July 14, 1963 - Early Wynn, 43 years old, scored his 300th major league pitching victory yesterday as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Kansas City Athletics, 7-4, in the second game of a doubleheader. The A’s won the opener, 6-5. Wynn, the 14th major league pitcher to win 300, lasted only 5 innings, the minimum distance a starter has to hurl to be credited with a victory. Warren Spahn of the Milwaukee Braves is the only other active major leaguer in the 300-victory circle. At the clubhouse door, Wynn’s teammates gave him a rousing cheer. “Here’s the last ball,” shouted Cleveland’s catcher, John Romano. “I know it will bring back memories long after you’re through with baseball. I didn’t let anybody touch it after I caught it. We’re all proud of you.” Wynn said the strain of trying for No. 300 became hard to bear. “Every pitch got to be a great effort,” he said in the noisy Indian clubhouse. “I tried to make every pitch perfect. Now I’ll be able to relax and look forward to more victories. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s really worth it. I’ve pitched much better games and lost, so it all evens out in the long run.” Wynn complimented Jerry Walker, his roommate, who nailed down today’s victory in relief. “I felt better with Jerry out there, better than if I was still in,” Wynn declared. “Jerry and I are going to have a party. I’m going to buy him the biggest steak he ever had.” Walker was just as happy as Wynn. “This was my first save this season. It couldn’t have been for a finer guy. We all think a lot of Pappy.”
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