View source for Mike Cuellar

{{Short description|Cuban baseball player (1937–2010)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{good article}}
{{family name hatnote|Cuellar|Santana|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Mike Cuellar
|image=Mike Cuéllar 1972.jpg
|caption=Cuellar in 1972
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|bats=Left
|throws=Left
|birth_date={{Birth date|1937|5|8}}
|birth_place=[[Santa Clara, Cuba]]
|death_date={{Death date and age|2010|4|2|1937|5|8}}
|death_place=[[Orlando, Florida]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=April 18
|debutyear=1959
|debutteam=Cincinnati Reds
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=May 3
|finalyear=1977
|finalteam=California Angels
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=185–130
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=3.14
|stat3label=[[Strikeouts]]
|stat3value=1,632
|teams=
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|1959}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|1964}})
* [[Houston Astros]] ({{mlby|1965}}–{{mlby|1968}})
* [[Baltimore Orioles]] ({{mlby|1969}}–{{mlby|1976}})
* [[California Angels]] ({{mlby|1977}})
|highlights=
* 4× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1967 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1967]], [[1970 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1970]], [[1971 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1971]], [[1974 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1974]])
* 2× [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1964}}, {{wsy|1970}})
* [[AL Cy Young Award]] (1969)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders|MLB wins leader]] (1970)
* [[Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame]]
}}

'''Miguel Ángel Cuellar Santana''' ({{respell|KWAY|ar}}; May 8, 1937 – April 2, 2010) was a Cuban professional [[baseball]] player. He played for 15 seasons in [[Major League Baseball]] as a left-handed [[pitcher]] in 1959 and from 1964 through 1977, most prominently as a member of the [[Baltimore Orioles]] who won the [[List of American League pennant winners|American League (AL) pennant]] in each of Cuellar's first three seasons with the team. During that time, Cuellar and the Orioles won the [[1970 World Series]]. Cuellar also played for the [[Cincinnati Reds]], [[St. Louis Cardinals]], [[Houston Astros]] and [[California Angels]].

Cuellar and [[Denny McLain]] each won the AL [[Cy Young Award]] in 1969, due to a tie in the voting. For the Orioles, Cuellar [[win–loss record (pitching)|won]] 20-or-more games in a season four times from 1969 through 1974. Along with [[Jim Palmer]], [[Dave McNally]], and [[Pat Dobson]], he was one of four Oriole starters to win at least 20 games in 1971. Cuellar, nicknamed "'''Crazy Horse'''" because of his superstitious nature, ranks among Baltimore's top five career leaders in [[Win (baseball statistics)|wins]] (143), [[strikeout]]s (1,011), [[shutouts in baseball|shutout]]s (30) and [[innings pitched]] (2,028). In 1982, Cuellar was inducted into the [[Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame]].

==Life and career==
===Early life and first stints in the majors===
Miguel Angel Cuellar Santana was born in [[Santa Clara, Cuba|Santa Clara]], [[Cuba]], on May 8, 1937.<ref name="WaPo Obit"/> One of four brothers, Cuellar's family made their living working in Cuban sugar mills. Not interested in pursuing that as a career, Cuellar joined the [[Cuban Army]], which allowed him to play baseball on weekends. He threw a [[no-hitter]] for an army team in 1955, drawing attention from scouts.<ref name="SABR"/> Following his army service, he pitched for [[Cinco Estrellas]] in the [[Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League|Nicaraguan league]] in 1956, then joined [[Almendares (baseball)|Almendares]] of the [[Cuban Winter League]] over the offseason.<ref>{{cite news |title=Escogidos los equipos de beisbol en Nicaragua para el encuentro de Las Estrellas para el 14 |url= https://prensacr.info/data/5e91ffd2445c2c0f118ddc72 |access-date=1 July 2025 |agency=La Prensa Libre |date=8 September 1956}}</ref><ref name="SABR"/>

In the 1950s, the [[Cincinnati Reds]] executed a working agreement with the [[Havana Sugar Kings]] of the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[International League]] (IL), helping them acquire many Cuban players, including Cuellar.<ref>{{cite web|page=C5|last=Gammons|first=Peter|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19850428&id=QB0vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6NoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1571,4861355|title=A different breed|work=[[The Beaver County Times]]|date=April 28, 1985|access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref> Cuellar struck out seven [[Montreal Royals]] in just over two innings of work in his first game with Havana in 1957. Used as a [[starting pitcher]] and as a [[relief pitcher]] (44 games, 16 starts), he posted an 8–7 record and led the IL in [[earned run average]] (ERA) with a 2.44 mark. The next season, he had a 2.77 ERA and a 13–12 record, pitching 220 [[Innings pitched|innings]].<ref name="SABR"/>

Entering the 1959 season, Cuellar was featured on a baseball card in a ''Topps'' set for the very first time, though the company misspelled his name as "Cueller."<ref>{{cite web|last=Putman|first=Pete|url=https://www.psacard.com/articles/articleview/9918/psa-set-registry-flip-ya-topps-1959-baseball-card-still-ranks-one-its-best-designs-six-decades-later|title=Flip Ya For It!|publisher=PSA|date=July 23, 2019|access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref> Part of Cincinnati's roster to begin the season, Cuellar made his major league debut with Cincinnati against the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] at [[Crosley Field]] on April 18, 1959. He entered the contest in relief of [[Don Newcombe]] in the second [[inning]] with the Reds losing 4–2. In his two innings of work, Cuellar surrendered a [[grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] to [[Gene Freese]] in the third and a two-run [[double (baseball)|double]] to [[Al Schroll]] in the fourth. The Reds went on to lose 14–9.<ref name="SABR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1959/B04180CIN1959.htm |title=Philadelphia Phillies 14, Cincinnati Reds 9; Saturday, April 18, 1959 (D) at Crosley Field |publisher=[[Retrosheet]]|access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref> His only other appearance with the Reds came three days later against the [[Milwaukee Braves]]. Again he pitched two innings in relief, giving up two [[run (baseball)|runs]] as the Reds lost 7–4.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1959/B04210MLN1959.htm |title=Milwaukee Braves 7, Cincinnati Reds 4; Tuesday, April 21, 1959 (D) at County Stadium |publisher=[[Retrosheet]]|access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref> After that, he was returned to Havana; it would be several years before he pitched in the major leagues again.<ref name="SABR"/>

For the rest of 1959, Cuellar had a 10–11 record and 111 strikeouts.<ref name="minors">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=cuella002mig|title=Mike Cuellar Winter, Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> Though his 11 losses were tied with four others for eighth in the league, he ranked eighth with a 2.80 ERA and fifth with 220 innings pitched.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?type=pitch&id=2dece84d|title=1959 International League Pitching Leaders|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> Havana won the IL championship and defeated the [[Minneapolis Millers]] in the [[Junior World Series]].<ref name="SABR"/>

