" Uecker said. Drysdale was occasionally used as a pinch-hitter, once during the World Series. You thought you were hot stuff being a major league pitcher, and then you went to Fort Dix and found out that it doesnt matter who you were. After his playing days, he stayed involved in the game as a broadcaster for the White Sox, Rangers, Expos, Angels and Dodgers - as well as ABC's Monday Night Baseball. August 5, 1969 Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. When I was in high school I had played on the boys summer league team between my junior and senior year in high school. A Fast Starter. In 1965 he was the Dodgers' only .300 hitter and tied his own National League record for pitchers with seven home runs. So there are stories I'm hearing now, and it's like give me more. "@ClayTravis thanks for the photo last night. Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. She is frequently in touch with colleges, seeking information. Hershiser, working on four hours' sleep, delivered an open letter to Drysdale's children, weeping through it. Shop >. Drysdale pitched for teams that did not offer much run support. "It's. She misses how she could say, "Your turn," when one of the three children had absorbed her last drop of energy. He was previously married to Ann Meyers and Ginger Drysdale. "If my dad wanted to get rid of these things, he probably would have.". Among the personal belongings found in Drysdale's hotel room was a cassette tape of Robert F. Kennedy's victory speech after the 1968 California Democratic presidential primary, a speech given only moments before Senator Kennedy's assassination. It is somewhat of a mutual admiration society at the Drysdale house. "You can have all the awards in the world, all the money and all the recognition and experiences. She allowed the couple's three grown children to select some keepsakes. The first noted speaker was Orel Hershiser, the pitcher who in 1988 broke Drysdale's record of 58 consecutive scoreless innings, by one inning. "He's a very talented man. Even a veteran in this game needs a mentor, and I've lost truly the best. Drysdale and Meyers have three children-Don Jr., Darren and Drew Ann. Drysdale and Koufax were teammates before free agency and player agents became part of the game. I LOVE NEW YORK is a registered trademark and service mark of the New York State Department of Economic Development; used with permission. Although they live a busy life, Meyers and Drysdale appear to do it simply. Find out more. She said a portion of the proceeds would go to as yet-undecided charities and the rest "to help my kids down the road. Those multitalented types, the ones who seem to excel in several different areas while the rest of the masses struggle to be pretty good at one thing. I was just fortunate enough that coaches believed in my ability and they could move me around to different positions. View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject. Edwin Lee Mathews, Jr. was born in Texarkana, Texas, on October 13, 1931. - BL-1376-68 (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library). AMD: Maybe because I really didnt know who Donnie was, and certainly there was a huge age difference, maybe that was appealing to him. In the course of the 75-minute ceremony, Drysdale was referred to as "Big D," "Big Guy" and "Felix Unger." He was 56. The list of baseball luminaries was long. So we had six practices and then I was basically let go even though it was a personal service contract where I was working for the organization. HOF: But I read you didnt know much about baseball at the time. Sounds like a movie script. "I do believe this is something Don would have thought of doing for his family. And this time, Mighty Casey did NOT strike out!!!![18]. Drysdale, of course, is the Dodgers Hall of Fame right-hander and former announcer who died of a heart attack in 1993. Absolutely not," Kelly Drysdale said through tears by phone from her home in Hawaii. Don Drysdale, center, celebrates after pitching the Dodgers to a Game 4 win in the 1965 World Series. "He had a tremendous life," she said, "and it's a chance to share with people.". We wont force D.J. "Even Hall of Famers lose stature in a team's locker room, but that was not the case with your dad," Hershiser said. "And Don," Lasorda said, "would point at me and tell the fans, 'Get his, too.' Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Drysdale, 53, grew up in Van Nuys, an only child. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. When you wake up at three-thirty every morning, and you realize that some of your buddies are just getting in back home, it gives you a lot of discipline. In 1962, Drysdale won 25 games and the Cy Young Award. Join this group of highly engaged supporters and enjoy exclusive experiences in Cooperstown and around the country. My advice is to let the kids play, let them have fun. He was previously married to Ann Meyers and Ginger Drysdale. A Fastball Called Fear. Don Drysdale (Donald Scott Drysdale) Don Drysdale. The collection is unusual in that it covers Drysdale's entire career -- from his days at Van Nuys High in suburban Los Angeles to his minor league stints with the Bakersfield Indians and Montreal Royals to his major league stardom with the Dodgers in Brooklyn and Los Angeles. The child, otherwise known