Former relief pitcher Mike Marshall died today, Tuesday:

Marshall pitched three seasons with the Twins from 1978 to 1980 and earned his nickname “Iron Mike” when he set a franchise record for games pitched in a single season with 90 in 1979, a record that stands today. The closest any Twins pitcher has come to breaking the mark was Eddie Guardado in 1996 with 83.

But it was his 1974 season with the Dodgers that made MLB history. Marshall finished the season 15-12 with a 2.42 ERA over 106 games, with 143 strikeouts in 208? innings.

No other pitcher in baseball history has pitched even 100 games in a season. Marshall represents three of the nine times a pitcher has thrown in at least 90 games.

StarTribune.com

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

I remember how amazing the 1974 season was at the time, resulting in Marshall winning the Cy Young Award. The season did take a toll on him, however, as his ERA did not drop below three until that 1979 season with the Twins.

Marshall earned a Ph.D. in exercise physiology. He credited the study of that subject for his ability to pitch so much and so effectively.

As a pitcher, his strength was preventing home runs, as he allowed just 0.5 per nine innings for his career.