Mail Day: Frank Tanana, sp, California Angels
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From 1974-1978, Nolan Ryan went 82-75 with a 3.19 ERA/124 112+ with 1,481 strikeouts for the Angels. He was selected to two All-Star teams. He was pretty good. But you know who was arguable just as good, if not better? His rotation partner Frank Tanana.
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During the same period, Tanana went 82-59 with a 2.86 ERA/124 OPS+ with 1,052 strikeouts. He was selected to three All-Star teams. Ryan and Tanana were one of the most potent 1-2 punched of any rotation on the mid-1970’s, the modern versions of “Spahn and Sain, then pray for rain.”
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While both players would go on to pitch until 1993, Nolan Ryan was able to avoid arm problems and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. Tanana wouldn’t be so lucky and was plagued with various injuries for the rest of his career. Tanana did have several solid campaigns after leaving the Angels, but it was never quite the same level as his peak in the mid-70’s.