All-Time Indians: Sonny Siebert

Sonny Siebert was a throw back, putting up numbers in the 1960's that look like they should fit in the 1910's. His 2.76 ERA remains second all time of Cleveland pitchers who played their careers after 1920 (behind Gaylord Perry). He holds a few top ten single season marks as well, even when included with the early dead ball era pitchers. In 1965 he placed in the top ten in ERA and K/9, then set a mark in the top ten for BAA in 1968. In his career he ranks among the top five in both batting average against and WHIP.

Siebert started his career with the Tribe in 1964 after signing six years earlier as an amateur free agent. He was already in his prime during his rookie season at the age of 27 when he threw 156 innings and held an ERA of 3.23. He didn't allow his ERA to go above three again in any season until he was traded after just two starts in 1969. The trade was extremely lopsided with the Indians losing Joe Azcue along with Siebert to the Red Sox for three players who never amounted to anything with the team. Siebert wasn't the same pitcher after the trade, however, and he only finished a season with an ERA lower than three one more time. After five pretty good seasons with Boston, Siebert bounced around between four other teams before calling it a career in 1975.