Juan Marichal

Pitcher

Class of 1983

Juan Marichal

Pitcher

Class of 1983
Juan Marichal became the first native of the Dominican Republic to be elected to the Hall of Fame.

Games

Birth year

About Juan Marichal

"Put your club a run ahead in the later innings, and Marichal is the greatest pitcher I ever saw." – Alvin Dark

Juan Marichal made his major league debut for the Giants against the Phillies on July 19, 1960. He retired the first 19 batters, and carried a no-hitter two outs into the eighth inning, limiting the Phils to one hit en route to a 2-0, complete game victory with 12 strikeouts and just one walk. The 22-year-old right-hander would go 6-2 that year with a 2.66 ERA.

In 1962, he went 18-11, helping lead the Giants to the NL pennant, though pitching only briefly in the World Series loss to the Yankees due to an injury. The next season was the first of four consecutive 20-win campaigns for Marichal, who topped that mark of excellence six times, and won 25-or-more games three times.

Marichal had his breakout season in 1963, going 25-8 and leading the NL in innings with 321.1. June was particularly memorable, as he won five games without a loss, including a shutout of the Dodgers on the road and a 1-0 no-hitter against Houston in his next start on June 15.

As one of the top hurlers of the pitching-rich 1960s, Marichal posted all six of his 20-win seasons in that decade, leading the NL in victories twice. He also led the league twice in complete games, shutouts, innings and WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched). He led the league in winning percentage in 1966 and in ERA in 1969.

For his career, Marichal went 243-142, which for many years was the top win total among Latin American pitchers. Nine times his season ERA was under 3.00, and his career mark was a sparkling 2.89. Six times he struck out more than 200 batters en route to 2,303 lifetime Ks, and he recorded 52 career shutouts. He was a 10-time All-Star and was the game’s MVP in 1965.

Marichal is remembered for his distinctive, high leg kick, described by sportswriter Ron Bellamy: “The symbol of his artistry … was the windup, with the high, graceful kick that left the San Francisco Giant hurler poised precariously on one leg like a bronzed Nureyev before he swept smoothly forward and propelled the baseball toward the plate.”

In 1983, Marichal became the first native of the Dominican Republic to earn election to the Hall of Fame.

The Basics

Year inducted
1983
Birth Place
Laguna Verde, Dominican Republic
Birth Year
1937

Career at a Glance

Primary Team
San Francisco Giants
Primary Position
Pitcher
Played For
San Francisco Giants, 1960-1973
Boston Red Sox, 1974
Los Angeles Dodgers, 1975

Career MLB Stats

Games
471
Wins
243
Losses
142
Winning %
.631
Saves
2
Hits
3,153
Walks
709
Runs
1,329
Games Started
457
Innings Pitched
3,507
Completed Games
244
Shutouts
52
Earned Runs
1,126
Strikeouts
2,303
ERA
2.89
WHIP
1.101

Juan Marichal Stories

Explore the archives and go deep into the lives, careers, and stories of the Hall of Fame's honorees.

Marichal pitches one-hitter in MLB debut

The Giants’ Juan Marichal picks up his 200th career win

Hall of Fame Matchup

Juan Marichal makes his final MLB start with the Los Angeles Dodgers

Alston, Kell, Marichal, Robinson enter as Class of 1983