Tagged: Philadelphia A’s
United States of Baseball- Texas
Don’t mess with Texas on the diamond. The Lone Star State has produced 1,143 Major League players. The greatest pitcher born in Texas is Greg Maddux. His 106.56 career WAR is the 6th highest for a state or territory pitching leader. The greatest position player from the Lone Star State is Tris Speaker. His 134.20 career WAR is the 5th highest for a state or territory leader. Texas has a combined 240.76 WAR, ranking the Lone Star State 4th among all states and territories in the United States of Baseball.
Power pitchers like Nolan Ryan strike fear in the hearts of batters. Every at bat could end with a baseball fired through their bodies. This fear is obvious. The fear of Greg Maddux was less so. He did not look like an elite athlete, yet throughout his career opposing batters knew they had little chance against him. Greg Maddux was born in San Angelo, Texas but moved around because his father served in the military. The Chicago Cubs selected Maddux in the 2nd round of the 1984 MLB Draft. He chose to sign instead of attending the University of Arizona. Maddux played 23 seasons with four teams: Chicago Cubs (1986-1992, 2004-2006), Atlanta Braves (1993-2003), Los Angeles Dodgers (2006, 2008), and San Diego Padres (2007-2008). He pitched in 744 career Games, made 740 Starts, Finished 3 Games, threw 109 Complete Games, including 35 Shutouts, Pitched 5,008.1 Innings, allowed 4,726 Hits, 1,981 Runs, 1,756 Earned Runs, 353 Home Runs, 999 Walks, 3,371 Strikeouts, posted a 355-227 record, with a 3.16 ERA, 1.143 WHIP, and 132 ERA+. Maddux was the first pitcher to ever win the Cy Young Award four consecutive seasons, 1992 to 1995. He was an eight time All Star. Maddux won 18 Gold Gloves, the most by any player, in 19 seasons from 1990 to 2002 and 2004 to 2008. The 2003 National League Gold Glove went to Braves teammate Mike Hampton. Maddux won 15 games every season between 1988 and 2004. This consistency helped him collect 355 Wins, which are the eight most ever and the second most by a pitcher since 1930, trailing Hall of Famer and Braves legend Warren Spahn. Maddux made the fourth most starts all time, has the eighth highest WAR for a pitcher, and is 10th in strikeouts. He is one of only 10 players to have their number retired by multiple teams, as the Braves and Cubs both retired his #31. Maddux was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 with 97.2% of the vote in his first year of eligibility. There was never a doubt about his enshrinement in Cooperstown.
How do you select the best season of a player’s career when they had so many? Maddux’s best individual season, among many, came with the 1995 Braves. He pitched in 28 Games, made 28 Starts, threw 10 Complete Games, including 3 Shutouts, Pitched 209.2 Innings, allowed 147 Hits, 39 Runs, 38 Earned Runs, 8 Home Runs, 23 Walks, 181 Strikeouts, posted a 19-2 record, with a 1.63 ERA, 0.811 WHIP, and 260 ERA+. He led the National League in Wins, Win %, ERA, Complete Games, Shutouts, Innings Pitched, WHIP, and ERA+. Maddux won his 6th consecutive Gold Glove, was an All Star, finished third for the MVP, and won his fourth consecutive Cy Young Award. This was not a one season wonder. Maddux’s 1994 season was equally ridiculous, despite being cut short by the Player’s Strike. In 1994, Maddux pitched in 25 Games, made 25 Starts, threw 10 Complete Games, including 3 Shutouts, Pitched 202 Innings, allowed 150 Hits, 44 Runs, 35 Earned Runs, 4 Home Runs, 31 Walks, 156 Strikeouts, posted a 16-6 record, with a 1.56 ERA, 0.896 WHIP, and 271 ERA+. He led the National League in Wins, ERA, Complete Games, Shutouts, Innings Pitched, WHIP, and ERA+. He won the Gold Glove, was an All Star, finished fifth for the MVP, and won the Cy Young Award. Both shortened seasons were masterpieces. His combined numbers for 1994 and 1995 were 53 Games Pitched, 53 Starts, 20 Complete Games, including 6 Shutouts, 411.2 Innings Pitched, 297 Hits allowed, 83 Runs, 73 Earned Runs, 12 Home Runs, 54 Walks, 337 Strikeouts, posted a 35-8 record, with a 1.60 ERA, 0.853 WHIP, and 265 ERA+. This two season stretch is among the greatest runs in baseball history. Maddux did not have a blazing fastball to overpower hitters, rather he conquered them with his mind.
Maddux’s dominance in the Regular Season did not always carry over into the Postseason, although he had plenty of October highlights. He played in 23 Postseason Series, including three World Series with the Braves. Maddux won his World Series ring with the 1995 Braves. He pitched in 35 Postseason Games, made 30 Starts, Finished 2 Games, threw 2 Complete Games, had 1 Save, Pitched 198 Innings, allowed 195 Hits, 97 Runs, 72 Earned Runs, 14 Home Runs, 51 Walks, 125 Strikeouts, posted a 11-14 record, 3.27 ERA, and 1.242 WHIP. Maddux was more than respectable in October, but baseball can be fickle.
Sometimes change creates success. Tris Speaker was a better baseball player than horseman. He twice broke his right arm after being thrown from a bronco. The natural righty then taught himself to hit and throw as a lefty. This led him to Cooperstown. The Hubbard, Texas native patrolled Centerfield for 22 seasons with four teams: Boston Americans/ Red Sox (1907-1915), Cleveland Indians (1916-1926), Washington Senators (1927), and Philadelphia Athletics (1928). Speaker played in 2,789 career Games, scored 1,882 Runs, collected 3,514 Hits, including 792 Doubles, 222 Triples, 117 Home Runs, 1,531 RBI, 436 Stolen Bases, drew 1,381 Walks, 393 Strikeouts, posted a .345 BA, .428 OBP, .500 SLG, .928 OPS, and 158 OPS+. He was the 1912 American League MVP with Boston. He was traded to Cleveland after the 1915 season due to issues with teammates and refusing to take a pay cut from $18,000 to $9,000. The Red Sox felt the troubles with Speaker were not worth his talent. He responded by winning the 1916 American League Batting Title. Speaker remains the career leader in Doubles, having led the Junior Circuit nine times in Doubles, is fifth all time in Hits, sixth in Triples and BA, and ninth in WAR. Defensively, Speaker led the American League in Double Plays six times and Putouts seven times. He owns the American League record for most Outfield Assists in a season with 35, twice. Speaker served as Cleveland’s Player-Manager from 1919 to 1926. His teams posted a 617-529 record, .543 Win%. Less than a decade after retiring, Speaker was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1937, the second class, with 82.1% of the vote. After his Hall of Fame career, Speaker stayed close to baseball, serving as an announcer, manager, coach, and scout. He was instrumental in helping Larry Doby transition from Second Base to Centerfield.
The best season of Speaker’s Hall of Fame career came with the 1912 Red Sox. He played in 153 Games, scored 136 Runs, collected 222 Hits, 53 Doubles, 12 Triples, 10 Home Runs, 90 RBI, 52 Stolen Bases, 82 Walks, 36 Strikeouts, with a .383 BA, .464 OBP, .567 SLG, 1.031 OPS, and 190 OPS+. He led the American League in Doubles, Home Runs, and OBP. Speaker set career bests in Hits, Stolen Bases, and OPS+. His terrorizing opposing pitchers included three different 20 game hitting streaks. He was unstoppable with the bat.
Speaker played in three World Series. He was instrumental with the Red Sox winning the Fall Classic in 1912 and 1915, and Cleveland in 1920. Speaker played in 20 World Series games, scored 12 Runs, collected 22 Hits, including 3 Doubles, 4 Triples, 3 RBI, 1 Stolen Base, 11 Walks, 4 Strikeouts, while posting a .306 BA, .398 OBP, .458 SLG, and .856 OPS. He always played a leading role in success.
The success of Texas in the Majors is evident in Cooperstown. There are 17 Hall of Famers who were born in Texas: Ernie Banks, Andy Cooper, Bill Foster, Rube Foster (Executive), Rogers Hornsby, Biz Mackey, Greg Maddux, Eddie Mathews, Joe Morgan, Frank Robinson, Nolan Ryan, Louis Santop, Hilton Smith, Tris Speaker, Willie Wells, Joe Williams, and Ross Youngs. There are surely more to come. Leaving Texas, the United States of Baseball leads to the warmth of the Caribbean. The U.S. Virgin Islands are next.
