The Stomped Toe That Made Baseball Strip His Momentum

A former ace signs autographs behind a convenience counter, work-release from prison - how did baseball’s peak expose him? The Stomped Toe That Made Baseball Strip His Momentum In this episode, we trace the arc from a small-town boy who threw a no-hitter in his minor-league debut to the man whose thirty-one-win season was followed by suspensions, allegations, and a public fall from grace. We outline the moments, partners, and decisions that shifted his career and ask when the warning signs first appeared. Person: Dennis Dale McLain Date of birth: March 29, 1944 Location: Sterling Heights, Michigan; Markham, Illinois Career high: 31 wins in one season Event: February 1970 indefinite suspension by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn - At nineteen he debuted in the majors for the Detroit Tigers after a no-hitter with sixteen strikeouts in the minors. - By twenty-two he was an All-Star starter who also performed professionally as an organist and chased celebrity off the field. - In late 1967 he vanished from the rotation; the team cited a toe injury that cost the Tigers in the pennant race. - Years later magazine reports claimed the toe was stomped by a man tied to organized crime over an unpaid gambling debt. - In February 1970 Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspended McLain indefinitely amid published gambling and bookmaking allegations. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].