This Friday, September 14th, the 50th anniversary of Denny McLain’s historic 30th victory, Tiger fans can celebrate it and share memories of the thrilling 1968 World Champions beginning at Nemo’s located on Michigan Avenue just two blocks east of Michigan and Trumbull where McLain made history.
McLain, who was the 1968 American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner will be at the party signing autographs from 7 to 9 PM.
The anniversary celebration starts at 7 PM and will include music from 1968 and Nemo’s will be decked out in ‘68 Tiger memorabilia. The party is the brainchild of Tom Derry who annually throws the famous Babe Ruth Birthday at Nemo’s in early February and who as leader of the Navin Field Grounds Crew maintained the diamond at the abandoned Tiger Stadium field from 2010 to 2016.
In addition, John Davids and Mike Betzold, two leaders of the Tiger Stadium Fan Club that fought to save the ballpark from 1987 to 1996 will be on hand to sell and autograph the new book that have co-authored with two others, Tiger Stadium: Essays and Memories of Detroit’s Historic Ballpark, 1912-2009.
On September 14, 1968, just three days prior to the Tigers winning the pennant 33, 688 fans at Tiger Stadium along with a national television “NBC Game of the Week” broadcast witnessed McLain win his historic 30th victory. After the game, which saw the Tigers score two runs in the bottom of the ninth to win it, many fans walked down Michigan Avenue to Nemo’s to celebrate. It is only fitting that the party is held at the famous bar.
McLain finished his spectacular season with an astonishing 31-6 record, 1.96 ERA, 28 complete games, and six shutouts in 336 innings pitched. He lead the league in games started, victories, complete games, innings pitched and strikeouts/walks ratio.