as "D. J.," said hello, and Koufax waved. In fact, there are plenty of trophies and memorabilia, reminders of the athletic prowess of each, in their sprawling, 4-bedroom home on the Morningside Golf Course. Harrelson relayed the information to his audience, barely able to keep his composure while doing so. [12] At the time of his retirement, Drysdale was the last remaining player on the Dodgers who had played for Brooklyn. So Ann is doing all she can to extend the memory of Don Drysdale. Certainly publicity was involved, and I dont deny that, but I was never one that went out and sought it. Both men sold their memorabilia, telling her it was a way to help their families while they are still alive. "I've been very lucky," Meyers said at a Women's Sports Foundation event honoring her recent induction into the basketball Hall of Fame. Twenty days short of celebrating Don Jr.'s. Even Meyers grandfather played ball in the Chicago White Sox organization. I enjoyed the competition and having a small group of people who work together trying to accomplish something. Added Meyers: I dont think the kids are learning today--not only the fundamentals of the game, but what the game is for--how to get along with kids, how to communicate with the coach. "First of all, she thought he was Don Meredith," Uecker said. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. I wound up hitting him instead. And thats kind of how it developed. On October 11, 1980, Keith Jackson called an OklahomaTexas college football game for ABC in the afternoon, then flew to Houston to call Game 4 of the NLCS between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies. Reserve your tickets, map your route, and work out all the details for your arrival in Cooperstown. Drysdale's was for $105,000, and Koufax's was for $130,000. HOF: Can you talk about your path that currently finds you working for both WNBAs Phoenix Mercury and the NBAs Phoenix Suns? "But you have to move them off the plate; you have to get them out of there. Eventually I moved closer to my family, to be up in Orange County, and also to be able to go to Dodger Stadium. Keep up with headlines and events at the Baseball Hall of Fame, and see who will be taking their place in history next. They both finally signed one-year contracts just before the season opened. Drysdale was first missed when the Dodgers boarded the bus for the trip to the Expos' ball park for their Saturday night game. I was fortunate enough to be at Cooperstown when Don was inducted and it was a sight to behold, Meyers said. Several broadcast team members were sent back to the hotel once the team realized Drysdale had not arrived at the stadium, and when hotel personnel went up to Drysdale's room they discovered his body lying face down on the floor. HOF: And you and your brother David were All-Americans in the same year, right? They are both used to leading, yet it seems to work. Drysdale also called Kirk Gibson's walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series[17] for the Dodgers Radio Network: Gibson a deep sigh, re-gripping the bat, shoulders just shrugged, now goes to the top of the helmet as he always does, steps in with that left foot. Dick Enberg and Vin Scully spoke next, followed by Uecker, who was the one who introduced Meyers to Drysdale at a Women's Superstars competition that Uecker and Drysdale were broadcasting several years ago. Both Meyers and Drysdale are broadcasters--he for the Dodgers, the team he starred for on the mound, she for Prime Ticket and the Z Channel as a commentator for mens and womens college basketball. Yet she has endured in a business where women are basically not welcome and has still been able to maintain the same outlook she had in 1979, when she was criticized by both men and women athletes and coaches for accepting the Pacers $50,000 offer for a tryout. (Voted by BBWAA on 316/403 ballots) "I went to laugh and to cry," she said. She knows the children miss him, and his friends too. Kelly Drysdale is the only child from her father's first marriage. It started out as a friendship kind of thing. Los Angeles Dodgers Don Drysdale Gray Authentic Men's Away Player Jersey. Donnie, as he is called, was born July 23, 1987 . You don't see 15 guys going out for a beer anymore. I kind of knew how to play defense so when I got switched in against somebody that was 6-foot-2 or 6-foot-4, most of the women werent quite as athletic as I was so I could read their moves. The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball, Salaries may not be complete (especially pre-1985) and may not include some earned bonuses, Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. She learned that at UCLA, leading the Bruins to a national title in 1978. 