Danny McDevitt’s name doesn’t appear in baseball’s Hall of Fame, but wow, his six-year Major League career really left a mark on the sport’s history. The left-handed pitcher spent most of his professional years with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers before he hung up his cleats in 1962 at just 29.
McDevitt started the Brooklyn Dodgers’ final home game at Ebbets Field on September 24, 1957, and threw a masterful 2-0 shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates. That historic performance happened during his rookie season and cemented his place in baseball lore as the last pitcher to win a game for the Dodgers in Brooklyn.
From his early days in New York to his military service during the Korean War, McDevitt’s journey to the majors was anything but ordinary. He played for four different teams and won a World Series championship with the Dodgers in 1959, though arm injuries eventually cut short what could’ve been a longer, maybe even legendary, career.
Early Life and Background
Daniel Eugene McDevitt was born on November 18, 1932, in New York, New York. But he would later call Pennsylvania home.
His journey from a small-town high school standout to the major leagues started with strong family support. He had exceptional amateur baseball talent that quickly caught the attention of pro scouts.
Family and Hometown
Danny McDevitt was born in New York City but grew up in Hallstead, Pennsylvania. That small town in Susquehanna County became his real home during his formative years.
Hallstead gave him the perfect place to develop his baseball skills. The tight-knit community really supported local sports programs.
McDevitt’s family encouraged him to pursue athletics from an early age. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania meant he had plenty of open space to practice baseball.
The move from New York to Pennsylvania definitely helped his development. Small-town life let him focus on his studies and baseball without the distractions of city living.
Education and Amateur Baseball
McDevitt went to Hallstead High School, where he stood out as a baseball player. His left-handed pitching made him a real asset to the school’s team.
At Hallstead, he developed the skills that would eventually take him to the majors. His high school performance caught the eye of college recruiters.
After high school, McDevitt enrolled at St. Bonaventure University. He spent just one year at the Catholic university in New York before chasing his professional baseball dream.
His short time at St. Bonaventure mattered, though. The university experience helped prepare him for the challenges of pro athletics.
Path to Professional Baseball
In 1951, McDevitt signed with the New York Yankees organization after a single year at St. Bonaventure. That first step launched his professional baseball journey.
His first pro season was rough. McDevitt walked 76 batters in just 43 innings in the low minors.
The Yankees released him after that tough debut. But he didn’t let that setback end his dreams.
The Brooklyn Dodgers quickly picked up the young lefty. That move changed everything for his career.
McDevitt’s baseball career paused for two seasons due to his military service during the Korean War. He returned to the Dodgers organization in 1955, ready to chase major league success again.
Major League Baseball Career
Danny McDevitt played six seasons in Major League Baseball from 1957 to 1962. He served as a left-handed pitcher for four different teams.
Fans mostly remember him for pitching the Brooklyn Dodgers’ final game at Ebbets Field and for his career-best 10-win season during the Dodgers’ 1959 World Series championship year.
Teams Played For
McDevitt started his MLB career with the Brooklyn Dodgers on June 17, 1957, at age 24. He made his debut against the Cincinnati Reds, throwing 9 innings with 11 strikeouts and picking up the win.
He spent his first four seasons with the Dodgers organization. McDevitt pitched for Brooklyn in 1957, then moved with the team to Los Angeles and played there through 1960.
In 1961, McDevitt played for two teams. He started with the New York Yankees and then got traded to the Minnesota Twins later that year.
He finished his MLB career with the Kansas City Athletics in 1962. His last appearance came on September 19, 1962, against the Cleveland Indians.
McDevitt’s path through four teams really shows how players bounced around during baseball’s expansion era in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Notable Achievements and Highlights
McDevitt’s most famous moment happened on September 24, 1957, when he started the Dodgers’ last home game at Ebbets Field. He threw a 2-0 shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates in front of 6,702 fans.
That historic game put McDevitt’s skills on display as he racked up nine strikeouts and allowed only five hits. The performance came just weeks before owner Walter O’Malley announced the team’s move to Los Angeles.
His best statistical season came in 1959 when he posted a 10-8 record. That career-high in wins happened during the Dodgers’ World Series championship season, though McDevitt didn’t pitch in the series against the Chicago White Sox.
