Drysdale, Don (1936-1993), was one of the National League’s leading pitchers during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Drysdale pitched his entire major league career with the Brooklyn (later Los Angeles) Dodgers. Drysdale and teammate Sandy Koufax were the most feared pair of pitchers in baseball from 1961 to Koufax’s retirement after the 1966 season. Drysdale pitched for 14 seasons, from 1956 to 1969, winning a total of 209 games with a career earned run average of 2.95.
Drysdale was known for his fast ball as well as his control. He was one of the most durable pitchers of his day, leading the league in games started from 1962 to 1965. He led the league in wins with 25 in 1962 and in strikeouts in 1959, 1960, and 1962. In 1968, he pitched six shutouts in a row and pitched 58 consecutive scoreless innings, a major league record until it was broken by Orel Hershiser in 1988. He won the Cy Young Award in 1962 as the National League’s outstanding pitcher. Drysdale also was an outstanding hitter for a pitcher. He was frequently used as a pinch hitter and hit 29 home runs during his career, second only to Warren Spahn’s National League record of 35.
Donald Scott Drysdale was born in Van Nuys, California. After he retired as a player, he became a television broadcaster for several major league teams, broadcasting Dodger games from 1988 until his death. He married basketball star Ann Meyers in 1986. Drysdale was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.
