| I am listing some of the achievements in baseball | | | | Cardinals. He was the last man to win 30 before |
| that I have a deep appreciation for. | | | | Denny McLain. Since Denny McLain won his 30; no |
| This list will continue to grow as I think about this | | | | one has accomplished that number. Over the last |
| great game. | | | | 71 baseball seasons (from 1934 to 2005) Denny |
| Hank Aaron - Hitting 715 Home Runs - Okay 755 | | | | McLainhas been the only pitcher to win 30 games |
| Home Runs | | | | in a season. Many pitchers won 30 prior to Dizzy's |
| What must it have been like to chase a legend? | | | | great 1934 season, like Walter Johnson, Smoky |
| Babe Ruth's record of 714 lifetime homers was a | | | | Joe Wood, and Christy Mathewson to name a |
| record I never thought would be passed. I read | | | | few. Grover Cleveland Alexander won 30 or |
| and heard on television what it was like when | | | | more, three years in a row. Denny Mclain sure |
| Hank approached Babe's magic number of 714 | | | | had one heck of a year in 1968. |
| lifetime round trippers. Hank received hate mail. | | | | Yankees Winning Five World Championships from |
| Some of the letters were threats to kill him. | | | | 1949 to 1953 |
| Imagine getting a letter describing how you would | | | | Excellence personified. - Putting it all into |
| be shot while you stood in the outfield. The FBI | | | | perspective of what a great run of World |
| was called in to investigate some of the letters | | | | Championships that was. There were few teams |
| Hank received. Through it all Hank Aaron | | | | have put together long championship runs, in any |
| continued his climb and finally surpass the Bambino. | | | | sport. Winning twice in a row is quite an |
| An amazing accomplishment given the | | | | accomplishment. Winning three times in a row has |
| circumstances. His detractors were actively trying | | | | only happened twice in baseball history from 1900 |
| to annoy,threaten and distract Hank. Just for | | | | to present day. The Oakland A's did it from 1972 |
| being a great player and being black. Just for | | | | to 1974. |
| playing, and excelling at the game he loved to | | | | With Reggie Jackson, Joe Rudi and Rollie Fingers |
| play. | | | | leading the team. And the New York Yankees |
| Barry Bonds Hitting 73 Home Runs in 2001 | | | | from 1998 to 2000 with Derek Jeter, Bernie |
| At the age of 36 Barry Bonds put on a hitting | | | | Williams and Mariano Rivera also had a three peat. |
| display that captured America's attention. People | | | | The Yanks won four in a row from 1936 to 1939 |
| that were not tuned to baseball, started to glance | | | | with Lou Gehrig Joe DiMaggio, Bill Dickey and |
| at this display of power. Yeah, I know it has been | | | | Lefty Gomez.The Yankees hit the all time streak |
| said that he took steroids. While I am not | | | | with their teams from 1949 to 1953. Joe |
| condoning the use of steroids - I am appreciative | | | | DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Phil Rizzuto |
| of the year he had. Balls were flying all over and | | | | and Whitey Ford anchored those teams. Beating |
| out of the field. McCovey Cove, a boat basin just | | | | Brooklyn in '49,'52, '53 Philadelphia in '50 and the |
| beyond the right field stands, had boat people | | | | Giants in '51. |
| docked and poised to catch the next Bonds home | | | | Winning two years in a row is pretty tough. Three |
| run. Fans were suing each other for a home run | | | | years very tough. Four and five year runs are |
| hit into the bleachers. This was an amazing display | | | | next to impossible. It is a test of endurance, a will |
| of power. There seemed to be a frenzy | | | | to win and focusing on what needs to be done. |
| associated with Barry's climb to immortality. | | | | Feel free to pass this article on to anyone you |
| Denny McLain winning 30 Games In 1968 In 1934 | | | | think would be pleased to read it. |
| Dizzy Dean won 30 games for the St Louis | | | | |