Mike Marshall (marshmi01)

Michael Grant Marshall
(Iron Mike)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 180 lb.
• School Michigan State University
• High School Adrian High School
• Debut May 31, 1967
• Final Game October 2, 1981
• Born January 15, 1943 in Adrian, MI USA
• Died May 31, 2021 in Zephyrhills, FL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Dr. Mike Marshall, who held a Ph.D. in kinesiology from Michigan State University, was a sensation as a relief pitcher for taking a scientific approach toward pitching. He was the 1974 National League Cy Young Award winner, led the league in saves three times, and was an All-Star twice. He had 723 games pitched and 188 career saves, in addition to 549 games finished.

In 1974, he set major league records for games as a pitcher (106) and relief innings (208 1/3). He also had a record 27 decisions, the most among pitchers who did not make a start.

Marshall was 7-3 in the Minnesota Twins' first 40 games in 1979, the only reliever to get 10 decisions in his squad's opening 40 until Tyler Clippard matched the feat with the 2010 Washington Nationals.

He is one of the ten best relievers of all-time, according to The Relief Pitcher, for being the most dominant reliever of his era.

Marshall started his career in the Philadelphia Phillies organization in 1961, as a shortstop. Suffering from injuries, he was converted to a pitcher in 1965. He played for nine teams in the major leagues, leading the league in saves with the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles, and Minnesota. He was named the Montreal Expos Player of the Year twice, in 1972 and 1973, before being traded to Los Angeles for All-Star CF Willie Davis.

He is not to be confused with the other Mike Marshall who played with the Dodgers - they were both active in the National League in 1981. He was head coach of Saint Leo University in 1985-1987, Henderson State University in 1988-1990, and West Texas A&M University in 1994.

Dr. Marshall also coached young players in pitching techniques: Marshall's Coaching info. He provided a free book on-line that described his approaches: Marshall's pitching book. Most of his theories about pitching were considered highly unorthodox and did not find much take-up in the professional ranks, although he had success working with pitchers in the lower collegiate levels who were not considered professional prospects by any means.

He is a cousin of 1980s minor league pitcher Brent Honeywell and taught his cousin's son, also named Brent Honeywell, to throw his old signature pitch, the screwball.

He passed away on May 31, 2021 at the age of 78 at his home in Zephyrhills, FL, where he was receiving hospice care.

Notable Achievements

• 2-time NL All-Star (1974 & 1975)
• NL Cy Young Award Winner (1974)
• 3-time Reliever of the Year Award Winner (1973/NL, 1974/NL & 1979/AL)
• 4-time League Games Pitched Leader (1972-1974/NL & 1979/AL)
• 3-time League Saves Leader (1973/NL, 1974/NL & 1979/AL)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1974)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1974)
• 30 Saves Seasons: 2 (1973 & 1979)

NL Cy Young Award
1973	1974	1975
Tom Seaver	Mike Marshall	Tom Seaver

Records Held

• Games pitched, season, 106, 1974
• Games pitched, right-hander, season, 106, 1974
• Games pitched, in relief, season, 106, 1974
• Innings pitched, in relief, season, 208.1, 1974

Further Reading

• Gary Belleville: "September 7, 1973: Mike Marshall throws 11 relief innings, breaks two NL pitching records," SABR Baseball Games Project.

Related Sites

• Mike Marshall at the SABR Bio Project