Denny McLain "Girl From Ipanema" on The Ed Sullivan Show, October 13, 1968. Family is McLain's top priority in life now. McLain currently resides in Pinckney, Michigan, with his wife, Sharyn. Denny Mclain Autographed Signed MLB Selig Baseball (With Mult Insc.) This was brought to light in 1970, when the incident was reported in a Sports Illustrated article. Dennis Dale McLain was born in Markham, Illinois, March 29-the same date as Cy Young [Daily Dose, March 17] in 1944. McLain has since lost 162 pounds after undergoing surgery and has been closest to the weight from his glory days. In 1985, McLain was sentenced to 23 years in prison after refusing to admit his crimes and accept his conviction. He then agreed to a five-year probation deal. McLain made controversial statements in early May by criticizing Detroit fans for being "the biggest front-running fans in the world. The big-rig truck was pulling into a driveway off Michigan route 59 about 2:30 a.m. when the crash occurred. Most Valuable Player, hit all of .301, the lowest average ever to top the junior circuit. He had won his 30th game five days earlier, and the Tigers had already clinched the American League pennant. He was convicted of federal drug and racketeering charges in 1985 and served 29 months in prison before an appeals court overturned the convictions. When Yankee first baseman Mickey Mantle came to bat with one out and nobody on, McLain let Mantle know that he would give him . Funeral Services will be held at 2:30 pm on October 11, 2019 at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home at 601 Highway 80 East in Haughton, LA. Life is great.". He allowed one run on nine hits, striking out seven. "[42] On June 29, Oakland traded him to the Atlanta Braves for Orlando Cepeda;[43] he went only 35 for Atlanta, and his overall totals for 1972 were 47 with a 6.37 ERA. "Everyone showed up to the ball park on time. Carmel High School in Chicago, and played shortstop and pitcher. Norm Cash, same kind of player, Dick McAuliffe, the best player I have ever seen was Al Kaline. With no baseball income coming in for those months, McLain was forced to file for bankruptcy due to . Between his stints in prison and rehabilitation in the mid-1980s to the early-1990s, McLain could be found on various talk radio sports shows and occasionally on panel-format sports shows on network television in the Detroit area; he also modeled Hanes underwear. [5] McLain was also musically talented, learning to play the organ from his father. WALLED LAKE, Mich. (AP) _ Former professional baseball pitcher Denny McLain took the witness stand Monday at a hearing for two men charged in his daughter's traffic death. [4] McLain finished with a 1716 record and a 3.79 earned run average but was winless after August 29. March 29 Baseball Player #6. The Tigers bullpen couldn't hold the . Denny McLain has had two tragedies in his life: Our daughter was killed by a drunk driver [in 1992], and my wife, Sharon, getting Parkinson's disease. They were there for each other. [51] He could also be found signing autographs at a metro Detroit 7-Eleven store at the corner of Mound Road and Metro Parkway in Sterling Heights, Michigan, where he was employed on work-release. Despite his troubles with the law, McLain continued to be associated with baseball as an analyst. He is a celebrity baseball player. Denny McLain #31 of the Oakland Athletics talks with a young fan prior to the start of a Major League Baseball game circa 1972. How much did Denny McLain weigh when playing? When we took the field for Game 7, we knew the game was over.". [6] Three years after winning 31 games and two years after winning his second consecutive Cy Young, he was out of baseball at the age of 29. To cut costs, Amazon delays completion of second headquarters, closes retail stores, 3 children killed, 2 hospitalized in North Texas domestic incident, Dozens killed, injured as Jakarta fuel depot fire engulfs neighborhood, 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'True Romance' actor Tom Sizemore dead at 61, Migrant woman dies after U.S. Coast Guard stops vessel carrying 54. [11][12] The 1967 season was memorable due to the tight four-way pennant race between the Tigers, the Boston Red Sox, the Minnesota Twins, and the Chicago White Sox. McLain, who claimed he had stubbed his toes after his foot had fallen asleep while watching television . Garrulous Denny McLain has become a pitcher worth his own thousands of words as he seeks 30 wins and a pennant. