When Don Drysdale retired from baseball in 1969, it really felt like the end of an era for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Major League Baseball. The big right-hander spent all 14 years of his career with the franchise. He started as a Brooklyn Dodger in 1956 and finished as the last guy left from those legendary Brooklyn teams.
Drysdale announced his retirement on August 11, 1969, at just 33 years old, after a torn rotator cuff forced him out of the game. He’d only managed 12 starts that season. He stepped away one year after setting one of baseball’s wildest records—58 scoreless innings in a row during the 1968 season.
As a California native, Drysdale became one of the most intimidating pitchers around, famous for his brushback pitches and that fierce, almost stubborn, competitive streak.
From his days growing up in Van Nuys to his Hall of Fame induction in 1984, Drysdale’s story really captures the golden age of Dodgers baseball. He won three World Series championships, a Cy Young Award, and got picked for nine All-Star teams. He played alongside legendary teammate Sandy Koufax during some of the most dominant pitching stretches the sport’s ever seen.
Don Drysdale’s Early Life and Path to Baseball
Don Drysdale grew up in a baseball family in Van Nuys, California. His dad and his own natural athleticism helped set him up for future success.
He actually started out as a high school second baseman and only switched to pitching late in his amateur career. That late change makes his later success even more impressive.
Family Background and Youth in Van Nuys
Donald Scott Drysdale was born on July 23, 1936, in Van Nuys, California, to Scotty and Verna Drysdale. His dad worked as a repair supervisor for the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company but also had some baseball experience.
Scotty Drysdale had played briefly in the minor leagues before Don was born. That connection gave young Don a real look at the game’s demands from early on.
The family lived in Van Nuys, right in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. California’s weather meant Don could play baseball all year.
Growing up in a working-class family, Don picked up the value of hard work and discipline from his dad. Those traits really helped him later in his pro career.
High School Achievements at Van Nuys High School
Don Drysdale went to Van Nuys High School, where he mostly played second base. One of his classmates was Robert Redford, but obviously, they ended up in very different worlds.
Baseball Career Transition:
- Played second base most of high school
- Only started pitching his senior year
- Went 10-1 as a senior pitcher
Since most pro pitchers start developing their arm way earlier, his late switch to pitching is kind of wild. Scouts noticed his senior season right away.
His rapid improvement and strong arm made him a future Hall of Famer in the making.
Entry into Professional Baseball
The Brooklyn Dodgers signed Drysdale straight out of high school in 1954. The $4,000 signing bonus was a big deal for him and his family.
Professional Contract Details:
- Signing team: Brooklyn Dodgers
- Year: 1954
- Bonus: $4,000
- Salary: Minimum pro wage
Drysdale started his pro career in 1954 with the Class-C Bakersfield Indians in the California League. That first season, he went 8-5 with a 3.46 ERA and 73 strikeouts.
He kept improving in 1955, moving up to the Triple-A Montreal Royals. He finished the year 11-11 with a 3.33 ERA and 80 strikeouts.
The Dodgers’ gamble on the young California pitcher paid off fast. By 1956, just two years after signing, Drysdale was ready for the big leagues.
Major League Baseball Career Overview
Don Drysdale played all 14 years of his Major League Baseball career with the same team. He started with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956 and stayed through the franchise’s move to Los Angeles.
He made his debut against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 17, 1956. His final game came on August 5, 1969, making him the last guy from the Brooklyn roster still playing when he retired.
Brooklyn Dodgers Years
Drysdale kicked off his pro career with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956, right after high school and that $4,000 bonus. He made his MLB debut on April 17, 1956, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in an 8-6 loss to the Phillies.
Six days later, he got his first start against the same team. Drysdale went the distance for a complete game win, allowing just one run and striking out nine. That start really set the tone for his career as a dominant pitcher.
During his rookie season, Drysdale posted a 2.64 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 99 innings. He quickly became a key part of the Dodgers rotation.
After the 1957 season, Drysdale served six months in the U.S. Army Reserve with teammate Sandy Koufax at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and Van Nuys, California. He later said that military discipline helped his baseball career.
Transition to Los Angeles Dodgers
When the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958, Drysdale went right along with them. That move kicked off a new chapter for both him and baseball itself.
