Denny McLain
| Denny McLain | |||
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McLain in 2012
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| Pitcher | |||
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Born: March 29, 1944 Markham, Illinois |
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| MLB debut | |||
| September 21, 1963, for the Detroit Tigers | |||
| Last MLB appearance | |||
| September 12, 1972, for the Atlanta Braves | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 131–91 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.39 | ||
| Strikeouts | 1,282 | ||
| Teams | |||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Dennis Dale "Denny" McLain (born March 29, 1944) is an American former professional baseball player. He played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball for 10 seasons, most notably for the Detroit Tigers. In 1968, McLain became the last pitcher in Major League Baseball to win 30 or more games during a season (31–6) — a feat accomplished by only 11 players in the 20th century.
McLain was brash and outspoken, sometimes creating controversy by criticizing teammates and fans with little provocation. His stellar performance at the beginning of his professional baseball career, including two Cy Young awards and an American League MVP award, was a marked contrast to his personal life, where he became associated with organized crime and was eventually convicted on charges of embezzlement and served time in prison.
McLain was born in Markham, Illinois, and attended Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago, where he played on the baseball team as a shortstop and pitcher. As a teenager, he met his future wife, Sharyn Boudreau, the daughter of former major league player Lou Boudreau. McLain was also musically talented, learning to play the organ from his father.
Upon his graduation from high school in June 1962, McLain was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent and was assigned to play with the Harlan Smokies of the Appalachian League. McLain made a spectacular debut in professional baseball, throwing a no hitter and striking out 16 batters in a game against the Salem Rebels on June 28. After just two games with the Smokies, he was promoted to the Clinton C-Sox of the Midwest League, where he posted a record of four wins and seven losses.
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