6/19/2017 at 9:54 PM 6/19/2017 at 9:54 PM Drew Drysdale discusses her dad's career, legacy. - BL-1361-68 (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library), Don Drysdale was one of the most intimidating pitchers of his era, winning 209 games in 14 seasons with the Dodgers while helping his team win five National League pennants and three World Series titles. NL All-Star. Publicly she has put up a cheery front since July 3, the day Don Drysdale died of a heart attack in a Montreal hotel. [3], After suffering a torn rotator cuff in 1969, Drysdale had to retire. Ann Meyers Drysdale is forever at home in Cooperstown. All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. When Meyers met Drysdale 9 years ago, she thought he was Don Meredith. Other items include his 1956 National League championship ring; the used ball from the final inning of his record 58 2/3 scoreless innings streak that ended on June 8, 1968; a 1988 World Series ring when he was a Dodgers broadcaster; spikes caked with dirt; gloves, bats, trophies; and even his bowling ball and shoes. Drysdale items go to auction despite objections, Harper may return Tue., 160 days post-TJ surgery, Rangers ace deGrom 'frustrated' to land on IL, Twins will shut P Mahle down for at least 4 weeks, Cards broadcaster, 2-time champ Shannon dies, Giants' Yastrzemski (hamstring) likely IL-bound, Yankees to evaluate Judge's hip strain Monday, Mexico City's uphill climb toward landing an MLB franchise. ft. home is a 4 bed, 2.5 bath property. Their treasures, however, are displayed in the den--the Broderick Cup that Meyers received in 1978 as the nations best female athlete; Drysdales 1962 Cy Young Award and Baseball Hall of Fame plaques. The 166 lots include Don Drysdale's World Series championship rings from 1963 and 1965; both carry minimum bids of $15,000. Scott Drysdale was a repair supervisor for the Pacific Telephone Company, which provided a comfortable middle-class upbringing. 1 one month into the season? "She has the legal right, but moral and decent right? I had planned on playing on the boys varsity team during the regular school season but a lot of things were said. I dont know. [12], Nicknamed "Big D" by fans, Drysdale used brushback pitches and a sidearm fastball to intimidate batters,[3] similar to his fierce fellow Hall of Famer Bob Gibson. Don Drysdale was born on July 23, 1936 in Van Nuys, California, USA. This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. The fans were not happy with me at all. Don "DJ" Drysdale Jr., MBA Loan Originator Scottsdale, Arizona, United States 2K followers 500+ connections Join to view profile Barrett Financial Group LLC Grand Canyon University Activity I. The items came into her control through the will of Don Drysdale, who died of a heart attack in July 1993 while on the road broadcasting for the Dodgers. ", "It wasn't an easy decision," she said by phone from her home in Phoenix. with the Milwaukee Bucks, and sister Patti, the starting center on Cal State Fullertons 1970 national championship team. See About archive blog posts. When Walter Alston, the manager, came to the mound to remove him from the game, Drysdale said, "I bet right now you wish I was Jewish, too." But it was great to have somebody to have a conversation with and talk about things. AMD: I played all five positions. $109.99 $59.99. I think many times girls are not geared toward achievement and I believe sports has a lot to do with that. "And if he were here, he'd say either, 'Gene, sit down or start over because I had nothing to do with the Giants in my life.' I certainly didnt go down there to start a relationship with anybody, but it happened. View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen. Being a broadcaster myself, thats the one thing I really appreciated about how he broadcast a game. (Laughs) I didnt really follow baseball. Don "DJ" Drysdale Jr., MBA Team Loan Officer at VIP Mortgage Inc Scottsdale, AZ. Now, he says, hes on pins and needles waiting to see if Annie makes it. [5], Drysdale and fellow Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax served six months in the United States Army Reserve at Fort Dix in New Jersey after the end of the 1957 season and before spring training in 1958. "Some things set you back and they hurt you to the core," she said. He won three NL Player of the Month awards: June 1959 (60 record, 1.71 earned run average, 51 strikeouts), July 1960 (60 record, 2.00 earned run average, 48 strikeouts), and May 1968 (51 record, 0.53 earned run average, 45 strikeouts, with 5 consecutive shutouts to begin his scoreless inning streak, which was carried into June). She misses their routines, like the family barbecue after a day game. from the SABR BioProject, More Don Drysdale Pages at Baseball Reference. When I was pregnant, Doug Rader (the recently hired Angels manager) said to Don, I want the runt of that litter, Meyers said. Anyone can read what you share. There are a lot of things I don't know about him because it was before the life that we had together. Los Angeles Dodgers Don Drysdale White Authentic Men's Home Player Jersey. As long as you give it your best, there is nothing more you can do. I did the best job I could do and I gave it my all.. Cotto going back to the wallit's gone! But whats amazing, if you look at the world, is that it is made up of a lot of followers. Show your love of the game and play a part in preserving past and ensuring the future of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Drysdale on the call: Deep right field, way back. Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis. The lineage is in Donnies favor. But we (she and the children) fight through things together. Tell me more about him.". . Fortunately, it was the right decision and the player that we traded for helped us win two WNBA championships. Don Drysdale, Hall of Fame pitcher and Dodger broadcaster, was found dead in his Montreal hotel room Saturday, apparently the victim of a heart attack. I went through the three-day process with two practices a day. Drysdale won the 1962 Cy Young Award and in 1968 pitched a record six consecutive shutouts and .