The Sugar Kings moved to [[Jersey City, New Jersey]], in the middle of the 1960 season in response to [[Fidel Castro]]'s nationalization of American businesses in Cuba.<ref name=jtgethv>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AuRLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=p4oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3444%2C5605313 |work=[[The Free Lance–Star]]  |title=Jersey City to get Havana, Castro 'speaks' |date=July 9, 1960 |page=6|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> In 33 games (21 starts) for the franchise, Cuellar had a 6–9 record, a 3.53 ERA, and 74 strikeouts in 148 innings pitched.<ref name="minors"/> He split the 1961 season between three Triple-A teams: Jersey City of the IL and the [[Indianapolis Indians]] of the [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]] (both Reds affiliates) and the [[Syracuse Chiefs]] of the IL (an affiliate of the [[Minnesota Twins]]). Exact statistics for this year are unknown.<ref name="minors"/>

Cuellar spent the 1962 season with the [[Sultanes de Monterrey]] of the Triple-A [[Mexican League]], appearing in 37 games.<ref name="minors"/> He split the 1963 minor league season between affiliates of the [[Detroit Tigers]] and [[Cleveland Indians]]. For the [[Knoxville Smokies]] (Detroit) of the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[South Atlantic League]], he had a 1–1 record, a 2.54 ERA, and 39 strikeouts. With the IL's [[Jacksonville Suns]] (Cleveland), he had a 6–7 record, a 3.79 ERA, and 85 strikeouts in 24 games (16 starts).<ref name="minors"/>

After being stuck in the minors for five years, Cuellar experienced improvement in 1964. During the offseason, while he had been playing winter ball, teammate [[Ruben Gomez (baseball player)|Ruben Gomez]] had suggested he start throwing a [[screwball]]. Signed by the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] in 1964, Cuellar used the pitch about 30 percent of the time while pitching for Jacksonville, now an affiliate of the Cardinals.<ref name="SABR"/> He made 10 starts for Jacksonville, posting a 1.78 ERA while winning six of seven decisions.<ref name="minors"/> Seeing his success, the Cardinals decided to promote him in mid-June.<ref name="SABR"/>

Cuellar was used primarily as a [[relief pitcher]] for the rest of the year, though he also made seven starts.<ref name="reference">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cuellmi01.shtml|title=Mike Cuellar Stats|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> One of these came in the second game of a [[Doubleheader (baseball)|doubleheader]] against the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]; Cuellar allowed five runs in {{frac|7|1|3}} innings but earned the win (his first) in a 12–5 Cardinal victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT196407132.shtml|title=St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score, July 13, 1964|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> Cuellar also beat the Pirates on August 26, this time allowing just two runs in a complete game, 4–2 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN196408260.shtml|title=Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals Box Score, August 26, 1964|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> Freese, who had hit a grand slam off of Cuellar five years earlier, made the last out. The hitter said that "he's a lot faster and has come with quite a scroogie".<ref name="SABR"/> In 32 games (seven starts), Cuellar had a 5–5 record, a 4.50 ERA, 56 strikeouts, 33 [[Walk (baseball)|walks]], and 80 [[hits allowed]] in 72 innings pitched.<ref name="reference"/> The Cardinals made a late-season surge as the Phillies collapsed in September. This took the Cardinals and Cuellar to the [[1964 World Series]]. Though Cuellar did not pitch in any of the games, he became a World Series champion for the first time as the Cardinals defeated the [[New York Yankees]] in seven games.<ref name=SI2>{{cite magazine|last=Leggett|first=William|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1964/10/05/the-big-red-surge |title=The Big Red Surge|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=October 5, 1964|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref>

In 1965, Cuellar failed to make the Cardinals roster and was assigned to Jacksonville to begin the year. With the Suns, he posted a 2.51 ERA and a 9–1 record.<ref name="SABR"/> At the June 15 [[trade deadline]], Cuellar and [[Ron Taylor (baseball)|Ron Taylor]] were traded to the [[Houston Astros]] for [[Hal Woodeshick]] and [[Chuck Taylor (baseball)|Chuck Taylor]].<ref name="reference"/>

===Houston Astros (1965–68)===
Cuellar spent the rest of 1965 in the major leagues with the Astros, mainly as a relief pitcher, though he also made four starts. He posted a 5.81 ERA in his first 15 games, then posted an 0.72 ERA in his last 10. Twice in September, he had relief outings in which he pitched more than five scoreless innings.<ref name="1965 Cuellar">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=cuellmi01&t=p&year=1965|title=Mike Cuellar 1965 Pitching Gamelogs|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 17, 2021}}</ref> His record for the season was 1–4, and he struck out 46 batters in 56 innings, posting a 3.54 ERA.<ref name="reference"/>

After beginning the 1966 season as a relief pitcher, Cuellar was added to the starting rotation on April 25.<ref name="1966 Cuellar"/> Facing the Reds, Cuellar held his old team to five hits and one unearned run in a 2–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196604250.shtml|title=Cincinnati Reds at Houston Astros Box Score, April 25, 1966|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> After Cuellar posted a 1.29 ERA in his first four starts, manager [[Grady Hatton]] said: "I've created a monster".<ref name="Ambitious">{{cite magazine|last=Mann|first=Jack|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1966/06/06/space-shot-by-the-ambitious-astros|title=Space Shot by the Ambitious Astros|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=June 6, 1966|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> Hatton explained: "For a while, all Cuellar wanted to do was throw screwballs. But this year, he's mixing 'em up with fast balls and curves, and making the batters hit the ball. He's got good control and a good fast ball, and he's finally making use of them."<ref>{{cite web|page=9|last=Speer|first=Ron|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19660502&id=gxwsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KckEAAAAIBAJ&pg=914,519459|title=Cuellar Comeback Sparking Astros|work=[[TimesDaily|The Times Daily]]|date=May 2, 1966|access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref> Cuellar had learned the [[curveball]] from Astro pitching coach [[Gordon Jones (baseball)|Gordon Jones]], and he was also throwing his screwball on 50-60 percent of his pitches.<ref name="SABR"/> He strained a muscle in his side and had to leave a game on May 21 but was back to action by June 2.<ref name="1966 Cuellar"/><ref name="Ambitious"/> Cuellar ultimately won his first six decisions, the last a 3–2 [[complete game]] over the Cardinals at the [[Reliant Astrodome|Astrodome]] on June 25, in which he recorded a career-high 15 [[strikeout]]s.<ref name="1966 Cuellar">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?n1=cuellmi01&t=p&year=1966 |title=Mike Cuellar 1966 Pitching Gamelogs|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1966/B06250HOU1966.htm |title=Houston Astros 3, St. Louis Cardinals 2; Saturday, June 25, 1966 (N)|publisher=[[Retrosheet]]|access-date=July 3, 2021}}</ref> He suffered two close losses during the campaign. On August 12, he held the [[San Francisco Giants]] to four hits and one run in eight innings, but [[Gaylord Perry]] of the Giants threw a 92-pitch shutout.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN196608120.shtml|title=Houston Astros at San Francisco Giants Box Score, August 12, 1966|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1966/08/22/baseballs-week|title=Baseball's Week|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=August 22, 1966|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> On September 10, he and [[Don Drysdale]] of the Dodgers held each other's teams scoreless through nine innings; Cuellar took the loss when he gave up a run in the 10th.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN196609100.shtml|title=Houston Astros at Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score, September 10, 1966|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> Cuellar threw his first major league shutout on August 29, defeating the Pirates by a score of 2–0.<ref name="SABR"/> In Cuellar's final start of the campaign, a 4–3 road win over Cincinnati in the second match of a September 28 twi-night doubleheader, he hit his first major-league [[home run]], off [[Sammy Ellis]], to lead off the top of the fifth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1966/B09282CIN1966.htm |title=Houston Astros 4, Cincinnati Reds 3 (2nd of 2); Wednesday, September 28, 1966 (N)|publisher=[[Retrosheet]]|access-date=July 3, 2021}}</ref> Cuellar finished with a 12–10 record, 175 strikeouts, and a 2.22 ERA, (second in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL) to [[Sandy Koufax]]' 1.73).<ref name="reference"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1966-pitching-leaders.shtml |title=1966 National League Pitching Leaders|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 17, 2021}}</ref>

