Remembering Don Drysdale Breaking The Scoreless Innings Streak Record

Yesterday was the 51st anniversary of pitcher, Don Drysdale breaking the consecutive scoreless innings streak of the legendary Walter Johnson.

“Big D,” as Drysdale was known had accomplished the most difficult part, hurling 6 straight shutouts to amass 56 consecutive innings pitched without allowing a run.

Johnson’s record was 56 scoreless innings. Drysdale reached 58 and two thirds, doing so on another Saturday (night–alas it may be “all right for fighting,” but ….) June 8th, made even more memorable, as Robert F. Kennedy was laid to rest that day.

Senator Kennedy had congratulated Drysdale on his 6th straight shutout in his “victory” speech, after winning the California primary 4 days earlier. Soon after doing so, he was shot and killed.

Don Drysdale, pictured on the cover of Life, September 28, 1962