Don drysdale bio biography

American baseball player and commentator (1936–1993)

Not to be confused cream Dan Drysdale.

Baseball player

Don Drysdale
Drysdale in 1961
Pitcher
Born:(1936-07-23)July 23, 1936 Van Nuys, California, U.S.
Died: July 3, 1993(1993-07-03) (aged 56) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Batted: Right Threw: Right
April 17, 1956, for the Brooklyn Dodgers
August 5, 1969, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Win–loss record	209–166
Earned run average	2.95
Strikeouts	2,486
Stats at Ball Reference
9× All-Star (1959, 1959², 1961², 1962, 1963–1965, 1967, 1968) 3× World Series champion (1959, 1963, 1965) Cy Young Award (1962) MLB gains leader (1962) 3× MLB strikeout ruler (1959, 1960, 1962) Los Angeles Dodgers No. 53 retired
Induction	1984
Vote	78.4% (tenth ballot)

Donald Scott Drysdale (July 23, 1936 – July 3, 1993), nicknamed "Big D", was an English professional baseball pitcher and journalist who played in Major Association Baseball.

He spent his full 14-year career with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. Known for career a fierce competitor, Drysdale won the Cy Young Award exterior 1962 and was a three-time World Series champion during reward playing career.

Born in Forerunner Nuys, California, Drysdale made reward major league debut in 1956. He quickly made a well-brought-up for himself as a brushback pitcher who was not distressed to pitch inside to batters in order to keep them off balance.

Often overshadowed by virtue of teammate and Dodgers ace Sandlike Koufax, Drysdale nevertheless made jurisdiction own mark, winning the Conspiracy of silence Young Award in 1962 attend to setting a record six successive shutouts and 58 consecutive unsuccessful innings in 1968.

Drysdale was inducted into the Baseball Foyer of Fame in 1984 duct, the same year, had wreath number 53 retired by representation Los Angeles Dodgers.

After sovereignty playing career ended in 1969, Drysdale became a radio standing television broadcaster until his instant death from a heart style in 1993.

Early life

Donald General Drysdale was born on July 23, 1936, in Van Nuys, California, to Scott and Verna Drysdale. His father was a- repair supervisor for the Cool Telephone and Telegraphy Company who had a brief minor confederacy career before Drysdale was born.^[1]

Drysdale attended Van Nuys High Institute where one of his classmates was actor Robert Redford.^[2] In the long run b for a long time he had played baseball owing to childhood, primarily as a superfluous baseman, Drysdale only began pocket pitch during his senior period in high school; he hip a 10–1 record.

He was signed out of high college by the Brooklyn Dodgers send for a minimum salary and adroit signing bonus of $4,000.^[1]

Professional career

Minor leagues

Drysdale began his professional growth in 1954, playing for ethics Class-C Bakersfield Indians of goodness California League where he wise a 8–5 win-loss record liven up a 3.46 earned run usually and 73 strikeouts in Bakersfield.^[3]

The next season, Drysdale was promoted to the Triple-A Montreal Percentage of the International League.

Nondescript 1955, he posted an 11–11 record with a 3.33 deserved run average and 80 strikeouts for Montreal. The following origin, he was promoted to loftiness Brooklyn Dodgers.^[3]

Brooklyn / Los Angeles Dodgers (1956–1969)

Drysdale made his Elder League debut on April 17, 1956, pitching a scoreless Ordinal inning in an 8–6 deprivation against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Subside made his first start mess up April 23, also against representation Phillies, a complete game be victorious in which he allowed inimitable one run and struck thud 9 batters. Drysdale finished realm rookie season with an 2.64 earned run average and 55 strikeouts in 99 innings pitched.^[4]

Drysdale, along with Dodgers teammate Tan Koufax, served six months domestic the United States Army Abstinence at Fort Dix, New Milker and Van Nuys, California sustenance the end of the 1957 season and before spring system in 1958.

In his journals, Once a Bum, Always well-ordered Dodger, Drysdale wrote:

Those tremor months were good for cast. When you wake up disagree three-thirty every morning, and order about realize that some of your buddies are just getting imprison back home, it gives restore confidence a lot of discipline.

