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Dennis Dale (Denny) McLain played professional baseball for 12 years (1962-1973) and Major League Baseball for 10 seasons (1963-1972). Upon signing with the Chicago White Sox, he was assigned to the Harlan (KY) Smokies of the Appalachian League. He promptly threw a No Hitter in his first professional start with 16 strikeouts. From there he moved through the minor leagues quickly. Denny was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1963. He was called up to the Tigers, in September, where he made his MLB debut against his old team, the White Sox, at the age of 19. Denny threw a complete game and hit a home run in his 2nd at bat. From there, his career went to great heights.
In the 5 year span of 1965-69, he won 108 games (averaging 22 wins per year), 186 GS, 88 CG, 26 SHO, 1380.2 IP (276 per year), and 1006 strikeouts (201 per season ). During this span his ERA was a fantastic 2.95 with a .679 win %. He also made 3 All Star appearances, won 2 Cy Young Awards, a unanimous MVP, a ML Player of the Year Award, and was a World Series Champion in 1968!
In 1968, he had one of the greatest seasons a pitcher has had in the last century. Denny had a record of 31-6, with a 1.96 ERA, 280 strikeouts, 28 complete games and 6 shutouts. He is the only player to win the A.L. MVP and Cy Young Award unanimously in the same season. Denny is the only pitcher since 1934 to win 30 games in a season, and one of only 11 to win 30 in the 20th century.
Denny followed up his historic season in 1969 with another fantastic performance. He went 24-9, 23 CG, 9 shutouts, 325 IP, striking out 181 and only walking 67. He faced an astonishing 1,304 batters! He was an All Star, won the Cy Young Award, and finished 6th in the MVP voting.
In 1971 he pitched for the Washington Senators. He made 32 starts for them with 9 CG's and 3 shutouts in 216.2 innings. He finished his career in 1972 pitching for the World Series Champion Oakland A's and the Atlanta Braves.
In addition to his baseball career, Denny is also an accomplished organist. He did two recordings for Capitol Records: "Denny McLain at the Organ" and "Denny McLain in Las Vegas". He is also the author of 5 books. His father in law is Hall of Fame Shortstop Lou Boudreau. The glove Denny used in 1968 and the game ball from his 30th victory are on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY. He is member of the State of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
