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Downey, California: a city best known for aerospace innovation, classic diners, and the world’s oldest operating McDonald’s. But for fans of America’s pastime, it’s also where one of the Dodger’s greatest pitchers, Orel Hershiser, began his journey.
Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1958, Hershiser’s family moved west to Downey for opportunity—his father, Orel Leonard Hershiser II, worked as an aerospace engineer during the height of the city’s space-race era. For young Orel, Downey became a landscape of possibility, where orange trees lined suburban streets and the community’s pride was matched only by its love of sports.
In those late 1960s and early 70s, Downey was buzzing with energy. Saturn rockets were being assembled at North American Rockwell, and neighborhood kids like Orel played baseball under vapor trails streaking the sky. Rio San Gabriel Park became Orel’s proving ground. He wasn’t the tallest or flashiest player, but what stood out—even to his Downey High School coaches—was his focus and tireless work ethic.
Hershiser’s high school baseball experience was unremarkable on paper. He was slight for a pitcher and often overlooked by scouts. As his Downey High coach Ray Sanchez recalled, Orel was the type who stayed late after practice, working on his mechanics long after teammates had gone home. His fastball didn’t turn heads, but his determination quietly built a foundation for something greater.
After graduating, Hershiser faced long odds. He received little interest from big college programs and ended up at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He struggled at first, nearly quitting baseball before rediscovering his form. The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted him in the 17th round in 1979—a pick usually reserved for long shots. But Hershiser’s journey was a testament to Downey’s blend of grit and resilience. He steadily moved through the minor leagues, mastering his signature sinker and embracing the role of the underdog.
By 1983, Hershiser earned his call-up to the Dodgers. Five years later, he achieved one of the most celebrated feats in Major League history: 59 consecutive scoreless innings pitched during the 1988 season. That year, he won the Cy Young Award, World Series MVP, and solidified his place in baseball history. For Downey, he became more than a star—he was a symbol of what persistent effort and community support could achieve.
Today, Hershiser’s story is woven into the fabric of Downey. His name echoes in Little League dugouts and at Rio San Gabriel Park, where hopeful pitchers still practice in the California sun. For longtime residents, his success is a reminder that extraordinary things can begin in the most ordinary settings.
If you find yourself in Downey, take a stroll past Downey High School or the local ballfields. Picture a young Orel Hershiser, glove in hand, working on his pitch under the watchful eye of a coach, determined to prove that greatness can come from anywhere. His legacy still inspires, and for this city, that’s something to be truly proud of.