Drysdale became one of the National League’s most intimidating pitchers during his L.A. years. At 6’5”, he used his size and aggressive style to dominate hitters.
His best season came in 1962 when he won 25 games and led the majors with 232 strikeouts. That year, he picked up the Cy Young Award.
In 1968, Drysdale set wild records with six straight shutouts and 58⅔ consecutive scoreless innings. That run earned him NL Player of the Month in June and the starting spot in the All-Star Game in Houston.
Major League Debut and Final Game
Drysdale’s MLB debut happened on April 17, 1956, when he came in for the ninth inning against the Phillies. The Dodgers lost 8-6, but he kept his inning scoreless and kicked off a Hall of Fame career.
His last MLB appearance was August 5, 1969, against the Pirates. He pitched six innings, gave up eight hits and two earned runs, and struck out two with one walk.
Shoulder injuries kept piling up, and Drysdale retired during the 1969 season at 33 after just 12 starts. That torn rotator cuff finally ended things, making him the last Dodgers player who’d played in Brooklyn.
By the time he retired, Drysdale had a 209-166 record, a 2.95 ERA, and 2,486 strikeouts over 14 seasons.
Pitching Style, Achievements, and Records
Don Drysdale built his reputation as one of baseball’s most dominant and intimidating pitchers. His aggressive style and impressive stats really set him apart.
He won a Cy Young Award, made nine All-Star teams, and set records that stood for decades.
Signature Pitching Style
Drysdale’s 6-foot-5 frame gave him a real advantage on the mound. He had a fierce competitive edge and wasn’t afraid to pitch inside.
He threw brushback pitches and used a sidearm fastball to keep hitters on their toes. Frank Robinson, another Hall of Famer, once said, “He was mean enough to do it, and he did it continuously. You could count on him doing it.”
Drysdale picked up his aggressive approach from Sal Maglie in the 1950s. He led the National League in hit batsmen four years in a row from 1958 to 1961, and again in 1965.
His 154 career hit batsmen still stands as a modern National League record. When he knocked someone down, “he just stood there on the mound and glared at you to let you know he meant it,” Robinson remembered.
Cy Young Award and All-Star Selections
Drysdale won the Cy Young Award in 1962 after a dominant season. He finished 25-9 and led the majors with 232 strikeouts.
He made the All-Star team nine times from 1959 to 1968. Drysdale started the All-Star Game five times—a record—and pitched 19.1 innings in All-Star play, another record.
His All-Star stats were solid: a 2-1 record and a 1.40 ERA. He faced 69 batters and struck out 19, both records at the time.
In 1962, The Sporting News named him Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year. He won three NL Player of the Month awards in his career.
Career Statistics and Milestones
Drysdale wrapped up his career with a 209-166 record and a 2.95 ERA. He struck out 2,486 batters and threw 49 shutouts over 14 years.
Statistic | Career Total |
---|---|
Wins-Losses | 209-166 |
ERA | 2.95 |
Strikeouts | 2,486 |
Shutouts | 49 |
WHIP | 1.148 |
He struck out 200 or more batters six times and won 20 games twice. Drysdale led the majors in strikeouts three times (1959, 1960, 1962) and in wins once (1962).
As a hitter, he stood out for a pitcher. His 29 home runs are sixth all-time among pitchers, and he hit seven home runs in both 1958 and 1965.
Notable Games and Accomplishments
Drysdale’s most famous feat came in 1968 when he set records for six consecutive shutouts and 58⅔ consecutive scoreless innings. That run earned him NL Player of the Month in June 1968.
His consecutive shutouts record still stands. Orel Hershiser did break his scoreless innings streak in 1988, though. Drysdale started the 1968 All-Star Game in Houston during that dominant stretch.
In the World Series, he went 3-3 with a 2.95 ERA over five games. He won Game 3 of the 1963 World Series against the Yankees, 1-0, at Dodger Stadium.
When Sandy Koufax skipped Game 1 of the 1965 World Series for Yom Kippur, Drysdale took the start. He gave up seven runs in 2⅔ innings, then joked to manager Walter Alston, “Hey, skip, bet you wish I was Jewish today too.”
