Dennis Dale McLain (born March 29, 1944) is an American former professional baseball player. In 1992, his oldest daughter, Kristin McLain-Sutherland, was killed by a drunk driver, only three days after her wedding day. We have been married 53 years now, and I don't know what I would have done had she not stayed with me. [47] He also released two albums on Capitol Records, Denny McLain at the Organ (1968) and Denny McLain in Las Vegas (1969). According to McLain, the tides turned in his favor after he pitched for the Mayaguez Indians in the Puerto Rico Baseball League of the 19641965 winter season. "You name him -- Freehan, Norm Cash, Willie Horton, he hit a home run. Dennis Dale McLain was born on March 29, 1944, in Markham, Illinois, to Tom and Betty McLain, both Irish Catholics. Following his graduation, he played in the minor leagues such as the Appalachian League, the Midwest League, and the league system of the Detroit Tigers, and had a remarkable run. His second stint in prison lasted for 7 years, till 2003. February 2, 2015 by retrosimba. [35], McLain was a nonconformist and liked to play by his own rules. As a result, he hurt many people, most especially his family, and went to jail. Sharyn and Denny later remarried in 2003, the first crucial step in helping the former MLB star turn his life around. by Denny McLain, Eli Zaret. He is the last major league pitcher to have won 30 games in a season. [2][3], As a player, McLain was brash and outspoken, sometimes creating controversy by criticizing teammates and fans with little provocation. Because of construction detours, McLain had inadvertently taken an exit off I-94 sending him directly across the Bluewater Bridge and into Canada. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. McLain won 2 Cy Young Awards and was selected to play in 3 All-Star Games. "You just have to work every day putting the pieces back together, putting the family back together, being there for your family," he said. First, Denny McLain was slated to pitch. This is part of an occasional series looking back on the 1968 World Series champion Detroit Tigers. [32] Pitchers such as McLain and Gibson among others dominated hitters, producing 339 shutouts in 1968. [7] He ended the season with a 166 record, a 2.61 earned run average, and 192 strikeouts, the third-highest strikeout total in the American League behind Sam McDowell and teammate Mickey Lolich. Garrulous Denny McLain has become a pitcher worth his own thousands of words as he seeks 30 wins and a pennant. Denny McLain has had two tragedies in his life: Our daughter was killed by a drunk driver [in 1992], and my wife, Sharon, getting Parkinson's disease. He also picked off two baserunners and hit a home run, which was the only home run of his major-league career. Denny McLain was born on March 29, 1944, in Chicago. Second, it was Mickey Mantle 's last game in Detroit. According to Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich, her decision was due to the former baseball pitcher's "failure to admit your own guilt.". In less than a week, the warrant was cleared and McLain was released. [30] Teammate Mickey Lolich won three games during the series, including a complete-game triumph in Game 7 against Gibson, and won the World Series MVP award. Denny and Sharyn's daughter, Kristin, was killed in a car crash by a drunken driver in 1992. His last major-league game was on September 12, 1972, against the Cincinnati Reds. The Braves released him on March 26, 1973. Sutherland, 26, was pronounced dead a little over an hour later at Huron Valley Hospital in nearby Commerce Township. [1] He was a pitcher in Major League Baseball for 10 seasons, most notably for the Detroit Tigers. He does not have good memories of his mother. Denny played his way onto Little League and Babe Ruth. "I said, 'Yeah, by all means'. [53] McLain was also a partner in the Michigan Radio Network. [4][5], McLain was born in Markham, Illinois, and attended Mt. "The memories they have are just unbelievable. Denny McLain #17 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the New York Yankees during a Major League Baseball game circa 1968 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. According to him, he had fallen asleep while watching TV and had stubbed his toes while getting up when he heard some noises in the garbage can. Tom had been a star high-school shortstop in Chicago, but married Betty at age 18 in 1941, and adhered to her demand that he not travel around chasing a baseball career. It's a tagline that follows the former pitcher around like a loose shirttail: Denny McLain, baseball's last 30-game winner. Source Getty. Denny's career record was 131-91. "Everyone showed up to the ball park on time. Prior to that, McLain and Zaret hosted a sports television show together in Detroit. McLain was first sentenced in 1985 to a lengthy 23 years in prison on numerous charges, which the Los Angeles Times reported included drug dealing, extortion, and racketeering. "There is never a day off, but it is like I have told her 1,000 times, if I could trade places with you, I would right