DJ
United States of Baseball- Rhode Island
Despite being the smallest state in America, Rhode Island still boasts a long and proud baseball history. The Ocean State has sent 79 players to the Major Leagues. The greatest pitcher born in Rhode Island is Clem Labine. His 14.25 career WAR ranks 52nd highest among pitching state and territory leaders. The greatest position player born in the Ocean State is Nap Lajoie. His 107.25 career WAR is the 11th highest among state and territory leaders. Rhode Island has a combined 121.50 WAR, ranking the Ocean State 28th in the United States of Baseball.
Clem Labine relied on ground balls and good defense to build a long, successful career. After serving as a Paratrooper during World War II, the Lincoln, Rhode Island native pitched 13 seasons in the Majors with four teams: Brooklyn/ Los Angeles Dodgers (1950-1960), Detroit Tigers (1960), Pittsburgh Pirates (1960-1961), and New York Mets (1962). The Righthander bounced between starting and coming out of the bullpen, while relying on his sinkerball to produce ground balls for the Hall of Fame infield of Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, and Gil Hodges. He pitched in 513 career Games, made 38 Starts, Finished 288 Games, 7 Complete Games, including 2 Shutouts, Pitched 1,079.2 Innings, allowed 1,043 Hits, 492 Runs, 435 Earned Runs, 81 Home Runs, 396 Walks, 551 Strikeouts, posted a 77-56 record, with a 3.63 ERA, 1.333 WHIP, and 112 ERA+. He was twice an All Star. In 1958, Labine broke Brickyard Kennedy’s franchise record for most games pitched with 382. Don Drysdale and Ron Perranoski later passed Labine, but he forever holds the Brooklyn record.
Clem Labine was critical to Brooklyn’s success. (New York Daily News)
The best season of Labine’s career came with the legendary 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers. That summer in Brooklyn, he pitched in 60 Games, made 8 Starts, Finished 32 Games, threw 1 Complete Game, Pitched 144.1 Innings, allowed 121 Hits, 61 Runs, 52 Earned Runs, 12 Home Runs, 55 Walks, 67 Strikeouts, posted a 13-5 record, with a 3.24 ERA, 1.219 WHIP, and 126 ERA+. Labine led the National League in Games Pitched and set career highs in Wins and Innings Pitched. His critical innings for Brooklyn earned him 15th place in the National League MVP award voting.
Labine pitched in five Fall Classics in the 1950’s with the Dodgers and one with the 1960 Pirates. He was part of three championship teams, twice with the Dodgers (1955 and 1959) and once with the Pirates (1960). He pitched in 13 World Series Games, made 1 Start, Finished 7 Games, threw 1 Complete Game, 1 Shutout, Pitched 31.1 Innings, allowed 37 Hits, 17 Runs, 11 Earned Runs, 3 Home Runs, 7 Walks, 15 Strikeouts, posted a 2-2 record, with a 3.16 ERA, and 1.404 WHIP. Labine pitched critical innings for his teams when it mattered the most.
Nap Lajoie was the first superstar in the upstart American League. The Woonsocket, Rhode Island native played 21 seasons with three teams: Philadelphia Phillies (1896-1900), Philadelphia Athletics (1901-1902, 1915-1916), and Cleveland Bronchos/ Naps (1902-1914). He jumped from the Phillies to the Athletics after Phillies owner John Rogers did not pay him the same agreed to salary as Ed Delahany. Lajoie was paid $2,600 instead of $3,000. Rogers sued Lajoie for jumping, preventing him from playing in Pennsylvania for anyone but the Phillies. When Cleveland played in Philadelphia against the Athletics, Lajoie had to sit out. Lajoie quickly became so synonymous with the Cleveland franchise as a player and player-manager that the team became known as the Naps.
Despite missing games due to litigation, Lajoie produced a career with staggering numbers. He played in 2,480 career Games, scored 1,504 Runs, collected 3,243 Hits, 657 Doubles, 163 Triples, 82 Home Runs, 1,599 RBI, 380 Stolen Bases, 516 Walks, 347 Strikeouts, with a .338 BA, .380 OBP, .466 SLG, .846 OPS, and 150 OPS+. He remains eighth in career Doubles. Lajoie won five American League Batting Titles, winning the first four Junior Circuit crowns from 1901 to 1904, with the fifth coming in 1910.
Nap Lajoie was more than a baseball player in Cleveland. (National Baseball Hall of Fame)
Defensively, Lajoie was outstanding at Second Base. He led the league in Assists three times, Fielding Percentage four times, and Putouts and Double Plays five times. His skill with the bat and in the field earned Lajoie induction into the Hall of Fame in 1937 as a member of Cooperstown’s second class.
The best season of Lajoie’s career was with the 1901 Philadelphia Athletics. He played in 131 Games, scored 145 Runs, collected 232 Hits, including 48 Doubles, 14 Triples, 14 Home Runs, 125 RBI, with 27 Stolen Bases, 24 Walks, only 9 Strikeouts, posted a .426 BA, .463 OBP, .643 SLG, 1.106 OPS, and 198 OPS+. Lajoie set career highs in Runs scored, Hits, Home Runs, Batting Average, On-Base Percentage, Slugging, OPS, and Total Bases. He led the new American League in Runs scored, Hits, Doubles, Home Runs, RBI, Batting Average, On-Base Percentage, Slugging, OPS, OPS+, and Total Bases. Lajoie won the American League Triple Crown in the league’s first season. His .426 BA is the highest for any player in the 20th century.
Lajoie never played in the postseason. His teams never won a pennant. Lajoie often finished his season barnstorming, instead of in the World Series.
There are three Rhode Island natives in the Hall of Fame: Hugh Duffy, Gabby Hartnett, and Nap Lajoie. There will be more. Next, the United States of Baseball heads to the deep south for a visit to the Palmetto State. South Carolina is next.
DJ
United States of Baseball- Ohio
In 1869 the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first professional baseball team, many have since followed. Ohio is the birthplace of professional baseball. The Buckeye State has produced 1,082 MLB players. The greatest pitcher born in Ohio is Cy Young. His 165.72 career WAR is the highest among state and territory pitching leaders. No pitcher will likely ever surpass his career WAR. The best position player born in the Buckeye State is Mike Schmidt. His 106.86 career WAR is the 12th highest among position player leaders. Combined Ohio’s 272.58 WAR is the 2nd highest in the United States of Baseball.
Greatness is defined in many ways. Cy Young had the rare combination of longevity to create unbreakable records and the skill to be among the best during his career. The Gilmore native pitched 22 seasons with five teams: Cleveland Spiders (1890-1898), St. Louis Perfectos/ Cardinals (1899-1900), Boston Americans/ Red Sox (1901-1908), Cleveland Naps (1909-1911), and Boston Rustlers (1911). Young appeared in 906 career Games, made 815 Starts, Finished 84 Games, threw 749 Complete Games, including 76 Shutouts, 7,356 Innings Pitched, allowed 7,092 Hits, 3,167 Runs, 2,147 Earned Runs, 138 Home Runs, 1,217 Walks, 2,803 Strikeouts, posted a 511-315 record, 2.63 ERA, 1.130 WHIP, 138 ERA+, with 29,565 Batters Faced. He recorded five 30 Win seasons, six seasons with an ERA below 2.00, 17 seasons with 30 Complete Games and nine seasons with 40 Complete Games. Young led the league in Shutouts seven times, pitched 400 innings five times and 300 innings 16 times. He had six seasons with a WHIP below 1.000 and 20 seasons with an ERA+ over 100. He remains the all time leader in Wins, Losses, Games Started, Complete Games, Innings Pitched, Hits allowed, Earned Runs, and Batters Faced. He is fourth in Shutouts.
Cy Young signed his first professional contract at 23 years old. He debuted with the Cleveland Spiders on August 6, 1890. Young arrived in the Majors earlier than planned as National League teams called up minor leaguers to fill the void left by those jumping to the Players League. He won the National League ERA title in 1892 and the first American League ERA Title in 1901. The blazing fastball Young enjoyed early in his career eventually gave way to breaking pitches. He threw the first of three No Hitters on September 19, 1897 against the Cincinnati Reds. Young’s time in Cleveland was cut short because Frank and Stanley Robinson owned both the Cleveland Spiders and St. Louis Perfectos. The now prohibited practice of owning multiple franchises enabled the Robinson’s to move the best players to St. Louis, leaving Cleveland a glorified sandlot team. After the 1900 season, Young jumped to the new American League. He won the first game in the history of the Boston Americans, who later became the Red Sox. Young spent his offseasons as the pitching coach at Harvard. His success in Boston included the first Perfect Game in the Junior Circuit’s history on May 5, 1904 against Rube Waddell and the Philadelphia Athletics. The Perfecto was part of 24 consecutive perfect innings and 45 scoreless innings. Young continued pitching until 1911 when age and innings finally caught up with the 44 year old hurler.