Following a loss on May 17, 1967, Cuellar won six straight games, posting a 1.18 ERA over the span. The first of these was a 2–0 shutout of the Giants on May 21.<ref name="1967 Cuellar">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=cuellmi01&t=p&year=1967|title=Mike Cuellar 1967 Pitching Gamelogs|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 17, 2021}}</ref> He made the first of four [[1967 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] appearances at [[Anaheim Stadium]] on July 11. He came into the contest in relief of [[Chris Short]] in the 11th. Of the seven batters he faced, the only baserunner he allowed in the two shutout innings he pitched was [[Carl Yastrzemski]], who recorded a 12th-inning [[Single (baseball)|single]]. The NL eventually won 2–1 in 15 innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1967/B07110ALS1967.htm |title=National League 2, American League 1 (15 innings); All-Star Game; Tuesday, July 11, 1967 (D) at Anaheim Stadium |publisher=[[Retrosheet]]|access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref> On July 24, Cuellar had held the Phillies to one hit and no runs through eight innings, as Houston led 1–0. During the ninth, Philadelphia manager [[Gene Mauch]] called him a name from the dugout, hoping to start a fight and get both players ejected. [[Eddie Mathews]] of Houston acted as a peacemaker, but Cuellar would allow an unearned run in the inning (due to a Mathews error). However, he finished the game, allowing only two hits total as Houston prevailed 2–1 in 11 innings.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Mulvoy|first=Mike|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1967/08/07/baseballs-week|title=Baseball's Week|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=August 7, 1967|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196707240.shtml|title=Philadelphia Phillies at Houston Astros Box Score, July 24, 1967|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> He threw back-to-back shutouts on September 22 and 27 against the [[New York Mets]] and Philadelphia; the latter of these was an 11-inning game in which he struck out 12.<ref name="1967 Cuellar"/> Five times Cuellar struck out 10 or more batters in a game in 1967, the most coming on June 6, when he struck out 13 in a 3–2 win over the Cardinals.<ref name="1967 Cuellar"/> Cuellar improved his record to 16–11 in 1967, with a 3.03 ERA. He tied with four other pitchers for fifth in the NL in wins and ranked fifth in strikeouts (203, the most he would ever record in a season).<ref name="reference"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1967-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1967 NL Pitching Leaders|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 17, 2021}}</ref>

After the major league seasons, Cuellar had typically played winter baseball in Latin America over the offseasons. However, the Astros asked him not to do so in the 1967-68 offseason because they thought he was pitching too much. When he returned to the team in 1968, he complained of arm soreness.<ref name="three birds"/> He pitched only once in April and did not make a start until May 19. Cuellar won his first three starts.<ref name="1968 Cuellar">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=cuellmi01&t=p&year=1968|title=Mike Cuellar 1968 Pitching Gamelogs|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 17, 2021}}</ref> On May 30, he threw a seven-hit shutout against the Braves in an 11–0 victory.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bock|first=Hal|page=13|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19680531&id=hR4sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=i8YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=989,5251626|title=Cardinals Awake; Braves Battered|work=[[TimesDaily|The Times Daily]]|date=May 31, 1968|access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref> He struck out a season-high 12 on June 21 and held the Phillies to one unearned run in a complete game, 2–1 victory.<ref name="1968 Cuellar"/> With a four-hit shutout of the Dodgers on July 29, Cuellar's record improved to 6–5. However, he lost five straight decisions, not winning again until September 17.<ref name="1968 Cuellar"/> In 28 games (24 starts), he had an 8–11 record, though his ERA was 2.74. He struck out 133 batters in {{frac|170|2|3}} innings.<ref name="reference"/> On December 4, the Astros traded Cuellar, [[Enzo Hernández]], and Tom Johnson to the [[Baltimore Orioles]] for [[Curt Blefary]] and John Mason.<ref name="reference"/>

===Baltimore Orioles (1969–76)===
====1969–71====
With Baltimore, Cuellar "blossomed into a star," according to reporter Matt Schudel.<ref name="WaPo Obit">{{cite web|last=Schudel|first=Matt|url=https://www.heraldextra.com/news/national/obituaries/mike-cuellar-first-latino-to-win-cy-young-award-dead-of-cancer/article_2141673c-4f8c-5b19-96c7-06af85db2d3c.html|title=Mike Cuellar, first Latino to win Cy Young Award, dead of cancer|work=[[Daily Herald (Utah)|The Daily Herald]]|date=April 4, 2010|access-date=January 12, 2021}}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> As the pitcher joined fellow starters [[Jim Palmer]] and [[Dave McNally]], and sluggers [[Frank Robinson]], [[Brooks Robinson]] and [[Boog Powell]], the Orioles began a three-year run atop the [[American League]] (AL) in 1969.<ref name="WaPo Obit"/> In his Baltimore debut on April 10, he pitched 10 innings and allowed just one unearned run against the [[Boston Red Sox]]. Though he did not get a decision, the Orioles prevailed 2–1 in 13 innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL196904100.shtml|title=Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, April 10, 1969|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 17, 2021}}</ref> He threw 10 innings in another game on April 23 (this one a 3–2 win over the Tigers), then threw a shutout against the Yankees four days later.<ref name="1969 Cuellar"/> Facing the [[Kansas City Royals]] on May 10, he threw a two-hit shutout in a 5–0 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA196905180.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles at Kansas City Royals Box Score, May 18, 1969|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 18, 2021}}</ref> On June 17 and 21, Cuellar pitched a pair of complete-game four-hit, one-run victories, striking out 12 and nine batters respectively.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1969/06/30/baseballs-week|title=Baseball's Week|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=June 30, 1969|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref><ref name="1969 Cuellar">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=cuellmi01&t=p&year=1969|title=Mike Cuellar 1969 Pitching Gamelogs|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> He held the Red Sox to three hits on July 12 in a 4–0 shutout.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL196907120.shtml|title=Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, July 12, 1969|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 18, 2021}}</ref> In August, Cuellar retired 35 batters in a row. The streak was ended on August 10 by [[César Tovar]] of the [[Minnesota Twins]], as Cuellar was three outs away from recording his first career no-hitter; Tovar's hit, which came in the top of ninth inning, was the only one the Twins would manage against Cuellar in his complete-game shutout (a 2–0 victory).<ref name="1969 Cuellar"/> He won seven straight games from July 24 through August 19 (the last of which was a shutout of the [[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]]), then won six straight from August 27 to September 18.<ref name="1969 Cuellar"/>

