Donald made his
major league debut on April 21, 1938, in a start against the
Boston Red Sox at
Fenway Park. The Yankees lost 3–2, as Bosox
starting pitcher Johnny Marcum earned the
win. He started in one more game for New York that season, then returned to the
minor league Newark Bears. Donald was back for good in 1939, and set a league record for consecutive wins by a
rookie. On July 25 he defeated the
St. Louis Browns 5–1, increasing his record to a perfect 12–0. He finished the season 13–3 with an
earned run average of 3.71 and led the league in
winning percentage (.813). He remained a consistent winner throughout the remainder of his career and never had a losing season after going 0–1 in 1938. He finished in the league's top ten twice more for winning percentage (1941 and 1942) with records of 9–5 and 11–3, respectively. In two
World Series appearances, however, he was 0–1 with a 7.71 ERA. In 1943 or 44 he was reported to be the fastest pitcher ever, with fast balls measured at 98 mph. Beset by eye and elbow injuries and now 34 years old, Donald made his last major league appearance on July 13, 1945. His season record was 5–4 with the lowest ERA of his career, 2.97. Career totals include a 65–33 record (.663) in 153
games pitched, 115
games started, 54
complete games, 6
shutouts, 28
games finished, a
save, and an ERA of 3.52. In 932.1
innings pitched he
struck out 369 and
walked 369. He hit .160 in 356
at bats with a
home run and 23
RBI. ==Later life==