In retirement, Young managed the Cleveland Green Sox of the Federal League in 1913 before returning to his farm to live a quiet life. Young was elected in the first Hall of Fame class in 1937 with 76.1% of the vote. The Cy Young Award, honoring the best pitcher in baseball, was introduced a year after his death in 1955.
The best season of Cy Young’s Hall of Fame career came with the 1901 Boston Americans. He appeared in 43 Games, made 41 Starts, Finished 2 Games, threw 38 Complete Games, including 5 Shutouts, 371.1 Innings Pitched, allowed 324 Hits, 112 Runs, 67 Earned Runs, 6 Home Runs, 158 Strikeouts, 37 Walks, posted a 33-10 record, 1.62 ERA, 0.972 WHIP, and 219 ERA+. Young led the American League in Wins, ERA, Shutouts, Strikeouts, WHIP, and ERA+. He won the Pitching Triple Crown in the Junior Circuit’s inaugural season. Young also set a career high in ERA+.
Young pitched in the Temple Cup and later the World Series. He appeared in the Fall Classic twice, in 1892 and 1903, winning with the 1903 Boston Americans. He pitched in 7 World Series Games, made 6 Starts, Finished 1 Game, threw 6 Complete Games, including 1 Shutout, 61 Innings Pitched, allowed 57 Hits, 24 Runs, 16 Earned Runs, 2 Home Runs, 26 Strikeouts, 7 Walks, posted a 2-3 record, 2.36 ERA, and 1.049 WHIP. In Starting Game 1 of the 1903 World Series, Young threw the first pitch of the modern World Series.
Cy Young’s longevity was helped by his ability to avoid injury. Mike Schmidt on the other hand began his career with two bad knees, yet still produced one of the great careers in baseball history. Schmidt was selected by the Phillies in the 2nd Round of the 1971 MLB Draft out of Ohio University. The Dayton native played 18 seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies (1972-1989). He played in 2,404 Games, collected 2,234 Hits, 408 Doubles, 59 Triples, 548 Home Runs, 1,595 RBI, scored 1,506 Runs, 174 Stolen Bases, 1,507 Walks, 1,883 Strikeouts, with a .267 BA, .380 OBP, .527 SLG, .908 OPS, and 148 OPS+. He was a 12 time All Star, six time Silver Slugger, and three time National League MVP.
Schmidt was consistently great. He scored 100 Runs seven times, hit 25 Doubles 11 times, slugged 40 Home Runs three times and 30 Home Runs 13 times. He led the National League in Home Runs eight times and led baseball in Home Runs during the 1980’s. Schmidt had 100 RBI nine times, leading the Senior Circuit four times. He learned patience at the plate to Walk 100 times seven times, but still led the National League in Strikeouts four times. He topped the league in OBP three times. Schmidt led the league five times in SLG, with 13 seasons over .500. Twice his OPS was over 1.000 and 15 times had an OPS+ above 100.
The end of a Hall of Fame career is rarely joyful. Schmidt knew it was time after misplaying an easy ground ball. He was the active leader in Home Runs, RBI, Total Bases, Intentional Walks, and Strikeouts when he retired on May 29, 1989. Schmidt hit the seventh most Home Runs, he is now 16th. He took the fourth fewest At Bats to reach 500 Home Runs, behind only Babe Ruth, Harmon Killebrew, and Mickey Mantle. Schmidt remains 39th in RBI, 18th in Walks, 14th in Strikeouts, and 35th in Extra Base Hits. A career of consistency.
Schmidt had the glove at the Hot Corner to go with his bat. He played 2,212 Games, 18,948 Innings, had 6,949 Chances, made 1,591 Putouts, 5,045 Assists, committed 313 Errors, turned 450 Double Plays, .955 FLD% against .949 lgFLD%, 8 Rtot, 3.15 RF/9 against 2.87 lgRF/9, and 3.00 RF/G against 2.86 lgRF/G. Schmidt earned 18.4 dWAR and won 10 Gold Gloves. He played the sixth most Games at Third Base, is fourth in Assists, 30th in Putouts, and fifth in Double Plays turned. He made great plays on the rock hard astroturf at Veterans Stadium.
Schmidt worked as a broadcaster in 1989 and 1990. However, it was clear to Schmidt and others that he was not a good fit. His group failed in their attempt to be the original owners of the Florida Marlins. Schmidt was elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1995 with 96.5% of the vote. The then fifth highest vote total ever. The long running tension with Phillies fans thawed after Schmidt thanked them in his Hall of Fame speech. A satisfying end to the career of one of the greatest Third Basemen in baseball history.
The best season of Mike Schmidt’s career was 1980. He played in 150 Games, collected 157 Hits, 25 Doubles, 8 Triples, 48 Home Runs, 121 RBI, scored 104 Runs, 12 Stolen Bases, 89 Walks, 119 Strikeouts, with a .286 BA, .380 OBP, .624 SLG, 1.004 OPS, and 171 OPS+. He led the National League in Home Runs, RBI, SLG, OPS, and OPS+. Schmidt set career highs in Home Runs, RBI, and Total Bases. His 48 Home Runs broke Eddie Mathews’ single season Home Run record for Third Basemen. Schmidt was an All Star, won a Gold Glove, the Silver Slugger, and the National League MVP. His success continued in October.
Schmidt helped Philadelphia become a winning team and find success in October. During Schmidt’s career, the Phillies played in the Postseason six times. They reached the World Series twice, winning in 1980. Schmidt played in 36 Postseason Games, collected 33 Hits, 9 Doubles, 4 Home Runs, 16 RBI, scored 19 Runs, 1 Stolen Base, 15 Walks, 27 Strikeouts, with a .236 BA, .304 OBP, .386 SLG, and .690 OPS. The 1980 World Series was the pinnacle of Schmidt’s career. He played in all 6 Games, collected 8 Hits, 1 Double, 2 Home Runs, 7 RBI, scored 6 Runs, 4 Walks, 3 Strikeouts, with a .381 BA, .462 OBP, .714 SLG, and 1.176 OPS. He added the World Series MVP to his Regular Season MVP.
Ohio continues to produce MLB quality players. Thus far, 19 Ohioians have been enshrined in Cooperstown. The 19 Hall of Famers are: Walter Alston (Manager), Roger Bresnahan, Ray Brown, Ed Delahanty, Buck Ewing, Rollie Fingers, Elmer Flick, Jesse Haines, Miller Huggins (Manager), Ban Johnson (Executive), Kennesaw Mountain Landis (Commissioner), Barry Larkin, Rube Marquard, Phil Niekro, Branch Rickey (Executive), Mike Schmidt, George Sisler, Sol White (Executive), and Cy Young. The Buckeye State should reach 20 in the near future. Next week the United States of Baseball heads west to the Sooner State. Oklahoma is next.
DJ
United States of Baseball- New York
Cooperstown is the home of baseball. The National Baseball Hall of Fame is the cornerstone of New York’s baseball legacy. The Empire State has sent 1,245 players to the Majors. The greatest pitcher born in New York is Warren Spahn. His 100.12 career WAR is the 8th highest among state and territory pitching leaders. The best position player from the Empire State is Eddie Collins. His 123.87 career WAR is the 7th highest among position player leaders. Combined, New York has 223.99 WAR, the 7th highest of any state or territory in the United States of Baseball.
The beginning of Warren Spahn’s professional career did not foretell his Hall of Fame future. After graduating high school, Spahn accepted a scholarship to Cornell University after no team wanted to sign a pitcher too skinny for professional baseball. When difficulties paying school fees prevented him from attending Cornell, Spahn signed with the Boston Bees for $80 a month. The money seemed wasted, as he tore multiple shoulder ligaments during his first season in the minors. The Buffalo native recovered, before missing three full seasons, 1943 to 1945, serving as a Combat Engineer during World War II. He enlisted as a Private, rising to Second Lieutenant when he was discharged. Spahn was wounded in the abdomen and head during the Battle of the Bulge. He also received shrapnel in his left foot while repairing a bridge under enemy fire over the Rhine River. Spahn was the most decorated baseball player of World War II, receiving the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and a Presidential Citation.