The 1968 Season and Record-Setting Scoreless Streak
Don Drysdale’s 1968 season really put him in the history books. He threw six straight shutouts and racked up 58⅔ scoreless innings. Both were major league records, and it’s hard not to be impressed by that kind of dominance during baseball’s “Year of the Pitcher.”
Six Consecutive Shutouts
Drysdale started his incredible streak on May 14, 1968, when he shut out the Chicago Cubs with just two hits.
Four days later, he blanked the Houston Astros, scattering five hits in another shutout.
The Dodgers then headed to St. Louis. There, Drysdale outpitched Hall of Famer Bob Gibson in a 2-0 win on May 22.
That made it three straight shutouts and really showed he could handle the best.
He picked up his fourth consecutive shutout against Houston at the Astrodome. Drysdale even chipped in at the plate, driving in the first run with a single in the third inning as the Dodgers won 5-0.
The fifth shutout came against the San Francisco Giants, and it was wild. In the ninth, bases loaded, nobody out, Drysdale hit Giants catcher Dick Deitz with a pitch.
Home plate umpire Harry Wendelstedt said Deitz didn’t try to get out of the way, so he called it a ball instead of sending him to first.
Drysdale wriggled out of the jam and finished off his fifth straight shutout.
He made it six in a row against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 4, setting a major league record that still stands.
Fifty-Eight and Two-Thirds Scoreless Innings
Drysdale’s consecutive shutouts were just part of his story. His scoreless streak reached 58⅔ innings, beating Walter Johnson’s 1913 mark of 55⅔ innings.
For almost a month, he didn’t give up a single run. That’s just wild to think about.
On June 8, 1968, a packed house of 50,060 at Chavez Ravine watched Drysdale break Johnson’s record in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies.
When he struck out Clay Dalrymple for the record, the crowd gave him a standing ovation.
The streak finally snapped in the fifth inning. Phillies journeyman Howie Bedell hit a sacrifice fly to bring in a run.
Bedell, who only played 67 big league games and had three career RBIs, ended up forever tied to Drysdale’s big moment.
“I wanted the record so bad but I’m relieved that it’s over,” Drysdale admitted after the game. “I could feel myself go ‘blah’ when the run scored. I just let down completely. I’m sure it was the mental strain.”
That scoreless innings record really showed how dominant Drysdale was during the pitcher-friendly 1968 season.
Impact on Baseball History
Drysdale’s 1968 run happened during the “Year of the Pitcher,” when offense basically disappeared across Major League Baseball.
His records stood out as some of the season’s most memorable moments.
No one has matched his six consecutive shutouts in modern baseball. In fact, no pitcher has managed more than four in a row since Drysdale, which says a lot about how rare his run was.
Orel Hershiser, Drysdale’s fellow Dodgers pitcher, eventually broke the scoreless innings record with 59 in 1988.
Drysdale was in the broadcast booth for Hershiser’s record-breaking game, which is kind of poetic.
The 1968 season ended up being Drysdale’s last dominant year. He finished 14-12 with a 2.15 ERA, but all those innings clearly took a toll.
The next year, he tore his rotator cuff and retired in the middle of the season. Those 1968 achievements became a fitting finale to his Hall of Fame career.
The Final Season and Retirement in 1969
Don Drysdale’s 1969 season turned into a tough battle with persistent shoulder injuries that finally forced him to retire at just 33.
When he announced it on August 11, 1969, it closed the book on the last link between the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Shoulder Pain and Injuries
Drysdale came into 1969 already struggling with serious shoulder problems.
The pain made it nearly impossible for him to pitch like he once had. His fastball just wasn’t the same.
Doctors checked him out and found the damage in his throwing arm. Years of his aggressive pitching style had caught up with him.
He’d thrown more than 3,400 innings in 14 seasons. That’s a lot of wear and tear.
The torn rotator cuff made it almost impossible to keep pitching at the big league level. Every pitch hurt.
Even Drysdale’s famous on-mound intimidation couldn’t hide the fact that his body just wasn’t cooperating anymore.
Time on the Disabled List
In 1969, Drysdale managed only 12 starts for the Dodgers.
His stats showed the impact of his injuries. He finished 5-4 with a 4.45 ERA in 62.2 innings.
