John Hiller: Heart Attack Survivor to Detroit’s Save Leader On January 11, 1971, Twenty-seven year-old Tiger pitcher John Hiller drives himself to the hospital after suffering a heart attack while relaxing at home. After missing the entire season this year, the Canadian native will make a great comeback with the team in 1973, establishing a…
On January 7, 1971, Cincinnati Reds star Bobby Tolan ruptures his Achilles tendon while playing basketball. Tolan will miss the entire season and will never regain the form that he displayed in 1970, when he batted .316 and stole a league-leading 57 bases. Bobby Tolan will not be streaking along the paths until June 1…
Houston Astros outfielder Jimmy Wynn is stabbed during a domestic dispute
National League batting champion Rico Carty of the Atlanta Braves breaks his leg in a winter league game
On May 31, 1970, Baltimore Orioles star Paul Blair is hit by a pitch thrown by California Angels relief pitcher Ken Tatum. Blair suffers a broken nose and other facial fractures. Although Blair will recover and continue to play for 10 more seasons, he will never hit above .280 over the balance of his career.
On April 16, 1970, Cincinnati Reds ace Jim Maloney tears his Achilles tendon while running the bases and is replaced by rookie left-hander Don Gullett, who wins his first major league game. Although Maloney will eventually make a comeback from the injury, he will never win another game.
1970 – In Arizona spring training, the Cleveland Indians lose Ken Harrelson when he fractures his leg; he will miss most of the season.
On January 25, 1970, future Hall of Famer Phil Niekro is taken to a hospital to undergo an emergency appendectomy. In 1969, Niekro won 23 games for the Atlanta Braves and finished second in the National League’s Cy Young voting. Perhaps as a result of the surgery, Niekro will fall off to 12-18 in 1970.
1969 – Back for the first time in over a month after an on-field collision with teammate Hector Torres put him in a hospital, Jesus Alou starts a four-run ninth-inning rally that topples the Reds, 7-4. Alou scores the tying run on a double by Sandy Valdespino then Joe Morgan plates Johnny Edwards with a squeeze bunt for the game-winner.
Boston Red Sox star Jim Lonborg undergoes surgery on his left knee
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