Denny McLain
| Denny McLain | |
|---|---|
McLain in 1966 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: March 29, 1944 Markham, Illinois, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| 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 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Dennis Dale McLain (born March 29, 1944) is an American former professional baseball player. He played for ten seasons in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher, most prominently as a member of the Detroit Tigers. In 1968, McLain became the last Major League Baseball pitcher to win 30 or more games during a season (with a record of 31–6) — a feat accomplished by only 11 players in the 20th century, with the most recent 34 years earlier.
As a player, McLain was known for his outspoken nature, which occasionally led to conflicts with teammates and fans. His early major league career included notable achievements such as two Cy Young awards and an American League MVP award. While achieving success in baseball, McLain faced legal issues in his personal life, including convictions related to organized crime and embezzlement, for which he served time in prison.