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NEW TRIVIA QUESTION: How many different Major League Clubs did Rocky Colavito play for?
Luis Tiant in 1966 was a teaser of what he would become later. At least it started out that way. Tiant had a tough time breaking into the starting rotation on a regular basis, even after he started the season with three consecutive shutouts. However, when you have four starting pitchers named Sam McDowell, Sonny Sierbert, Gary Bell and Steve Hargan all working on three days rest, it's going to be tough.
Still, Tiant opened the 1966 season with a 1-0 gem against the Red Sox on April 17th, A seven hitter, he struck out nine Boston hitters. The lone run coming via a Rocky Colavito blast off Earl Wilson.
Nine days later Tiant and his array of pitches took on the A's and the Indians scored four runs. Tiant K'd 12 Athletic hitters in that one. Larry Brown and Duke Sims doing the bulk of the damage in that one.
It was on May 3rd, Tiant needed just one run again and that's all he got against the Yankees. The 1-0 shutout, his third straight providing 27 consecutive scoreless innings. It was a seventh inning single by Joe Azcue to drive in Fred Whitfield to provide the lone tally.
The streak ended just a few days later when Frank Robinson took Tiant yard in the first inning and the Orioles went onto beat the Indians, 8-3.
The interesting thing was the big four each started more than 30 games while Tiant started just 16 and appeared in relief 30 times in 1966. Bell started 40, Hargan 38, McDowell 35 and 34 for Siebert. The Indians finished just 81-81 that season. Perhaps if Tiant had been given more starting opportunities, they might have done better. He finished 12-11, but two years later in his 21 win season he led AL Starters in so many different pitching categories.
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