Carlton Is Released by Phillies After 14 Seasons, 4 Cy Youngs, Few Words

Steve Carlton, the only player to ever win four Cy Young awards as the best pitcher in his league, was given his unconditional release Wednesday by the Philadelphia Phillies after struggling for two seasons with a shoulder injury and control problems.

“The Steve Carlton era has ended in Philadelphia,” team President Bill Giles said, emotion choking his voice and tears on his cheeks. Several times during the news conference, Giles had to stop to regain his composure.

“The decision was mine,” Giles said.

Giles said that Carlton, whose 318 victories are 10th on the major league all-time list, resisted pleas to retire.

“He still thinks he can pitch and win,” Giles said. “It has been 14 memorable and remarkable years. The greatest left-hand pitcher in Phillies’ history and one of the greatest pitchers of all time will no longer be pitching in Philadelphia.

“I want to thank Steve for all he’s done for the Phillies and for Philadelphia.”

Giles concluded his remarks by saying, “I apologize for my emotions.”

Carlton was not at the news conference, maintaining the silence with the media he imposed some eight years ago because of alleged references to his personal life by writers. His last interview was in 1978.

But Carlton did make a tape for the fans, played before the Phillies’ game against the Chicago Cubs Wednesday night, and on it he said he still can pitch.

“It’s unfortunate it came down to these circumstances to where it was a difficult decision for Bill Giles to make,” Carlton said on the tape. “I still have goals to accomplish and still can pitch effectively.”

Carlton thanked Giles and wished the Phillies luck.

“In conclusion, my deepest thanks to you, great fans, in the city of Philadelphia for all the great memories and support you have given me and my family over the last 14 years,” he said. “Thank you and God Bless you.”

Giles said the Phillies have had inquiries from a club in each league about the 41-year-old Carlton, who gave up 25 earned runs and 27 hits through 20 innings in his last five starts. He is 4-8 for the season with a 6.18 earned-run average and has fought to retain command of his pitches and his velocity, as indicated by 45 walks in 83 innings.

Just last Friday, the Phillies announced that Carlton, who suffered a strained rotator cuff in his left shoulder last season, assured them he was healthy and that he could overcome his pitching problems, which he said were mechanical.

But on Saturday, Carlton was knocked out of the game by the St. Louis Cardinals after giving up six runs in five innings. It was the latest disaster of a 15-inning stretch in which he looked like a batting-practice pitcher. The figures for those 15 innings were 31 hits, 23 earned runs, 15 walks, 14 strikeouts and an ERA of 13.53.

In nearly 21 1/2 major league seasons, seven with the Cardinals, Carlton has posted a record of 318-223, including six 20-win seasons and 3,982 strikeouts. He holds major league records for most consecutive games pitched without a relief appearance (524) and most strikeouts in a game by a left-handed pitcher (19). He won all four Cy Young awards with the Phillies.

Giles said the Phillies will retire Carlton’s uniform number, 32. Richie Ashburn and Robin Roberts are the only other Phillies whose numbers have been retired.