Denny McLain pitches new book in Schaumburg
BY SETH GRUEN For Sun-Times Media July 15, 2012 7:22PM
Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain, the last 30-game winner in the Major Leagues, signs autographs before the Schaumburg Boomers take on the Normal CornBelters July 15, 2012 at Boomer Stadium in Schaumburg. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times
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Updated: August 17, 2012 7:11AM
Two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Denny
McLain threw out the first pitch at the Schaumburg Boomers’ game Sunday, and his fastball was noticeably slower.
But McLain, 68 — the last pitcher to win 30 games when he went 31-6 in 1968 — was still as outspoken as he was during his 10-year career amid a tour of minor-league ballparks to promote his new book 31-6.
“[The book] cleared up this misunderstanding that somehow, someway, I was with organized crime — an Irishman from Chicago does not wind up with organized crime — and all the silliness,” McLain said. “But more importantly, the book deals with the characters of the game.”
As for today’s game, McLain has a theory on how the game can extend pitching careers.
“Raise the mound right now,” he said. “I guarantee you one thing: It will stop the injuries with all these pitchers.”
Seth Gruen
