Career Pitching Stats
NL 1956-1969
Skills Scorecard
Control
A
Velocity
B+
Stamina
A-
Command
A-
Range
A
Fielding
D+
Career Timeline
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3 hours
Sep 27, 1964Sep 27, 1964
The game in question was a late-season contest between the Houston Colt .45s and the...
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Houston Colt .45s Radio Broadcast / The game in question was a late-season contest between the Houston Colt .45s and the Los Angeles Dodgers, played on September 27, 1964 at Colt Stadium. The starting pitchers were Don Drysdale for the Dodgers and Bob Bruce for the Colt .45s. Drysdale, a future Hall of Famer, was renowned for his intimidating presence on the mound and his exceptional control. Bruce, on the other hand, was a solid starter for the Colt .45s, known for his competitive nature. At this point in the season, the Dodgers were in the thick of a tight pennant race in the National League, while the Colt .45s were trying to finish their season on a high note. The 1964 season was marked by several significant stories, including the Philadelphia Phillies' infamous late-season collapse, and the exceptional performance of the St. Louis Cardinals, who would eventually win the World Series.
The game was a classic pitcher's duel, with both Drysdale and Bruce throwing scoreless innings well into extra innings. Neither team could muster much offense, with the Dodgers and the Colt .45s managing just five hits apiece. For the Dodgers, Tommy Davis managed a double, while Dick Tracewski and Nate Oliver each contributed a single. For the Colt .45s, Joe Morgan, known for his time with the Cincinnati Reds, had two hits, while Jimmy Wynn drove in the game's only run. Both pitchers were in control throughout, with Drysdale striking out six and Bruce matching him with six strikeouts of his own.
The game remained scoreless until the 12th inning, when Rusty Staub, the future All-Star, led off the inning for the Colt .45s. Despite not registering a hit in the game, Staub managed to reach base and eventually scored the game's only run on a hit by Wynn. The Dodgers, despite a solid performance from Drysdale, were unable to respond in their half of the inning, leading to a 1-0 victory for the Colt .45s.
The game was indicative of the larger trends of the 1964 season. The Dodgers, despite a strong roster and excellent performances from players like Drysdale, were unable to secure a playoff spot, finishing the season in sixth place in the National League. The Colt .45s, meanwhile, ended their season in ninth place, but the game was a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season. The game also highlighted the talent of players like Drysdale and Morgan, who would go on to have exceptional careers in Major League Baseball. The 1964 season was ultimately won by the St. Louis Cardinals, who defeated the New York Yankees in a thrilling seven-game World Series.
The Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium in a pivotal...
1962 NL Tie-breaker G2 - San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers Radio / The Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium in a pivotal late-season matchup. The Dodgers were in a tight pennant race with the Giants and the NL-leading Pittsburgh Pirates, while the Giants were also jockeying for position in the playoff hunt. Veteran right-handers Don Drysdale of the Dodgers and Billy O'Dell of the Giants took the mound, with both teams looking to gain an advantage in the standings.
The game started as a pitcher's duel, with the Giants scratching across a run in the 2nd inning on an RBI double by Felipe Alou. However, the Dodgers erupted for 7 runs in the 6th inning, highlighted by a bases-clearing double by Jim Gilliam and a key error by Giants catcher Ed Bailey. The Giants fought back, plating 4 runs in the 6th to cut the deficit to 7-5. They tied the game at 7-7 in the 8th on an unearned run, setting up a dramatic 9th inning.
In the bottom of the 9th, the Dodgers loaded the bases and Maury Wills scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Tommy Davis, giving Los Angeles an 8-7 victory. The win kept the Dodgers in the thick of the pennant race, while the Giants fell further back. The 1962 season would go down to the wire, with the Dodgers ultimately edging the Giants by 4 games to claim the National League title.
#MauryWills #DonDrysdale #TommyDavis #FelipeAlou #SanFranciscoGiants #LosAngelesDodgers #DodgerStadium #PennantRace
In the 1960 radio interview, Jackie Robinson, a pioneering figure in baseball and civil rights,...
1960 • Baseball Clip • Jackie Robinson & Don Drysdale - Radio Interview / In the 1960 radio interview, Jackie Robinson, a pioneering figure in baseball and civil rights, and Don Drysdale, a dominant pitcher for the Dodgers, discuss their experiences and perspectives on the game. This period captures a transitional era in baseball, juxtaposed with Robinson's trailblazing legacy and Drysdale's rising careerThe discussion likely touches on the challenges and triumphs each faced, offering insights into their unique contributions to the sport.
2½ hours
Jul 7, 1959Jul 7, 1959
The 1959 All-Star game was the first year the MLB held an All Star Game...