The Lefty pitched for 21 seasons with three teams: Boston/ Milwaukee Braves (1942, 1946-1964), New York Mets (1965), and San Francisco Giants (1965). He was selected to 17 All Star teams. Spahn pitched in 750 career Games, made 665 Starts, 67 Games Finished, 382 Complete Games, 63 Shutouts, 5,243.2 Innings Pitched, allowed 4,830 Hits, 2,016 Runs, 1,798 Earned Runs, 434 Home Runs, 1,434 Walks, 2,583 Strikeouts, posted a 363-245 record, 3.09 ERA, 1.195 WHIP, and 119 ERA+. He achieved this despite recording his first career victory at 25 years old. Spahn made up for lost time. He won at least 20 games 13 times in 17 seasons between 1947 and 1963. He led the National League in Wins eight times, including five consecutive seasons from 1957 to 1961. He pitched 16 Complete Games in 17 straight seasons and led the Senior Circuit in Shutouts four times. Spahn led the league in Strikeouts four times, striking out 100 batters in 17 consecutive seasons. He faced the most batters in the National League five times and faced 1,000 batters every season from 1947 to 1963. His durability required a mixture of toughness, natural ability, and going against convention. Spahn was one of the first pitchers to train during the off season and throw between starts. He led the National League in Innings Pitched four times, throwing 245 Innings in 17 straight seasons.
Spahn’s 363 wins remain the sixth most all time and the most for a Left-Handed Pitcher. Despite retiring over 55 years ago, he still ranks sixth in Shutouts, eighth in Innings Pitched and Home Runs allowed, ninth in Hits allowed, 10th in Batters Faced, 12th in Losses, 14th in Starts, 15th in Walks, 21st in Complete Games, and 30th in Strikeouts. He won the National League ERA title three times and the 1957 Cy Young Award; only one award was given each year. He pitched two No-Hitters late in his career. The first, on September 16, 1960 against the Phillies, the 39 year old won 4 to 0 with 15 Strikeouts. The second was the following Spring at age 40, Spahn No Hit the Giants on April 28, 1961. Later that summer he became the 13th pitcher to win 300 games. Perhaps Spahn’s greatest game was a 16 inning duel against fellow Hall of Famer Juan Marichal on July 2, 1963. Both pitched a Complete Game, as the Giants beat the Braves 1 to 0 on a Willie Mays Home Run. Spahn’s consistency and durability earned him 75 victories after turning 40. In total, he won 356 games and collected 356 Hits with the Braves, 4 Wins and 4 Hits with the Mets, and 3 Wins and 3 Hits with the Giants. Spahn’s 35 Home Runs are the most by a National League pitcher.
In Boston, Spahn helped start the Jimmy Fund, which has aided thousands of Cancer patients. He also befriended Sam Jethroe, the Braves’ first African-American player. Boston was not an easy city for African-Americans. When the Braves arrived in Milwaukee, Spahn won their first game on the shores of Lake Michigan. There was little drama in 1973, when Warren Spahn became the sixth player elected to the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.
The best season of Warren Spahn’s career was with the 1953 Milwaukee Braves. He pitched in 35 Games, made 32 Starts, with 3 Games Finished, threw 24 Complete Games, including 5 Shutouts, 265.2 Innings Pitched, allowed 211 Hits, 75 Runs, 62 Earned Runs, 14 Home Runs, 70 Walks, 148 Strikeouts, posted a 23-7 record, 2.10 ERA, 1.058 WHIP, and 188 ERA+. Spahn led the National League in Wins, ERA, WHIP, and ERA+. He was an All Star and finished fifth for the MVP. Spahn was Cy Young worthy, but the award was not introduced until 1956.
The World Series was reserved for the best team in each league. There was no Postseason, just the World Series. Spahn pitched in the Fall Classic three times with the Braves: 1948 in Boston and 1957 and 1958 with Milwaukee. The 1948 Braves fell to the Indians, Cleveland’s most recent title, but the team also gave baseball the poem, “Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.” Spahn pitched in 8 World Series Games, made 6 Starts, 2 Games Finished, threw 3 Complete Games, including 1 Shutout, 56 Innings Pitched, allowed 47 Hits, 19 Runs, 19 Earned Runs, 5 Home Runs, 13 Walks, 32 Strikeouts, posted a 4-3 record, 3.05 ERA, and 1.071 WHIP. The Braves won the 1957 World Series in seven games over the Yankees who were in the midst of winning 10 titles in 16 seasons. Sometimes the skinny kid makes all the difference.
Few members of the 1919 Chicago Black Sox were left unscathed. Many had their careers ruined, but not Eddie Collins. The Second Baseman escaped indictment by the legal system, Commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis, and public opinion. His impeccable reputation undoubtedly saved him. The Millerton native was educated, graduating from Columbia University, at a time when most players were hard living men with little use for books. Collins played on Columbia’s baseball team, but was ineligible his senior year after the discovered that he was paid to play for various teams around New York. This did not hamper Collins’ baseball ambitions. He had already signed with Connie Mack and the Philadelphia Athletics with the stipulation that Collins not be sent to the Minors without his own consent. Collins debuted under the name Eddie T. Sullivan on September 17, 1906. This was at Mack’s suggestion before Columbia officials discovered his professional baseball experience. Collins returned to school in the Spring of 1907 to finish his degree before rejoining the Athletics.
Collins played 25 seasons with two teams: Philadelphia Athletics (1906-1914, 1927-1930) and Chicago White Sox (1915-1926). He played 2,826 career Games, collected 3,315 Hits, 438 Doubles, 187 Triples, 47 Home Runs, 1,299 RBI, scored 1,821 Runs, with 741 Stolen Bases, 1,499 Walks, 467 Strikeouts, .333 BA, .424 OBP, .429 SLG, .853 OPS, and 142 OPS+. He was part of the $100,000 Infield with Home Run Baker, Jack Barry, and Stuffy McInnis. Collins led the American League in Runs scored from 1912 to 1914. Despite his success with the Athletics, he was sold to the White Sox for $50,000 as Mack broke up the Athletic’s after the 1914 season. Collins kept hitting and winning in Chicago. He missed the final 16 games of the 1918 season after enlisting in the Marine Corp. His time in uniform was short. World War I ended in November 1918 and he was discharged in time for Spring Training.
Success was a yearly pursuit. Collins put the ball in play, his career high in Strikeouts was just 41. He led the American League in Stolen Bases four times, stealing 50 bases six times and 40 bases 10 times. Collins remains eighth in career Stolen Bases and fifth in attempts. He scored 100 Runs in seven seasons. He reached base 4,891 times in his career, the 10th most all time. Collins collected 160 Hits in 15 seasons. His 20 seasons with a .300 BA gave him the 30th highest BA ever. Collins won the American League MVP in 1914 and finished in the top five in five other seasons. He was reliably great every season. Collins was elected to the Hall of Fame as part of the fourth class in 1939.
Eddie Collins’ best years were behind him when he became the White Sox player-manager for the final 27 games of the 1924 season. He remained at the helm in Chicago for the next two seasons, finishing fifth each year. After he was relieved of his managerial duties and released by the White Sox, Collins returned to Philadelphia. He was a coach and Pinch Hitter for the Athletics, playing his final game at 43 years old in 1930. He spent 1931 and 1932 as a full time coach under Connie Mack before joining the Red Sox. A former schoolmate, Tom Yawkey, had purchased the Boston club and installed Collins as the Vice President and General Manager. The duo signed Ted Williams and Bobby Doerr on one scouting trip to California, but failed to sign Jackie Robinson after a tryout. The Red Sox were the last Major League team to integrate, as Pumpsie Green broke the team’s color line in 1959. Collins remained the Red Sox General Manager until 1947 and Vice President until 1950 when he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage.
Eddie Collins was a collector. Few seasons jump out at you, but he was great year after year. His best season was with the 1914 Philadelphia Athletics. He played in 152 Games, collected 181 Hits, including 23 Doubles, 14 Triples, 2 Home Runs, 85 RBI, scored 122 Runs, with 58 Stolen Bases, 97 Walks, 31 Strikeouts, .344 BA, .452 OBP, .452 SLG, .904 OPS, and 176 OPS+. He led the American League in Runs scored. Collins won the Junior Circuit’s MVP award, leading the Athletics to the American League Pennant. Despite his great season, Philadelphia was swept in the World Series by the Miracle Braves.
The World Series is the pinnacle of baseball. Collins played in the Fall Classic six times, four with the Athletics (1910-1911 and 1913-1914) and two with the White Sox (1917 and 1919). He won four times, three with Philadelphia (1910-1911 and 1913) and one with Chicago (1917). In 34 World Series Games, he collected 42 Hits, including 7 Doubles, 2 Triples, 11 RBI, 20 Runs scored, with 14 Stolen Bases, 10 Walks, 10 Strikeouts, .328 BA, .381 OBP, .414 SLG, and .795 OPS. Collins’ consistent greatness continued in the World Series.