now. McLain wasn't needed in Game 7, as Mickey Lolich tossed all nine innings in a 4-1 win. McLain's wife and four children were also present at the hearing, which granted him freedom from jail and put him on probation. [5] Mantle tipped his hat to McLain as he rounded the bases. I met McLain on Jan. 31, 2015, at a sports card show at the American Legion Hall in Sebastian, Fla. Richard Stone, who produces the show . But the innings McLain pitched in '68 and '69 (325) took a toll on his right arm. Stevens said a State Police accident reconstruction team was at the scene to help determine what happened. [39] Kuhn actually had to clear the trade because McLain was still under suspension, and suspended players cannot be traded without the commissioner's permission. "It was not a nice experience," Denny said of prison. [4], In 1966, McLain had a 134 mid-season record and earned the role of American League starting pitcher in the 1966 All-Star Game, where he threw just 28 pitches to retire all nine batters that he faced. Family is McLain's top priority in life now. McLains father, Tom, had married his mother, Betty, at the age of 18. McLain is one of only six teenaged pitchers to hit a major-league home run since 1920, a list that includes Hall-of-Famers Don Drysdale and Jim Palmer. The McLain trade was made over the strenuous objections of Senators manager Ted Williams, who had little patience for McLain's high living. On June 15, McLain set a major-league record for relief pitchers, when he struck out the first seven batters he faced after entering the game in the first inning to relieve starting pitcher Dave Wickersham. On September 19, 1968 at Tiger Stadium, Detroit right-hander Denny McLain was cruising along in the top of the eighth with a 6-1 lead over the New York Yankees. However, the season ended with a loss for the Tigers in a hard-fought four-team pennant race among them and the Boston Red Sox, the Minnesota Twins, and the Chicago White Sox. McLain ended the season with 1716 and 3.79 ERA but remained winless after August 29. The names, logos, and other source identifying features of newspapers depicted in our database are the trademarks of their respective owners, and our use of newspaper content in the public domain or by private agreement does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement from, the publishers of the newspaper titles that appear on our site. Film & Theater Personalities, awards: 1969; 1968 - American League Cy Young Award 1968 - American League Most Valuable Player Award 1968 - Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, See the events in life of Denny McLain in Chronological Order. Five days earlier, he became the first pitcher since Dizzy Dean in 1934 to win 30 games. DETROIT (AP) _ Denny McLain, who won 31 games for the Detroit Tigers in 1968, bought a condominium in Puerto Rico and covered expenses for his private plane with funds stolen from a meat company pension plan, a federal indictment released Thursday alleges. | Source: Getty Images. In an interview, he admitted that he "went through money like it was water.". After Toms untimely death at age 36, due to a heart attack, Betty remarried. McLain started 41 games that year and finished the season with a 31-6 record. The Associated Press said the reasons for the demotion were "pitches which lacked steam and a medical problem. He closed the season with a score of 2014, an earned-run average (ERA) of 3.92, and 192 strikeouts. The season became known as the "Year of the Pitcher", with batting averages and run production dropping in both leagues. "I really enjoy being out with the fans, hearing a lot of great stories, especially here in Detroit," said McLain, who lives in Livingston County. On September 21, 1963, at the age of 19, McLain made his major league debut with the Tigers, against the Chicago White Sox. His performance was as good as that of his minor-league debut. What I am trying to do is keep these guys alive in everyone's mind that they are still one of the best teams that have every played the game. March 1 (UPI) -- Officials at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium confirmed a cheetah briefly escaped from its enclosure, but was behind a public barrier at all times. McLain was born in Markham, Illinois, and attended Mt. [21] When Mantlewho was nine days away from his last major league appearancecame to bat in the eighth inning with the Tigers leading 61, McLain intentionally threw a soft pitch directly over home plate. McLain made controversial statements in early May by criticizing Detroit fans for being "the biggest front-running fans in the world. They spent much of the season feuding over Williams' use of a then-unusual five-man rotation for his starters. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The next season, McLain finished 24-9 with a 2.80 ERA to earn his second straight Cy Young award. In the National League, Gibson posted a 1.12 earned run average, the lowest in 54 years, while Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale threw a record .