Detroit baseball icon Denny McLain's 1968 season was a remarkable one, he went 31-6, was an three time All-Star, won the Cy Young Award twice, won the AL Most Valuable Player Award, and was on the World Series-winning Detroit Tigers.
His 31 wins that year made him the first pitcher to win 30 games in a season since Dizzy Dean. After the Tigers had clinched the '68 AL pennant, McLain exhibited a rare display of magnanimity in a game against the New York Yankees; in cruising to his 31st victory, with the Tigers leading 6-1, McLain intentionally gave up a 'fat' pitch to Mickey Mantle, allowing the soon-to-retire Mantle to hit his 535th homer and pass Jimmie Foxx on the all-time home run list.
Today between touring the country doing promotional appearances and signings for his latest book "I Told You I Wasn't Perfect" Denny gives In Play! readers his unique take on sports (not just baseball) in Detroit.Occasionally we may be treated to some insider stories; such as the Mickey Mantle story or 68 World Series stories; what a treat...only here at In Play! Magazine.
one of the greatest pitchers that ever played the game! i listened every week last season and will continue this year. keep it up denny.
ReplyDeletei love listening to old time hockey and baseball stories.
ReplyDeletemclain calls em like he sees em. no holds barred. thats why i like listening to him.
ReplyDeleteIt's nict to hear you again, Denny! Welcome back.
ReplyDeleteKnown Dennis all my life, and it's not until the ascendency of Michael Moore and Peter on "Family Guy" that could I thumbnail him so appropriately.
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