Phillies Release Steve Carlton

PHILADELPHIA —  Steve Carlton, the only four-time Cy Young Award winner as his league’s best pitcher who was beset by an injury and control problem the last two seasons, has been released by the Philadelphia Phillies, the team announced today.

Carlton, 41, gave up 25 earned runs and 37 hits through 20 innings in his last five starts, but nevertheless the decision to release him came as a surprise to baseball observers. Club President Bill Giles, appearing at a news conference, said two major league teams--one in the American and one in the National League--had called him to inquire about the availability of Carlton.