During his career, he witnessed approximately 3,500 major league games (not including spring training), had more than 300 teammates, and played under eight different managers.

He attended the University of Oklahoma[2] and Abilene Christian College,[3] then played with the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants (all of the National League), and the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals (both of the American League).

[4] With the New York Yankees in 1970, he amassed a career-high 29 saves, tying the franchise record set by Luis Arroyo in 1961.

[3] McDaniel considered his top overall year as 1960 with the St. Louis Cardinals, when he logged a 12–2 mark in relief with 22 saves and an ERA of 1.29 while being named (for the only time in his career) to the National League All-Star team.

He earned the inaugural Fireman of the Year honors, while finishing third for the Cy Young Award and fifth in MVP voting, both his highest placings.

[8] He allowed four walk-off grand slams during his career, more than any other major league pitcher on record.