Hotshot college pitcher joins bad Washington ballclub. Fans rejoice!
You’ll excuse me if I think I’ve seen this film before.
Not that Jordan Zimmermann doesn’t make that little voice inside my head say, “He’s the one, the future staff ace, the pitcher who will lead the Nationals to respectability and prominence in the National League East É”
Enough, already.
It seems like only yesterday to me — though, admittedly, the Beatles’ first appearance on Ed Sullivan seems like last week, too — that Washington drafted a right-handed pitcher out of Dartmouth with the first pick overall in the June 8, 1971 amateur draft. Peter Sven Broberg was big — 6’3″, 205 pounds — well-educated, good looking, and possessed a right arm so impressive, he went straight from campus to the big leagues 12 days later. Senators’ owner Bob Short gave Pete a signing bonus of $150,000 — money he’d received from Oakland owner Charlie Finley as part of a deal a month earlier that sent first baseman Mike Epstein and closer Darold Knowles to the A’s.
Broberg made his major league debut on June 20 against the Red Sox at RFK Stadium. He pitched well enough for a 21-year-old with no prior professional experience — 6 1/3 innings, three hits, two earned runs, seven strikeouts and four walks. It was a no-decision for Pete, as Boston prevailed 4-3, though he left the game with a lead.
Broberg went on to make 17 more starts for the Senators in 1971, compiling a record of 5-9 with a 3.47 ERA. He also threw seven complete games, a number this year’s Nationals’ staff likely won’t match. Not at all bad, really, and the departing franchise pointed out quite correctly that the immortal Walter Johnson was also 5-9 his rookie season, though thereafter the resemblance ended.
Zimmermann is about the same physical stature as Broberg, throws with the same arm, and had a very similar debut. But again, the similarity ends right there. Zimmermann had the luxury of a minor league apprenticeship, coming along 30-plus years later when scouts and farm directors and general managers had learned their lessons. Remember David Clyde? Mike Morgan? Steve Dunning? The move from scholastic competition to the big leagues — especially for a starting pitcher — may pay quick dividends at the turnstile, but it’s usually a long-term trauma for the athlete.
Broberg had a career, pitching all or parts of eight seasons with Washington/Texas, Milwaukee, Oakland and the Cubs, finishing 41-71, 4.56 ERA. He peaked at 14 wins with the 1975 Brewers at the age of 25. At 29 he was out of baseball, though those close to Pete say he was just weary of the baseball lifestyle.
Zimmermann seems far better grounded than Broberg. No Ivy League education, but those small town Wisconsin roots have given Jordan the solid make-up that scouts rave about. No unreasonable expectations please, Nats’ fans. Try exhaling a little bit.
Phil Wood is a contributor to Nats Xtra on MASN. Contact him at [email protected].
