Monday, October 16, 2006
Thinking About Denny McLain
In a comment to the last post, the Spanish Medievalist mentioned Tigers pitcher Denny McLain. Thanks-- you real put the "evil" back in "medieval," don't you?
Anyways, in 1968 Denny was the last 30-game winner in the Majors. His subsequent career was a mess, though, and he was out of baseball at age 28. In 1969, he cut an album, Denny McLain in Las Vegas. Subsequently, he got mixed up with John Gotti(!) and was imprisoned for racketeering, embezzlement, and drug trafficking. Later, he worked at a 7-11 out on Mound Road, and kids would drive out there to get a Slurpee from him.
Of course, times were different then, before pro athletes made so much money. I grew up skating at "Gordie Howe Hockeyland," a place where if you goofed around, Gordie Howe might come out and yell at you. Gordie Howe yelling at you is terrifying and thrilling all at once, kind of like practice court minitrials.
Anyways, in 1968 Denny was the last 30-game winner in the Majors. His subsequent career was a mess, though, and he was out of baseball at age 28. In 1969, he cut an album, Denny McLain in Las Vegas. Subsequently, he got mixed up with John Gotti(!) and was imprisoned for racketeering, embezzlement, and drug trafficking. Later, he worked at a 7-11 out on Mound Road, and kids would drive out there to get a Slurpee from him.
Of course, times were different then, before pro athletes made so much money. I grew up skating at "Gordie Howe Hockeyland," a place where if you goofed around, Gordie Howe might come out and yell at you. Gordie Howe yelling at you is terrifying and thrilling all at once, kind of like practice court minitrials.
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Don't forget Mickey Lolich, who during the '68 season was considered the No. 2 starter. He was the last man to win 3 games in one series, something only accomplished 13 times. In 4 cases, the series was a best of 9 affair.
# posted by 
: 2:31 PM
: 2:31 PM
You know I had completely forgotten about McLain's troubles with the law. I guess great ball players are famous for the abilities on the diamond, not as great moralists or bastions of ethics.
iplawguy--first, congrats on the new stranger in your home, and second, Lolich did win three games, beating Bob Gibson, no less, in game seven of the sixty-eight series. It was a thing of wonder and beauty. What a series!
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iplawguy--first, congrats on the new stranger in your home, and second, Lolich did win three games, beating Bob Gibson, no less, in game seven of the sixty-eight series. It was a thing of wonder and beauty. What a series!
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