Lindy McDaniel

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Lyndall Dale McDaniel (born December 13, 1935 in Hollis, Oklahoma) is a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who had a 21-year career from 1955 to 1975. During Lindy McDaniel's career he witnessed approximately 3,500 major league games (not including spring training), has had more than 300 teammates and has played under eight different managers. He played with the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants, all of the National League, and the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals, both of the American League.

McDaniel was named to the National League All-Star team in 1960. He led the league in saves in 1959 (15), 1960 (26) and 1963 (22). He was named as the The Sporting News Reliever of the Year for the National League in 1960 (the award's inaugural year) as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals and in 1963 as a member of the Chicago Cubs.

"A number of factors have contributed to my longevity," Lindy reports. "Freedom from serious injury, an easy pitching delivery, clean living and good conditioning, a high motivation level, a strong belief in God --- especially during times of adversity --- the opportunity to pitch and self-discipline."

His brother Von was also a Major League pitcher. His other brother Kerry also played in the minor leagues.

A member of the Church of Christ, McDaniel also wrote a monthly newsletter entitled Pitching for the Master, published from his church in Baytown, Texas. It was distributed to his fellow church members as well as all the other Major League Baseball players and their families during his playing career.

Contents

[edit] Career Highlights

  • Over a four-game span, retired 32 straight hitters in August, 1968. In one of those games, he pitched 7 perfect innings against the Detroit Tigers.
  • In 1973, entered the game in the 1st inning against the Tigers in Detroit, and pitched 13 innings giving up one run and winning game 2 to 1.
  • Played in 225 consecutive games in National League without committing an error--a record.
  • Lindy considers his top overall year as 1960 with the St. Louis Cardinals when he logged a 12-2 mark in relief with 22 saves and an B.R.A. of 1.29 while being named to the National League All-Star team and earned Fireman-of-the Year honors. He ranks his next best year as 1970 with the Yankees when he was 9-5 with a career high 29 saves and 2.01 ERA followed by the 1963 season when he was 13-7 with 21 saves and a 2.88 ERA.
  • He won Fireman-of-the Year honors in 1960 and 1963. He also lead the National League in relief pitching in 1959, but that was the year before the first Fireman-of-the-year award was presented.
  • He played with greats as Stan Musial (7 years), Ernie Banks (3 years), Willie Mays (2 1/2 years), Juan Marichal (2 1/2 years), Gaylord Perry (2 1/2 years), Mickey Mantle (1 year), etc.
  • Quote from 20th Century Baseball Chronicle, page 322, 1992 edition (A Year By Year History Of Major League Baseball: "No pitcher during the past 40 years was more underrated than Lindy McDaniel. He was effective for nearly 21 years as both a closer and a long reliever; on occasion, he even took a turn as a starter. 1960, he racked up 26 saves, a record in the National League. That McDaniel was never on a pennant winner is the only black mark on what was otherwise a brilliant career."
  • With nine saves and a 0.74 ERA, McDaniel was named the Player of the Month for June 1960.

[edit] Stand Out Game

In 21 years the Hollis, Oklahoma native has had many outstanding single-game performances, but in a 1963 outing against the San Francisco Giants stands out the most in his mind. In came June 6 when he was pitching for the Chicago Cubs.

"I'll always remember it. The Giants came to Wrigley Field in first place and were leading the Cubs by four games at the time. We swept the first three games and the fans were going wild. A win in the final contest would put us in a tie for first place. We had another capacity crowd, and the score was tied in the top of the tenth inning. I came in to relieve Dick Ellsworth, our starting pitcher, with the bases loaded and one out. The first thing I did, with the help of the catcher and shortstop, was to pick Willie Mays off second base, and then I struck out Ed Bailey to get us out of the jam. I received a standing ovation when I walked to the dugout. I was the first batter up in the bottom of the tenth and hit a home run to win the game. As I rounded the bases, I was received by the entire ballclub at home plate and was given a very prolonged standing ovation from the fans. You know about those Cub fans!"

[edit] See also

[edit] External link

Preceded by
Roberto Clemente		 Major League Player of the Month
June, 1960		 Succeeded by
Don Drysdale
Preceded by
none		 Sporting News National League Reliever of the Year
1960		 Succeeded by
Stu Miller
Preceded by
Roy Face		 Sporting News National League Reliever of the Year
1963		 Succeeded by
Al McBean
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