During the 1969 season, Cuellar achieved a win–loss record of 23–11, struck out 182 batters, and recorded a 2.38 ERA, as Baltimore won a club-record 109 games and the very first [[AL East]] Division title.{{efn|Prior to the season, both the American League and National League had added two teams and been divided into six-team East and West Divisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/postseason.shtml|title=Baseball Postseason Playoffs|work=Baseball Almanac|access-date=January 18, 2021}}</ref>}}<ref name="reference"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/|title=Baltimore Orioles Team History & Encyclopedia|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 18, 2021}}</ref> Cuellar's 23 wins ranked second in the AL to [[Denny McLain]]'s 24, his 2.38 ERA ranked third (behind [[Dick Bosman]]'s 2.19 and Palmer's 2.34), and his 182 strikeouts tied [[Joe Coleman (baseball, born 1947)|Joe Coleman]] for fifth. His five shutouts were third behind McLain's nine and Palmer's six.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1969-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1969 AL Pitching Leaders|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref> For his outstanding year, Cuellar tied McLain for the AL [[Cy Young Award]].{{efn|Note that following this tie in the voting, the system for voting was changed in a way that made ties in the voting far more unlikely.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19701107&id=38RdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Y14NAAAAIBAJ&pg=727,1149783|title=Jim Perry Wins AL Mound Award|work=The Observer-Reporter|date=November 7, 1970|access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref> No two pitchers have tied for the Cy Young Award in either Major League since.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/cya.shtml|title=MLB Cy Young Award Winners|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 18, 2021}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Cuellar, McLain Involved in First Young Award Tie|agency=Associated Press |work=[[The Free Lance–Star]] |page=8 |date=6 November 1969 |access-date=22 December 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HTVWAAAAIBAJ&pg=1113,6253279&dq=denny+mclain&hl=en}}</ref> Cuellar became the first pitcher born in Latin America to win the Cy Young Award.<ref name="sun obit"/> He also finished eighth in AL [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] (MVP) voting.<ref name="reference"/>

The Orioles faced the [[Minnesota Twins]] in the [[1969 American League Championship Series|American League Championship Series]].  In Game 1, Cuellar allowed three runs (two earned) in eight innings, leaving with his team trailing 3–2. Baltimore tied it in the ninth on a [[Boog Powell]] home run, then scored the winning run in the 12th on a [[Paul Blair (baseball)|Paul Blair]] RBI single to win the game 4–3. The Orioles went on to sweep the Twins three games to none en route to winning the American League Pennant and earning a berth in the [[1969 World Series|World Series]] against the [[New York Mets]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL196910040.shtml|title=1969 American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 1, Twins at Orioles, October 4|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 19, 2021}}</ref> Cuellar again got the start in Game 1, allowing one run over four innings and outpitching [[Tom Seaver]] in a 4–1 victory.<ref name="SABR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL196910110.shtml|title=1969 World Series Game 1, Mets at Orioles, October 11|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 19, 2021}}</ref> The two faced off again in Game 4; Cuellar pitched seven innings, allowing just a home run to [[Donn Clendenon]], but the Orioles were losing 1–0 when Cuellar exited the game. [[Brooks Robinson]] tied the game with a [[sacrifice fly]] in the ninth, taking Cuellar off the hook for the loss, but the Orioles lost the game 2–1 in 10 innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN196910150.shtml|title=1969 World Series Game 4, Orioles at Mets, October 15|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 19, 2021}}</ref> In the next game, the Mets completed one of the biggest World Series upsets ever, winning the 1969 Series four games to one against the heavily favored Orioles. Cuellar's triumph in Game One wound up being the only Baltimore victory.<ref name="sun obit"/>

On May 29, 1970, Cuellar struck out 10 batters, including four in the same inning, as he threw a four-hit shutout against the Angels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats19.shtml|title=Four Strikeouts In One Inning by American League Pitchers|work=Baseball Almanac|access-date=January 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197005290.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles at California Angels Box Score, May 29, 1970|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 20, 2021}}</ref> Twice in the first half of the season, he allowed only two hits in a game, on May 24 and June 11 (both Oriole wins).<ref name="1970 Cuellar">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=cuellmi01&t=p&year=1970|title=Mike Cuellar 1970 Pitching Gamelogs|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 20, 2021}}</ref> He threw a four-hit shutout against the Tigers on July 3, then pitched all 10 innings of a 6–2 victory over the Yankees four days later.<ref name="1970 Cuellar"/> Cuellar made the [[1970 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] team for the second time, picked by Weaver, who was managing the team.<ref>{{cite web|page=C-6|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19700709&id=bHNeAAAAIBAJ&pg=926,1155165|title=Managers Pick Their All-Star Pitchers|work=The Observer Reporter|date=July 9, 1970|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> Through June, his ERA was 4.34 (though his record was 8–5), but Cuellar only lost three times for the rest of the season while winning 16 more games and posting a 2.78 ERA.<ref name="SABR"/> On August 11, he threw a four-hit shutout against the Angels for the second time that season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197008110.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles at California Angels Box Score, August 11, 1970|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 20, 2021}}</ref> On August 27, Cuellar became the second pitcher in the AL (after teammate McNally) to win 20 games, allowing 10 hits but earning the win in a 6–4 victory over the Athletics.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1970/09/07/the-week|title=The Week|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=September 7, 1970|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197008270.shtml|title=Oakland Athletics at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, August 27, 1970|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> He threw his fourth shutout of the season on September 9, necessary for Baltimore's 1–0 victory over the Yankees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197009090.shtml|title=New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, September 9, 1970|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 20, 2021}}</ref> Cuellar's win–loss record was 24–8 in 1970; he recorded a 3.48 ERA and 190 strikeouts.<ref name="reference"/> Cuellar's 24 wins tied with McNally and [[Jim Perry (baseball)|Jim Perry]] for the major league lead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1970-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1970 Major League Pitching Leaders|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=July 3, 2021}}</ref> He led the AL in games started (40, tied with four others), and [[complete game]]s (21), also ranking among the AL leaders in strikeouts (fifth), shutouts (four, tied with two others for third), and innings pitched ({{frac|297|2|3}}, third, behind Palmer and [[Sam McDowell]]'s 305).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1970-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1970 AL Pitching Leaders|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref> However, Cuellar finished in fourth place in the voting for the American League Cy Young Award. "He should have won the Cy that year, but not doing so never affected his performance," teammate Palmer opined.<ref name="sun obit"/> In the AL MVP voting, Cuellar finished 11th.<ref name="reference"/> Cuellar, Palmer, and McNally combined for 68 wins, the most for a starting trio since three Detroit Tigers did so in 1944.<ref name="three birds"/>

