Jim O’Toole, one of the greatest lefthanded pitchers in Cincinnati Reds’ history, died last Saturday at the age of 78.

O’Toole won 94 games for the Reds from 1958-66, including a career-high 19 for the 1961 National League champions.

In the 1961 World Series against the New York Yankees, O’Toole faced Hall of Famer Whitey Ford twice and lost both games despite posting a 3.00 ERA. The Yankees won the series in five games.

O’Toole also started the 1963 All-Star Game for the National League.

Along with being a great pitcher, O’Toole was also a great person.

In 2009, I invited him to participate in the program in Springfield celebrating the 50th anniversary of Champaign County native Harvey Haddix’s 12-inning perfect game.

O’Toole, who was Haddix’s teammate for a few days with the Reds late in the 1958 season, happily accepted the invitation.

Harvey’s widow, Marcia, hosted a dinner at The Meadows after the event and it was great fun spending the evening talking with O’Toole and his wife along with other former major-leaguers Galen Cisco and Bill Virdon.

O’Toole was inducted into the Reds’ Hall of Fame in 1970.

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Quarterback AJ McCarron played surprisingly well in the Bengals’ 20-17 overtime loss to the Broncos Monday night.

Starting just his second game against the NFL’s top-rated defense, he completed 22 of 35 pass attempts for 200 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He also converted seven straight third downs at one point in the first half as the Bengals took a 14-0 lead.

In the second half, the Broncos were able to cool him down with some zone coverages and disguised blitzes, and McCarron’s lost fumble in OT ended the game.

He also injured his left wrist on the final play of the game, although he is expected to start Sunday against the Ravens.

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Trivia Time – Red Miller coached the Denver Broncos to an appearance in Super Bowl XII.

This week’s question – Which Reds’ pitcher started Game 1 of the 1961 World Series?