Wood vs. Wood #342

Last time 1962 won, 3-1. Will there be more votes this time?

Ed Rakow leads off this battle of righty relievers in a traditional windup pose at Yankee Stadium. Rakow came up with the Dodgers at the end of the 1960 season, then was traded to the KC A's where he mostly pitched in relief. In 1962 he moved into the starting rotation and had a tough season, leading the American League with 17 losses and 111 earned runs allowed. In 1964 he was traded to the Tigers where he returned to the bullpen. He ended his career with a brief stint with the Braves. Overall in 195 games (90 starts) he went 36-47 with a 4.33 ERA. During and after his baseball career, he worked as a truck driver. He died in 2000.

Bob James where a White Sox pullover in a spring training shot. James came up with the Expos and also had a stint with the Tigers before being traded to the White Sox before the 1985 season. He had an out-of-nowhere star season with the White Sox in '85, going 8-7 with 32 saves and a 2.13 ERA. He was not nearly as good the following two seasons. Arm injuries ended his career at age 28 in 1987. Overall in 279 games he went 24-26 with 73 saves and a 3.80 ERA. After his playing career, he had a long tenure as baseball coach at Vasquez High School in Acton, CA.