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday . "It was not a nice experience," Denny said of prison. He had a dream minor league professional debut with the Harlan Smokies, against the Salem Rebels, as he threw a no-hitter and struck out 16, on June 28, 1962. Period. McLain's performance in the Tigers' 1968 World Series triumph over the Cardinals was not as impressive as his regular season. Now its is McLain's job to continue to remind people of how special that team was, even if it was 50 years ago. [53] McLain was also a partner in the Michigan Radio Network. He has since returned to Detroit and has become a popular talk show host on a local radio station. Bad news: If you have a stroke and don't die, who is going to take care of you? With his tragic and entirely predictable downfall, . Sharon A. McLain Wixom - December 3, 2019, age 76. In 1963, McLain was 19 years old with the ability to shoot rapid-fire fastballs from his right arm. The former MVP and Cy Young award winner, who was known for his carefree attitude on and off the field, travels across the country appearing at sports trade-shows alongsideother former MLB and Tigers players. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It takes away some good years of your life, and it is unfair to your family, to your kids, grandchildren or whoever it might be out there who cares about you, because it is unfair that you deprived them of your company, of being around.". His final major league appearance came on September 12 against the Cincinnati Reds; he came into a tied game in the ninth and promptly gave up three runs without retiring a batter, taking the loss. [1] He thus earned the dubious distinction of going from leading his league in wins (tied with Mike Cuellar with 24 wins in 1969) to two years later leading his league in losses. He had won his 30th game five days earlier, and the Tigers had already clinched the American League pennant. U.S . [4] Meanwhile, McLain and his friend Jim Northrup co-schemed to make more money; they were back in Detroit furthering a plan that they shared to generate a nude baseball model calendar. ", Woman wins $100,000 lottery prize 11 hours after $11,000 casino jackpot. Currently, he is the last 30-game winner. [4], McLain began the 1964 season with the Syracuse Chiefs of the International League, but was called back to the major leagues in early June and ended the season with a won-loss record of 45. Yaz lost his MVP crown that year to Denny McClain, the first pitcher to notch 30 wins since Dizzy Dean in 1934 and the last 30-game winner in baseball history. The then 6-foot-1, 185-pounder had already pitched 336 innings during the regular season and another 16 2/3 in the playoffs, but when manager Mayo Smith came up to him before Game 7 asking if he would be available in relief, McLain couldn't say no. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u15RSRz_pjM, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1RSm2eVKvk, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Denny_McLain_1966.jpg. [57], From 2017 to 2018, McLain hosted a Sunday radio show about life and politics on WFDF (AM).[58]. He married Sharyn Boudreau, the daughter of former MLB star Lou Boudreau. Denny and Sharyn have three more children and seven grandchildren. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. March 3 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Britain responded to a home to rescue a horse that had fallen into its owner's swimming pool and was unable to get itself out. Following the season, it all began to unravel. "You just have to work every day putting the pieces back together, putting the family back together, being there for your family," he said. He was indicted and subsequently served a prison term. [2][3], As a player, McLain was brash and outspoken, sometimes creating controversy by criticizing teammates and fans with little provocation. In the National League, Gibson posted a 1.12 earned run average, the lowest in 54 years, while Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale threw a record .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}58+23 consecutive scoreless innings during the 1968 season. McLain returned to Clinton, where he played minor . Tampa attorneys Arnold Levine and Stevan Northcutt, who later became a Florida state appellate judge, represented McLain before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta. . WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- The daughter of fallen baseball hero Denny McLain was killed early Friday in a fiery traffic accident when the newlywed's car struck a steel-hauling truck. . Associated With. Denny McLain is a recognizable name to almost any baseball fan. McLain, the last major-league pitcher to win more than 30 games in one season, fell from superstardom to obscurity in a haze of gambling allegations in the early 1970s. However, he never pursued a career because Betty vehemently discouraged it. David Hughes can be reached by phone at 1-800-783-8742 or at (812) 231-4224 (although he rarely answers his phone) or by email at david.hughes@tribstar.com. [6], At the time, players with one year of service in the minor leagues were subject to a draft if they were not called up to the major leagues. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. GOLDEN 30 FOR SHOW BIZ DENNY. Denny McLain was born on March 29, 1944 (age 78) in Markham, Illinois, United States. Everyone was there to accomplish what the mission was (World Series championship). In less than a week, the warrant was cleared and McLain was released. McLain won 31 games in 1968 and led the Detroit Tigers to the World Series championship. He was sentenced to 23 years of imprisonment in April 1985 but was released after 30 months, as an appeals court founds lapses in the procedures. Kentucky man stops for breakfast, wins $50,000 lottery prize. But to McLain, all of his missteps and setbacks pale compared with what befell the family in the early-morning hours of March 20, 1992, when Sharon and Denny's 26-year-old daughter, Kristin, was . Firefighters hoist horse stranded in backyard swimming pool. Until he stepped on the mound, you couldn't tell the man from the celebrities. Film & Theater Personalities, awards: 1969; 1968 - American League Cy Young Award 1968 - American League Most Valuable Player Award 1968 - Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, See the events in life of Denny McLain in Chronological Order. British bus driver stops to give loose sheep a lift. In 1966, his first full season in the majors, pitcher Denny McLain won 20 games. McLain, after getting roughed up in his first two starts of the series, pitched a complete-game gem in Game 6 to extend the series. Former Detroit Tigers ace Denny McLain is selling off his sports memorabilia through an estate sale at his home. Because of Sharyn's condition, her husband made a life-changing decision and had bariatric surgery. His conviction was reversed under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa.[2]. Every major league player has some pieces of memorabilia related to their careers, and former Detroit Tigers ace Denny McLain is no exception. Family, Spouse, Dating, and Relationships of Denny McLain . Carmel High School in Chicago, where he played on the baseball team as a shortstop and pitcher. Denny a been in the sack since la of clock Friday night. "It's crazy how far people come out of their way to say hello. March 3 (UPI) -- A 7-year-old Louisiana boy with a firm grasp of baseball rules is seeking a Guinness World Record as the world's youngest umpire. This event impacted the then-15-year-old McLain. Sharyn had divorced Denny during his most recent incarceration but remarried him upon his release. Denny McLain is 78 years old. . McLain soon realized that he and the Pepsi representative shared an affinity for gambling; when the two realized how much money they were losing, and that they could earn so much more by "taking the action" on bets, they attempted to set up a bookmaking operation as hands-off, silent partners. Denny McLain would later spend another six years in prison after he was convicted of embezzlement . [35] He pitched in the fourth inning, but by then the National League had already built a 92 lead. In 1992, a few months after his first release, McLain's daughter, Kristin McLain Sutherland, was killed in a tragic car accident, involving an 18-wheel steel-hauling truck. He was imprisoned for drug trafficking (cocaine), embezzlement, and racketeering. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. McLain was suspended indefinitely by Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn; the suspension was then set for the first three months of the 1970 season. [56], On September 22, 2011, McLain was arrested in Port Huron, Michigan, at the CanadaUS border after officials discovered an outstanding warrant against him from St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. [18][19] On September 14 at Tiger Stadium, McLain pitched the Tigers to a 54 victory over the Oakland Athletics in front of a nationally televised audience to become Major League Baseball's first 30-game winner since 1934. DETROIT (AP) _ Denny McLain, who won 31 games for the Detroit Tigers in 1968, bought a condominium in Puerto Rico and covered expenses for his private plane with funds stolen from a meat company pension plan, a federal indictment released Thursday alleges. McLains father encouraged him to play baseball from a tender age and traveled along with him to local leagues. After the 1971 season, McLain was traded to the Oakland Athletics for journeyman pitcher Jim Panther and prospect Don Stanhouse (who went on to have a few good years as the Baltimore Orioles' closer in the late 1970s). Denny McLain, who went 31-6 with a 1.96 ERA in 1968 for the world champion Detroit Tigers, autographs the arm of Brian Wright of Bettendorf. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Eli Zaret, legendary Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain and Bob Page have covered sports in traditional broadcasting for decades and bring their combined experience and knowledge of sports and media to this new . A representative from Pepsi then offered McLain a contract with the company, just for doing a few endorsements. He is American and a retired professional baseball player. The McLain trade was made over the strenuous objections of Senators manager Ted Williams, who had little patience for McLain's high living. McLain said he didnt know. The management of the Tigers, impressed with his performance, promoted him to play with their major league team. Denny is related to Pamela Corinne McLain and Tanya Leann Patterson as well as 2 additional people. Paperback. We promised everyone we were going to win it, so we had to do what we had to do, and everyone stepped up.". Her car was then rear-ended by a pickup truck and burst into flames. Denny McLain, major league baseball's last 30-game winner, was sentenced today to 23 years in prison by a federal judge for his convictions on racketeering, extortion and drug-dealing charges. his future wife. She was Denny McLain's daughter. Stevens said the accident occurred at 2:25 a.m., when the truck was backing into a business to deliver its cargo and blocking part of the road. Two other vehicles were also involved in the accident, but no other injuries were reported. | Source: Getty Images, In a statement prepared, McLain told the judge that he would accept his conviction. The third result is Denny Lee McLain age 50s in Parker, CO in the Stonegate neighborhood. He resumed playing with the Tigers in 1965. McLain and two business partners are accused of transferring more than $12 million of . However, he grabbed his second Cy Young Award, sharing it with Mike Cuellar of the Baltimore Orioles.. Denny Mclain Autographed Signed JSA Stat Ball 7 Inscriptions 31-6,Cy 68/69, MVP 68 Autograph WIN. From being drafted out of High school, to making it to the big leagues at 19 years old, losing his dad at 13, his wife Sharyn daughter of Lou Boudreau of 51 one years, a 30 game winner, World Series Champion, in 1968 pitched 336 innings and 28 complete . We have been married 53 years now, and I don't know what I would have done had she not stayed with me. Because of construction detours, McLain had inadvertently taken an exit off I-94 sending him directly across the Bluewater Bridge and into Canada. Reverend Skip Rainbolt of Fillmore Baptist . [23] After the game, McLain smilingly denied that he had served up an easy pitch for Mantle to hit; however, he was later reprimanded by Major League Baseball Commissioner William Eckert.[4][21]. As we all know, there are those awkward moments in life when it seems as if the whole world is staring at you. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Kevin Costner's character in the 2005 film The Upside of Anger was partly based on McLain (and also partly on Kirk Gibson, another Tiger of World Series note). McLain wasn't needed in Game 7, as Mickey Lolich tossed all nine innings in a 4-1 win. His success in baseball stood in marked contrast to his personal life; he associated with organized crime and was eventually convicted on charges of embezzlement, for which he served time in prison. Biographical Information []. Following his graduation, he played in the minor leagues such as the Appalachian League, the Midwest League, and the league system of the Detroit Tigers, and had a remarkable run. [1][47], Since McLain's 31-win season, only two other pitchers have approached the 30-game milestone (Steve Carlton won 27 games in 1972 and Bob Welch also with 27 victories in 1990). Denny McLain was born on March 29, 1944. His role in the teams victory at The World Series against starter Bob Gibson-led St. Hence, he is considered one of the most outstanding pitchers of the 20th century to have graced the highly competitive Major League Baseball. His career achieved the pinnacle of success during his stay with the American League team the Detroit Tigers. However, personal controversies marred his professional accomplishments. Denny McLain #17 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the New York Yankees during a Major League Baseball game circa 1968 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. His stellar performance at the beginning of his major league career included two Cy Young awards and an American League MVP award. The Tigers saw enough promise that they decided to advance him all the way from Class AA to the majors, and he made his major league debut on September 21, 1963 at the age of 19. However, their association was short-lived, as Dressen stopped working with the Tigers due to a heart condition and passed away soon after. As a consequence of this, he was suspended by Bowie Kuhn, the then-commissioner of Major League Baseball. He was suspended again by Kuhn for carrying a gun on a team flight. After going to jail, McLain said, "I hope and pray I've embarrassed him [Boudreau] for the . Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Then Denny McLain began to pitch, and baseball had its first 30-game winner since 1934, when Diz became an American original. A decade later, he was sent to prison and served time in a case that included cocaine possession. Denny McLain is one of the great what-ifs in baseball history. That is how much fun we are having.". Kristin McLain '92. In October 2020, McLain held an estate sale hosted by Aaron's Estate Sales. He also picked off two baserunners and hit a home run, which was the only home run of his major-league career. Dennis Dale "Denny" McLain (born March 29, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois) is a former American professional baseball player. He hangs out at local high schools, ballparks and theatres, interacting and sharing stories with fans about the Tigers 1968 World Series team. [31] After the season, when McLain was asked about Lolich's performance in the World Series, he responded controversially by saying: "I wouldn't trade one Bob Gibson for 12 Mickey Loliches."[4]. After serving for 29 months, McLain's appeal on the grounds of an unfair judgment was accepted, and he was released. $219.99. [4] He had learned to fly and purchased an airplane. McLain faced criminal charges and a prison sentence once again in 1996 for money laundering. April 13, 2008. "That was my biggest problem," he said. [4] She had been living in Florida and was moving back home to Michigan when she was killed just a few miles from her parents' home. "If he had not changed, if he was the same man he was when he went into prison, I wouldn't be standing here today," his wife, Sharyn, said. March 2 (UPI) -- A Minnesota police officer came to the rescue of a raccoon he spotted running around with a jar stuck over its head. [35], McLain was a nonconformist and liked to play by his own rules. Denny and Sharyn's daughter, Kristin, was killed in a car crash by a drunken driver in 1992. )[1] The Braves released McLain during spring training, on March 26, 1973. It was a low point for McLain, but leaving baseball, or even being behind bars, was not the worst thing that McLain endured in his life. Later, he played with two minor-league clubs, Des Moines and Shreveport, for a short period and declared retirement at the age of 29. SHARON MCLAIN OBITUARY. was the daughter of former . I'm 74, and a lot of people who come are probably in their 50s. [4][5], McLain was born in Markham, Illinois, and attended Mt. McLains first brush with the law occurred in 1967, when he got involved with bookmaking. He was 131-91 with a 3.39 ERA, but McLain packed 108 of his victories into a span of just five seasons, including 24 in his follow-up to winning 31. Here's a look at his years on the field and behind bars. "Two things can happen," his doctors said. March 2 (UPI) -- A Florida woman earned a Guinness World Record when she completed 23 ultra-marathon runs -- 31.1 miles -- in a 23-day period. He held the White Sox to an earned run on 7 hits, picked off two baserunners, and hit a home run. Former Detroit Tigers pitching great Denny McLain, Major League Baseball's last 30-game winner, is offering the public a chance to own a piece of baseball history. He has made contributions to Make-A-Wish Foundation.. [28] St. Louis Cardinal Bob Gibson won the National League's Most Valuable Player Award that same year, making 1968 the only season to date in which a pitcher won the MVP Award in both leagues (it was also the only time both Cy Young Award winners were voted unanimously until 2022). [4] McLain had grown-up idolizing New York Yankee center fielder Mickey Mantle, who entered the game tied with Jimmie Foxx for third place in the major-league career home runs list. 14 offers from $17.02. In an interview, he admitted that he "went through money like it was water.". On September 19, 1968 at Tiger Stadium, Detroit right-hander Denny McLain was cruising along in the top of the eighth with a 6-1 lead over the New York Yankees. She married McLain on Oct. 5, 1963 "She simply told us she was in love with him and she was going to marry Denny no matter . McLain responded by throwing the next pitch over Pepitone's head. "It took me easily at least 15-16 years to be humbled a bit after she died," McLain said. says his wife Sharyn. [4] Going into the final game of the season against the California Angels, the Tigers needed a victory to force a one-game playoff with the Red Sox for