The Orioles faced the Twins again in the [[1970 American League Championship Series|ALCS]], and Cuellar started Game 1. Struggling on the mound in the cold weather at [[Metropolitan Stadium]], he surrendered six runs in {{frac|4|1|3}} innings. However, he contributed offensively in the fourth inning, when he hit a pitch from Jim Perry that barely stayed fair as it passed over the right field fence for a [[Grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]]. The Orioles won 10–6, then went on to sweep the Twins for the second year in a row.<ref name="three birds">{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1970/10/12/three-birds-who-mainly-stay|title=Three Birds Who Mainly Stay|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=October 12, 1970|access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref>

Cuellar had a rocky start in Game 2 of the [[1970 World Series]] against the Reds, lasting only {{frac|2|1|3}} innings and giving up four runs (though only one was earned). However, Baltimore rallied to win the game 6–5.<ref>{{cite web|page=21|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19701015&id=EJIuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OKEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=764,3758736|title=Cincy 'gun' finally brings down Birds|work=The Montreal Gazette|date=October 15, 1970|access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN197010110.shtml|title=1970 World Series Game 2, Orioles at Reds, October 11|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 20, 2021}}</ref> In Game 5, Cuellar was hit hard early, giving up three runs to the Reds in the first inning. It was then that his pitching coach, [[George Bamberger]], advised Cuellar to stop throwing his screwball for the rest of the game. Cuellar settled himself down and followed Bamberger's advice by relying on his [[fastball]], curveball, and [[changeup]], to shut out the Reds for the next eight innings for an impressive 9-3 complete game victory that clinched the World Series title for the Orioles. Forty years later, reporter Mike Klingaman wrote, "Of his 185 big league victories, none meant more than that World Series win to Cuellar."<ref name="sun obit"/>

Facing the Indians in his second start of the year on April 14, 1971, Cuellar only struck out two batters but only allowed four hits in a 3–0 shutout win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE197104140.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles at Cleveland Indians Box Score, April 14, 1971|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> He took pleasure in a complete game, 3–2 win over the Indians on May 26. Earlier in the year, Cleveland manager [[Alvin Dark]] had said that Cuellar's fastball "couldn't blacken an eye."<ref name="blacken">{{cite magazine|last=Fimrite|first=Ron|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1971/06/07/the-week|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818023429/https://vault.si.com/vault/1971/06/07/the-week|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 18, 2022|title=The Week|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=June 7, 1971|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197105260.shtml|title=Cleveland Indians at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, May 26, 1971|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> He won 11 decisions in a row from May 12 through July 8, posting a 2.17 ERA in that span.<ref name="1971 Cuellar">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=cuellmi01&t=p&year=1971|title=Mike Cuellar 1971 Pitching Gamelogs|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> The first of these was a 6–0 shutout of the [[Kansas City Royals]] on May 12 in which [[Jerry May (baseball)|Jerry May]] had the only hit off of him, a third-inning single.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197105120.shtml|title=Kansas City Royals at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, May 12, 1971|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> He shut out the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] on June 4, then held the [[Minnesota Twins]] to one run in a complete game, 2–1 victory five days later.<ref name="1971 Cuellar"/> Teammate [[Pat Dobson]] was so impressed with Cuellar's success, he started wearing his socks for good luck.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Reed|first=William F.|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1971/06/28/the-week|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121063623/https://vault.si.com/vault/1971/06/28/the-week|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 21, 2021|title=The Week|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=June 28, 1971|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> With a 13–1 record and a 2.88 ERA in the first half, Cuellar was selected to his third [[1971 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]].<ref name="SABR"/><ref name="1971 Cuellar"/> In the second half, he was only 7–8, but his ERA was 3.34.<ref name="1971 Cuellar"/> Against the Twins on August 10, he gave up [[Harmon Killebrew]]'s 500th home run.<ref>{{cite book|last=Allen|first=Bob|author2=Bill Gilbert |title=The 500 Home Run Club: Baseball's 16 Greatest Home Run Hitters from Babe Ruth to Mark McGwire|publisher=Sports Publishing|isbn=1-58261-289-7|year=2000|location=Champaign, Illinois|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hqvJogEC99IC&q=Harmon+Killebrew+Lavagetto&pg=PA36|ref=Allen|page=80}}</ref> He held the White Sox to four hits on August 24 in a 1–0 shutout.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197108240.shtml|title=Chicago White Sox at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, August 24, 1971|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> In 1971, Cuellar's regular-season win–loss record was 20–9, and he had a 3.08 ERA and 124 strikeouts.<ref name="reference"/> His 20 wins tied with four others for sixth in the AL, his four shutouts were tied with 10 others for seventh, his {{frac|292|1|3}} innings pitched were fourth in the AL (behind [[Mickey Lolich]]'s 376, [[Wilbur Wood]]'s 334, and [[Vida Blue]]'s 312), and his 21 complete games were also fourth (behind Lolich's 29, Blue's 24, and Wood's 22).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1971-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1971 AL Pitching Leaders|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref> Palmer and McNally each won 20 games again, and newcomer Dobson did so as well, making the Orioles the first team to have four twenty-game winners since the [[1921 Chicago White Sox season|1921 Chicago White Sox]].<ref name=nytobit>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/03/sports/dave-mcnally-60-early-free-agent-dies.html |work=The New York Times |last=Goldstein |first=Richard |title=Dave McNally, 60, early free agent, dies |date=December 3, 2002 |access-date=September 17, 2017}}</ref> Though Cuellar did not get any Cy Young votes, he finished 24th in AL MVP voting.<ref name="reference"/>

This year in the [[1971 American League Championship Series|ALCS]], the Orioles faced the Athletics instead of the Twins. Cuellar started Game 2, allowing just one run and six hits in a complete game, 5–1 victory. The Orioles swept the ALCS for the third year in a row and earned a berth in the World Series against the Pirates.<ref name="SABR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197110040.shtml|title=1971 American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 2, Athletics at Orioles, October 4|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> In Game 3, Cuellar allowed five runs (four earned) in six innings, suffering the defeat in the 5–1 loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT197110120.shtml|title=1971 World Series Game 3, Orioles at Pirates, October 12|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> He allowed just two runs over eight innings in Game 7, but [[Steve Blass]] of the Pirates allowed only one run, and Pittsburgh won the series as Cuellar suffered a difficult loss.<ref name="SABR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197110170.shtml|title=1971 World Series Game 7, Pirates at Orioles, October 17|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref>