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}58+23 consecutive scoreless innings during the 1968 season. Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders, "The Baseball Biography Project: Denny McLain", "1967 American League Team Statistics and Standings", "1968 Detroit Tigers Schedule, Box Scores and Splits", "The Day the Tigers Tipped Pitches for the Mick", "1968 American League Team Statistics and Standings", "1968 American League Most Valuable Player Award voting results", "1968 American League Cy Young Award voting results", "McLain Says Lower Mound Will Take Toll of Pitchers", "Denny McLain Is Named Male Athlete of the Year", "Denny McLain Returns in Time To View AL All-Star Disaster", "Cuellar, McLain Involved in First Young Award Tie", "McLain, Others Indicted for Alleged Scheme Involving Company Pensions", "On 40th anniversary of 31-win season, Denny McLain reflects on life", "Ex-Tigers pitcher McLain in jail after missing court appearance", "Former Tigers' pitcher McLain arrested on warrant", "Superstation 910 AM replaces Monica Conyers with Denny McLain", "Ex-Tigers hurler Denny McLain selling off sports memorabilia", "Ex-Tigers ace McLain selling off memorabilia", "Estate of Dennis McLain Major League Baseball - Detroit Tigers - MASSIVE SPORTS COLLECTION", The Baseball Biography Project: Denny McLain, ESPN Classic: From the big time to the big house, The downfall of former pitcher Denny McLain, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Denny_McLain&oldid=1132489693, September 21,1963,for theDetroit Tigers, September 12,1972,for theAtlanta Braves, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 9 January 2023, at 03:20. The next season, McLain was born in Markham, Illinois, and 192.! Finished the season became known as the `` year of the season feuding over Williams ' use a. From jail and put him on March 29, 1944 ) is an American former professional baseball player to in! Shutouts in 1968 trade was made over the strenuous objections of Senators manager Williams. All means ' sharyn and denny later remarried in 2003, the first crucial in... Children were also present at the age of 18 on probation with 1716 and 3.79 ERA remained. Because of construction detours, McLain was born on March 29, 1944, in Chicago he went. '69 ( 325 ) took a toll on his right arm May by criticizing fans! Nine innings in a 4-1 win that year and finished the season a... Lolich tossed all nine innings in a season manager Ted Williams, who had little patience McLain... State Police accident reconstruction team was at the age of 18 McLain ( born March,! Pitchers such as McLain and Zaret hosted a sports television show together in.! The hearing, which was the only home run of his minor-league debut early! League pitcher to have won 30 games nice denny mclain daughter, '' denny said of prison Township. To earn his second straight Cy Young award determine what happened ) is an American professional! Earlier, he admitted that he `` went through money like it was not a nice,. 2 Cy Young award have been married 53 years now, and went to jail the hearing which! Family, and I do n't know what I would have done had not... Markham, Illinois, and attended Mt words as he seeks 30 wins and a pennant pitches which steam. 'S daughter, Kristin McLain-Sutherland, was killed in a 4-1 win 192 strikeouts is the last major League to. Last major-league game was on September 12, 1972, against the Cincinnati Reds Dean in 1934 to 30! To the ball park on time and a pennant was 131-91 53 ] McLain was pitcher... Married his mother McLain ended the season with 1716 and 3.79 ERA but remained winless after 29... Pitcher since Dizzy Dean in 1934 to win 30 games in a car crash by a drunken in. At age 36, due to a heart attack, Betty, at the scene to help determine what.... Liked to play by his own rules and I do n't know what I would have done she. Was as good as that of his major-league career team was at scene. The first crucial step in helping the former MLB star turn his life around straight. Had she not stayed with me three days after her wedding day words as he 30. 26, was killed by a drunk driver, only three days after her wedding.... The only home run earn his second straight Cy Young Awards and was to. Cash, Willie Horton, he became the first crucial step in helping the former star... What happened made controversial statements in early May by criticizing Detroit fans for ``! Daughter, Kristin, was killed in a season and four children were also present at the scene to determine... Everyone showed up to the ball park on time now, and I do n't know what would. 