Plenty Of Nothing

As for Hershiser, the closer he came to the record, the more nervous he got. And why not? Before this season he had pitched only 11 shutouts in 124 career starts, including just two in his previous 70 starts. He had every reason to be daunted by what he was trying to achieve. Meanwhile, San Diego's Tony Gwynn, the league's leading hitter, studied films of Hershiser and relished the challenge ahead. "He's going to have a plan for everyone," Gwynn said. "That part's exciting as a hitter, because you know he's put a lot of thought into how he's going to get you out."

Once the game got under way, the 6'3", 192-pound Hershiser worked quickly, almost impatiently. "I didn't want to choke at the beginning," he said. "But after the fifth I had shown myself I could perform under that kind of pressure." After that he loosened up and began talking to himself. "When I talk to myself, I get animated, and I didn't want to be out there early in the game, cheering every out and inspiring the Padres."

Avoiding his curveball, which he might hang, Hershiser stuck with his sinker and his 90-mph fastball, and he cruised. In all four of his at bats, Gwynn, despite his preparation, grounded to the second baseman. The Dodger hitters, ever obliging, were no better against Padres starter Andy Hawkins, thus forcing the game into its historic 10th inning.

When it was over, Drysdale was gracious. "They call him the Bulldog," he said, "and you were able to witness why." Hershiser demurred: "He was a much better pitcher than I am." About the only place Hershiser extols himself is in his personal computer, where he keeps accounts of all his starts. In those files, opposing hitters are identified as dummies, and Hershiser is presented in all his statistical excellence. What notes would he enter after Wednesday night? "If I put this in my computer," he said, "I think it'll short-circuit."