Orel Hershiser's 59-Inning Scoreless Streak

Lore & Background

The streak surpassed Don Drysdale's previous record of 58+2⁄3 innings set in 1968. Drysdale, then the Dodgers' radio announcer, called Hershiser's streak as he pursued the new record. During the streak, the Elias Sports Bureau changed its criteria for the official consecutive scoreless innings record for starting pitchers from including fractional innings to counting only complete scoreless innings. Hershiser's streak includes only regular-season innings, excluding eight scoreless innings he pitched to start Game 1 of the 1988 National League Championship Series.

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed overhead as Hershiser wiped his cap against the mound dirt. Silence fell over the crowd, holding their breath for every pitch. He nodded at the catcher, wound up, and delivered with surgical precision. In that quiet moment on the diamond, history was being written without a single run allowed.

Reader's Guide

Hershiser was selected by the Dodgers in the 17th round of the 1979 MLB draft. He made his major league debut on September 1, 1983, against the Montreal Expos. During the streak, he relied on a fastball, slider, curveball, and split-finger fastball. He was named NL Pitcher of the Month in April 1988 and participated in the 1988 All-Star Game. Following the regular season, he won the NL Cy Young Award, the NL Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award, and the World Series MVP Award. He also earned Sportsman of the Year and Associated Press Athlete of the Year honors.

Did You Know?

• The streak began after Tim Raines scored with two outs in the fifth inning on August 30, 1988.
• During the streak, opposing hitters batted 0-for-9 with runners on third and 0-for-31 with runners in scoring position.
• The record-setting game was not broadcast on local television in Los Angeles.
• Hershiser's streak included 41 of 59 scoreless innings on the road.
• The Dodgers scored only 13 runs in support of Hershiser's 59 innings.