Denny McLain

On this date in 1968, Denny McLain of the Tigers is named the unanimous winner of the AL Cy Young Award after a 31-6 record with 280 strikeouts and a 1.90 ERA.

"I loved being the guy who could show up 20 minutes before the game and still spin a shutout."

Mickey Mantle's 535th home run

On this date in 1968, Denny McLain's 31st win is overshadowed by Mickey Mantle's 535th home run. McLain allegedly calls catcher, Jim Price out to the mound to inform him that he will throw Mantle nothing but fastballs.

Jim Price: "Want us to groove you one?"

Mickey Mantle: "High and tight, mediocre cheese"

New York Times (5-8-09)

Denny McLain

Born on today's date, Denny McLain.

"That'll be $1.06." - to me a few years ago when he worked at the 7-11 down the street after his release from prison and I was buying a Slurpee

Denny McLain

On this date in 1970, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announces a three month suspension of Denny McLain for his alleged involvement in a bookmaking operation.

"He was the original flim-flam man. Any day, I expected him to come along in a Constoga wagon selling elixir out the back end as he's leaving town. Probably being run out of town. But that's Denny." - teammate Jim Northrup

Denny McLain

On this date in 1968, Denny McLain of the Tigers is named the unanimous winner of the AL Cy Young Award after posting a 31-6 record with 280 strikeouts and a 1.96 ERA.

"I loved being the guy who could show up 20 minutes before the game and still spin a shutout."

Denny McLain

On this date in 1985, Denny McLain is convicted of racketeering, extortion and cocaine possession in Tampa, Florida. He will serve 29 months of a 23-year sentence before an appeals court overturns the decision.

"The rules for Denny just don't seem to be the same for the rest of us." -Bill Freehan

Denny McLain

On this date in 1970, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announces a three month suspension of Denny McLain, effective April 1st, for McLain's alleged involvement in a bookmaking operation.

"He's the original flim-flam man. Any day I expect him to come riding in a Constoga wagon selling elixir out the back end as he's leaving town. Probably being run out of town. But that's Denny." - teammate Jim Northrup

Denny McLain

On this date in 1968, Denny McLain of the Tigers is the unanimous winner of the AL Cy Young Award going 31-6 with 280 strikeouts and a 1.96 ERA.

"I love being the guy who could show up 20 minutes before the game and still spin a shutout."

But he rang up my Slurpee!

On this date in 1968, Denny McLain notches his 30th win with a 5-4 win over the A's making him the first 30 game winner since Dizzy Dean in 1934.

"At the time, the world seemed wonderfully warm."

Then came the rest of his career, and two prison stints and working at 7-11 on Mound Road in Sterling Heights, Michigan where he once rang up a Slurpee for me.

I just noticed!

Justin Verlander moved past Denny McLain for ninth place on the Tigers strikeout list with 1151.

Next up, Brandon Inge with 1169!

Denny Mclain

Born today, none other than retired pitcher and ex-convict, Denny Mclain.

When Denny was released from one of his stints in Federal prison a few years ago, one of the conditions of his parole was that he maintain employment so he took a job working behind the counter at a 7-11 convenience store near where my parents live. When I would visit my parents, I would make sure to stop in and purchase a Slurpee from Denny.

He sure could ring em up.