Dave McNally
The left-handed workhorse who won four straight 20-win seasons for the Orioles dynasty.
David Arthur McNally was a cornerstone of the Baltimore Orioles dynasty that secured four American League pennants and two World Series titles between 1966 and 1971. A three-time All-Star, this left-handed pitcher won 20 or more games for four consecutive seasons from 1968 through 1971. Born in Billings, Montana, McNally was signed by the Orioles out of high school in 1960 and made his major league debut two years later with a shutout. He remains one of only four pitchers on a single roster to win 20 games in 1971, a feat unmatched by any team as of 2025.
- Position
- Starting Pitcher
- Throws
- Left-handed
- Primary Team
- Baltimore Orioles (1962–1974)
- World Series Titles
- 2
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
McNally's career was defined by resilience and dominance, particularly during his peak years from 1968 to 1971. After battling a calcium deposit in his elbow in 1967 that limited his second half, he returned as the American League Comeback Player of the Year with 22 wins. He formed a formidable trio with Jim Palmer and Mike Cuellar, contributing to a rotation that included Pat Dobson to create history in 1971 as the last team to have four 20-game winners. McNally was known for his shutouts, including a Game 2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1966 World Series and a shutout against the California Angels on August 4, 1965. Even when injuries struck, such as missing six weeks in 1971, he managed to secure a World Series win in relief during Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In Their Own Story
On September 26, 1962, a nervous 19-year-old McNally stepped onto the mound for his first major league start against the Kansas City Athletics. 'I was scared to death,' he later recalled, yet he threw a shutout, limiting the opposition to just two hits in nine innings. Years later, on October 1, 1965, he delivered another perfect performance, throwing a no-hitter until Don Lock hit a double in the seventh inning for a 2–0 victory over Cleveland. In the 1970 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, McNally showcased his offensive grit by hitting a grand slam in Game 3, helping secure a five-game championship. His journey wasn't without struggle; facing the Oakland Athletics in the playoffs in both 1973 and 1974, he lost both games he pitched before requesting a trade to Montreal for a change of scenery.
Reader's Guide
McNally played for the Baltimore Orioles from 1962 through 1974, with his final year split between Baltimore and the Montreal Expos. He made his debut in September 1962 and quickly established himself as a starter after an emergency start on April 20, 1963, against Cleveland. Fans should note his unique path to the majors: he attended Billings Central Catholic High School but played baseball for the American Legion's Billings Royals due to the school lacking a team. His career highlights include three All-Star selections (1969, 1972) and leading the AL with 24 wins in 1970. After retiring halfway through 1975 citing an inability to throw his fastball, he joined a grievance against the reserve clause that led to the historic Seitz decision creating free agency.
Did You Know?
- McNally was one of four pitchers on the 1971 Orioles to win 20 games, a feat no other team has matched as of 2025.
- He hit a grand slam in Game 3 of the 1970 World Series and won a game in relief during the 1971 World Series.
- McNally threw a shutout in his very first major league start on September 26, 1962.
- After his father died in the Battle of Okinawa before he turned three, McNally was raised by his mother who worked in a welfare office.
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