MIKE GARCIA, A TOP PITCHER FOR CLEVELAND IN THE 1950'S

Mike Garcia, the former Cleveland pitcher who helped the Indians set the American League record for victories in winning the pennant in 1954, died Monday at his home in the Cleveland suburb of Fairview Park. He was 62 years old and had been suffering from kidney disease for several years.

Known as The Big Bear, Garcia was a member of what many baseball fans regard as one of the top pitching staffs ever assembled, the Indians' Big Four of Bob Lemon, Early Wynn, Bob Feller and Garcia.

In his 12 seasons with Cleveland, Garcia, who joined the team late in the championship season of 1948 but did not pitch in the Indians' World Series victory over the Boston Braves, posted a 142-96 won-lost record, including two 20-game seasons - 1951, when he had a 20-13 record, and 1952, when he was 22-11. Won 19 Games in 1954

In 1954, he won 19 games and had the league's best earned-run average, 2.64, as the Indians won 111 games in a 154-game season. No team has since equaled that total, even though the season has been expanded to 162 games.

For all the dominance the Indians showed in winning the pennant (the Yankees won 103 games but finished eight games back), Cleveland lost the World Series to the New York Giants, the National League champions, in four straight games. Garcia was charged with the loss in the third game.

Garcia continued as an Indian power-pitcher through the 1957 season, but lost much of his effectiveness after a preseason back injury in 1958. He was released by the Indians in October 1959, joined the Chicago White Sox the next year and finished his career with the Washington Senators in 1961. Served in the Army

Garcia, who was born in San Gabriel, Calif., joined the Cleveland organization after graduating from high school in 1942, spent a season with the Class D farm club in Appleton, Wis., and then served three years as a signalman in the United States Army.

After his major league career, he returned to Cleveland and for many years operated a dry-cleaning shop in the suburb of Parma.

His illness forced him to sell the business to cover his medical expenses, including three dialysis treatments a week, and just last month his former Indian teammates organized a benefit tribute to ease his financial problems.

He is survived by his wife, Gerda, and three children.