Who is the man: On the strength of his blazing start to the 1970 season, Les Cain was named the Topps All-Star Rookie pitcher. He didn't receive any votes in the A.L. Rookie of the Year voting though. Twenty-three of the 24 available votes went to Thurman Munson.
Can ya dig it: Cain signing his name "Les 'Sugar' Cain" is the greatest thing I've seen today.
Right on: Those TV numbers players wore on their sleeves back in the '70s sure are distracting.
You see this cat Cain is a bad mother: Cain was the first pitcher to throw two no-hitters in the Puerto Rican Winter League.
Shut your mouth: Cain struggled with a shoulder injury throughout his brief career (1968-72) and it eventually forced him out of the game. Fellow Tigers pitcher John Hiller told the Detroit Press that in 1972, he was coming back from a heart attack and Cain was coming back from his shoulder injury. Tigers manager Billy Martin told both of them to warm-up. "I'll keep one of you and release the other." Hiller went on to be one of the Tigers' greatest relievers. Cain was sold to the Giants.
No one understands him but his woman: Cain filed a disability claim against the Tigers in 1973, saying he was forced to play even though he was injured. Cain received a favorable ruling and was awarded $111 a month for life.
(A word about the back): Cain threw four no-hitters in his career, the two in winter league, one in the minors and one in high school.
Best batting average for the richmond leopards age.12 to 14. Batting 650
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