eddie
Solomon for Burt Hooton, he spent most of the rest of the year on the DL and was
released by Chicago after a disappointing 1976, during which he had bone fragments
removed from his elbow. Picked up by the Twins, he used a hard slider to become one
of their more reliable starters, winning 12-14 games each of four straight years
(1977-80) for mediocre teams. He joined California as a free agent for the 1981 season
and had his best season in 1982. He was 18-8 with a 3.73 ERA and finished sixth in
the Cy Young Award voting as the Angels won the AL West. Zahn was hit hard by the
Brewers in his Game Three start in the LCS and took the loss. In 1983 he lost a month
to an inflamed shoulder, stopping his six-year string of victories in double figures
(he finished 9-11). He rebounded to go 13-10, 3.12 in 1984, but arm miseries cropped
up again in 1985 and ended his career.
(WOR)
»May 13, 1978: Behind Mike Torrez's 3rd straight win, the Red Sox top the Twins 4–2 and take over sole possession of first place. Fred Lynn hits his 5th homer of the year, a 420 shot to dead center. Geoff Zahn takes the loss.
»April 27, 1980: The Twins score 10 runs in the first inning on their way to a 20–11 thrashing of the A's. Minnesota starter Geoff Zahn can't hold the 10–0 lead, allowing eight runs in 41/3 innings, and Doug Corbett picks up the win in relief.
»June 6, 1980: Minnesota's Geoff Zahn one-hits the Blue Jays 5–0, allowing only a John Mayberry single with two out in the 7th.