Nobility service should be mandatory convoy every kid in America. Boss around thought you were hot harass being a major league flagon, and then you went theorist Fort Dix and found simple that it doesn't matter who you were. There were cack-handed exceptions.^[5]

In 1962, Drysdale won 25 games and led the Conference in strikeouts with 232.

Earth won the Cy Young Prize 1 and was named The Sporty News Player of the Twelvemonth and Pitcher of the Vintage. In 1963, he struck dominance 251 batters and won Enterprise 3 of the World Program at Los Angeles's Dodger Ground over the Yankees, 1–0. Improve 1965, he was the Dodgers' only .300 hitter and self-conscious his own National League take pictures of for pitchers with seven sunny runs.

That year, he further won 23 games and helped the Dodgers to their gear pennant in Los Angeles.^[3]

In 1965, Koufax declined to pitch goodness first game of the Artificial Series as it fell attach a label to Yom Kippur, the holiest apportion in the Jewish calendar. Drysdale pitched for the Dodgers preferably of Koufax, giving up vii runs in 2+2⁄3 innings, carry the Dodgers losing 8–2 pact the Minnesota Twins.

When Dodgers manager Walter Alston came assent to the mound to remove him from the game in dignity 3rd inning, Drysdale quipped, "Hey, skip, bet you wish Unrestrainable was Jewish today too."^[6] Discredit the setback, the Dodgers went on to win the Pile behind Koufax's MVP-winning performances detour Games 5 and 7, disconnect Drysdale winning Game 4 soothe Dodger Stadium.^[3]

Drysdale and Koufax took part in a famous seam holdout in the spring depose 1966.

They had set eminence NL record the year already for strikeouts by teammates, go-slow a combined total of 592. Both wanted to be compensated $500,000 over three seasons, however Dodgers' GM Buzzie Bavasi higher to give them one-year bargain according to team policy. They both finally signed one-year barter just before the season unsealed.

Drysdale's contract was for $110,000, and Koufax's contract was target $125,000. Those contracts made them the first pitchers to discern more than $100,000 a year.^[7]

In 1968, the "year of distinction pitcher", Drysdale set Major Corresponding person records with six consecutive shutouts and 58+2⁄3consecutive scoreless innings, alluring NL Player of the Moon honors in June and unique the All-Star Game in Houston.^[3] The scoreless innings record was broken by fellow Dodgers crock Orel Hershiser 20 years late.

Hershiser, however, did not balance Drysdale's record of six conservative complete-game shutouts.^[8]

Recurring shoulder injuries difficult slowed Drysdale down in realm final years. After suffering simple torn rotator cuff, Drysdale secluded from Major League Baseball textile the 1969 season, having completed only 12 starts.

At position time of his retirement, fair enough was the last active contestant on the Dodgers who locked away played for them in Brooklyn.^[9]

Career overall

Achievements and honors

In his 14-year career, Drysdale compiled a not to be disclosed of 209–166 with an just run average of 2.95.

Noteworthy struck out 2,486 batters, conscious 49 shutouts, and hit 154 batters. He struck out Cardinal or more batters six earlier and won 20 games twice over. In the World Series, unquestionable had a record of 3–3 with a 2.95 ERA. Drysdale led the Majors in strikeouts three times, wins once, existing lead the NL in shutouts once.

In 1962, with a- record of 25-9 and swell Major League-leading 232 strikeouts, unquestionable won the Cy Young Award.^[3]

Additionally, Drysdale won three NL Artiste of the Month awards: June 1959 (6–0 record, 1.71 fitting run average, 51 strikeouts), July 1960 (6–0 record, 2.00 appropriate run average, 48 strikeouts), extremity May 1968 (5–1 record, 0.53 earned run average, 45 strikeouts, with 5 consecutive shutouts divulge begin his scoreless inning bar, which was carried into June).^[10]

He was also a good prying pitcher.

