Orel Leonard Hershiser IV embarked on a remarkable 18-season career in Major League Baseball, playing from 1983 to 2000. Known for his strategic pitching and ability to outthink batters, Hershiser's path to becoming a World Series champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988 was anything but straightforward. His professional journey began with skepticism from scouts and included significant personal and professional challenges, ultimately culminating
in a celebrated career that extended beyond the pitcher's mound into coaching, broadcasting, and even professional poker.
Early Career and Overcoming Skepticism
Hershiser's professional baseball career began when the Los Angeles Dodgers selected him in the 17th round of the 1979 Major League Baseball draft. The initial scouting report on him was far from glowing, noting poor control, a weak fastball, and an incorrect curveball delivery. The report also questioned his mental fortitude, stating he rattled easily and had questionable makeup. Despite these early assessments, Hershiser persevered through the minor leagues, starting his journey with the San Antonio Dodgers in AA, where he primarily worked as a reliever.
During his time in San Antonio, Hershiser experienced a significant low point in his career. After leading the league in saves, he endured a road trip where he gave up 20 runs in just seven innings. This difficult period led him to consider quitting baseball, but his manager and pitching coach ultimately convinced him to continue. This early struggle highlights a resilience that would become a hallmark of his career, as he moved up to the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes of the Pacific Coast League in 1982. That season, he posted a 9–6 record with a 3.71 ERA in 47 games, making seven starts. He was nearly traded to the Texas Rangers that year, but the deal fell through when catcher Jim Sundberg requested a contract re-write.
Ascending to the Majors and Breakthrough Success
In 1983, Hershiser continued with the Albuquerque Dukes, where he was briefly reunited with pitching coach Rocky Giordani. He finished the season with a 10–8 record and a 4.09 ERA in 49 games, which included 10 starts and 16 saves. Despite winning the Mulvey Award as the Dodgers' top rookie in spring training that year, he was sent back to Albuquerque, indicating that his path to the major leagues was still a work in progress. However, his persistence paid off, and he made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 1, 1983, as a reliever against the Montreal Expos.
Hershiser's first full season in the majors in 1984 saw him secure his first MLB win on April 5 against the St. Louis Cardinals. He made his first start on May 26 against the New York Mets, pitching 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision. By July, he became a regular starter, finishing the season with an 11–8 record and a 2.66 ERA in 45 games, including four shutouts. His performance earned him a third-place finish in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. The following year, 1985, was even more impressive, as he led MLB in winning percentage with a 19–3 record and a 2.03 ERA. He made his postseason debut that October, appearing in two games during the Dodgers' National League Championship Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Unforgettable 1988 Season and Beyond
The pinnacle of Hershiser's career arrived in 1988, a season that cemented his legacy. He earned his second All-Star selection and led the league in wins (23), shutouts (8), complete games (15), and innings pitched (267), while also posting the third-best ERA in the National League (2.26). A historic moment occurred on August 30 when he began a streak of 59 consecutive scoreless innings, breaking Don Drysdale's 1968 record. This remarkable streak concluded on September 28, in the final game of the regular season against the San Diego Padres.
His dominance continued into the postseason. In the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets, he started three games and appeared in one as a reliever, earning a save in Game 4 and pitching a shutout in the decisive Game 7, for which he was named MVP. Hershiser then led the Dodgers to a World Series victory over the Oakland Athletics, pitching a shutout in Game 2 and securing his second win in Game 5 to clinch the championship. He was named the World Series MVP and unanimously won the Cy Young Award as the National League's best pitcher. He also received a Gold Glove Award for his fielding. Hershiser continued to play for the Dodgers until 1994, later joining the Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and returning to the Dodgers for his final season in 2000. After retiring as a player, he transitioned to a pitching coach role for the Texas Rangers from 2002 to 2005, became a broadcast color analyst for the Dodgers, and even pursued a career as a professional poker player, showcasing his diverse talents and enduring connection to the game.
