Denny McLain Won 31 Games in 1968

Published on November 22nd, 2024 9:23 am EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


Over the history of Major League Baseball, only two pitchers have been named unanimous MVPs.

Denny McLain is one of those people.

In 1968, at the age of just 24 years old, Denny McLain put together one of the greatest seasons by a pitcher of all time.

In fact, some of the numbers that McLain posted in 1968 will likely never be duplicated again.

McLain started a total of 41 games that season and finished with a record of 31-6.

McLain set the all-time single season wins mark in 1968, and nobody else has come close since.

McLain threw a total of 28 complete games in 1968, and compiled a ridiculous total of 336 innings pitched.

McLain, who finished the season with an ERA of 1.96, struck out a total of 280 batters in 1968, which was the biggest total of his career.

The Tigers finished 12 games ahead of the rest of the pack in the American League, and voters unanimously voted McLain as the 1968 MVP.

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Despite his historic numbers in 1968, McLain finished his career with a record of 131-91.

After establishing himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball in 1968, McLain quickly proceeded to implode, due to a number of different reasons.

One of those reasons was McLain's alleged involvement in betting and organized crime. McLain was suspended for the first three months of the 1970 regular season and declared bankruptcy shortly after.

McLain also had severe issues with his arm, possibly coming about as a result of the tremendous amount of innings that he pitched in the late 1960s.

McLain had the dubious distinction of leading the Major Leagues in wins in 1968 and leading the Major Leagues in losses in 1971.