September 12, 1974 – Canadian John Hiller sets AL record for most wins by a reliever

September 12, 2024

By Kevin Glew

Cooperstowners in Canada

Fifty years ago today, Detroit Tigers left-hander John Hiller broke the American League record for most wins in a season by a relief pitcher.

The Toronto native picked up his 17th win of the 1974 campaign when he tossed three scoreless innings in the Tigers’ 9-7, 10-inning win over the Milwaukee Brewers at Tiger Stadium.

With the win, Hiller eclipsed the single-season AL record held by Boston Red Sox right-hander Dick Radatz, who had 16 victories in 1964.

But Hiller found it difficult to celebrate the accomplishment because the Tigers were mired in last place in the American League East division.

“It’s hard for me to come in here (the clubhouse) and be excited when everybody else is down because of the year we’re having,” Hiller told the West Bend (Wisconsin) News after the game. “I hate to get excited by myself.”

Despite the poor performance by the Tigers that season, Hiller enjoyed a remarkable campaign, finishing with 17 wins and a 2.64 ERA, while establishing career-highs in innings pitched (150) and strikeouts (134). He also had 13 saves. For his efforts, he finished seventh in the AL Cy Young Award voting.

The rubber-armed Hiller pitched two or more innings in 14 of his 17 wins. He tossed four or more innings in four wins, including a season-high 7 2/3 innings in a Tigers’ 6-5,14-inning triumph over the Brewers on April 21.

His 1974 campaign was a strong follow-up to his historic 1973 season in which he went 10-5 with a 1.44 ERA and topped the American League in appearances (65) and games finished (60), while also setting an AL record with 38 saves.

The fact that Hiller was pitching at all was a miracle in itself. In January 1971, the Canadian southpaw, just 27 at the time, suffered a massive heart attack. Doctors told him he’d never pitch again, but Hiller was determined to return. His hard work finally paid off when he was cleared to return to the mound in June 1972.

In total, Hiller toed the big league rubber for 15 seasons, registering 87 victories, 125 saves and a career ERA of 2.83. He was elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.

In 1976, just two years after Hiller set the AL wins record for a reliever, Minnesota Twins right-hander Bill Campbell matched it. But Hiller and Campbell still share the record today.

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Roy Face owns the National League record. He had 18 wins for the Pirates in 1959.