It is fitting that New York, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, has the most Hall of Famers. The Empire State has 34 Hall of Famers: Craig Biggio, Dan Brouthers, Alexander Cartwright (Executive), Eddie Collins, Jimmy Collins, George Davis, Johnny Evers, Whitey Ford, Bud Fowler (Executive), Frankie Frisch, Lou Gehrig, Hank Greenberg, Bucky Harris, Waite Hoyt, William Hulbert (Executive), Willie Keeler, King Kelly, Bill Klem (Umpire), Sandy Koufax, Edgar Martinez, John McGraw (Manager), Bid McPhee, Marvin Miller (Executive), Walter O’Malley (Executive), Jim Palmer, Charles Radbourn, Phil Rizzuto, Jacob Ruppert (Executive), Warren Spahn, Joe Torre (Manager), Mickey Welch, Deacon White, George Wright (Executive), and Carl Yastrzemski. Next week the United States of Baseball heads south to the Tar Heel State. North Carolina is next.
DJ
United States of Baseball- Maryland
Baseball has a long and proud history. There are legends from every American state and territory. The best pitcher born in the Old Line State is Lefty Grove. His 113.31 career WAR ranks fifth among pitching leaders. The best Maryland born position player is arguably the greatest player of all time. Babe Ruth’s 182.47 career WAR is the highest for any player ever. Maryland’s combined 295.78 WAR ranks first among all states and territories.
Robert Moses “Lefty” Grove was born in the west Maryland town of Lonaconing. He pitched for 17 seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics (1925-1933) and Boston Red Sox (1934-1941). Grove began his professional career in Martinsburg before the Minor League Baltimore Orioles bought him in exchange for an outfield fence. Grove spent five years in Baltimore before Connie Mack paid $100,600 for the future Hall of Famer. Once in the Majors, Grove was electric. In 616 career Games, he made 457 Starts, threw 298 Complete Games, including 35 Shutouts, pitched 3,940.2 Innings, allowed 3,849 Hits, 1,594 Runs, 1,339 Earned Runs, 162 Home Runs, 1,187 Walks, 2,266 Strikeouts, posting a 300-141 record, 3.06 ERA, 1.278 WHIP, and 148 ERA+. Grove led the American League in Strikeouts in his first seven seasons. He was named to six All Star teams, won nine ERA Titles, and back to back Pitching Triple Crowns in 1930 and 1931. Grove’s .680 Winning Percentage is the best of any 300 Game winner. He was elected to Cooperstown in 1947.
Grove led the Athletics pitching to three consecutive American League pennants between 1929 and 1931. Grove pitched in all three World Series, appeared in 8 Games, made 5 Starts, threw 4 Complete Games, pitched 51.1 Innings, allowed 46 Hits, 12 Runs, 10 Earned Runs, 0 Home Runs, 6 Walks, 36 Strikeouts, posted a 4-2 record, 1.75 ERA, and 1.013 WHIP. The Athletics won the World Series in 1929 and 1930.
Unquestionably the best season of Grove’s career was with the 1931 Athletics. He pitched in 41 Games, made 30 Starts, threw 27 Complete Games, including 4 Shutouts, pitched 288.2 Innings, allowed 249 Hits, 84 Runs, 66 Earned Runs, 10 Home Runs, 62 Walks, 175 Strikeouts, posted a 31-4 record, 2.06 ERA, 1.077 WHIP, and 217 ERA+. He led the Junior Circuit in Wins, Winning Percentage, Complete Games, Shutouts, Strikeouts, ERA, WHIP, and ERA+. He won the Pitching Triple Crown and the American League MVP.
Easily the most written about baseball player ever, there is little left unsaid about Babe Ruth. George Herman Ruth was born in Baltimore. The elite pitcher and all time great hitter played 22 seasons with three teams: Boston Red Sox (1914-1919), New York Yankees (1920-1934), and Boston Braves (1935). Fully appreciating Ruth’s greatness means examining his pitching and hitting. On the mound, Ruth appeared in 163 Games, made 147 Starts, threw 107 Complete Games, including 17 Shutouts, pitched 1,221.1 Innings, allowed 974 Hits, 400 Runs, 309 Earned Runs, 10 Home Runs, 441 Walks, 488 Strikeouts, posted a 94-46 record, 2.28 ERA, 1.159 WHIP, and 122 ERA+. At the plate, Ruth played in 2,503 Games, collected 2,873 Hits, 506 Doubles, 136 Triples, 714 Home Runs, 2,214 RBI, scored 2,174 Runs, 123 Stolen Bases, 2,062 Walks, 1,330 Strikeouts, .342 BA, .474 OBP, .690 SLG, 1.164 OPS, and 206 OPS+. He was twice an All Star. Ruth was the American League MVP in 1923 and won the Batting Title in 1924. He remains the all time leader in SLG, OPS, and OPS+. Ruth was among the five members of the Baseball Hall of Fame’s first class in 1936.
The Great Bambino appeared in 10 World Series. He won seven championships, three with the Red Sox and four with the Yankees. On the mound, Ruth pitched in 3 Games, made 3 Starts, threw 2 Complete Games, including 1 Shutout, pitched 31 Innings, allowed 19 Hits, 3 Runs, 3 Earned Runs, 1 Home Run, 10 Walks, 8 Strikeouts, posted a 3-0 record, 0.87 ERA, and 0.935 WHIP. His record 29.2 scoreless World Series innings was later broken by Whitey Ford. At the plate, Ruth played in 41 World Series Games, collected 42 Hits, 5 Doubles, 2 Triples, 15 Home Runs, 33 RBI, scored 37 Runs, 4 Stolen Bases, 33 Walks, 30 Strikeouts, .326 BA, .470 OBP, .744 SLG, and 1.214 OPS. In 1926, he became the first player to hit three Home Runs in a World Series game. Ruth repeated the feat two years later.
Ruth’s career on the mound was cut short because of his bat. His best season pitching was 1916 with the Red Sox. Ruth pitched in 44 Games, made 40 Starts, threw 23 Complete Games, including 9 Shutouts, pitched 323.2 Innings, allowed 230 Hits, 83 Runs, 63 Earned Runs, 0 Home Runs, 118 Walks, 170 Strikeouts, posted a 23-12 record, 1.75 ERA, 1.075 WHIP, and 158 ERA+. He won the American League ERA Title. Ruth’s best season at the plate was not his MVP season, but two seasons before. In 1921, coming off his record shattering first season in the Bronx, Ruth playing in 152 Games, collected 204 Hits, 44 Doubles, 16 Triples, 59 Home Runs, 168 RBI, scored 177 Runs, 17 Stolen Bases, 145 Walks, 81 Strikeouts, .378 BA, .512 OBP, .846 SLG, 1.359 OPS, and 239 OPS+. He broke his own Home Run record set the season prior. He led the American League in Home Runs, RBI, Runs scored, Walks, OBP, SLG, OPS, and OPS+. He hit more Home Runs than five American League teams. He passed Roger Connor’s 139 career Home Runs to become the Home Run King. Ruth set single season records for Extra Base Hits (119) and Total Bases (457). There was little Ruth could not do on a baseball field.
Maryland has given more to baseball than just Grove and Ruth. The Old Line State has 11 native sons in the Hall of Fame: Harold Baines, Frank Baker, Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Judy Johnson, Al Kaline, Bowie Kuhn (Commissioner), Cal Ripken Jr., Babe Ruth, John Schuerholz (Executive), and Vic Willis. Maryland reigns supreme as the state with the highest combined WAR from its best pitcher and position player. Next week the United States of Baseball returns to New England. The Bay State is next, Massachusetts.
DJ
United States of Baseball- Iowa
“Is this heaven?” “No, it’s Iowa.”
Field of Dreams is one of the best baseball movies ever made. It shines a light on Iowa and its contribution to the game. The Hawkeye State has sent 222 players to the Major Leagues. There are several terrific pitchers from Iowa, but Red Faber is the best. His 67.67 career WAR ranks 21st among state and territory leaders. Cap Anson is the greatest position player from the Hawkeye State. His 94.28 career WAR is the 13th highest among state and territory leaders. Faber and Anson give Iowa 161.95 WAR, 17th highest among all states and territories.
