McCatty was one of the five Oakland starters whose burnout was blamed by some on overuse by manager Billy Martin. The five threw 93 of the A’s modern-day-record 94 complete games in 1980, though McCatty had just 11. In strike-shortened 1981, when Oakland won the AL West title, the 6’3″ power pitcher had a league-best 2.32 ERA and tied for the AL lead with 14 wins and 4 shutouts. He finished second to Rollie Fingers in Cy Young voting. He had a complete-game victory in the divisional playoff series against the Royals.
Of McCatty’s 22 games, 16 were complete. His arm miseries began in 1982. He lost his fastball, wasn’t very effective as a finesse pitcher, and in 1985 suffered through a final, 4-4, 5.57 season.
