Circa 1956, Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, the long, lanky form of future Dodger Hall of Fame pitcher Don Drysdale (No. 53) in front of the Dodger dugout is photographed by teenager Peter O’Malley. “Big D” made his major league debut with the Dodgers in 1956 and pitched 14 seasons in the major leagues, winning in double figures 12 times. With 25 wins, Drysdale earned the 1962 National League Cy Young Award.
Photo by Peter O’Malley. All Rights Reserved.
Inside/Peter
Friendship with “Big D”
On August 10, 1969, contemplating his retirement after 14 seasons, Don Drysdale stops by then Dodger Executive Vice President Peter O’Malley’s office at Dodger Stadium. When Peter asks Don, “Is there anything I can do for you?”, Don responds, “Yes, you can pay me.” Peter replies, “Really?” because Peter didn’t realize at that time under the terms for a player’s contract, players would be paid in full for the balance of the season.
October, 1965, (L-R) Hall of Fame Dodger pitcher Don Drysdale; Peter O’Malley; and Hall of Fame Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax. Drysdale and Koufax are considered by many to be the greatest right-left pitching duo in baseball history.
On May 14, 1968, Drysdale pitched a 1-0 shutout against Chicago, beginning a then major league record streak of 58 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings which continued until June 8. Drysdale posted six straight complete-game shutouts from May 14-June 4 and added 4 2/3 innings on June 8 before finally giving up a run. “Big D’s” record stood for 20 years until Dodger pitcher Orel Hershiser set the new mark of 59 consecutive scoreless innings on September 28, 1988 with Drysdale witnessing from the Dodger broadcast booth.
March 22, 1984, Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida, (L-R) Dodger President Peter O’Malley; Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully; and Hall of Fame pitcher Don Drysdale. Scully handled emcee duties for the dedication of “Don Drysdale Drive”. A street was named at Dodgertown following a player or broadcaster having been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Don Drysdale Drive was located adjacent to Field No. 2.
May 13, 1993, Hall of Fame Dodger pitcher Don Drysdale (left) with Dodger President Peter O’Malley at the National Baseball Hall of Fame dinner at the Waldorf Astoria New York. Drysdale was a popular Dodger broadcaster from 1988-1993.
Peter, who hired Drysdale as a broadcaster beginning in the 1988 World Championship season, said about Hall of Fame pitcher “Big D”: “Don Drysdale was as tough a competitor as I ever saw. We bonded early on and became good friends until his July 3, 1993 passing. It’s impossible to think about Dodger history without Drysdale and Sandy Koufax, considered by many the greatest right-left pitching duo ever. Don was also a popular broadcaster who gave fans outstanding insight and analysis, while sharing great baseball stories.”