1976 Topps #463 - Steve Hargan

• Steve Hargan pitched in the majors from 1965-1972 and from 1974-1977. Hargan was signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1961 and pitched in the minors from 1961-1965. After going 13-5 with a 2.91 ERA in 24 starts for AAA Portland Steve was brought up to the Indians in August 1965. Hargan pitched in 17 games (8 starts) for the Indians and was 4-3 with a 3.43 ERA.
• Hargan was a fifth starter and occasional reliever for the Indians in 1966. He was 13-10 with a 2.48 ERA in 38 games (21 starts). In 1967 Steve made the AL All Star team but he wasn't used in the game due to an injury. Hargan led the AL with six shutouts while going 14-13 with a 2.62 ERA in 29 starts and 221 innings pitched.
• The 1967 season was the height of Steve's career. Hargan had elbow surgery in 1968 and his innings pitched dropped steadily from 1968-1972. Steve Hargan Takes It Easy in Training - March 17, 1968 Reading Eagle. In 1968 Steve was 8-15 with a 4.15 ERA in 32 games (27 starts) and in 1969 he was an ugly 5-14 with a 5.70 ERA in 32 games (23 starts).
• Steve had a good season in 1970 when he went 11-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 23 games (19 starts). He missed 2 1/2 months of the season (early-May to mid-July). The 1971 season was a disaster for Steve. Hargan was 1-13 with a 6.19 ERA in 37 games (16 starts).
• In 1972 Steve didn't pitch until May 5. He pitched for the Indians in May and June but then was sent to the minors for most of the rest of the season. Steve came back to pitch in a few September games and ended up 0-3 with a 5.85 ERA in 12 games (1 start). Hargan was in the minors for the entire 1973 season and then was traded to the Texas Rangers for Bill Gogolewski.
• Steve became a starter for the Rangers in 1974 and was 12-9 with a 3.95 ERA in 27 starts. Hargan was 9-10 with a 3.80 ERA in 26 starts in 1975. Steve was a reliever and spot starter in 1976, going 8-8 with a 3.62 ERA in 35 games (8 starts).
• Hargan was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the expansion draft after the 1976 season. He started the 1977 season with the Blue Jays (1-3, 5.22 ERA in 6 games) and was traded to the Rangers (along with Jim Mason and $200,000) for Roy Howell on May 5. Steve pitched for the Rangers for a few weeks (1-0, 8.76 in six games) and then was sold to the Atlanta Braves on June 15. Hargan was 0-3 with a 6.87 ERA for the Braves and was released after the 1977 season.
• Steve pitched for a couple of minor league teams in 1978 but was never called back up to the majors.
• Hargan now lives in Palm Springs, CA.
• Liked to face: Buddy Bell (.077 in 13 AB); Dave Chalk (.091 in 21 AB); Dick McAuliffe (.111 in 36 AB)
• Hated to face: Rick Manning (.467 in 15 AB); Jorge Orta (.429 in 28 AB); Joe Foy (.407 in 27 AB)