Strikeout: The Story of Denny McLain

...and I try to avoid autobiographies, but this is a decent read and not a waste of your time. Denny was railroaded on his conviction and ultimately won his appeal. Denny should have picked his friends and careers more carefully. Denny wasn't blessed with common sense and is way too trusting of people, although he had many opportunities in life to learn. His wife, Sharyn, had enough common sense for ten people, but unfortunately Denny didn't use her as a sounding board before he got involved in business deals. Sharyn has served her hell on earth and will go to heaven. There are many similarities to Pete Rose. Denny is another story of a gifted athlete who had trouble adapting to real life. Denny's father died at a young age, and Denny never had the luxury of being raised by a good father. His mother obviously wasn't grieved by his father's loss and that caused them to become estranged for the most part of the rest of her life.

This turned out to be a good coverage of Denny McLain.You are told of his electrifying season wheren he became the first pitcher since Dizzy Dean to win 30 games.He won his 30th despite giving up two homeruns to Reggie Jackson.McLain finished his dream season with 31 wins. He and the Detroit Tigers went on to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in the world series.McLain went on to win 25 games the next season.With two Cy Young awards he was the hottest prospect in professional baseball. Then came the next season.Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspemded him for gambling.Next his pitching talents began to dwindle.He was no longer the PITCHER.McLain's life spiraled downward with McLain being tried and sent to prison.This book covers the ups and downs of Denny McLain.You should read this book and get the story on the last man to win 30 games.

I wound up with this book by default and read it simply because I was going to try and sell it on Ebay and like to know what I'm talking about when I sell something. It was fascinating from start to finish. Denny McLain comes across as funny, self-effacing, immature, insightful, dumb, intelligent, affectionate, bitter, generous...pretty much like a lot of people only with a LOT more free spirited spark thrown in. I'm not saying I could ever see myself in a lot of the situations he got himself into, but I was pulling for him all the way and came away from the book respecting and appreciating him on a lot of levels. The review guidelines said don't comment on the author. How can you not comment when the author is the book's subject. If for no other reason, it should be read because of the very well written parts on prison life and the dehumanizing, counterproductive effects it has on the prisoner. In spite of the mistakes he's obviously made, it's a very persuasive book. And well worth reading even if you're not a sports fan.