Denny McLain

Denny McLain born in Chicago on the South Side. attended Mount Carmel High School.

The day that Denny graduated from High School he was signed by the Chicago White Sox and eventually drafted by the Detroit Tigers.

From being the only 30-game winner in more than 78 years; to touring

The country as a popular musician playing on national TV; to later be-

Coming a media star to spending nine years in jail for something he did not do, Denny McLain has Lived a bizarre and remarkable life.

In 1968, McLain set the baseball world on fire by being the first

pitcher to win at least 30 games since Dizzy Dean 34 years earlier.

Now no one has won 30 games for more than 78 years and some say it will never be a feat accomplished again.

Denny won a Detroit Tiger Record and American League Record of winning 108 games in only a 5 year span. 1965---1969.

Cy Young 1968 & 1969

MVP 1968.

Denny had "Incredible Highs" & some "Horrible Lows":

*Learning that the Gambino crime family ordered at hit on him, despite sharing smuggled KFC and McDonald's meals and laughs with John Gotti Jr. in prison

*How federal agents were so desperate to nail Gotti that they trumped up charges against McLain and wanted him to lie about a working relationship with Gotti

*How he retaliated against a fellow inmate who smashed his skull from behind with a fire extinguisher

*What prompted then-Commissioner Bowie Kuhn to ban McLain for half a season in 1970 (and what led to two more suspensions that season)

*Why Ted Williams was one of the worst people that he ever was around in professional baseball.

McLain was a three-time All-Star and won the Cy Young Award twice in his career, in 1968 and 1969; his lifetimes record includes a won-loss tally of 131-91, an ERA of 3.39, and 1282 strikeouts in 1886 innings pitched.

Denny posted 9 Shutouts in 1969, a Tiger Record.

Denny struck out 7 in a row in a game against the Boston Red Sox.

Denny's first official at bat in the Major Leagues was a Home Run in Tiger Stadium.

Denny's first professional game in the Minor Leagues was a no-hitter, striking out 16, in Harlan Kentucky.

Denny had 53 complete games in 2 years, 1968 & 1969.

Denny also is one of the real players who helps and raises tens of thousands of dollars each year for various charities, never ever charging appearance fees or any other kind of fee. If you have a charity event and you would like to know if Denny can appear please email Denny and they will be pleased to accommodate your request if possible.

Always brash, always interesting, always with a story to tell - McLain was arguably the best and worst of many things in his life, but there's no denying that he has been thoroughly mesmerizing at one job: being Denny McLain 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Kevin Costner's character in the motion picture The Upside of Anger was partly based on McLain (and also partly on Kirk Gibson, another Tiger of World Series note).

Was a pop performer on the organ before, during and after his baseball career.

Hosted his own radio talk show in Detroit for many years.

As Denny has stated numerous times, "Nobody's Perfect"!!