Red Faber was on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Opening Day roster in 1911, but was sent to the minors before pitching in a game. In Minneapolis, of the American Association, the Cascade native hurt his arm in a distance throwing contest. If not for learning to throw the spitball, his career would have been over. Urban Clarence Faber was later one of 17 pitchers grandfathered in when the spitball was made illegal before the 1920 season. He would be the last spitballer to play his entire career in the American League.
Sometimes in life you are at the right place at the right time. A group of All Stars embarked on an Around The World Tour in 1914. They hoped to spread the game and create more business for Al Spalding’s sporting goods company. When Christy Mathewson backed out over concerns of seasickness, Faber replaced him. It was the break of a lifetime. White Sox owner Charles Comiskey was impressed by the young right hander and bought his contract for the 1914 season. Faber would spend his entire 20 season career with the White Sox (1914-1933). He pitched in 669 Games, made 483 Starts, threw 273 Complete Games, including 29 Shutouts, pitched 4,086.2 Innings, allowed 4,106 Hits, 1,813 Runs, 1,430 Earned Runs, 111 Home Runs, 1,213 Walks, 1,471 Strikeouts, posting a 254-213 record, 3.15 ERA, 1.302 WHIP, and 119 ERA+. He pitched three career One Hitters, but never a No Hitter. Faber pitched in four games and won three for the White Sox in the 1917 World Series. He did not pitch for the Black Sox in the tarnished 1919 World Series as he recovered from the flu and multiple injuries. He twice led the American League in ERA (1921-1922). Faber was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1964 by the Veterans Committee.
Faber’s best season was in 1921. He pitched in 43 Games, made 39 Starts, threw 32 Complete Games, including 4 Shutouts, pitched 330.2 Innings, allowed 293 Hits 107 Runs, 91 Earned Runs, 10 Home Runs, 87 Walks, 124 Strikeouts, posted a 25-15 record, 2.48 ERA, 1.149 WHIP, and 170 ERA+. He led the Junior Circuit in Complete Games, ERA, WHIP, and ERA+. Faber’s 25 Wins accounted for 40% of Chicago’s wins in the aftermath of the Black Sox Scandal.
Cap Anson was baseball’s first superstar and the face of racism in baseball. Adrian Constantine Anson alone did not prevent African-Americans from playing Major League Baseball, but his stature and fierce racism helped solidify baseball’s color line. The Marshalltown native played First Base and Managed for most of his career. In 27 seasons, Anson played for three teams: Rockford Forest Citys (1871), Philadelphia Athletics (1872-1875), and Chicago White Stockings/ Colts (1876-1897). He managed three teams in 21 seasons: Philadelphia Athletics (1875), Chicago White Stockings/ Colts (1879, 1880-1897), and New York Giants (1898). He was a fierce competitor, winning five National League pennants and posting a 1,295-947 record, .578 Win%, as a manager. Anson was the second manager with 1,000 wins, after Harry Wright, and the first player to collect 3,000 Hits.
The ferocity that made him such a great player also made Anson plenty of enemies. He was an outspoken opponent of the Players League, and sought to undermine it. Anson later believed former members of the Players League conspired to deny him multiple pennants after the Players League’s collapse. He never let go of a grudge.
Cap Anson was the last barehanded first baseman, finally wearing a glove in 1892. He helped lead the 1914 Around the World Baseball tour with his good friend Al Spalding. In his legendary career, Anson played in 2,524 Games, collected 3,435 Hits. 582 Doubles, 142 Triples, 97 Home Runs, 2,075 RBI, scored 1,999 Runs, 277 Stolen Bases, 984 Walks, 330 Strikeouts, .334 BA, .394 OBP, .447 SLG, .841 OPS, and 142 OPS+. When he retired, Anson was the all time leader in Games Played, At Bats, Runs scored, Hits, Doubles, RBI, and Managerial Wins. Over 120 years after he last played for the Cubs, he remains the franchise leader in Hits, Runs scored, Doubles, and RBI. Anson won four Batting Titles (1879, 1881, 1887, and 1888). He remains 9th all time in Runs scored, 7th in Hits, 22nd in Doubles, 5th in RBI, and 4th in Singles. Defensively at First, Anson is 7th in Games Played, 2nd in Putouts, and 1st in Errors. Anson was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1939.
In his long career, Anson had plenty of great seasons, but his 1886 season with the White Stockings was his best. In 125 Games, he collected 187 Hits, 35 Doubles, 11 Triples, 10 Home Runs, 147 RBI, scored 117 Runs, 29 Stolen Bases, 55 Walks, 19 Strikeouts, .371 BA, .433 OBP, .544 SLG, .977 OPS, and 180 OPS+. He led the National League in RBI. Anson’s greatness on the field is difficult to confine to a single season, but 1886 provides a useful comparison to the modern game.
Iowa continues to play an important role in the growth of baseball. The Hawkeye State has seven native sons in the Hall of Fame: Cap Anson, Dave Bancroft, Fred Clarke, Red Faber, Bob Feller, Dazzy Vance, and J.L. Wilkinson (Executive). More will surely follow. Next week the United States of Baseball moves to the Great Plains and the Sunflower State. Kansas is next.
DJ
United States of Baseball- Georgia
Major League Baseball continues to see a steady stream of players from Georgia. The warm weather for much of the year combined with the Braves dynasty in the 1990’s and early 2000’s created a generation of baseball crazed players and fans. The Peach State has sent 390 players to MLB. The Hall of Fame has welcomed six Georgia natives: Ty Cobb, Josh Gibson, Johnny Mize, Jackie Robinson, Bill Terry, and Frank Thomas. Kevin Brown is the greatest pitcher from the Peach State. His career 68.21 WAR ranks 20th among all state and territory leaders. Ty Cobb is the greatest position player. His career 151.02 WAR is the 4th highest among position players. Brown and Cobb’s combined 219.23 WAR ranks Georgia 9th highest among all states and territories.
Kevin Brown was born in Milledgeville. He played 19 seasons in the Majors for six teams: Texas Rangers (1986, 1988-1994), Baltimore Orioles (1995), Florida Marlins (1996-1997), San Diego Padres (1998), Los Angeles Dodgers (1999-2003), and New York Yankees (2004-2005). On the mound, Brown pitched in 486 Games, making 476 Starts, throwing 72 Complete Games, 17 Shutouts, pitching 3,256.1 Innings, allowing 3,079 Hits, 1,357 Runs, 1,185 Earned Runs, 208 Home Runs, 901 Walks, 2,397 Strikeouts, posting a 211-144 record, 3.28 ERA, 1.222 WHIP, and 127 ERA+. Opposing hitters knew they were in for a rough day with Brown pitching.
Brown’s elite pitching earned him six All Star selections, the 1997 World Series, and two ERA titles (1996 and 2000). He finished sixth in the 1989 National League Rookie of the Year voting. He finished in the top six for Cy Young voting five times (1992- 6th, 1996- 2nd, 1998- 3rd, 1999- 6th, and 2000- 6th). He threw a No Hitter against the Giants in 1997. A year later, Brown’s success on the mound saw him rewarded with the then largest contract in MLB history. He signed a seven year free agent contract with the Dodgers for $105 million. It was baseball’s first $100+ million contract. He appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2011. He received 2.1% of the vote, failing to reach the minimum 5% to remain on the ballot.
Unquestionably, Brown’s best season was in 1996 with the Florida Marlins. In 32 Starts, he threw 5 Complete Games, including 3 Shutouts, pitched 233 Innings, allowed 187 Hits, 60 Runs, 49 Earned Runs, 8 Home Runs, 33 Walks, 159 Strikeouts, posted a 17-11 record, 1.89 ERA, 0.944 WHIP, and 215 ERA+. Brown led the National League in ERA, WHIP, and ERA+. He was an All Star, finished second for the Cy Young award, and 22nd for the MVP. Kevin Brown was outstanding and was among the National League’s best in 1996.
No player was ever more fanatical about baseball than Ty Cobb. He was born in Narrows and played 24 seasons for the Detroit Tigers (1905-1926) and Philadelphia Athletics (1927-1928). In 3,034 career Games he collected 4,189 Hits, 724 Doubles, 295 Triples, 117 Home Runs, 1,944 RBI, scored 2,245 Runs, 897 Stolen Bases, 1,249 Walks, 680 Strikeouts, .366 BA, .433 OBP, .512 SLG, .944 OPS, 168 OPS+, and 5,854 Total Bases. When he retired, Cobb held the record for most Hits, Stolen Bases, and BA. Both Hits and Stolen Bases have since been surpassed, but his record .366 BA seems untouchable.