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}58+23 consecutive scoreless innings. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. AMD: Gosh, Ive just been in the right place at the right time. AMD: Absolutely, absolutely, without question. Don Drysdale was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1984. Its an important piece of their life with their father there. ", Michele Himmelberg and Orange County Register. "I might understand if it was a matter of money, but if it's just to get them out of storage, why not offer them to the family first?" The cause of death was a heart attack, the Dodgers said. For son Donnie, or the next child--God willing, both say--these parents will be a tough act to follow. Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. "[12], Said Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, "He was mean enough to do it, and he did it continuously. The latter record was broken by fellow Dodger Orel Hershiser 20 years later. Meyers is so aware of the pressure to excel in sports that awaits Donnie, that she has already made an attempt to establish his separate identity. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. . Her fame exploded in 1979 when she became the first women to be signed to a contract by a NBA team. Annie and I kind of have the same personalities. To be a senior in high school and have no idea what youre going to do, then to be able to go to such a university like that where my brother was, it was pretty awe-inspiring. Drysdale made his Major League Baseball debut for. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. There is not attempt, though, to downplay athletics. Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database. In 5 World Series. And during this time I could go into the mens basketball coachs office and they kind of took me under their wing. Actor: The Greatest American Hero. Drysdale, 53, grew up in Van Nuys, an only child. Growing up in pickup games, size never really mattered to me. Then Saturday night brought news of Hall of Fame pitcher Don Drysdale's death of an apparent heart attack in Montreal. They even share the same golf handicap, 11. Don Drysdale played for 2 teams; the Brooklyn Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers. You may recall the time umpire Harry Wendelstedt preserved Don Drysdale's scoreless-inning streak when he ruled that batter Dick Dietz didn't make a sincere effort to get out of the way of a. Don Jr., known as D.J., is 28 and works at an Internet company in Arizona; Darren is a 26-year-old college student; and daughter Drew is a 23-year-old UCLA history major interested in a music. 1982 Topps #21 Cal Ripken Jr. Orioles Future Stars RC Rookie Card #21 EX-MT+ (#285197033623) See all feedback. MLB Power Rankings: Who's No. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984, and had his number 53 retired at Dodger Stadium on July 1, 1984. AMD: Don Jr. was born in 1987 on Dons birthday we did not plan that in Chicago when Don was broadcasting with the White Sox. Drysdale ended his career with 209 wins, 2,486 strikeouts, 167 complete games and 49 shutouts. She made it look so easy. Don Drysdale, the Hall of Fame pitcher for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers whose hopping fastball and brushback pitches put fear into batters during 14 major league seasons, was found dead in his hotel room in Montreal on Saturday. The scoreless-inning streak stood for 20 years until it was broken by another Dodger pitcher, Orel Hershiser. She's busy preserving the image of the man she loved. April 17, 1956 For the Sox, Drysdale broadcast Tom Seaver's 300th victory, against the host New York Yankees in 1985. And very, very close. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Monday, May 1, 12:21AM. HOF: You and Don would eventually have three children together. Nor was their betrothal part of a scientific experiment in the reproduction of herculean offspring--Drysdale is 6 feet 6 inches, Meyers 5-9. I'll have to work a little harder now and plan things better. Sutton passed away at age 75 on Tuesday morning.. We loved that you came out here but were going to move on, I was not happy. Everything she has done in her life has been a first. Meyers Drysdale said sorting through boxes of memorabilia brought "a lot of laughs, memories and tears." During a 2015 telephone interview from her home in Huntington Beach, Calif., Ann Meyers Drysdale, the 1993 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, talked about life both on and off the court. Drysdale conducted all of the National League player interviews for the Baseball Talk series in 1988 (Joe Torre did the same for the American League). "Just the time I had with Don. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? A trip to Cooperstown has something for baseball fans and everyone else. Donald Scott Drysdale (July 23, 1936 - July 3, 1993) was an American professional baseball player and television sports commentator. He could tell a story about what happened when he played, but the story was never really about him. THIS BALL IS GONE! [13] Drysdale led the NL in hit batters for four straight seasons from 1958 to 1961. Hed get so mad at me. Dick Enberg, his broadcast partner with the Angels, said, "Every day was a good day when you were with Don Drysdale."