Wood vs. Wood #126

Last time, 1962 cruised to a 7-1 victory. Who will come out on top this time?

A couple of smiling pitchers for Texas teams today.

Al Cicotte is shown without any identifying uniform, appropriate for a true journeyman who pitched for six teams in his five year MLB career. Cicotte was known for being a hard thrower who struggled with control. He came up with the Yankees in 1957 for 20 games. After the season he was sold to the Senators. In 1958 he pitched in 8 games for Washington and 14 for Detroit. He also appeared for the Indians in '59, the Cardinals in '61, and the Colt .45s in '62. Overall in 102 games he went 10-13 with a 4.36 ERA. After his career he became and insurance salesman. In October of 1977, at the age of 47, he signed with the Tigers and traveled with them for several games to qualify for an MLB pension, as he was suffering from financial difficulties due to health problems. He died five years later.

Mike Loynd was a star pitcher at Florida State who was drafted by the Rangers in 1985 and brought up to the major leagues the next year, one of several star young pitchers whom Texas rushed to the majors. Loynd fared particularly badly. In 35 games in 1986 and 1987, at the ages of 22 and 23, he went 3-7 with a 5.82 ERA. After the 1987 season the Rangers traded him to the Astros, and though he stayed in the minors until 1994, he was never able to reclaim the talent he showed in college, and never again pitched in the major leagues. Since his retirement he has kept a low profile, and currently resides in Missouri.