Joel Horlen, R.I.P.

Former MLB pitcher Joel Horlen, who spent the bulk of his big league career with the Chicago White Sox, passed away yesterday of complications of Alzheimer's Disease. He was 84. 

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Horlen had a distinguished collegiate career at Oklahoma State University where he would be part of a team which won the 1959 College World Series. Soon after, Horlen signed with the Chisox organization and would make his MLB debut late in the 1961 season. 

Horlen (who was called Joe rather than Joel by most) became a full fledged starting pitcher in 1962. Between 1964 and 1968, Horlen posted an ERA below 3.00 and only once above 2.50. Yet during this period, he only had two winning seasons. Horlen was often the victim of poor run support which earned him the nickname "Hard Luck Horlen".

Good fortune would shine on Horlen in 1967, however. Horlen would finish runner up in AL Cy Young balloting to Jim Lonborg of the Impossible Dream Boston Red Sox by posting a 19-7 record with a league leading ERA of 2.07, a league leading 6 shutouts and a career high 13 complete games. On September 10th of that year, Horlen would no-hit the Detroit Tigers at Comiskey Park during the first game of a doubleheader. Horlen would also earn his only AL All-Star Team selection and finish fourth in AL MVP balloting behind Tigers catcher Bill Freehan, Harmon Killebrew of the Minnesota Twins and Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski. 

Horlen's stats would decline in 1970 and would be released prior to the 1972 season. No doubt being the team's player representative during the first ever players' strike in MLB history didn't help matters. However, Horlen was quickly picked up by the Oakland A's where he pitched primarily out of the bullpen and would earn his only World Series ring. 

In 1973, Horlen was signed by the Cleveland Indians where he was assigned to pitch in his hometown of San Antonio with their Double-AA affiliate then known as the Brewers. He would not return to the majors. Horlen finished his 12-year career with a record of 116-117 with a 3.11 ERA in 361 appearances including 290 starts. In 2002 innings pitched, Horlen struck out 1065 while walking 554. His 113 wins with the White Sox are 9th in franchise history.

Following his pitching career, Horlen would convert to Judaism after remarrying. Here is an August 1994 radio interview in which Horlen discusses his baseball career. R.I.P.