Those were career lows in several categories. His 4.43 FIP and 1.34 WHIP showed how much he struggled.
The pain in his shoulder kept him from being effective.
He spent a lot of time away from the team in the first half of the season. The injury forced him to miss several starts.
With so few appearances, it became obvious that his career was winding down.
August 1969 Retirement Announcement
Drysdale called it quits on August 11, 1969, officially retiring from Major League Baseball.
He’d spent weeks thinking about his future before making the announcement. Manager Walter Alston actually teared up during the emotional press conference.
The decision wasn’t easy for Drysdale, who grew up in Van Nuys, California.
He really wanted to bounce back from his shoulder troubles, but the pain just wouldn’t let up.
He walked away with numbers that would eventually get him into the Hall of Fame. Drysdale finished with 209 wins, 2,486 strikeouts, and a 2.95 ERA.
He threw 49 shutouts over his 14-year career.
Legacy as the Last Brooklyn Dodger
When Drysdale retired, it truly ended an era for the Dodgers.
He was the last active player who’d played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. With his retirement, the direct player link between Brooklyn and Los Angeles finally ended.
Fans and the organization definitely noticed the significance. Drysdale had helped bridge the move from Brooklyn to LA back in 1958.
After his playing days, Drysdale went into broadcasting, working with different teams for 23 years.
He returned as a Dodgers radio broadcaster from 1988-93.
The team retired his number 53, and he made it into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.
Post-Playing Career and Lasting Legacy
Don Drysdale’s 1969 retirement kicked off a new chapter in sports broadcasting and cemented his place among baseball’s all-time great pitchers.
His impact on the game continued through his work as a broadcaster and his lasting influence on baseball.
Career in Sports Broadcasting
After he hung up his spikes, Drysdale moved straight into sports broadcasting.
He became a radio and TV broadcaster for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
His deep pitching knowledge and easygoing personality made him a natural in the booth.
Drysdale’s color commentary helped fans really get the details of the game.
He spent about twenty years in broadcasting after his playing days ended.
Because he’d been such a dominant pitcher, his insights added something special to every broadcast.
Drysdale also contributed to the Major League Baseball Network.
Broadcasting let him stay close to baseball and share his experience with new fans.
Induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame
The National Baseball Hall of Fame inducted Drysdale in 1984, fifteen years after he retired.
That honor put him among the best in the game.
Drysdale’s Hall of Fame resume included 209 wins and a 2.95 ERA.
He had 49 shutouts and that unforgettable 58-inning scoreless streak in 1968.
Getting into the Hall was the highest recognition for what he had done in baseball.
It put him alongside legends like Sandy Koufax, his longtime Dodgers teammate.
His selection confirmed he was one of the top pitchers of the 1960s.
The honor reflected both his own achievements and his role in the Dodgers’ success.
Jersey Retirement and Dodgers Honors
The Dodgers retired Drysdale’s number 53, making sure his legacy would always be part of Dodger Stadium.
That’s a distinction saved for the franchise’s biggest contributors.
Drysdale joined a small group of Dodgers legends whose numbers hang at the stadium.
His number sits next to those of Jackie Robinson, Sandy Koufax, and other all-time greats.
The retirement ceremony honored his 14 years with the team.
It also recognized that he was the last player to have worn a Brooklyn Dodgers uniform.
Drysdale helped the team to five World Series appearances, which made him more than worthy of this lasting tribute.
Seeing that retired number is a constant reminder of what he meant to Dodgers history.
Influence on Teammates and the Game
Drysdale brought an intimidating presence to the mound, and that really changed how pitchers thought about their approach. He pitched inside, never shying away from challenging hitters, and honestly, that set a new bar for the next generation.
Sandy Koufax, for example, thrived alongside Drysdale’s aggressive style and leadership. The two of them made up one of baseball’s toughest pitching duos—no doubt about it.
You could see his mental toughness and competitive fire become a blueprint for young pitchers. Drysdale proved that you needed both raw talent and real psychological grit if you wanted to succeed.
He dominated hitters with a mix of intimidation and precision, and that shook up pitching strategies everywhere. Even after he stopped playing, his approach kept influencing pitchers and helped shape modern baseball.
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