Ed Sherman’s sports column, titled “The Curious Case of Tommy Browning,” appeared two days later in the Journal-Constitution:
“In the annals of Major League Baseball, inexplicable breakdowns have occurred in the careers of outstanding players. These breakdowns have baffled baseball followers to the point where they are still regarded as unfathomable.
“Pitchers Steve Blass and Rick Ankiel suddenly couldn’t find the strike zone. Second baseman Steve Sax couldn’t find first base. When all three left baseball they were remembered as much for their mysterious failures as for their lofty accomplishments.
“Consider Blass of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who is doomed to forever be accompanied by the words, ‘Steve Blass disease.’ Blass was one of the National League’s best pitchers from 1968–1972, wi
