Why Bedrosian should make the Wall of Fame
The Cy Young Award has been given out annually since 1956 and only four Phillies have won the award, lead by Steve Carlton‘s four. The other three are John Denny, Roy Halladay, and Bedrosian.
The win by Bedrosian was the third by a National League closer, after Mike Marshall in 1974 and Bruce Sutter in 1979. The only relievers to have earned the award since are Mark Davis in 1989, Dennis Eckersley in 1992, and Eric Gagne in 2003.
Bedrosian finished 1987 with a 5-3 record, a league-best 40 saves, and a 2.83 ERA. In 89 innings, he struck out 74 and made his first and only All-Star team. While his ERA doesn’t impress at first glance, Bedrosian has his typical very poor start in April. Later that season he became the first pitcher to ever record a save in 13 consecutive appearances.
Generally, one excellent season wouldn’t be enough to be Wall of Fame worthy, but Bedrosian was generally quite solid in his nearly three and a half seasons with the team. In his first season with the Phillies, Bedrosian won eight games and saved 29 in 68 outings, striking out 82 in 90 1/3 innings. Although his ERA approached four in 1988, he saved 28 and in 1989 compiled a 3.21 ERA in 28 games before being traded.
Although some may argue that Bedrosian’s 1987 campaign, while solid, was less than Cy Young worthy, he took home an award that has been difficult for a Phillies pitcher other than Carlton to obtain.
Bedrosian’s 103 saves ranks third in franchise history and although that total is low compared to top relievers of all-time, this isn’t the Hall of Fame. It’s the Phillies Wall of Fame and for that, he is certainly worthy.