We’re Contacted by Son of Former Major Leaguer, Don McMahon!

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 Don McMahon and the 1957 World Series Photo Gallery
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We’re Contacted by Son of Former Major Leaguer, Don McMahon!

“Don McMahon was a great man, an outstanding person.  He loved to pitch…He was a tough guy, a hard worker…I loved him like a brother.”  –Tommy Lasorda

One of the great perks of this “job” here at Old-Time Baseball Photos is being contacted by relatives of former major leaguers. I recently had an interesting phone conversation with Frank McMahon, whose dad, Don McMahon, had a remarkable 18-year career (1957-1974) in the “Bigs.” Frank is understandably very proud of his dad, who he described as a “great husband and father who had a big heart. He was as honest as the day is long.”

After five and a half years in the minors and two years in the military, Don made his major league debut on June 30, 1957 at age 27. He played for the Braves (1957-’62), Colt .45s (1962-’63), Indians (1964-’66), Red Sox (1966-’67), White Sox (1967-’68), Tigers (1968-’69), and Giants (1969-’74).

Over his career, Don compiled a 90-68 record (.570), with a sparkling 2.96 ERA in 874 games, all but two in relief. In 10 post-season appearances, which included four pennants, three World Series (1957, ’58, ’68), and one National League Championship series, Don posted a stellar 3.38 ERA. Following his playing days, he was pitching coach for the Giants (twice), Twins, and Indians; and later a scout for the Dodgers.

The 6’2”, 215 lb. right-hander was one of the major leagues’ most dependable relievers, never spending a single day on the disabled list. A 1958 All-Star, he finished in the top ten seven times for games pitched and for saves; eight times for games finished; and once for winning percentage.

Don retired about a month after recording his 1000^th strikeout at age 44 on May 27, 1974 when he was the oldest player in the majors. At the time, only Hoyt Wilhelm, Lindy McDaniel, and Cy Young had pitched in more games. He currently ranks 20^th on the all-time list of hits allowed per nine innings (7.74). On top of all that, he was the first player ever to be driven in from the bull pen – on a Hawley-Davison scooter no less!

And how about this remarkable stat: Over his career, Don held Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Johnny Bench, Harmon Killebrew, Bill Mazeroski, Joe Morgan, Stan Musial, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, and Willie Stargell to a .149 collective batting average (28-for-188). Now that’s remarkable!

Frank McMahon shared a few interesting stories about his dad. He remarked how competitive his dad was in everything he did – including even backyard pick-up hoops:  

“When you played against my dad in anything, you had to expect to lose, because he had to win. In basketball he had a deadly hook shot that was impossible to stop. He could have made it blindfolded. Even when his friend from Erasmus High School in Brooklyn, Frank Torre, called him on the phone, Frank would have to wait on the line until my dad won the hoops game – and only then would he come to the phone.”

When I asked Frank what it was like to be the son of a major leaguer, he responded that it was a wonderful experience, with stories he’ll always treasure, especially from his days as the Giants’ batboy. Frank was on first names basis with many of the Giant and Twins players, including Mike Sadeck, Rod Carew, Lyman Bostock, Bobby Bonds, and Chris Speier. Willie Mays even gave Frank one of his actual gloves. He also remembers fondly the Giants’ clubhouse manager, Mike Murphy, who Frank thinks is still with the team.  But being the son of a player didn’t come without its hazards, too:

“One time after a game, I went into the clubhouse to feast on the club house spread. Apparently I ate too much and even took more than my share of the candy. Carew and Bostock actually picked me up by my feet and tried to stuff me in a trash can!”

When Frank was very young, his grade school teacher asked the kids in the class to tell what their dads’ did for a living. Frank at the time was unaware his dad was a ball player, and responded that “my dad is a painter,” because every winter Don would be at home painting the house. The teacher, knowing Don was a major league pitcher, was alarmed and called Frank’s mother asking if something had happened to Don’s career!

During the off-season, the McMahon family lived in Garden Grove, California; but once the season rolled around, the family rented out the house.  Frank, along with his mother and five siblings would all travel with Don to whatever city he was playing in.

An excellent all-around athlete, Don loved playing touch football with all the kids in the neighborhood. “Of course, he was the quarterback for both teams.” But Don always made sure all the kids were involved and everybody touched the ball, no matter how many kids were in the game.

When he was pitching coach for the Twins, Don had a rather “unique” way of getting to the park. On the days when the Twins played at home, Frank’s mother would drop Don off on one side of the freeway. He would then dodge oncoming cars as he darted across the freeway to the other side and then entered the park. Fortunately for the McMahon family, he made it across safely every time!

Frank also remarked that his dad had – shall we say – a rather loud voice, and wasn’t opposed to using it, often directed at his son Frank. Once when Frank was playing left field and his dad was hitting fly balls, he projected a stream of loud, unending shouts at Frank. His teammates later commented, “Gee, Frank…all he does is yell!”

But Don also had a big heart, especially when it came to kids. When he retired from baseball, he became a salesman for Rawlings, the major league glove company. One time Don absentmindedly placed a bag full of major league gloves on the roof of his car and inadvertently drove off.  When he got to his destination, the bag was nowhere to be found. A search of the McMahon household failed to produce it. A day later, Don spotted some neighborhood kids playing baseball with his Rawlings gloves. Suddenly he realized what had happened. Don talked to the kids’ mother and retrieved the bag. But he made sure the kids all got to keep their Rawlings gloves.

Frank told one story of Don’s exploits while playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic. After winning about five games in a row, he apparently caused one local big shot gambler to lose about ten grand; and so a “hit” was placed on Don’s head. According to Don’s mother, it was all they could do to get Don safely out of the country and back home.    

Frank McMahon currently resides in New Castle, Indiana. He inherited the “baseball blood” from his dad and has spent many years coaching youth baseball at different levels, including Babe Ruth and Little League, with many regional titles and championships to his credit. He is currently the freshman baseball coach at the high school in New Castle.

Don McMahon passed away on July 22, 1987, aged 57, suffering a heart attack while doing what he loved best: on the mound pitching batting practice to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tommy Lasorda was at his side on that sad day. He is survived by his wife Darlene, and five of his six children.

Thanks to Frank McMahon for sharing all this interesting information about his dad, Don McMahon, who was one heck of a pitcher and one heck of a man!

Gary Livacari 

Photo Credits: All from Google search

Information: Excerpts edited from Don McMahon Wikipedia page; and from phone conversation with Frank McMahon; stats from Baseball-Reference

Check out my two books, both now available on Amazon in e-book and paperback:  “Paul Pryor in His Own Words: The Life and TImes of a 20-Year Major League Umpire”and “Memorable World Series Moments.” All profits go to the Illinois Veterans Foundation