McNally's career took off in 1968 when he won 22 games, becoming the first of four consecutive seasons where he won 20 or more games. This achievement made him one of the key figures in the Orioles' rotation, alongside other notable players like Jim Palmer and Mike Cuellar. McNally's performance was instrumental in leading the Orioles to win the American League pennant in 1969, 1970, and 1971, and the World Series Championship in 1970.
One of McNally's most memorable moments came during the 1970 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. In Game 3, he became the first pitcher in World Series history to hit a grand slam, contributing significantly to the Orioles' victory. His pitching was equally impressive, as he won both of his starts in the series, allowing only one run in 18 innings.
In 1974, McNally was traded to the Montreal Expos, where he played for two seasons before retiring in June 1975 due to arm injuries. Despite his relatively short stint with the Expos, McNally left a lasting impact on the sport through his involvement in the landmark Seitz decision. In 1975, he and fellow player Andy Messersmith challenged the reserve clause, which bound players to their teams indefinitely. The case went to arbitration, and in December 1975, arbitrator Peter Seitz ruled in favor of the players, effectively creating free agency in baseball.
Over his 14-season career, McNally recorded 184 wins, a 3.24 earned run average (ERA), and 1,512 strikeouts. He was a three-time All-Star and finished in the top five in Cy Young Award voting twice. McNally was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame in 1978.
Dave McNally passed away in 2002, but his legacy lives on. His contributions to the Orioles' golden era, his historic grand slam, and his role in transforming player rights have cemented his place in baseball history.
⚾