Les Cain
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Leslie (Les) Cain (born January 13, 1948 in San Luis Obispo, California) is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers (1968, 1970-1972). He batted and threw left handed.
Cain was a promising pitcher who had his career cut short by an arm injury. In his 1968 rookie season with the Detroit Tigers, he went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in eight appearances, including four starts, but he was out the following season after delevoping arm problem.
In 1970 Cain recorded 12 victories and 156 strikeouts in 180.2 innings pitched, and finished 1971 with a 10-9 mark in 145 innings, but contended he was forced to pitch by Detroit manager Billy Martin while he had a sore arm. Cain later claimed that it did permanent damage to his arm and he sued the Tigers. In a landmark decision, the Michigan Bureau of Workman's Compensation ordered the Tigers to pay Cain $111 a month for the rest of his life. A lump sum payment was later agreed upon.
In a four-season career, Cain posted a 23-19 record with 303 strikeouts and a 3.98 ERA in 373.0 innings.
[edit] Fact
- Cain hit the last home run by a Tigers pitcher before the American League adopted the designated hitter rule in 1973. Cain achieved his mark on August 28, 1971 against the Chicago White Sox. He was a .143 career hitter (21-for-137) with two homers and 11 runs batted in.
