Deacon. Dismal. Danny.

Today is the birthday of Danny MacFayden, born in North Truro, Massachusetts, 1905.

When Danny MacFayden made his MLB debut in 1926, he dawned pair of thin-rimmed spectacles that journalist John Kieran said made him look “like an instructor in advanced chemistry.” The first-ever American League pitcher to wear glasses on the mound, MacFayden was an easy target for taunts and insults. But hardened by the obstacles he faced throughout his life, the stern righty, nicknamed “Deacon Danny,” carved out a 17-year pro career that was highlighted by an exhibition, not an official game.

The adversity Danny faced started at age four with the passing of his father. Raised by his hardworking mom, Sarah, and his uncle Joshua Knowles, who adopted him, MacFayden and his family moved just outside of Boston from Cape Cod in 1920.

Six years later, Danny’s pro career started quickly and without much attention. Boston Red Sox owner Bob Quinn saw MacFayden pitch in a semipro game and reportedly signed him on the spot. His first five years, he was a decent pitcher on a terrible team; the Sox finished in last every season.

In 1929, though, MacFayden led the league in shutouts with four. One of those came against the vaunted New York Yankees, a game in which Danny worked out of a base-loaded, no outs jam by retiring Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth and Tony Lazzeri in order.

Danny ended up joining New York in 1932 via trade, and thus began his feud with local columnist Dan Daniel. Less a feud and more a one-way roast, Daniel insulted MacFayden constantly. He coined a new nickname – “Dismal Danny” – and wrote, “MacFayden cannot throw off that depressed feeling which comes to him with seven years at Fenway Park.”

MacFayden stayed quiet, and serious. He got no love, and no innings, during the team’s 1932 World Series sweep of the Chicago Cubs. In 1933, the Washington Senators, who had previously expressed interest in MacFayden, won the pennant. Daniel wrote that their win was due to their “fortuitous failure to land MacFayden.”

Danny’s greatest outing came in a 1939 exhibition in Cooperstown. The game, celebrating baseball’s supposed 100th anniversary, was played as a part of the dedication of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. MacFayden was on the team managed by Honus Wagner. He pitched two scoreless innings and, despite being a career .142 hitter, drove in two runs on a ground-rule double. Danny and the Wagners won, 4-2.

Franco faces new charges, Weathers gets nailed by own catcher, and Kirby strikes out 14

• A bad day – Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner was ejected by home plate umpire Derek Thomas for a seemingly minor offense on Sunday. The clip went viral, reminding us of the Terry Collins-Tom Hallion exchange from just over nine years ago.

• All rise – Aaron Judge is on a tear through the first 64 games of his season. Here’s a mind-blowing stat that shows just how good he’s been. In fact, people are betting that Judge will hit .400 this season.

• Heads up – Emblematic of the Marlins season, catcher Nick Fortes nailed his own pitcher Ryan Weathers with his throw down to second base. Postgame, Weathers counted his blessings and compared the moment to an episode of Spongebob.

• Franco faces gun charges – Former number one overall prospect Wander Franco was charged with illegal possession of a handgun on Sunday. He still faces charges of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor from last year.

• Kirby Ks 14 – Seattle ace George Kirby tied the single-game season high for strikeouts with 14 against the Angels. Here’s a full list of the best strikeout performances this year.

6/10/2025

Nuxhall Sets The Bar

• 1944 — At just 15 years old, Joe Nuxhall was called up by the Cincinnati Reds during World War II, when rosters were depleted. He faced nine batters, recording two outs but also walking five and giving up five runs. After that tough outing, he wouldn’t return to the majors until 1952 — but then went on to pitch 15 solid seasons and later spent decades as a beloved Reds broadcaster.