====1972–76====
On May 26, 1972, Cuellar threw a four-hit shutout in a 2–0 victory over the Indians.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197205260.shtml|title=Cleveland Indians at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, May 26, 1972|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> He won only two of his first nine games in 1972, though his ERA was 3.50.<ref name="1972 Cuellar"/> After June 4, he posted a 16–7 record for the rest of the year, with a 2.36 ERA.<ref name="1972 Cuellar">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=cuellmi01&t=p&year=1972|title=Mike Cuellar 1972 Pitching Gamelogs|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> Though striking out only two Yankees on June 28, he allowed five hits and no runs in a 4–0 shutout.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA197206280.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees Box Score, June 28, 1972|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> A little over a month later, he allowed just three hits in a 5–0 shutout of the Yankees on July 30.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197207300.shtml|title=New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, July 30, 1972|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 23, 2021}}</ref> On August 11, he struck out a season-high 13 batters in a 2–1 win over Boston.<ref name="1972 Cuellar"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197208110.shtml|title=Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, August 11, 1972|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 23, 2021}}</ref> From August 25 through September 16, he won five straight decisions for the Orioles.<ref name="1972 Cuellar"/> Nine shutout innings on September 3 were not enough for a win as the Angels scored a run against [[Eddie Watt]] in the 10th to win 1–0, but Cuellar threw nine more shutout innings four days later, getting credit for the win this time in a 9–0 victory over the Tigers.<ref name="1972 Cuellar"/> In 35 starts, he had an 18–12 record, a 2.57 ERA, and 132 strikeouts in {{frac|248|1|3}} innings pitched.<ref name="reference"/> His 18 wins were tied with [[Clyde Wright]] for 10th in the AL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1972-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1972 AL Pitching Leaders|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref>

Cuellar got off to a 2–6 start in 1973, posting a 5.00 ERA through June 9.<ref name="1973 Cuellar"/> Afterwards, he went 16–7, posting a 2.56 ERA.<ref name="1973 Cuellar">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=cuellmi01&t=p&year=1973|title=Mike Cuellar 1973 Pitching Gamelogs|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> He held the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] to three hits on June 15 in a 1–0 shutout.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197306150.shtml|title=Texas Rangers at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, June 15, 1973|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 24, 2021}}</ref> Ten days later, he pitched all 12 innings of a 4–3 win over the Brewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL197306250.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles at Milwaukee Brewers Box Score, June 25, 1973|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 24, 2021}}</ref> On July 19, he struck out 12 batters and pitched all 11 innings of a 3–1 victory over the Angels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197307190.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles at California Angels Box Score, July 19, 1973|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 24, 2021}}</ref> He threw a five-hit shutout against the White Sox on August 18 in a 3–0 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197308180.shtml|title=Chicago White Sox at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, August 18, 1973|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 24, 2021}}</ref> From August 9 through September 1, he won six starts in a row; after losing on September 5, he won his last four decisions of the year.<ref name="1973 Cuellar"/> On September 17, he allowed four runs (two earned) and struck out nine as he pitched all 10 innings of a 5–4 win over the Yankees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197309170.shtml|title=New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, September 17, 1973|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 24, 2021}}</ref> In 38 starts, he had an 18–13 record, a 3.27 ERA, and 140 strikeouts in 267 innings.<ref name="reference"/> After a one-year absence from the playoffs, the Orioles won the AL East again, facing the defending World Series Champion Athletics in the [[1973 American League Championship Series|ALCS]]. The starter for Game 3, Cuellar pitched every inning of an 11-inning game, matching pace with [[Ken Holtzman]] of the Athletics for 10 innings before finally giving up a game-ending home run to [[Bert Campaneris]] in a 2–1 loss. The Athletics won the series in five games.<ref name="SABR"/>

During 1974 spring training, Cuellar began parking in a special spot in the reporters-only parking lot, perhaps thinking that ''The Cuban Star'' referred to him. "Who else is Cuban star on this club?" he asked.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Peterson|first=Harold|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1974/04/22/people|title=People|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=April 22, 1974|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> Despite a broken toe, he was ready for the start of the season.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1974/04/08/al-east-no-one-sings-the-blues-in-birdland|title=AL East: No One Sings the Blues in Birdland|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=April 8, 1974|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref><ref name="1974 Cuellar">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=cuellmi01&t=p&year=1974|title=Mike Cuellar|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> After losing all three of his April decisions, he won nine straight decisions before finally suffering another loss on June 21. Included in that streak were two shutouts: a rain-shortened seven-inning game against Boston on May 17 and a 1–0 victory over the Twins on June 17.<ref name="1974 Cuellar"/> Against the Yankees on June 30, Cuellar struck out only one batter but threw a six-hit shutout in a June 30.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197406300.shtml|title=New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, June 30, 1974|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 25, 2021}}</ref> He was selected to the [[1974 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] for the fourth time in his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19740718&id=8IseAAAAIBAJ&pg=822,995317&hl=en|title=American League|work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal|date=July 18, 1974|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref> On August 15, he struck out a season-high 10 batters and held the White Sox to six hits and one run in a complete game, 2–1 victory.<ref name="1974 Cuellar"/><ref>{{cite web|page=12|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2706&dat=19740817&id=MAdKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fh4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1143,4059698|title=Birds, Tribe win, gain on Red Sox|work=The Michigan Daily|date=August 16, 1974|access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref> After a loss on August 24, Cuellar won seven of his last nine games, and the two he did not get the decision in were also Oriole victories.<ref name="1974 Cuellar"/> In early September, Cuellar, Palmer, McNally, and [[Ross Grimsley]] set an AL record with five consecutive shutouts. Cuellar threw two in the streak, both 1–0 victories.<ref name="1974 Cuellar"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1974/09/16/the-week-aug-31sept-7|title=The Week (Aug. 31-Sep. 7)|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=September 16, 1974|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> Cuellar had a great season in {{Baseball year|1974}}, finishing with a win–loss record of 22–10, a 3.11 ERA, and 106 strikeouts.<ref name="SABR"/> He led the AL in winning percentage with a .688 mark, and his 22 wins were third in the league behind Hunter's and [[Fergie Jenkins]]'s 25. Cuellar pitched 20 complete games (tied with [[Steve Busby]] for eighth), including five shutouts (tied with [[Jim Bibby]] for fourth), as he earned a sixth-place finish in the Cy Young Award voting.<ref name="reference"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1974-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1974 AL Pitching Leaders|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> From 1969 through 1974, Cuellar's .665 winning percentage was the best in the major leagues.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kaplan|first=Jim|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1975/04/07/american-league-east|title=American League East|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=April 7, 1975|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref>

Again, the Orioles won the Eastern Division and faced the Athletics in the [[1974 American League Championship Series|ALCS]]. In Game 1, Cuellar gave up three runs over eight innings, pitching craftily and earning the victory as the Orioles won 6–3.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Fimrite|first=Ron|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1974/10/14/in-the-heat-of-the-fight|title=In the Heat of the Fight|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=October 14, 1974|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197410050.shtml|title=1974 American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 1, Orioles at Athletics, October 5|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> He allowed just one hit in Game 4, but his control was not good; he walked nine hitters and was lifted in the fifth inning after walking in a run. The Athletics only scored one more all game, but that was enough for a series-clinching, 2–1 win. It would be Cuellar's final postseason start; in playoff games, he had gone 4–4 and posted a 2.85 ERA.<ref name="SABR"/>