the American League pennant. . Of all the things I have been a part of, good, bad or indifferent, losing a daughter is miles away from being in the slammer.". The appointment was scheduled for Wednesday the 23rd, the day after the All-Star game, but because of a rainout on the scheduled date, the game was played on the 23rd. Tom, who had been a star shortstop in high school, inspired Denny to play baseball and play electric . [4] McLain's 1970 season ended with a won-loss record of only 35. In 1968, McLain became the last Major League Baseball pitcher to win 30 or more games during a season (with a record of 316) a feat accomplished by only 11 players in the 20th century. In his next start, he limited the Baltimore Orioles to two runs (one earned) in seven innings. But what McLain is most fond of is that 1968 team, which featured eight players who had 10 or more home runs that season. Born In: Markham, Illinois, United States, Spouse/Ex-: Sharyn Boudreau, Sharyn Boudreau (m. 19631998), Baseball Players Denny McLain, the former baseball star, and his partner in a meatpacking company today were convicted of looting $3 million from the company's pension fund. Oakland County Medical Examiner Dr. Ljubisa Dragovic testified Mrs. McLain Sutherlands blood-alcohol content was 10 times below the legal limit for intoxication. March 3 (UPI) -- A Kentucky man who stopped to buy some breakfast said he lost his appetite when he won $50,000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket. McLain credits his success to the then-manager of the Tigers, Charlie Dressen, a person he has always admired. (MLive file photo). Mr. McLain and Roger Smigiel were . $109.99. They divorced in 1998, when he was sent to prison. "The memories they have are just unbelievable. Where was Denny McLain born? His feud with the manager, Ted Williams, was infamous. [6] McLain had a spectacular performance in his minor league professional baseball debut, throwing a no-hitter and striking out 16 batters in a game against the Salem Rebels on June 28. It was "The Year of the Pitcher" and McLain, the young and brash right-handed hurler with the Detroit Tigers, was on the precipice of immortality as he approached his 30th win of the 1968 regular season.. During the Detroit Tigers 2006 playoff run, McLain was the baseball analyst for Drew and Mike on WRIF radio in Detroit. . McLain pleaded guilty to reduced charges in 1988 and was placed on probation. 29 March 1944 in Markham, Illinois), American League (AL) pitcher, two-time Cy Young Award winner, and the last thirty-game winner in Major League Baseball.McLain and his younger brother were raised in a far-south suburb of Chicago. Denny Laine (born Brian Frederick Hines, 29 October 1944) is an English musician, singer, and songwriter, known as a founder of two major rock bands: the Moody Blues, with whom he played from 1964 to 1966, and Wings, with whom he played from 1971 to 1981.Laine has worked with a variety of artists and groups over a six-decade career, and continues to record and perform as a solo artist. His ability to throw fastballs was also on the decline, and his troubled arm only made it worse. The last big leaguer to reach the coveted mound . He thus helped his team earn the pennant on September 17. Some of the greatest stars, including Ozzy Osbourne, battle the same illness and rely on medication to help with their condition. The Tigers lost the game, 2-1. He was on his way to becoming a star, and in 1966, after going 13-4 in the first half . . As enjoyable as McLain's life is right now, that hasn't always been the case since he retired from baseball in 1972. [41] Due to his arm troubles and his inability to get along with Williams, McLain went 1022. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. [1] He progressed swiftly through the Tigers' minor league system, jumping from Class A Duluth-Superior to Class AA Knoxville during the summer. About Our Show. After Toms untimely death at age 36, due to a heart attack, Betty remarried. "I said, 'Yeah, by all means'. I don't think I've ever said no to a charity or a good cause. "You name him -- Freehan, Norm Cash, Willie Horton, he hit a home run. 3. Later, Tom also worked as a truck driver, an insurance advisor, and an electric-organ teacher. He had 280 strikeouts and 63 walks, giving him a 4.44 K:BB ratio, a Tigers season record that stood until 2016, when it was eclipsed by Justin Verlander. [25][26][27] He was the first pitcher in American League history to win the Most Valuable Player Award and the Cy Young Award in the same season. Kuhn later wrote in his autobiography, Hardball: The Education of a Baseball Commissioner, that he was shocked at what he called a "foolish gamble" by the Senators, and predicted that the trade would turn out to be a Tiger heist.