Belinsky is one of only two pitchers in Angels franchise history to start his career with a four-game winning streak or better, the other being Jered Weaver.

His father was a Polish-American Catholic from New Jersey and his mother, Anna (née Polnoff), was the daughter of Jewish immigrants from Ukraine.

His pre-season contract holdout and charismatic personality made him a star before he had thrown a single pitch in major league competition.

The 1962 season was a raucous one for Belinsky in that he became glittering copy for southern California sportswriters with his wit and unapologetic womanizing.

Belinsky became a kind of protégé to fading but still influential and show business-connected newspaper columnist Walter Winchell.

He was linked romantically, at one time or another, to such women as Ann-Margret, Connie Stevens, Tina Louise and Mamie Van Doren, the last his fiancee for a year.

"[14] "What was clear," Jordan wrote, "was that Belinsky had dissipated a promising career, that people had grown tired of him, and that most of the problem could be traced to his personality.

"[15] Belinsky married and divorced Playboy Playmate of the Year Jo Collins, then heiress Janie Weyerhaeuser.

Eves, a resident of 7130 Hollywood Boulevard, claimed to have been dragged by Belinsky from the rear seat of his late model Cadillac.

[18] Prior to the 5 A.M. incident, Belinsky had partied with a group of Hollywood celebrities, including Eddie Fisher, Dean Martin, Keely Smith and Henry Fonda.

Earlier on the same evening Eves and her roommate, Bridget (Bright)[20] Whitaker, 33, had attended a party at the Ambassador Hotel and another at a private home in Beverly Hills.

[21] A Los Angeles Police Department officer held Belinsky for questioning before he was released after his story was corroborated by Whitaker and his teammate, Dean Chance.