McDevitt’s rookie year in 1957 was strong too. He finished with a 7-4 record, 90 strikeouts, and a solid 3.25 earned run average in his first MLB season.
Pitching Style and Techniques
As a left-handed pitcher, McDevitt stood 5 feet 10 inches and weighed 170 pounds. His frame was typical for pitchers of his era who relied more on technique than raw power.
McDevitt showed good control throughout his career. He could strike out batters, as he proved in his debut with 11 strikeouts against Cincinnati.
The southpaw’s pitching style fit well in the National League during the late 1950s. He thrived with the Dodgers, who had a strong pitching development system.
Arm injuries eventually shortened his career. Like many pitchers of his generation, he threw a lot without much understanding of pitch counts or arm care.
Key Statistics
McDevitt put together a 21-27 win-loss record over his six-season career. His overall earned run average was 4.40, which reflected the high-scoring environment of his playing days.
He recorded 303 strikeouts in 155 career games, showing he could miss bats consistently. His strikeout numbers stood out during his best years with the Dodgers.
Season | Team | Wins | Losses | ERA |
---|---|---|---|---|
1957 | Brooklyn | 7 | 4 | 3.25 |
1959 | Los Angeles | 10 | 8 | 4.18 |
His top season came in 1959 when he picked up 10 wins. The 1957 rookie campaign showed his lowest ERA at 3.25, hinting at his early promise.
McDevitt’s career spanned a time when baseball was expanding and changing quickly across the league.
1962 Season and Retirement
Danny McDevitt’s final year in Major League Baseball wrapped up a six-season career that took him to several teams. He finished up with the Kansas City Athletics during the 1962 season, then retired from professional baseball that September.
Performance During 1962
McDevitt joined the Kansas City Athletics in 1962 after they purchased his contract from the Minnesota Twins on April 10. The lefty appeared in 33 games during what would be his final season in the majors.
His 1962 stats showed the struggles of a pitcher nearing the end of his career. McDevitt’s performance had clearly slipped from his earlier Dodgers years.
The Athletics mostly used McDevitt in relief that season. His role in Kansas City was pretty different from his earlier days as a starter.
McDevitt played his final game on September 19, 1962, against an American League opponent. That game marked the end of his professional baseball career, which lasted six seasons in the majors.
Significance of Final Season
The 1962 season marked McDevitt’s fifth different team in six years. His journey from the Brooklyn Dodgers to the Kansas City Athletics really mirrored the career path of many players during baseball’s expansion era.
McDevitt’s time with Kansas City lined up with the team’s struggles in the American League standings. The Athletics finished near the bottom of the league in 1962.
His last season came during a period of big changes in baseball. The sport was adding new franchises and teams were moving, including his original team’s switch from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.
The 1962 campaign showed McDevitt’s persistence in pro baseball. He managed to find spots with multiple organizations and kept chasing opportunities at the highest level.
Circumstances of Retirement
McDevitt retired from pro baseball after the 1962 season at age 29. He made that decision after six years in the majors with four different organizations.
Players in his era often retired quietly, without big announcements. Declining performance and fewer opportunities usually led to natural career endings.
His career record of 21 wins and 27 losses over 155 games really shows the challenges pitchers faced in the late 1950s and early 1960s. McDevitt’s stats reflected steady effort, even if the results weren’t always flashy.
After retirement, McDevitt left professional baseball for good. Unlike some players, he didn’t try to make a comeback and moved on from the sport after his final game with Kansas City.
Life After Baseball
After leaving baseball in 1962, Danny McDevitt tried out several careers, including umpiring, government work, and real estate. He relocated to the South and built a new life away from the spotlight.
Post-Retirement Career
McDevitt explored a few different paths after his playing days ended. He first stayed close to the game by working as a minor league umpire, using his knowledge from years on the mound.
Later, he moved into government service. McDevitt held several government positions in Mississippi and Alabama, which gave him steady work and a chance to serve his community in a new way.
Eventually, McDevitt switched to real estate in Georgia. He worked as an agent, helping families find homes in his adopted state. That career change showed his ability to adapt and succeed outside of sports.
Personal Life and Family
McDevitt was born Daniel Eugene McDevitt on November 18, 1932, in New York. He grew up in Hallstead, Pennsylvania, where his dad would play catch with him at night after work.
