A hit to the eye

The Cleveland Indians had one of history's best pitching rotations in the 1950s, anchored by Hall of Famers Bob Lemon and Early Wynn, along with the dependable Mike Garcia. In 1954, when the Indians won a then-American League record 111 games, the staff was so deep that it included two other future Hall of Famers, Bob Feller and Hal Newhouser, in part-time roles.

The best of the lot, though, may have been a lefthander who debuted in 1955. Herb Score won 16 games as a rookie, then 20 in '56. But more than the wins, his whiff totals are what caught everyone's attention: He was the first pitcher in history to average more than a strikeout per inning over a full season, and he did it in each of his first two years.

Fifty years ago this month, Score was pitching at home against the Yankees, the team that had won the pennant while Cleveland finished second the previous two seasons. The second batter of the game was New York's Gil McDougald, who cracked a line drive straight back toward the pitcher. The ball struck Score in the right eye, cutting it badly and causing his face to bleed badly. He was taken from the field in a stretcher.

An eye specialist was called in, but Score missed the rest of the '57 season. He pitched sparingly in 1958 and rejoined the Indians' regular rotation in '59, but posted a 9-11 record, although he led the league in fewest hits and most strikeouts per nine innings.

Cleveland gave up on Score, though, and traded him to the White Sox for a pitcher named Barry Latman (who, as a youth, somehow had developed a friendship with the aged Ty Cobb). He couldn't rebain his form, though, and was done in the majors before he was 30.

Fortunately, Score went on to a long career as an Indians broadcaster. But those who saw him pitch in the mid-'50s say baseball lost perhaps one of the all-time greats with that hit to the eye.