Detroit Tigers: Denny McLain selling off his memorabilia

Former Detroit Tigers ace Denny McLain is selling off his sports memorabilia through an estate sale at his home.

Every major league player has some pieces of memorabilia related to their careers, and former Detroit Tigers ace Denny McLain is no exception. He also married the daughter of Hall of Fame shortstop Lou Boudreau, adding even more to his already impressive collection. It is a look back through the history of the game, from batting helmets to baseballs, from trading cards to score cards.

But now, it is time for McLain to move on. Following the passing of his wife, he has decided to downsize, putting nearly five decades worth of memorabilia on the market as part of an estate sale at his house. The sale began on Thursday, and is slated to run through the weekend.

There was a time when McLain was the king of the baseball universe. He remains the last pitcher to win 30 games in a season, doing so in his incredible 1968 campaign where he won the Cy Young award and AL MVP. McLain also led the league in wins in 1969, taking home the Cy Young that season as well.

However, the usage of those two seasons caught up with him. He battled arm issues afterwards, his time in the majors over when he was just 28 years old. Although he pitched in the minors for another season, his arm was shot. Yet, he left his mark, with a 131-91 record along with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.163 WHiP over his ten years in the majors, striking out 1150 batters with 450 walks in 1886 innings.

McLain did not exactly have an easy time after his playing days were over. He spent time in prison on federal drug and racketeering charges before his conviction was overturned. McLain was later imprisoned for stealing from the pension plan of a company he had purchased, which went bankrupt 18 months later.

Now McLain is seemingly in a better place. He is even going to be at the sale over the final three days, which are open to the public. It is a chance to see some of the history of the game that may otherwise be forgotten. And, a chance to own some of that history as well.

Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain is selling the memorabilia he collected during his, and his father-in-law’s, careers. It is a fascinating chance to get close to the history of the game.