Cobb is perhaps the greatest hitter of all time. He hit over .400 three times. He won 12 Batting Titles in 13 seasons, including nine straight. He led the American League in Hits eight times and collected at least 200 Hits nine times. He led the league in Doubles three times. He hit at least 30 Doubles in 15 seasons and at least 40 Doubles in four seasons. Cobb led the league in Triples four times, legging out at least 10 Triples in 17 seasons, and at least 20 in four seasons. He had seven 100 RBI seasons, leading the American League four times. He led the Junior Circuit in Stolen Bases six times with nine seasons of at least 50 Steals. Cobb was the premier player of his era, winning the 1909 Triple Crown (9 HR, 107 RBI, .377 BA). In 1936, the Baseball Hall of Fame announced its first class: Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, Walter Johnson, and Ty Cobb. It was Cobb, not Ruth, who received the most votes, with 98.2% for induction into Cooperstown.
Selecting the greatest individual season of Cobb’s career is nearly impossible. He was consistently brilliant. Examining his MVP 1911 season with the Tigers seems the most appropriate. In 146 Games, he collected 248 Hits, 47 Doubles, 24 Triples, 8 Home Runs, 127 RBI, scored 148 Runs, 83 Stolen Bases, 44 Walks, 42 Strikeouts, .419 BA, .466 OBP, .620 SLG, 1.086 OPS, 196 OPS+, and 367 Total Bases. Cobb led the league in Runs scored, Hits, Doubles, Triples, RBI, Stolen Bases, BA, SLG, OPS, OPS+, and Total Bases. He won the first American League MVP award. He finished 7th in 1912, 20th in 1913, and 14th in 1914 after which the award was discontinued. The MVP returned to the Junior Circuit in 1922, but previous winners were ineligible to win again. It is not difficult to imagine the Georgia Peach winning at least five MVP awards if he was eligible.
Georgia continues to send great players to the Majors every year. The state shows no sign of slowing down. Next week the United States of Baseball goes west, really far west to the Land of the Chamorro. Guam is next.
DJ
United States of Baseball- Delaware
Delaware is often forgotten. Sitting on the Atlantic coast between Philadelphia and the Washington-Baltimore Metro, the state hides in plain sight. While the First State does not have a Major League team, it has sent 56 players to baseball’s highest level. Delaware punches above its weight for its place in baseball. Sadie McMahon is the greatest pitcher born in Delaware. His 43.55 WAR is the 36th highest among all state and territory leaders. Paul Goldschmidt has the highest WAR for position players born in Delaware. His 45.11 WAR ranks him 40th. McMahon and Goldschmidt have a combined 88.66 WAR, ranking Delaware 39th among all states and territories.
John Joseph McMahon was born in Wilmington. He earned the nickname Sadie during his baseball career, but the exact origins are unclear. McMahon pitched for nine seasons with three teams: Philadelphia Athletics (1889-1890), Baltimore Orioles (1890-1896), and Brooklyn Bridegrooms (1897). He played during a time of great change for pitchers with the introduction of the pitchers mound in 1893. McMahon pitched in 321 career Games, made 305 Starts, throwing 279 Complete Games, including 14 Shutouts, in 2,634 Innings, allowing 2,726 Hits, 1,592 Runs, 1,026 Earned Runs, 52 Home Runs, 945 Walks, 967 Strikeouts, 98 Wild Pitches, posting a 173-127 record, 3.51 ERA, 1.394 WHIP, and 118 ERA+. He was forced to retire before turning 30 after a shoulder injury derailed his career.
Pitching from the flat pitchers box, McMahon enjoyed his best season with the 1891 Baltimore Orioles. He appeared in 61 Games, with 58 Starts, throwing 53 Complete Games, including 5 Shutouts, in 503 Innings, allowing 493 Hits, 259 Runs, 157 Earned Runs, 13 Home Runs, 149 Walks, 219 Strikeouts, 16 Wild Pitches, posting a 35-24 record, 2.81 ERA, 1.276 WHIP, and 131 ERA+. He led the American Association in Starts, Wins, Complete Games, Shutouts, and Innings Pitched. His 35 Wins were nearly half of the Orioles 71 victories.
Sadie McMahon was an elite pitcher before injuries quieted his arm. In the twilight of his career, McMahon went pitch for pitch against Cy Young and the Cleveland Spiders in the 1895 Temple Cup. The Temple Cup was a postseason exhibition series. While McMahon is not an all time great, he was a terrific pitcher in the early days of professional baseball.
Paul Goldschmidt is the greatest position player born in Delaware. The Wilmington native is the first active player to lead a state or territory in the United States of Baseball. The star First Baseman is entering his age 33 season, having played 10 seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2011-2018) and St. Louis Cardinals (2019-present). Goldschmidt has played 1,311 career Games, collected 1,395 Hits, 305 Doubles, 20 Triples, 249 Home Runs, with 828 RBI, 837 Runs scored, 128 Stolen Bases, 770 Walks, 1,268 Strikeouts, .293 BA, .392 OBP, .522 SLG, .914 OPS, and 141 OPS+. He is a six time All Star, four time Silver Slugger, three time Gold Glover, 2017 World Baseball Classic champion, and twice finished second for the National League MVP (2013 and 2015).
Goldschmidt’s best season, thus far, was in 2015 with the Diamondbacks. In 159 Games, he collected 182 Hits, 38 Doubles, 2 Triples, 33 Home Runs, 110 RBI, 103 Runs scored, 21 Stolen Bases, 118 Walks, 151 Strikeouts, .321 BA, .435 OBP, .570 SLG, 1.005 OPS, and 168 OPS+. He was an All Star, won both the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove, and finished second for the MVP award. This was not a one season flash as Goldschmidt was just as dominant in 2013, either season could be his best. Now playing for the ever competitive Cardinals, Goldschmidt will be a force for many more seasons.
The First State is not the biggest state, nor has it sent the most players to the Majors. However, it plays its part in the continuing story of baseball. Delaware has one native son in Cooperstown, Bill McGowan. Surely the legendary umpire will someday be joined by a fellow Delawarean. The United States of Baseball takes a short drive west next week to the nation’s capital, the District of Columbia is next.
DJ
The Fix Is In
Eddie Cicotte takes the sign from Ray Schalk, winds and fires. OUCH! Cicotte drills the first Cincinnati Red, signaling the Chicago White Sox will throw the 1919 World Series. Baseball fans know what happened next. Eight White Sox players were accused, brought to trial, found not guilty, and then banned by new Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis. Chick Gandil, Eddie Cicotte, Happy Felsch, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Fred McMullin, Swede Risberg, Buck Weaver, and Lefty Williams were placed on the ineligible list, where they have remained ever since.
The Black Sox scandal overshadowed the 1919 World Series. The Reds were largely ignored. So too was Cincinnati Second Baseman Morrie Rath who received the painful signal. Rath played for four teams in six seasons between stents in the Minors from 1909 to 1920. Connie Mack bought Rath from the Reading Pretzels of the Tri-State League on August 21, 1909. A month later, Rath went hitless in his Major League debut against the Cleveland Naps. On July 23, 1910, after playing just 18 games for Philadelphia, Rath and a Player To Be Named Later, Shoeless Joe Jackson, were traded to Cleveland for Bris Lord. Rath played 24 games for the Naps before his demotion to the Baltimore Orioles of the Eastern League. He stayed in Baltimore through the 1911 season, when the White Sox selected him in the Rule 5 Draft. He played 249 Games for Chicago before he was sold to the Kansas City Blues of the American Association in August 1913. He was again traded to the Salt Lake City Bees for Dutch Ruether in November 1915. The Cincinnati Reds selected Rath in the 1917 Rule 5 Draft. He finally joined the Cincinnati Reds in 1919 after spending 1918 in the Navy.
Morrie Rath was the recipient of the most famous Hit By Pitch in baseball history. (www.sabr.com)
Rath played 565 Games for the Philadelphia Athletics, Cleveland Naps, Chicago White Sox, and Cincinnati Reds. He posted a career .254 BA, .342 OBP, .285 SLG, 521 Hits, 36 Doubles, 7 Triples, 4 Home Runs, 92 RBI, 291 Runs scored, 83 Stolen Bases, 258 Walks, 112 Strike Outs, and 14 Hit By Pitch. Defensively, Rath was a good, not great, Second Baseman. In 4,518 Innings he had 2,817 Chances, made 1,167 Putouts, 1,565 Assists, turned 200 Double Plays, 85 Errors, for a .970 Fielding %. Baseball history is littered with players like Rath. Playing for multiple teams with a few successful seasons, before fading into history.
