Montana legacy: World Series Hometown Hero: https://youtu.be/s6H51uCIX8c
David Arthur “Dave” McNally (Born in Billings, MT on October 31, 1942 – December 1, 2002) owns a number of unique distinctions in Major League Baseball lore, but his most notable feat came when he hit a grand slam in Game 3 of the 1970 World Series – the only pitcher in history to accomplish the feat. The ball and his bat are enshrined at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Beginning well before his exploits during the World Series, McNally was a key member of one of the greatest pitching staffs ever assembled. While pitching legion ball in his native Montana, Dave went 18-1 in 1958 and in one game, struck out 27 batters including five in a single inning. The Baltimore Orioles quickly swooped in to sign the talented left-hander in 1960 and sent him to the minor for seasoning. McNally debuted with the O’s in 1962 throwing a complete game 2-hit shutout against the Kansas City Athletics. He joined the Baltimore rotation in 1963 and pitched alongside Hall of Famers Robin Roberts and Jim Palmer and All-Stars Mike Cuellar, Pete Richert and Pat Dobson, among so many other talented hurlers. McNally and the Orioles defeated the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, led by the Hall of Fame pitching staff of Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Don Sutton, in the 1966 World Series to capture Baltimore’s first title in franchise history. It was the beginning of a dynamic era in Baltimore for McNally, the ace of the staff, as he put together a four-year string of 20-win seasons (1968-1971) capped off with his 1970 career year when he tied for the the American League lead in wins with 24 (teammate Mike Cuellar also posted 24 wins in 1970) and led the AL in starts (40). He earned All-Star selections in 1969, 1970 and 1972, finished in the top four in Cy Young voting each your from 1969 to 1971, and earned AL MVP consideration four times. On the backs of the premier pitching staff, big hitting from sluggers Frank Robinson and Boog Powell and expert fielding anchored by Brooks Robinson, the Orioles won the American League pennant and World Series for the second time in five years, defeating the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970 World Series. Dave pitched 13 years in Baltimore (1962-1974) and finished his career with the Montreal Expos for one season (1975) playing his entire season with Montreal without a contract, in opposition of Major League Baseball’s “reserve clause. Dave McNally retired following the 1975 season having posted a 184-119 record with 1,512 strikeouts, 120 complete games, 33 shutouts and a 3.24 ERA in 424 appearances and 396 starts.
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