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NEW TRIVIA QUESTION: Who was the winning pitcher in Denny McLain's last loss of 1968?
You kinda new 1968 was going to be a special year for Denny McLain when after his first six starts he was 5-0 and the Detroit Tigers scored 31 runs behind him in those five wins. He got a no-decision in his first start which Detroit lost 4-3, but from then on McLain was on his way to 31 victories. It's a feat which hasn't come close to being achieved since.
1968 of course was the year of the pitcher. With McLain topping the pitching world in the AL, Bob Gibson and Don Drysdale were doing similar things in the National League. Starting pitchers all over the majors were having unbelievable seasons. It led to the pitching mound being lowered the following season so pitches would be flatter and more hitting would take place. It worked.
As for McLain he didn't get his third loss until mid-July. By that time he was 18-3 with more than two months left in the season. Remember this was a time when pitchers threw on three days rest. Along with Mickey Lolich and Earl Wilson they formed the nucleus of the Tigers starters.
A week later he would win his 20th, beating the Orioles with a 3-hit shutout. He was 20-3. With three days left in July, he still had enough time to get in the rest of his 41 starts. He made the most of it, going 11-3 down the stretch and completed 29 of the 41 starting assignments. He also tossed six shutouts along the way in helping the Tigers win the pennant.
It was an electric season for Motor City. McLain finished with a 1.96 ERA and gave up about 100 hits less than innings pitched.
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