In Cuellar's second start of 1975 on April 16, he allowed just three hits in a 2–0 shutout of the Brewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197504160.shtml|title=Milwaukee Brewers at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, April 16, 1975|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref> On May 31, a third-inning single by [[Bruce Bochte]] was the only hit Cuellar allowed in a 1–0, shutout victory over the Angels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197505310.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles at California Angels Box Score, May 31, 1975|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref> He gave up six hits in a shutout of the Red Sox on June 22, a 6–0 victory in the first game of a doubleheader.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197506221.shtml|title=Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, June 22, 1975|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref> After the Tigers knocked Cuellar out in the second inning of a game on June 26, 1975, he returned three days later and held Detroit to five hits and one run in a complete game, 2–1 victory.<ref name="1975 Cuellar">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=cuellmi01&t=p&year=1975|title=Mike Cuellar 1975 Pitching Gamelogs|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|page=27|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=19750630&id=Oe4gAAAAIBAJ&sjid=83EFAAAAIBAJ&pg=828,5819115|title=Orioles 2, Tigers 1|work=The Day|date=June 30, 1975|access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref> On July 26, he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Brewers and finished with one hit allowed (a single to [[George Scott (first baseman)|George Scott]]) and 10 strikeouts in a 4–0 victory over the Brewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL197507260.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles at Milwaukee Brewers Box Score, July 26, 1975|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref> He allowed just two hits on August 11 in a 4–0 shutout of the Royals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197508110.shtml|title=Kansas City Royals at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, August 11, 1975|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref>  On September 2, in the first game of a doubleheader against Cleveland, he pitched all 10 innings, allowing 11 hits but just two runs as the Orioles won 3–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197509021.shtml|title=Cleveland Indians at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, September 2, 1975|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 26, 2020}}</ref> Cuellar's ERA in 1975 was 3.66, the highest it had been since 1964-though his five shutouts tied his career high, his pitching was not as consistent as usual.<ref name="SABR"/> He had a 14–12 record and struck out 105 batters in 256 innings. The five shutouts tied with three others for third in the AL, behind Palmer's 10 and Hunter's seven.<ref name="1975 pitching leaders">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1975-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1975 AL Pitching Leaders|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref>

By 1976, Cuellar was 39 years old, and his age negatively impacted his performance.<ref name="SABR"/> He did shut out the Rangers on June 20, limiting Texas to three hits in a 2–0 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TEX/TEX197606200.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles at Texas Rangers Box Score, June 20, 1976|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref> After posting a 4–12 record and a 5.14 ERA through the end of July, he was moved to the bullpen.<ref name="SABR"/><ref name="1976 Cuellar">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=cuellmi01&t=p&year=1976|title=Mike Cuellar 1976 Pitching Gamelogs|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref> He made five relief appearances for the Orioles in August, then did not pitch at all once the Orioles made their [[September call-ups]].<ref name="1976 Cuellar"/> In 26 games (19 starts), he had a 4–13 record, a 4.96 ERA, and 32 strikeouts in 107 innings pitched.<ref name="reference"/> He was released on December 21, ending his eight-year tenure with the Orioles.<ref name="reference"/> With the Orioles, Cuellar would enjoy three consecutive 20-win seasons.<ref>100 Things Orioles Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Dan Connolly, Triumph Books, Chicago, 2015, ISBN 978-1-62937-041-5, p.257</ref>

===California Angels (1977), later career===
On January 25, 1977, Cuellar was signed by the California Angels.<ref name="reference"/> [[Harry Dalton]], their [[General manager (baseball)|general manager]] (GM), was friends with Cuellar from his time as the Orioles' GM previously.<ref name="SABR"/> However, Cuellar struggled in spring training and did not even appear in a regular season game until April 26, California's 19th game of the season.<ref name="SABR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=cuellmi01&t=p&year=1977|title=Mike Cuellar 1977 Pitching Gamelogs|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref> In a start against the Yankees on May 3, Cuellar allowed seven hits and six runs in {{frac|3|1|3}} innings, taking the loss in an 8–1 defeat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA197705030.shtml|title=California Angels at New York Yankees Box Score, May 3, 1977|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref> He was released on May 16, having only appeared in two games.<ref name="reference"/> That would be the end of his major league career.<ref name="SABR"/>

In 1979, Cuellar joined the San Juan Boricuas of the newly created independent [[Inter-American League]]. He suffered a pulled hamstring in his third start but continued to appear in games despite the injury.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1979/06/04/the-over-the-hill-league-the-new-inter-american-circuit-which-has-franchises-from-miami-to-maracaibo-is-giving-veterans-a-chance-to-play-except-when-immigration-officials-bench-them|title=The Over-the-Hill League|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=June 4, 1979|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> Plagued by financial troubles and visa issues, the league folded on June 30.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jacobs|first=Sam|url=https://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/2004/vol8n43/VanishLeague.html|title=A Vanishing League|work=The Puerto Rico Herald|date=July 4, 2004|access-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706004048/https://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/2004/vol8n43/VanishLeague.html|archive-date=July 6, 2008}}</ref> Cuellar continued to play in Puerto Rican winter leagues and the Mexican League through 1983 before retiring for good.<ref name="WaPo Obit"/><ref name="SABR">{{cite web|last=Ulrey|first=Adam|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/mike-cuellar/|title=Mike Cuellar|publisher=Society for American Baseball Research|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> While in Puerto Rico in 1983, he taught [[Willie Hernández]] how to throw a screwball.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Diaz|first=Jaime|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1984/09/10/hes-giving-batters-the-willies|title=He's Giving Batters the Willies|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=September 10, 1984|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> Hernández would win the AL Cy Young and MVP Awards in 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernawi01.shtml|title=Willie Hernandez Stats|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref>

During his 15-season career, Cuellar had a win–loss record of 185–130 with a 3.14 ERA, 1,632 strikeouts, 172 complete games, 36 shutouts, and 11 [[save (baseball)|saves]] in 453 games and 2,808 innings pitched. In five American League Championship Series and three World Series appearances, Cuellar pitched in 12 games, winning four games and losing four with a 2.85 ERA while recording 56 strikeouts.<ref name="reference"/>

==Pitching style==
Cuellar was a "junkball" pitcher, relying heavily on his excellent [[screwball]] and [[change-up]] rather than a hard fastball, according to ''[[Baltimore Sun]]'' reporter Mike Klingaman.<ref name="sun obit"/> Klingaman observed that by cleverly selecting which pitches to throw, Cuellar set up hitters for strikeouts.<ref name="sun obit"/> Fellow Oriole pitcher [[Dick Hall (baseball)|Dick Hall]] recalled: "To watch him pitch was amazing. It seemed like every time hitters took a pitch, it was right at the knees for a strike, and if they swung, it wasn't."<ref name="WaPo Obit"/><ref name="sun obit"/> ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' said he had "the trickiest screwball since [[Carl Hubbell]]."<ref name="Watch Out">{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1970/08/31/watch-out-there-are-more-en-route|title=Watch Out! There Are More En Route|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=August 31, 1970|access-date=April 23, 2020}}</ref> In 2016, they said he had the fifth-best screwball of all time.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2016/09/26/pitch-meeting|title=Pitch Meeting|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=September 26, 2016|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> [[Ken McMullen (baseball)|Ken McMullen]] of the Angels said: "Cuellar's screwball is a pitch nobody else in baseball throws, and he can change speeds on it".<ref name="Watch Out"/> "Miguel was a magician out there," said Oriole first baseman [[Boog Powell]]. "He made hitters look comical, like they could have swung three times before the ball got there. A couple of times, I almost had to call time-out because I was laughing my head off."<ref name="sun obit"/> He tended to struggle early in a season, then pitch better as the weather got warmer. "Cold weather no good for baseball or me," he said.<ref name="sun obit"/> Usually he displayed a quiet personality and worked quickly on the mound, but struggles could occasionally cause him to lose his temper.<ref name="three birds"/>

