Denny McLain earned his 30th win of the 1968 season on September 14th. McLain threw a complete game against the Oakland Athletics. He would surrender 4 runs on 6 hits while striking out 10 and walking only 1.
McLain made 41 appearances during the regular season in ’68. Of those appearances 28 were complete games including 6 shutouts. At one point McLain threw seven consecutive complete games from June 20th until July 16th earning a win in each. He would end the regular season with a record of 31-6, throwing 336.0 innings surrendering only 73 earned runs (1.96 ERA) striking out 280 and walking only 63.
Despite being convicted of racketeering, extortion and drug dealing in 1985, which were eventually overturned due to procedural violations in 1987, and also convicted for conspiracy, theft, money laundering and mail fraud in 1996 Denny McLain was a huge part of the Detroit Tigers World Championship season in 1968. He would end his career with a 131-91 record with a 3.39 ERA and career WAR of 19.3. It is possible that McLain could be the last pitcher to ever win 30 games in a single season in the Major Leagues.