October 1, 1919 was Rath’s most memorable game. The Reds hosted the heavily favored White Sox at Redland Field in Game 1 of the World Series. Reds Manager Pat Moran inserted Rath in the leadoff spot against Eddie Cicotte, who was 29-7 with a 1.82 ERA in the Regular Season. Rath waited as Cicotte fired his first pitch. SMACK! Rath trotted to First. Jake Daubert followed, singling to Right Center, Rath took third. Heinie Groh then flew out to Left, allowing Rath to score. 1-0 Reds.
The Black Sox lost the 1919 World Series and were then banned from baseball. (www.worthpoint.com)
Reds pitcher Duth Ruether allowed an unearned run in the Second. Cicotte walked Ruether to lead off the Bottom of the Third. Rath dropped a sacrifice bunt to Cicotte moving Ruether to Second. However, Daubert and Groh failed to drive Ruether in, stranding him at Second. The game remained tied 1-1.
The wheels came off for Chicago with two outs in the Bottom of the Fourth. Runner on first when Greasy Neale reached on an infield hit. Ivey Wingo then singled to Right, scoring Larry Kopf. Dutch Ruether tripled to Left Center, scoring Neale and Wingo. Rath Doubled to Left, scoring Ruether. Daubert singled to Right scoring Rath. Chicago’s frustrated Manager Kid Gleason pulled Cicotte for Roy Wilkinson who retired Groh. 6-1 Reds.
Morrie Rath was a good player that would have faded into history if Eddie Cicotte did not hit him to begin the 1919 World Series. (www.cincinnati.com)
Rath lined into an inning ending double play in the Sixth and grounded out to Short for the second out of the Eighth. The Reds won Game 1, 9-1. Rath went 1 for 3, 1 Double, 1 RBI, 2 Runs scored, 1 Hit By Pitch, and 1 Sac Bunt. Defensively he had 4 Putouts and 2 Assists. In Rath’s only Fall Classic, he played all 8 Games, with a .226 BA and .333 OBP. He collected 7 Hits, 1 Double, 5 Runs scored, 2 RBI, 4 Walks, 2 Stolen Bases, and 1 Hit By Pitch. In the field, he played 72 innings, in 40 Chances he had 21 Putouts, 17 Assists, 2 Errors, and 4 Double Plays.
Morrie Rath played his final Major League game a year after the 1919 World Series. He went 1 for 5 in a 6-3 Reds defeat on the final day of the season. Cincinnati finished third in the National League, 10.5 games behind the Brooklyn Robins. On January 4, 1921, Rath was one of three Players To Be Named Later and $10,000 traded to the Seattle Rainiers of Pacific Coast League for Sam Bohne. He ended his career playing 124 games for the San Francisco Seals in 1921. After retiring from baseball, Rath returned to suburban Philadelphia to run a sporting goods store.
DJ
Baseball Lifer: Connie Mack
Baseball lifers are bridges that connect different eras and players to each other. The majorifoty of players, coaches, and managers spend just a few years in the Majors before their time is over. Not everyone walks away from the game willingly, often due to injury or poor performance. Then there are those that spend their lives living, breathing, and working in baseball. These baseball lifers come to the game young and leave when they are old. One such baseball lifer is Connie Mack and we may never see a lifer of his significance ever again..
Cornelius McGillicuddy, shortened to Connie Mack in childhood, spent 65 years in baseball as a player and manager. He played for 11 seasons from 1886 to 1896 with three different teams: the Washington Nationals, the Buffalo Bisons of the Players League, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. A career .244 BA, Mack was primarily a catcher during the days when catchers truly took a beating. He logged 5,186 innings behind the plate and an additional 985 in the field. Mack led the Majors in a statistical category only three times during his playing career: two he would have rather not (1890- 20 HBP and 1887- 76 Passed Balls) and one he should be proud of accomplishing (1892- 47% CS (base stealers were 136 for 257)). While not a remarkable playing career, Mack parlayed his career on the field into one in managing.
Connie Mack saw it all in his life in baseball. (www.baseballhall.org)
Late in the 1894 season, Connie Mack was named the player-manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates went 149 and 134 under Mack, with a winning record each season, but fell short of ownership expectations. He was fired following the 1896 season. Retired as a player and recently fired from his Major League managing job, Connie Mack went to the minor leagues to manage and occasionally catch for the Milwaukee Brewers over the next four seasons.
In 1901, Connie Mack embarked upon his legendary career as the manager of the Philadelphia Athletics. He began managing the A’s in 1901 at the age of 38 and finally retired in 1950 at the age of 87. During Mack’s 50 years managing in Philadelphia, the A’s record was 3,582 and 3,814, a .484 Winning Percentage. The A’s won nine American League Pennants (1902, 1905, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1914, 1929, 1930, and 1931) and five World Series titles (1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, and 1930). Mack’s Winning Percentage can be misleading, as many agree he managed for 18 years too long. In his first 32 seasons in Philadelphia, the A’s went 2,517 and 2,253 with a .527 Winning Percentage. In the final 18 seasons of his career, the A’s went 1,065 and 1,561 with a .406 Winning Percentage. As he got older, Mack was unable to keep pace with the tactical and financial changes in baseball. The financial changes also meant that the A’s were no longer viable in Philadelphia, and by 1955 the team moved to Kansas City. Mack did not know when to walk away from the game. Like a player hanging on for too long, managers also have to know when their skills have declined and when it is time to call it a career.
Connie Mack wanted to win baseball games and build better men. (United States Library of Congress)
Connie Mack saw the development of baseball through the good times and the bad. From the early rough and tumble years in the late 1800’s to the Black Sox Scandal to the rise of Babe Ruth and the Yankees to integration. Mack saw it all from the dugout. He demanded from his players that they play to the best of their abilities, but he was not overbearing. Mack let his players be who they were, but he wanted them to be smart and make intelligent decisions when they were on the field. Unlike the other hardened men of the time, Mack went beyond the results on the diamond; he wanted his players to be better people. After the 1916 season, Mack created a Code of Conduct for his players.
- I will always play the game to the best of my ability.
- I will always play to win, but if I lose, I will not look for an excuse to detract from my opponent’s victory.
- I will never take an unfair advantage in order to win.
- I will always abide by the rules of the game—on the diamond as well as in my daily life.
- I will always conduct myself as a true sportsman—on and off the playing field.
- I will always strive for the good of the entire team rather than for my own glory.
- I will never gloat in victory or pity myself in defeat.
- I will do my utmost to keep myself clean—physically, mentally, and morally.
- I will always judge a teammate or an opponent as an individual and never on the basis of race or religion.
Mack’s rules came at a time when the Major Leagues excluded African-Americans. While not necessarily pushing for the reintegration of baseball, the Code of Conduct helped change baseball from a game played by rough men to a game that families could enjoy.
Connie Mack’s career has left an indelible mark on baseball. He was ahead of his time with his attitude about race, religion, and playing customs in baseball. He disliked small ball and would rather play for the big inning instead of sacrificing for a single run. The rise of playing for the big inning became more common when home runs became more plentiful. Mack however decided his team had a better chance to win when putting multiple runs in an inning rather than a single run here or there. In the first 35 years of his managerial career, few could argue otherwise.
Connie Mack is forever immortalized in Cooperstown. (www.phillymag.com)
In 1937, Connie Mack was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame even though he was actively managing. He would conclude his managerial career with the most wins (3,731), losses (3,948), games managed (7,755) for any manager in baseball history, and tied for second for most Pennants (9 with Joe McCarthy). He won 968 more games than John McGraw, who is second on the list for most career wins. Mack managed 2,658 more games than second place Tony LaRussa. If he had retired after the 1932 season, Mack’s .527 Winning Percentage would be higher than that of fellow Hall of Fame managers Tommy Lasorda, Red Schoendienst, Dick Williams, and Casey Stengel among others. If Connie Mack had only know when to walk away.
Understanding Connie Mack’s impact on the game of baseball goes beyond the numbers. He was with baseball during the good times and the bad. His story connects modern baseball to its historical roots. In 1886, 34-year-old Cap Anson was playing his 16th season of professional baseball and 31-year-old Charles “Old Hoss” Radbourn was still pitching, just two seasons removed from winning 59 games for the Providence Grays. In 1950, Duke Snider was a fourth year outfielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Whitey Ford won the American League Rookie of the Year award with the Yankees. Connie Mack was the commonality between those events that took place over nearly a lifetime apart. This week marks the 60th anniversary of his death. Connie Mack saw just about everything there was to see in baseball. By connecting us to the past, let us not forget the baseball lifers in the game today who are important in helping maintain our perspective where the game has come from and where the game is going.
DJ
The Winning Run 