The Meaning of Mike Marshall

Awarding Reliability – Life Imitates Sports

Imagine receiving an award for reliability. You’re honored by your peers for making it to every one of your daughter’s ballet classes, being the calm presence when an exasperated friend faces an emergency, and rearranging your schedule to attend your coworker’s birthday party when everyone else bails.

You are considered the best because of your prowess in being present for your friends. You say the right things, bring thoughtful gifts, and make others feel secure and appreciated. Your presence changes the atmosphere: the host relaxes, the room becomes more engaged, and the event feels whole. You can be counted on to selflessly give your all.  Even without a trophy, your dependability is worthy of admiration.

If there were an athlete deserving of such an award - combining reliability and presence - it would be Mike Marshall.

The Ultimate Relief Pitcher

Mike Marshall was a journeyman reliever, playing for nine teams during his MLB career. But his value wasn’t just in the number of jerseys he wore—it was in his durability, his willingness to take the ball day after day, and his extraordinary ability to be there when it mattered most.

In 1974 with the LA Dodgers, Marshall set an MLB record by pitching in 106 games, a mark that remains unbroken. While he never started any games, his responsibility was in ending them and thus led the league with 83 games finished. Finishing games—last one walking off his team’s mound ensuring that his and his teammates “workday” was over—demonstrated not just his physical resilience, but his dependability during the highest-stakes, fate-sealing moments. His teammates and managers knew they could count on him, over and over, to see things through to the end.

Marshall’s availability was unmatched. That season he pitched in 30 more games -  the equivalent of an extra month’s workload - than the next-closest pitcher. Said another way, he pitched in nearly 5 of every 7 games his team played.  His remarkable ability to finish games was akin to being the friend who not only shows up to every party for the camaraderie, but also to support the host by staying late to clean up—washing dishes, folding tables, and throwing out trash bags. That kind of noble reliability shouldn’t go unnoticed, and in 1974 it didn’t. 

Marshall’s divine ‘74 campaign earned him the Cy Young Award as he became the first reliever in history to win it. He also finished third in the MVP race, relatively uncharted waters for relievers as well. His 4th-best ERA and league-leading saves were key metrics in support of his Cy victory, but I can’t help but think his sheer work output—his willingness to be the guy everyone could turn to—was key to his recognition.

A Friend Like Mike

Now, imagine a neighbor that is reliable. They show up at your door when called upon … regardless. Every day you need them. They help to reprogram the garage door code, walk the dogs because you’re running late, bring homemade brownies because they had extras, babysit your kids while you run a quick errand, or just share some gossip to brighten your day. That’s Mike Marshall: the neighbor, colleague, and friend who is always there, no matter the circumstance.

We all deserve a Mike Marshall in our lives—someone whose availability and presence become a cornerstone of our support system. And in turn, we should aspire to be that person for others. Like Marshall setting a record for finishing games, reliability in friendships means showing up when it matters, staying until the job is done, and offering the steady presence that others can lean on.

This person is a reluctant hero. They are reliable and seem deeply loyal to you even though you know they treat many others the same way. Quite a compassionate trait.

Mike Marshall’s career, especially his stretch of dominance from 1972–1974, serves as a reminder that availability and consistency are virtues, whether on the mound or in life. While his record-breaking season and stretches of dominance didn’t extend long enough to be considered a Hall of Famer, the values he represents—durability, dependability, and trustworthiness—are timeless.