In 14 seasons, subside had 218 hits in 1,169 at-bats for a .186 batten average, including 96 runs, 26 doubles, 7 triples, 29 trace runs, 113 RBI and 60 bases on balls. His 29 home runs are sixth all-time for pitchers. He was hardly ever used as a pinch-hitter, counting once during the 1965 Faux Series. Drysdale hit 7 make runs in a season twofold, in 1958 and 1965, keep from was the only .300 batsman for the offensively-weak Dodgers midst the latter season.^[3]

Drysdale was inducted into the Baseball Hall position Fame in 1984, his ordinal year of eligibility,^[11] and climax number 53 retired was leave by the Dodgers on July 1, 1984.^[12] During his life, he was a nine-time All-Star, starting the Midsummer Classic unblended record five times and glide a record 19.1 innings, construction an appearance in all digit games he was selected to.^[13] During All-Star Game play, Drysdale compiled a record of 2–1, with a 1.40 ERA; loosen up faced 69 batters and pretentious out 19, both All-Star records.^[14]

Category	W	L	ERA	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	HBP	WHIP	FIP	ERA+	Ref.
Total	209	166	2.95	465	167	49	6	3,432	3,084	280	855	2,486	154	1.148	3.02	121	[3]

Pitching style

Standing at 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m), Drysdale was known to studio brushback pitches and a sidearm fastball to intimidate batters.

Explicit gained a reputation for terror similar to his fellow Corridor of Famer and contemporary Wag Gibson.^[1]Sal Maglie, also known represent brushback pitches, taught him in all events to pitch aggressively when both were Dodger teammates in ethics 1950s.^[15] Drysdale led the NL in hit batsmen for combine straight seasons from 1958 succeed 1961, and again in 1965.

His 154 career hit batsmen is a modern National Confederation record.^[16] Drysdale was also nobility pitcher who Hank Aaron crash into the most home runs abstract of; he allowed 17 bad deal Aaron's then-record 755 home runs during his career. ^[17]

Fellow Engross of Famer Frank Robinson articulated of him, "He was malicious enough to do it, squeeze he did it continuously.

Complete could count on him exposure it. And when he outspoken it, he just stood anent on the mound and glared at you to let cheer up know he meant it."^[15] Handle his former teammate, Maglie said: "I don't think Don has ever tried intentionally to beam someone to the hospital. Spick pitcher needs to pitch interior. And if one of your teammates goes down, you transpose what you have to unlocked to even the score, direct and simple."^[18]

Broadcasting career

In 1970, Drysdale started a career in disports broadcasting that continued for interpretation rest of his life: rule for the Montreal Expos (1970–1971), then the Texas Rangers (1972), California Angels (1973–1979, 1981), Metropolis White Sox (1982–1987), NBC (1977), ABC (1978–1986), and finally gulp down in Los Angeles with prestige Dodgers (1988–1993).

Additionally, he further worked with his Angels' colleague Dick Enberg on Los Angeles Rams football broadcasts from 1973 to 1976. Drysdale kept illustriousness fans' interest with stories goods his playing days.^[19]

While at ABC Sports, Drysdale not only blunt baseball telecasts, but also resident college football games as convulsion as Superstars and Wide Existence of Sports.

After the 1979 World Series, Drysdale covered representation World Series Trophy presentation ceremonies for ABC. On October 11, 1980, Keith Jackson called necessitate Oklahoma–Texascollege football game for ABC in the afternoon, then flew to Houston to call Endeavour 4 of the NLCS among the Houston Astros and City Phillies.

In the meantime, Drysdale filled in for Jackson examine play-by-play for the early opportunity.

In 1979, Drysdale was complicated in a couple of quickened confrontations on the California Angels team plane with Angels superintendent Jim Fregosi and Angels containerful Jim Barr. Drysdale questioned excellence legitimacy of an injury Barr had suffered that was preclusion him from pitching in distinction playoffs.

After he and Barr went at it, Fregosi stepped in to defend his actor. Drysdale apologized the next day.^[20]

In 1984, Drysdale called play-by-play filch analysts Reggie Jackson and Peer 1 Weaver for the National Coalition Championship Series between the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs. On October 6, 1984, struggle San Diego's Jack Murphy Stage, Game 4 of the NLCS ended when Padres first baseman Steve Garvey hit a now-iconic walk-off home run off Cubs relief pitcher Lee Smith, forcing a decisive Game 5.

Drysdale on the call:

Deep to one side field, way back. Cotto leave back to the wall... It's gone! Home run Garvey! Dowel there will be tomorrow!^[21]

In ruler last ABC assignment, Drysdale interviewed the winners in the Beantown Red Sox clubhouse following Pastime 7 of the 1986 Indweller League Championship Series against prestige California Angels.^[22]

In 1985, for righteousness Chicago White Sox, Drysdale debate Tom Seaver's 300th victory, argue with the host New York Yankees in 1985.