His baseball career got interrupted by military service in the early 1950s. That break came between his minor league assignments and showed his willingness to serve his country.
McDevitt eventually settled in Social Circle, Georgia, and lived there for many years. He died on November 20, 2010, at Newton Medical Center in Covington, just two days after his 78th birthday.
Community Involvement
Details about McDevitt’s community involvement are a bit scarce. Still, his government work in Mississippi and Alabama shows he cared about public service.
He probably interacted directly with local residents in those roles. Honestly, that’s the kind of thing that sticks with people.
When he worked in real estate in Georgia, he built connections in his local community. Real estate agents can’t help but get to know their neighborhoods through their work and the people they meet.
You can still find McDevitt’s legacy at Dodger Stadium. The original home plate from Ebbets Field’s final game sits there with a plaque that tells the story of his historic role.
Legacy and Recognition
Danny McDevitt made a unique mark on baseball history. He played a role in Brooklyn’s last moment at Ebbets Field and helped the Dodgers transition to Los Angeles.
His career and character left a lasting impression on teammates and fans. People remember him for more than just stats.
Impact on Teammates and Fans
McDevitt earned respect from teammates because of his work ethic and professionalism. He pitched with Hall of Famers like Don Drysdale, Don Newcombe, and Johnny Podres.
His biggest moment? That 2-0 shutout in the final game at Ebbets Field. Brooklyn fans got the perfect send-off for their beloved ballpark.
Even years after he retired, McDevitt stayed connected to fans. In 2007, he tossed the first pitch at a Brooklyn Cyclones game with Joe Pignatano.
That moment showed how former players often keep close ties to the game. After arm injuries, he switched from playing to becoming a minor league umpire.
He just couldn’t walk away from baseball, and honestly, who could blame him?
Honors and Memorials
McDevitt picked up a World Series ring with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1959. He didn’t pitch in the postseason, but he helped the team with a 10-8 record during the regular season.
His place in Ebbets Field history stands out as his top honor. Winning that final game really locked in his spot in Brooklyn baseball lore.
Websites like Baseball Reference keep his career stats alive—21 wins and 27 losses over 155 games. Future fans can look up his numbers and see what he did.
The book Planet of the Umps mentions McDevitt’s time as an umpire. That recognition shows he kept making an impact on baseball even after his playing days.
Influence on Baseball History
As of 2009, McDevitt was the last major league player to come out of St. Bonaventure University. That’s a pretty rare achievement and ties him to baseball’s academic side.
He played through the Dodgers’ big move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. Experiencing that kind of franchise shift must’ve been wild.
The last game at Ebbets Field still stands as a huge moment in baseball. McDevitt’s shutout closed the story on one of the sport’s most famous ballparks.
He served in the Korean War, which took him away from baseball for two seasons. That sacrifice was common for players from his era who served their country.
Net Worth and Financial Overview
Danny McDevitt’s financial situation reflects what pro ballplayers faced in the late 1950s and early ’60s. His net worth sits somewhere between $1 million and $2 million, mostly from baseball and his work after retirement.
Career Earnings
McDevitt’s baseball earnings came from a time when player salaries were a lot lower than they are now. He played from 1957 to 1962 and made his living with four different major league teams.
His financial peak probably came with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. That included a World Series win, which meant extra prize money on top of his salary.
He spent six seasons pitching for teams like the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, and Kansas City Athletics after leaving the Dodgers.
Back in the early ’60s, average players made between $7,000 and $15,000 a year. The stars could pull in $25,000 to $50,000, but that’s still pretty modest compared to today.
Financial Status After Retirement
After he retired in 1962, McDevitt relied on investments and post-baseball jobs to support himself. Honestly, a lot of players from his era found themselves working regular jobs once their playing days ended.
Players back then didn’t get much in the way of pension benefits, so they really had to plan their finances carefully. Baseball pensions were pretty minimal compared to what players see today.
People estimate his net worth landed somewhere between $1 million and $2 million, which points to some smart money moves over the years. He probably built that up through a mix of good investments and steady work outside of baseball.
McDevitt lived until 2010, so he managed to stay financially stable for almost fifty years after hanging up his glove.
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