Leslie Cain (born January 13, 1948) is an American former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers. He batted and threw left-handed. In a four-season career, Cain posted a 23–19 record with 303 strikeouts and a 3.98 earned run average (ERA) in 373 innings.[1] Cain was a promising pitcher who had his career cut short by an arm injury.
In his 1968 rookie season with the Detroit Tigers, he went 1–0 with a 3.00 earned run average (ERA) in eight appearances, including four starts,[1] but he was out the following season after developing arm problems.
In 1970 Cain recorded 12 victories and 156 strikeouts in 1802⁄3 innings pitched, and finished 1971 with a 10–9 mark in 145 innings.[1]
On August 28, 1971, Cain hit the last home run by a Tigers pitcher before the American League adopted the designated hitter rule in 1973. A Tiger pitcher did not hit a home run again until 2005.[2]
Cain contended he was forced to pitch by Detroit manager Billy Martin while he had a sore arm. Cain later claimed that it did permanent damage to his arm and he sued the Tigers. In a landmark decision, the Michigan Bureau of Workman's Compensation[2][3] ordered the Tigers to pay Cain $111 a week for the rest of his life.[2]
Cain married Vera Nell Washington in 1968.[2] He has a son, Brian Earl Cain, and a grandson, Brian Earl Cain, Jr.[2]