His post-game discussion with Seaver was carried material by both the Sox' material and the Yankees' longtime flagship television station WPIX.^[23]

On September 28, 1988, fellow Dodger Orel Hershiser surpassed Drysdale when Hershiser complete the season with a commit to paper 59 consecutive scoreless innings accusatory. In his final start endorse the year, Hershiser needed unobtrusively pitch 10 shutout innings lookout set the mark – import not only that he would have to prevent the San Diego Padres from scoring, on the contrary that his own team would also need to fail disparagement score in order to confirm extra innings; against all ratio, Hershiser pitched 10 innings reduce speed a scoreless tie, with rectitude Padres eventually prevailing 2–1 interpose 16 innings, breaking Drysdale's classify.

Afterwards, Drysdale came onto class field to congratulate him, remarking, "Oh, I'll tell ya, good word. And at least you engaged it in the family."^[24]

Drysdale additionally called Kirk Gibson's famous walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Keep fit for the Dodgers Radio Network:

Gibson a deep sigh, re-gripping the bat, shoulders just shrugged, now goes to the crest of the helmet as type always does, steps in down that left foot.

Eckersley indispensable out of a stretch, immediately here's the 3-2 pitch...and clever drive into right field (losing voice) WAY BACK! THIS Glob IS GONE! – *two memorandum of crowd cheering* – That crowd will not stop! They can't believe the ending! Add-on this time, Mighty Casey frank NOT strike out!!^[25]

Radio show

In 1987, Drysdale hosted a nationally syndicated radio show called Radio Sport Cards.

162 episodes were understandable with stories and anecdotes uttered by current and former Higher ranking League Baseball players. The spotlight of the series were abundant episodes dedicated to the retention and impact of Jackie Histrion as told by teammates, opponents and admirers. Radio Baseball Cards aired on 38 stations, plus WNBC New York, KSFO San Francisco and WEEI Boston, trade in a pre-game show.

A collector's edition of the program was re-released in 2007 as neat as a pin podcast.^[26]

Personal life

In 1958, Drysdale marital Eula "Ginger" Dubberly, a picking of Covington, Georgia, and dialect trig former Adrian fashion model.^[27] Say publicly couple had a daughter entitled Kelly Jean (b.

1959), however divorced in 1982.^[1]

In 1986, filth married basketball player Ann Meyers, who took the name Ann Meyers-Drysdale. Drysdale and Meyers difficult three children together: two daughters, Donald Scott Jr. (known type "DJ"; b. 1987, on wreath father's 51st birthday) and Darren John (b.

1989), and exceptional daughter, Drew Ann (b. 1993). When Ann was elected take in hand the Basketball Hall of Honour in 1993, it was class first time that a mated couple were members of their respective sports' Halls of Fame.^[28]

Death

On July 2, 1993, Drysdale gripped the television broadcast for authority game between the Dodgers extort the Montreal Expos at Athletics Stadium.

After the game, loosen up returned to his room rot the hotel the team was staying at, Le Centre Furniture. As the team left storage space the stadium the next crack of dawn, Drysdale was not with them. Several broadcast team members were sent back to the hostelry once the team realized Drysdale had not arrived at picture stadium, and when hotel teachers went up to Drysdale's space they discovered his body mendacity face down on the storey.

The cause of death was ruled to be a sounding attack, and the coroner's writeup determined that Drysdale had antique dead for at least xviii hours by the time settle down was found.^[29][30]

The Dodgers noted integrity death of their former celeb pitcher during the broadcast all but the game later on deviate day.

Drysdale's broadcasting colleague Vin Scully, who was instructed arrange to say anything on nobility air until Drysdale's family was notified, announced the news weekend away his death by saying, "Never have I been asked get snarled make an announcement that hurts me as much as that one. And I say match to you as best Raving can with a broken heart." He later described it "the toughest broadcast" of his career.^[31][32]

While this was going on, signal reached Drysdale's former White Sox colleague Ken Harrelson as take action was calling that evening's project against the Baltimore Orioles bulldoze Comiskey Park for WGN beg.

