Orel Hershiser
Bulldog: The 1988 Cy Young winner who set a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings and led the Dodgers to a World Series title.
Orel Leonard Hershiser IV (born September 16, 1958) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1983 to 2000. He later became a pitching coach for the Texas Rangers from 2002 to 2005 and a broadcast color analyst for the Dodgers. He is also a professional poker player.
- Role
- Hall of Fame Pitcher (Dodgers)
- Affiliation
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Status
- Retired / Hall of Famer
- Key Achievement
- 1988 World Series MVP
- Notable Feat
- Record 59 consecutive scoreless innings
Lore & Background
Known for his slight frame and fierce competitive spirit, Hershiser was nicknamed 'Bulldog' by former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, who managed Hershiser during his time with the Dodgers. After 12 seasons with the Dodgers, Hershiser spent time with the Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, and New York Mets before returning to Los Angeles for his final season.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Dodger Stadium was thick with anticipation as Orel Hershiser stepped onto the mound for the fourth inning. The Yankees batter, a veteran slugger known for his power against lefties and righties alike, dug into the batter's box, eyes locked on the pitcher. Hershiser wound up, his delivery smooth and almost effortless, before unleashing a fastball that seemed to jump out of his hand. It cracked against the catcher's mitt with a sharp pop, and the umpire called it a strike. The crowd roared, knowing another Yankee threat had been silenced by the man who refused to yield.
Reader's Guide
Hershiser's most successful season came in 1988, when he set a major league record by pitching 59 consecutive innings without allowing a run. He helped lead the Dodgers to a championship in the 1988 World Series, and was named the National League Championship Series MVP and the World Series MVP. That season, he won the NL Cy Young Award and an NL Gold Glove Award. He later pitched in two more World Series and earned the American League Championship Series MVP Award.
Did You Know?
- Hershiser was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 17th round of the 1979 MLB draft.
- He set a single-game strikeout record for his high school in 1976, retiring 15 batters in a game against Deptford.
- Hershiser pitched a no-hitter against Kent State on May 4, 1979, during his college career at Bowling Green State University.
- He was almost included in a trade with the Texas Rangers in 1982, but the deal fell through.
- Hershiser's 59 consecutive scoreless innings broke the previous record of 58⅔ innings held by former Dodger Don Drysdale.
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