Ex-Dodgers pitcher Danny McDevitt dies at 78

COVINGTON, Ga. - Danny McDevitt, the former Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher who won the team's final game at Ebbets Field in 1957, has died. He was 78.

His daughter-in-law, Kristie McDevitt, said McDevitt died Saturday of unknown causes and was buried on Tuesday in Covington, near his home in Social Circle.

McDevitt, a lefthander, was 21-27 with seven saves in seven major league seasons with the Dodgers in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, the Yankees, Twins and Kansas City Athletics.

He is remembered for striking out nine Pirates and allowed five hits in a complete-game 2-0 victory over Pittsburgh for the Dodgers on Sept. 24, 1957, in the team's last home game in Brooklyn.

McDevitt followed the Dodgers to Los Angeles the following year. He was 7-4 with a 3.25 ERA as a rookie in 1957 and was 10-8 with five saves for Los Angeles in 1959.

He finished his playing career with Kansas City in 1962 before working with the federal Economic Development Administration in Atlanta. He also worked in real estate and managed a Christmas tree farm in Social Circle, Ga.

Kristie McDevitt, who married McDevitt's son, Daniel, said the family was constantly amazed by the attention he drew throughout his life due to his role in Brooklyn Dodgers history.

"No matter how fast you threw a ball or how many games you won, there's no way of doing that again," she said. "Only one pitcher could win that last game."

- AP