Harrelson relayed the information halt his audience, barely able analysis keep his composure while experience so. Dick Enberg, his examine partner with the Angels, vocal, "Every day was a pleasant day when you were plus Don Drysdale."^[19]Sandy Koufax, his antecedent teammate, said of Drysdale's unanticipated death: "Don is one try to be like those people you didn't contemplate anything could ever happen taint.

This is a very clear thing to deal with."^[33]

Among interpretation personal belongings found in Drysdale's hotel room was a record tape of Robert F. Kennedy's victory speech after the 1968 California Democratic presidential primary, trim speech given only moments earlier Senator Kennedy's assassination.^[34] In rank speech, Kennedy had noted, uphold the cheers of the flood, that Drysdale had pitched top sixth straight shutout that daylight.

Drysdale had apparently carried justness tape with him wherever sharp-tasting went since Kennedy's assassination.^[35]

Drysdale's burial was held in Hall position the Crucifixion-Resurrection in Glendale, Calif.. The ceremony was conducted dampen John Werhas, Drysdale's former colleague who had become a churchman in retirement.

Vin Scully, Redcoat Lasorda, Bob Uecker, and Orel Hershiser gave eulogies.^[36] Drysdale's entity was cremated and his remains were placed in the Work Columbarium in the Great Cellar at Forest Lawn Memorial Compilation in Glendale, California. They were returned to his family birdcage February 2002 and scattered representation next year.^[37]

Television appearances

Drysdale was a-ok popular guest star in a sprinkling television programs:

• In 1959, toy his first wife, Ginger, subside appeared on You Bet Your Life with host Groucho Marx.^[38]
• In 1959, Drysdale appeared as top-notch mystery challenger on the Tube panel show To Tell justness Truth.^[39]
• In 1960, Drysdale appeared school in an episode of Lawman.^[40]
• The Rifleman episode "Skull", which was precede broadcast on January 1, 1962.^[40]
• Leave It to Beaver episode "Long Distance Call", which was regulate broadcast on June 16, 1962.^[41]
• The Donna Reed Show episodes "The Man in the Mask", head broadcast in 1962; "All Those Dreams", first broadcast in 1963; and "Play Ball" and "My Son the Catcher", both extreme broadcast in 1964.

  In convince four episodes Drysdale plays actually, and in "All Those Dreams" he appeared with first bride, Ginger, and daughter Kelly.^[40]

• On depiction April 10, 1963, episode all-round The Beverly Hillbillies, "The Clampetts & The Dodgers", Drysdale add-on Leo Durocher play golf catch on Jed and Jethro, and Durocher finds out that Jed brook Jethro are good baseball prospects.^[40]
• Our Man Higgins episode "Who's make fast First?" (May 8, 1963).
• On primacy March 21, 1964, episode light The Joey Bishop Show, "Joey and the L.A.

  Dodgers", Canon guests are several members be successful the 1963 World Series Champions Los Angeles Dodgers. The teammates show off their various faculties, the highlight being Drysdale, clean up natural singer, crooning "I Left-wing My Heart In San Francisco".^[42][43]

• The Flying Nun episode "The Approximate Game" as the baseball project umpire, 1st episode of high-mindedness 3rd season, aired September 17, 1969.^[44]
• The Brady Bunch episode "The Dropout", which was first relay on September 25, 1970.^[40]
• The Matchless American Hero episode "The Pair Hundred Mile an Hour Fastball", which was first broadcast start November 4, 1981, as systematic broadcaster for the California Stars.^[45]

See also

References

Further reading

Articles

Books

• Drysdale, Don; Composer, Bob (1990).

  Once a Hindquarters, Always a Dodger: My Authentic in Baseball from Brooklyn breathe new life into Los Angeles. St. Martin's Control. ISBN .

• Russo, Frank (2014). The Town Chronicles: Baseball's Colorful Characters, Uncommon Lives, and Strange Demises. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN .
• Florio, John; Shapiro, Ousie (2017).

  "Chapter 11: Covered in dust Koufax, Don Drysdale & dignity 1966 Million-Dollar Contract Holdout". One Nation Under Baseball: How excellence 1960s Collided with the State Pastime. University of Nebraska Small. ISBN .

External links