How well I remember waking up that first day of June 1968 Don Drysdale’s 5th Straight Shutout, One Of Five That Day

On June 1, (fateful) 1968, I recall waking up and hearing Win Ellioton CBS’ “Sports Central” (U.S.A. ?) and the details of Don Drysdale’s record fifth consecutive shutout.

It appeared Drysdale would be denied any record when he seemed to hit Giants’ batter and later a Dodgers player, Dick Dietz with a pitch, however, umpire Harry Wendelstedt ruled the ball hit the bat (Vin Scully: “it hit the bat said WindelSTAT!!) and Dietz flied out to Jim Fairey in short left, followed by Ty Cline grounding to first sacker Wes Parker, who threw to catcher Jeff Torborg, forcing out pinch runner, Nate Oliver

That set the stage for “Big D” getting Jack Hiatt to pop out to Parker and tie “Doc” White with that fifth consecutive shutout game. He would set a record with 56 and two thirds scoreless innings pitched, breaking the record of the great Walter Johnson.

My note today is there were 4 other shutouts pitched in the “bigs” that Friday May 31st, one a combined 12 innings entity, making five the day of Drysdale’s 5th.

Larry Jaster, Gary Bell and Mickey Lolich, who would cap ’68 the Year of the Pitcher, with 3 W.S. wins as his Detroit Tigers won the crown, hurled shutouts while 3 Angels’ hurlers, Sammy Ellis (8 innings), Minnie Rojas and Clyde Wright (2 innings each) combined for the other.

Doc White, pictured above helped the 1906 White Sox win it all, beating the (116-36) same city Cubs in six games.