Apr. 20, 1963 - Dave McNally (pictured), 20-year-old Oriole rookie, stepped into an emergency in Baltimore today. In the process, he may have stepped into permanent baseball employment in Baltimore. While 4,715 Memorial Stadium customers and 829 “Kids Day” guests admired his handiwork, McNally turned back the Cleveland Indians, 8-1, on a 7-hit masterpiece that moved the Orioles into undisputed possession of first place. McNally received his opportunity after medical examination Thursday of Chuck Estrada’s sore arm disclosed a “tender right elbow.” Estrada at his best couldn’t have done much better than his replacement did today. The poised left-hander from Billings, Montana, struck out nine Indians and walked only two. On offense, the Birds launched an 11-hit production against a number of Cleveland hurlers. Heroes in the Oriole hit parade were Luis Aparicio, who singled twice to drive three mates across and stole his fourth and fifth bags of the season; Al Smith, who slammed three hits while boosting his average to .424; and Brooks Robinson, who emerged from a slump with a double and two singles. “I need three more tomorrow,” Brooks said with a smile. “If you keep swinging, sooner or later you’ll get the base knocks. That’s the first time I got two hits this year, let alone three.” But it was McNally who was the talk of both clubhouses. “Only 20, you say?” asked Birdie Tebbetts, former star catcher and now manager of the Indians. “He certainly looks like he knows how to pitch for a kid only 20 years old. He’s got motion and knows what he’s doing. Good control of all his pitches and knew where they were going. Looks like a fine pitcher.” The Oriole manager was equally high on McNally’s 1963 debut. “Dave did a magnificent job,” said Billy Hitchcock. “He was around the plate all day, real good control.” How did McNally feel about it all? “It was wonderful,” said the young man with a smile. “I think I can pitch here. I hope I get another chance to start.”
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