But after baseball, McLains life fell apart, and he spent time in prison.
He talks about triumph, disgrace and the road to redemption.
You won 31 games in 1968 the only player to win 30 since the 1930s.
What is the most memorable moment from that season?
They mobbed the wrong plane!
But that celebration was a moment frozen in time.
What did your arm feel like at seasons end?
I couldnt wipe myself in the toilet.
The longer I pitched (10 seasons), the worse it became.
Today, my rotator cuff is severed.
I am not going to cry about it, butI am in pain all the time.
Your right shoulder had regular cortisone shots.
Did that cut your career short?
I had 230 to 240 shots, but it didnt work out over time.
The cortisone didnt cure anything; it took away the inflammation.
It allowed me to win more games because I was in my prime.
You gotta do what you gotta do when you gotta do it.
Voters long ago passed on you for the Hall of Fame.
I had a lot of shutouts and complete games.
My family is hurt much more than I am.
I have the memory and the thrill of being a player thats my Hall of Fame.
The fan recognition is incredibly flattering.
Nobody enjoyed the one-on-one competition as much as I did.
After retiring from baseball, I played golf every day for money for about 20 years.
It was in my DNA.
Was that part of what led to your troubles with the law?
When my baseball career ended, I was at a loss in many ways.
History accurately depicts a guy that was out of control.
I went through money like it was water.
Looking for opportunities, I got involved with people I should not have.
I paid the price in more ways than one.
I hurt my family in numerous ways.
I am sorry, very sorry.
But I cannot change the past.
