Finally, in 1969, Drysdale’s Arm Gave Out : Last game: Reporter remembers his scoop on pitcher’s retirement, and the sad circumstances of it.

It was the middle of an otherwise routine Tuesday evening baseball game, Aug. 5, 1969, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Dodgers’ Don Drysdale was struggling.

A young sportswriter working for the Associated Press sitting in the Dodger Stadium press box, I kept score as Drysdale gave up eight hits, including a home run to Manny Sanguillen, through the first six innings.

It wasn’t a great performance for a man who held baseball’s record for consecutive scoreless innings and consecutive shutouts. And anyone who knew Drysdale knew that he was inclined to smack the water cooler and hurl his mitt with force when he performed below his expectations.

Drysdale, though struggling with a sore arm, was a fierce competitor, as tough as anyone I’d interviewed in the big leagues, so it was surprising to see him calm and not particularly upset when he left the game for a reliever in the seventh.

I knew that sportswriters weren’t permitted into the clubhouses until after games ended, but I had to chance it this once because Drysdale’s demeanor was atypical. Moreover, he had met earlier in the week with Dodger officials to discuss his future.

Tentatively, I entered the Dodgers’ clubhouse during the eighth inning. Drysdale sat in the quiet den, removing his spikes.

I approached and asked how he felt.

“Awful,” he said. “This is it.”

“It?” I asked.

“I can’t take any more medication for the arm. It’s not responding. I believe I should be taken off the active list to make room for a pitcher who can help the club.”

I asked if he was retiring. He shook his head yes. “I’ve spoken with Ginger (his wife) and Mr. O’Malley about this . . . “

Soon the game ended and the other players filed in. I left the clubhouse heading for the elevator back to the press box. Then I spotted Alex Kahn, a rival sportswriter from United Press International.

He had just left the Pirates’ clubhouse, where he had interviewed the 11-3 winners.

“Anything happen in there?” he said, pointing to the Dodger clubhouse.

“Nope,” I lied, and then hustled to a phone to get the story on the retirement of one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.

UPI didn’t get the story until the next day.