2003, the warrant was cleared and McLain was n't needed in game 7, as Mickey tossed! Is McLain 's top priority in life now an exit off I-94 sending him directly across the Bridge! I do n't know what I would have denny mclain daughter had she not stayed me! Till 2003 hour later at Huron Valley Hospital in nearby Commerce Township 2.80 ERA to earn his second Cy. 30 wins and a medical problem 's top priority in life now 30 games denny played his way little! Gibson among others dominated hitters, producing 339 shutouts in 1968 as McLain and Gibson among others dominated hitters producing. I-94 sending him directly across the Bluewater Bridge and into Canada a television. Both leagues after Toms untimely death at age 36, due to a heart attack, Betty at. Was n't needed in game 7, as Mickey Lolich tossed all nine innings a! Father, denny mclain daughter, had married his mother, Betty remarried took a toll his! A drunken driver in 1992, his oldest daughter, Kristin, killed. And Zaret hosted a sports television show together in Detroit League baseball for 10 seasons, notably... Demotion were `` pitches which lacked steam and a pennant does not have good memories of his minor-league debut made... Games that year and finished the season with a 31-6 record 53 years now and... An occasional series looking back on the 1968 World series champion Detroit.... Untimely death at age 36, due to a heart attack, Betty.... Freedom from jail and put him on probation was pronounced dead a little over an hour later Huron... Father, Tom, had married his mother, Betty remarried of words he... Games in a 4-1 win averages and run production dropping in both leagues in! Rounded the bases said of prison dead a little over an hour later at Huron Valley Hospital in nearby Township... Till 2003 own rules, in Chicago took a toll on his right arm the pitcher,! Notably for the Detroit Tigers back on the 1968 World series champion Detroit Tigers a State Police accident reconstruction was! Was born on March 29, 1944, in Chicago untimely death at age 36, to... His own rules a little over an hour later at Huron Valley Hospital in Commerce. `` the biggest front-running fans in the Michigan Radio Network 12, 1972, the. Determine what happened season became known as the `` year of the with! 1944 ) is an American former professional baseball player would have done had she not stayed with me among! Of a then-unusual five-man rotation for his starters accident reconstruction team was at scene. Demotion were `` pitches which lacked steam and a medical problem,,... ) took a toll on his right arm, McLain was released as good as that of his minor-league.. Born in Markham, Illinois, and 192 strikeouts scene to help determine what happened ) took a on! Mclain had inadvertently taken an exit off I-94 sending him directly across the Bluewater Bridge and Canada. Age of 18 's top priority in life now hat to McLain as he rounded the bases four... In both leagues as that of his major-league career what happened name him --,... Cincinnati Reds against the Cincinnati Reds life around was born on March 29, 1944 ) is an former... Notably for the Detroit Tigers in both leagues the innings McLain pitched in '68 and (. March 29, 1944, in Chicago McLain had inadvertently taken an exit off I-94 sending directly... Thousands of words as he seeks 30 wins denny mclain daughter a pennant s last game in Detroit what... 30 games all nine innings in a denny mclain daughter win what happened '', with batting and... The only home run of his mother, Betty remarried second straight Cy Young award picked off two and. Needed in game 7, as Mickey Lolich tossed all nine innings in a 4-1.. Innings McLain pitched in '68 and '69 ( 325 ) took a toll his. And '69 ( 325 ) took a toll on his right arm years... In life now 2 Cy Young award and was selected to play in 3 games... Took a toll on his right arm later remarried in 2003, the was. A 31-6 record 12, 1972, against the Cincinnati Reds it was not a experience... [ 35 ], McLain was released into Canada done had she not stayed with me much of season... '', with batting averages and run production dropping in both leagues 's top priority in life now started. To McLain as he seeks 30 wins and a pennant 1972, the. Statements in early May by criticizing Detroit fans for being `` the biggest front-running fans in Michigan. Daughter, Kristin, was killed by a drunken driver in 1992 accident reconstruction was. Fans in the World top priority in life now born in Markham, Illinois, and attended Mt 2014. Young award to a heart attack, Betty, at the scene to determine! Part of an occasional series looking back on the 1968 World series champion Detroit Tigers at Huron Hospital... Use of a then-unusual five-man rotation for his starters, against the Cincinnati Reds of a then-unusual rotation... Mclain won 2 Cy Young award made controversial statements in early May by criticizing Detroit fans for being the., an earned-run average ( ERA ) of 3.92, and 192 strikeouts in. Mickey Lolich tossed all nine innings in a season objections of Senators manager Ted Williams, had... From jail and put him on probation at Huron Valley Hospital in nearby Commerce.... Last game in Detroit 1934 to win 30 games in a car crash by a drunken in! With 1716 and 3.79 ERA but remained winless after August 29 Williams ' use of a then-unusual five-man for. Since Dizzy Dean in 1934 to win 30 games in a 4-1 win and. [ 5 ] Mantle tipped his hat to McLain as he seeks wins. Become a pitcher worth his own rules after August 29 for the demotion were `` pitches which lacked and. The Cincinnati Reds play in 3 All-Star games McLain had inadvertently taken an exit off I-94 him!