Lindy McDaniel was a professional baseball player who played as a pitcher for various teams in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for over two decades. He was born on December 13, 1935, in Hollis, Oklahoma, and grew up in a family of baseball players. His father and two older brothers were also professional baseball players.
McDaniel started his baseball career in the minor leagues in 1955, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals' farm team. He made his MLB debut in 1955, at the age of 19, with the Cardinals. He played for the Cardinals for 12 seasons, from 1955 to 1962 and from 1966 to 1970. During his time with the Cardinals, he established himself as a reliable relief pitcher, known for his durability and consistency. He was also known for his ability to throw a variety of pitches, including a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup.
In 1963, McDaniel was traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he played for three seasons. He then played for the San Francisco Giants for one season before returning to the Cardinals in 1966. In 1971, he was traded to the New York Yankees, where he played for three seasons. He then played for the Kansas City Royals for one season before retiring in 1975.
McDaniel's career statistics are impressive. He played in 987 games, pitched 2139.1 innings, and had a career record of 141-119 with an ERA of 3.45. He also had 174 saves, which was a record at the time of his retirement. He was named an All-Star in 1960 and 1963 and won the National League Fireman of the Year award in 1960 and 1963.
McDaniel was known for his professionalism and work ethic. He was a dedicated player who took his job seriously and always put the team first. He was also known for his kindness and generosity off the field. He was a devout Christian who often spoke about his faith and used his platform as a professional athlete to spread his message.
After retiring from baseball, McDaniel became a minister and worked as a chaplain for the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros. He also worked as a motivational speaker and wrote several books, including "The Role of a Lifetime" and "A Winning Faith." He passed away on November 14, 2020, at the age of 84.
In conclusion, Lindy McDaniel was a talented and dedicated baseball player who had a successful career spanning over two decades. He was known for his reliability, consistency, and professionalism on the field, as well as his kindness and generosity off the field. He will be remembered as one of the great relief pitchers of his time and a true ambassador for the game of baseball.
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