[12]. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. . 1? His career included 10 years with ABC. "Who are these players really loyal to, the agent or their teams? After he passed away, guys would tell me stories about things that Donnie would do without letting people know. 597 Drysdale Dr , Orange Park, FL 32065-5637 is a single-family home listed for rent at /mo. MLB Central looks back on Don Drysdale's streak. HOF: More than four decades later, how do you look at your 1979 tryout with the Pacers? He was like this beacon. Los Angeles Dodgers Don Drysdale Gray Replica Men's Road Player Jersey. . And when Meyers strolled in wearing a blue pantssuit and accompanied by her three children and also with Kelly Drysdale, Don's 34-year-old daughter from a previous marriage, the program commenced. He was known for being a Baseball Player. Don Drysdale was born in Van Nuys, California in July 1936 and passed away in July 1993. Meyers was one of the candidates for the Clippers radio commentary job for this season. Meyers father played basketball for Marquette University and was drafted by the pro Milwaukee Shooting Stars, although he did not sign. See the article in its original context from. The youngest of their three children, Drew Drysdale, graduated from Huntington Beach High on Thursday and was the guest performer at the graduation ceremony. was born, Dons daughter, Kelly, commented on the pressure he would unfortunately face from carrying the Drysdale name.. After I was cut by the Pacers, people said I failed. PIT 6.0 IP, 8 H, 2 SO, 1 BB, 2 ER. After the game, he returned to his room at the hotel the team was staying at, Le Centre Sheraton. She misses her husband's voice. But you realize it's the people in your life who make you rich.". She worked the room this way, greeting people at a reception held in her honor and also satisfying her 3-year-old's plea for attention. I had no words for it. On November 1, 1986, he married basketball player Ann Meyers, who took the name Ann Meyers-Drysdale. LOS ANGELES -- Kelly Drysdale remembers seeing her dad's Cy Young Award in her house growing up. It was not an easy decision for me but once I made the decision I thought, Im just going to put everything into it. I know physically, mentally and emotionally, it was the best I was ever prepared to play the game of basketball. Family (1) Spouse The Dodgers lost the game to the Minnesota Twins 82 but went on to win the Series 4 games to 3. Shop >. Don Drysdale and Commissioner Bowie Kuhn show off an image of Drysdales Hall of Fame plaque at Hall of Fame Weekend 1984 in Cooperstown. Discover one-of-a-kind artifacts and get lost in sweeping exhibitions that explore pivotal moments in the game and its impact far beyond the field. "That was the first thing I asked if I could have and there was never a reply. Happy to help keep your streak of hot girls taking your picture alive." You should see the first time she held a golf club. Support provided by Market New York through I LOVE NY/ New York States Division of Tourism as a part of the Regional Economic Development Council awards. Meyers, 30, is 1 of 11 children, the majority of whom get together every Christmas Eve at the house where Ann grew up, in La Habra. "He touched so many people.". Don Drysdale Van Nuys 19621984 I hope that I can give back. I don't like it. In 1968, Drysdale set Major League records with six consecutive shutouts and 58+23 consecutive scoreless innings. Roy Campanella, who was Drysdale's catcher when the pitcher was a 20-year-old rookie in 1956, died of heart attack on June 26. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com, and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. I took the kids when Tommy Lasorda had gone in but they were way too young, so for them to back this past year they were all overwhelmed because now they could appreciate it and understood it a lot more. AMD: Im a vice president with both the Suns and the Mercury, but basically broadcasting for them. HOF: Did you ever develop an appreciation for baseball? Drysdale age 23, right and Darren Drysdale age 21, left, sons of Hall of Famer and former Los Angeles Dodger Don Drysdale, throw out the ceremonial first pitches before the game against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. But she's not used to doing it all without "Donnie.". [12] They had set an NL record the year before for strikeouts by teammates, with a combined total of 592. I had no idea what Don had accomplished in his baseball career and had not heard of him as a broadcaster.. Meyers Drysdale was influenced by conversations she had with fellow Hall of Famer Julius Erving and former Boston Celtics star Bob Cousy. "That was the one thing that was proudly and prominently displayed in every house in which I ever lived," she said. July 23, 1936 I grew up playing against the guys so you had to learn how to post up, you had to learn to shoot outside, and you had to handle the ball. "[citation needed]. Don Jr., 6, got to have his mom put on a basketball clinic at school last weekend. And believe me, all of those men were great in their own right.