==Personal life==
When Cuellar joined the Orioles, he was in the process of breaking up with his wife, and he was struggling with debt. He divorced soon after he joined the team, leaving his wife and 2 children, and the Orioles helped rectify his financial issues. Shortly after joining Baltimore, he married Myriam, who would be his wife for the rest of his life. He had two additional children: Lydia and Mike, Jr.<ref name="SABR"/> The [[Toronto Blue Jays]] signed Mike Jr. his first son, as a minor league pitcher in 1978, and he spent five years in their organization, advancing as far as Double-A with the [[Knoxville Blue Jays]].<ref name="SABR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=cuella001mig|title=Mike Cuellar Minor Leagues Statistics & History|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=January 17, 2021}}</ref>

After his baseball career ended, Cuellar resided in the [[Orlando, Florida]], metropolitan area. He worked at a golf course, also helping out during Orioles' spring training each year.<ref name="WaPo Obit"/> For a while, he was a pitching coach in Puerto Rico, and he served as an instructor for the Orioles in the latter years of his life. He also was a frequent attendee when the Orioles had team reunions.<ref name="SABR"/>

On April 2, 2010, Cuellar died of [[stomach cancer]] at the [[Orlando Regional Medical Center]]. He was the third of the Orioles' four 20-game winners in 1971 to perish, following [[Dave McNally]] in 2002 and [[Pat Dobson]] in 2006. Only [[Jim Palmer]] survives them.<ref name="sun obit">{{Cite web |last=Klingaman|first=Mike|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-former-orioles-pitcher-mike-cuellar-dies-0402,0,3059478,full.story |title=Orioles pitching great Mike Cuellar dies at 72 |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|date=April 2, 2010|access-date=April 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719023550/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-former-orioles-pitcher-mike-cuellar-dies-0402,0,3059478,full.story |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Legacy==
Along with Palmer and McNally, Cuellar gave the Orioles one of the best starting rotations in history during the late 1960s and early 1970s.<ref name=ergapobt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pk5WAAAAIBAJ&pg=6559%2C637442 |work=[[The Register-Guard|Eugene Register-Guard]] |location=Oregon |agency=Associated Press |title=Pitcher who also won in court dies |date=December 3, 2002 |page=2E|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> Blair recalled that "With Cuellar, McNally, and Palmer, you could almost ring up 60 wins for us when the season started because each of them was going to win 20. And with Cuellar and McNally, you never knew they were winning 10-0 or losing 0-10. They were the same guys. They were two really great left-handers, and the reason they were so great was they didn't have the talent Palmer had. They didn't have the 95-mile-per-hour fastball Palmer had. They had to learn to pitch, know the hitters, hit corners, and they did it. And they never complained. Those kind of guys, you just die for. You break your neck to go out there and win for them.”<ref name="SABR"/> Palmer remembered him as "like an artist. He could paint a different picture every time he went out there. He could finesse you. He could curveball you to death or screwball you to death. From 1969 to ’74, he was probably the best left-hander in the American League.”<ref name="SABR"/>

Cuellar ranks among Baltimore's top five career leaders in wins (143, fourth behind Palmer's 268, McNally's 181, and [[Mike Mussina]]'s 147), strikeouts (1,011, fifth), shutouts (30, third behind Palmer's 53 and McNally's 33) and [[innings pitched]] (fifth, 2,028). He trails only [[Dave McNally]] among left-handers in wins and shutouts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/leaders_pitch.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles Top 10 Career Pitching Leaders|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> He is among the Orioles' single-season records in other categories, as well. His 24 wins in 1970 are tied for second-most behind [[Steve Stone (baseball)|Steve Stone]]'s 25 in 1981, and Cuellar holds two of the other top 10 win seasons as well (his 23 in 1969 are tied for sixth, and his 22 in 1974 are tied for ninth). He is one of four Orioles to make 40 starts in a season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/leaders_pitch_season.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles Top 10 Single-Season Pitching Leaders|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference]]|access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref>

"Crazy Horse" was a nickname given Cuellar by his Oriole teammates because of his superstitious nature. Each game, he would sit in the same place on the team bench. He stayed in the dugout until his catcher put his gear on, refused to step on the foul line, and refrained from signing autographs on days he was pitching.<ref name="sun obit"/> In 1969, early success in games in which coach [[Jim Frey]] caught his pregame warmup pitches caused Cuellar to insist that Frey catch his pregame warmups for the rest of the year. During a game against the Indians on May 26, 1972, Cuellar twice refused to catch a baseball thrown to him. When Boog Powell finally got him to catch it on a third try, Cuellar asked for a new ball, which he also refused to catch until [[Bobby Grich]] finally rolled it to the mound.<ref name="SABR"/> When he forgot his lucky cap on a road trip to Milwaukee, the Orioles had it airmailed to him before Cuellar's start.<ref name="sun obit"/>

In 1982, Cuellar was inducted into the [[Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/orioles/history/orioles-hall-of-fame |title=Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame at MLB.com |publisher=[[Major League Baseball]] |access-date=December 10, 2019 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Houston Astros team records]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball single-inning strikeout leaders]]

== Notes ==

{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{baseballstats|mlb=112915|espn=20628|br=c/cuellmi01|fangraphs=1002853|brm=cuella002mig|retro=C/Pcuelm101}}
*{{SABR Baseball Biography Project|e9f684bc}}
*''The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia'' – Gary Gillette, Peter Gammons, Pete Palmer. Publisher: Sterling Publishing, 2005. Format: Paperback, 1824pp. Language: English. {{ISBN|1-4027-4771-3}}

{{1964 St. Louis Cardinals}}
{{1970 Baltimore Orioles}}
{{Houston Astros Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{AL Cy Young}}
{{AL wins champions}}
{{Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame}}
{{Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cuellar, Mike}}
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[[Category:Major League Baseball players from Cuba]]
[[Category:20th-century Cuban sportsmen]]
[[Category:Cuban expatriate baseball players in the United States]]
[[Category:Cuban expatriate baseball players in Nicaragua]]
[[Category:Mexican League baseball players]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Santa Clara, Cuba]]
[[Category:St. Louis Cardinals players]]
[[Category:Sultanes de Monterrey players]]
[[Category:Syracuse Chiefs players]]
[[Category:Winter Haven Super Sox players]]
[[Category:Cinco Estrellas players]]