The Untold Secret Behind Gibson and McLain’s Legendary ’68 Speedy Changeup Showdown

1968 World Series. Game 1. Forever remembered as Bob Gibson’s Day. The St. Louis Cardinals pitcher recorded a shutout while notching a still standing postseason record of 17 strikeouts in the pitchers duel of pitchers duels against Denny McLain after both had won the MVP and Cy Young awards in their respective leagues.
Set against a backdrop of an ever-changing America, the country’s national pastime was also set to go through a revolution in an attempt to level the balance between pitching and offense by leveling the mound, Chris DeSalvo and Kevin Chroust (along with a heavy dose of Harry Caray!) head back to Busch Stadium to relive this memorable day.

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Game 1 of the 1968 World Series wasn’t just a baseball game — it was a showdown that still echoes through the annals of sports history. Picture this: Bob Gibson, the indomitable ace of the St. Louis Cardinals, towering on the mound, unleashing 17 strikeouts—an unbroken postseason record to this day—against Denny McLain, a Cy Young and MVP winner himself. Have you ever wondered what it takes to dominate on a stage where giants clash? The duel wasn’t just about the players; it was a mirror to an America on the cusp of change, with baseball itself poised to reshape its very heart by leveling the mound to balance offense and pitching. Chris DeSalvo, Kevin Chroust, and the unmistakable voice of Harry Caray transport us back to Busch Stadium, unpacking the magic and madness of a day when the sport’s future hung in the balance. Curious to dive deeper into this electrifying moment? LEARN MORE.
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