1959 MLB All-Star Game - Radio Broadcast / The 1959 All-Star game was the first year the MLB held an All Star Game Double Header. The first game of 1959 was held at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. The second game would be played a month later in Los Angeles. The experiment of two All-Star Games continued for four seasons; the league returned to just one annual game in 1963. In this first game of 1959, the American League started the 39 year old veteran Early Wynn while the National League went with 22 year old Don Drysdale.
3 hours
Jul 20, 1957Jul 20, 1957
On July 20, 1957, the Brooklyn Dodgers faced the Chicago Cubs at Ebbets Field in...
1957 Chicago Cubs vs Brooklyn Dodgers - Radio Broadcast / On July 20, 1957, the Brooklyn Dodgers faced the Chicago Cubs at Ebbets Field in a mid-season matchup. Don Drysdale took the mound for the Dodgers, while Dave Hillman started for the Cubs. At this point in the season, the Dodgers were in a close race in the National League, trying to keep pace with the Milwaukee Braves. The Cubs, on the other hand, were struggling to climb out of the lower half of the standings. Key players like Duke Snider and Gil Hodges were crucial for the Dodgers’ offense, while the Cubs relied on Ernie Banks and Lee Walls for their batting strength.
The game began with the Cubs scoring an early run in the first inning, but the Dodgers quickly responded with a four-run outburst in their half of the first, highlighted by a two-run double from Gino Cimoli. Don Drysdale settled in after a shaky start, while the Dodgers added insurance runs with a solo homer from Randy Jackson in the sixth inning and another from Duke Snider in the eighth. The Cubs mounted a late rally in the seventh inning, with Ernie Banks hitting a three-run homer, and added another run in the ninth on Banks’ second homer of the game, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Dodgers’ lead.
In the end, the Dodgers secured a 7-5 victory, thanks to a strong start from Drysdale and timely hitting. With this win, the Dodgers remained competitive in the pennant race, showcasing their resilience and depth. Ernie Banks' performance for the Cubs highlighted his power-hitting capability, though it was insufficient to change the game's outcome. The season continued with both teams striving for different goals, the Dodgers aiming for a postseason berth and the Cubs looking to build for the future.
#DonDrysdale #DukeSnider #ErnieBanks #BrooklynDodgers #ChicagoCubs #1957Baseball #MLB
5 minutes
1939
In this 1975 clip from Don Drysdale's Bullpen, former professional baseball player turned broadcaster Don...
Don Drysdale remembers 1939 Boston Bruins / In this 1975 clip from Don Drysdale's Bullpen, former professional baseball player turned broadcaster Don Drysdale recounts the story of Frankie Brimsek, a young hockey goalie who made a dramatic entry into the NHL with the Boston Bruins in 1938. Drysdale delves into the high-pressure situation faced by Brimsek as he replaced the injured, beloved Bruins goalie Tiny Thompson. Despite the immense pressure and initial public disapproval, Brimsek's performance on the ice, including shutting out opponents for three consecutive games, not only silenced his critics but also led to him winning the Vezina Trophy. His remarkable debut season contributed to the Bruins winning the Stanley Cup, marking their first championship in a decade. The narrative captures the intense challenges and triumphs that define professional sports, highlighting Brimsek's resilience and skill under pressure.
5 minutes
1922
In this 1975 audio clip, baseball legend Don Drysdale reflects on the early career of...
Don Drysdale remembers Dazzy Vance's First Game / In this 1975 audio clip, baseball legend Don Drysdale reflects on the early career of another baseball giant, Dazzy Vance, focusing particularly on Vance's first game. Drysdale, an accomplished pitcher in his own right, brings a unique perspective, having observed and learned from the previous generations of players. By 1975, Drysdale had been retired for several years, ending a distinguished career that saw him as a key figure in the Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staff. In contrast, Dazzy Vance's prime years were with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1920s and early 1930s, a time when he was known for his exceptional fastball and striking out capabilities, leading the National League in strikeouts for seven consecutive years.
The overview provided by Drysdale offers insights into the challenges and achievements that marked Vance’s debut in Major League Baseball. While Vance struggled in his early years, he eventually found his rhythm, becoming one of the most feared pitchers of his era. Drysdale's recollections serve as a bridge between different baseball eras, providing listeners with a rare glimpse into the early days of the sport through the lens of those who lived it. This audio clip not only celebrates the achievements of two great pitchers but also enriches our understanding of baseball's evolving landscape over the decades.
Page from publication
1957
The booklets were published and distributed by various companies through local retailers, who would often rebrand them. While many of...
/ The booklets were published and distributed by various companies through local retailers, who would often rebrand them. While many of the booklets have slight variations in content, they orginate from Pearson Corporation. There was a alternate version of the fact book that is most often seen with "Kessler Whiskey" branding. The Kessler books tended to be a little larger format with a higher quality paper. Publication features team rosters, previews, major & minor league schedules, stadium diagrams, team logos, MLB records, Hall of Fame, World Series results, etc.
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1959
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.