Kid, you’re on your own

Juan Marichal

Back in the day when pitchers are expected to finish what they start – kids, you may read about those days in the history books – San Francisco Giants manager Al Dark is miffed that his pitchers complete only two of their last 24 starts.

Actually, he is really miffed.

So much so that 63 years ago today Dark tells his relief pitchers to stay in the dugout during their game at Pittsburgh.

None of them, Dark says, will be venturing down to the visitors’ bullpen at Forbes Field.

Dark then turns to second-year pitcher Juan Marichal, his starter that night, and says, kid, you are on your own against the defending World Series champions.

“Marichal will go all the way,” Dark tells reporters before the game. “I’m sick and tired of watching pitchers bow their necks for four, five innings and then look for (All-Star reliever) Stu Miller to bail them out.”

So, Miller and the rest of the Giants’ relief pitchers watch from the dugout, leaving the bullpen empty for this game.

Perhaps taking Dark’s message personally, the 23-year-old Marichal responds by holding the Pirates to four singles and a double in shutting out Pittsburgh 2-0 before a Thursday night crowd of 17,885 at Forbes Field.

Marichal follows this game with a one-hitter at Los Angeles in beating the Dodgers 6-0 before recording all but the final out in beating Milwaukee 4-3 (yes, Miller finishes off the Braves in that game).

Marichal follows up that Milwaukee start with two straight complete games against Cincinnati and St. Louis.

Marichal ends up completing 244 of 447 starts for the Giants during his Hall of Fame career.