Dave McNally dies at age 60

[NYYFAN]

REST IN PEACE

I remember him hitting a grand slam in the World Series...


http://espn.go.com/classic/obit/s/20...2/1469981.html

Monday, December 2, 2002
McNally won 20 games four straight seasons
Associated Press



BILLINGS, Mont. -- Dave McNally, a three-time All-Star whose landmark victory in an arbitration case opened baseball's free-agent era and led to multimillion-dollar salaries, died of cancer at age 60.

McNally died late Sunday, John Michelotti of Michelotti Sawyers & Nordquist Funeral Home said Monday.

McNally, who won 20 or more games in four straight seasons from 1968 to 1971, quit baseball in June 1975 after starting the season 3-6 with Montreal. Even though he said he was retired, the Expos offered him $125,000 to sign a contract.

He refused and joined Andy Messersmith of the Los Angeles Dodgers in a grievance filed by the Major League Baseball Players Association, claiming the teams couldn't renew their contracts in perpetuity.

Arbitrator Peter Seitz agreed with them, issuing the decision on Dec. 23, 1975, that overturned baseball's century-old reserve clause. Owners and the union then negotiated a labor deal under which players could become free agents after they had played in the major leagues for six seasons.

With teams competing to sign the top stars, the average salary rose from $44,000 in 1975 to $2.38 million at the start of this season.

"That was one of the most momentous days in baseball history,'' baseball commissioner Bud Selig said as the 25th anniversary approached two years ago.

"The difference between winning and losing was billions and billions of dollars, maybe tens of billions of dollars,'' said Dick Moss, the lawyer who argued the case for the players' association.

[NYYFAN]

Stats on Dave:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mcnalda01.shtml

His World Series grand slam was against Cinn. in 1970

[wexy]

R.I.P. Dave McNally .

He was part of that great Oriole pitching staff

[BobbyMurcerFan]

Originally posted by wexy
R.I.P. Dave McNally .

He was part of that great Oriole pitching staff

May I repeat what you said.

[Michaels07]

Bet he`s piching to the Babe now, in that big ball park in the sky.

[DJeter1287]

RIP.

[Slippery Elm]

Just 60 years old??

Terrible.

[JDPNYY]

Forever to be linked with Mike Cuellar, Pat Dobson & Jim Palmer as most probably the last 4 guys from the same team (in the same year) to each win 20 or more games.

Very sad to see he died so young. Rest in peace Dave.

[Slippery Elm]

I just checked his stats. Rather similar to Ron Guidry.

[sirbuntsalot2002]

Originally posted by JDPNYY
Forever to be linked with Mike Cuellar, Pat Dobson & Jim Palmer as most probably the last 4 guys from the same team (in the same year) to each win 20 or more games.

Very sad to see he died so young. Rest in peace Dave.

------------------------------------------

That Oriole pitching was one of the most dominant core units I ever watched. They demolished 'good hitting'. Imagine over 80 wins from those terrible 4... wow. Today's staffs are so weak in comparison. Inasmuch as I hated them, I respected them... and, our Yanks were their doormats more often than not.

Go easy Dave...

[Sixty one]

He was a great pitcher who reminded me of Whitey Ford when he was pitching and hitting. I know he had several 20 game wins per year but am not sure how many. He died too young!! May he rest in peace!

[Derave]

Originally posted by JDPNYY
Forever to be linked with Mike Cuellar, Pat Dobson & Jim Palmer as most probably the last 4 guys from the same team (in the same year) to each win 20 or more games.

Very sad to see he died so young. Rest in peace Dave.

What a pitcher and what a year! Gone way too soon.

Derryn