Marichal, Juan (1937-…), was one of the most dominating baseball pitchers of the 1960’s. Marichal was known for the high leg kick in his pitching motion and his command of several pitches, including a fastball, screwball, and curveball. Marichal led the National League in victories twice and pitched 10 shutouts in 1965.
Juan Antonio Marichal y Sanchez was born in Laguna Verde in the Dominican Republic. The San Francisco Giants signed him at the age of 19. Marichal pitched in the minor leagues until he made his pitching debut with the Giants in 1960. During the 1960’s, Marichal was among baseball’s most durable pitchers. He led the National League in innings pitched in 1963 and 1968 and in complete games in 1964 and 1968.
Marichal pitched for the Giants through the 1973 season. He pitched briefly for the Boston Red Sox in 1974 and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1975 before retiring. He had 243 career victories and a lifetime earned run average of 2.89. Marichal was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.
