Manager: Frankie Frisch
Record: 95-58
Ballpark: Sportsman's Park
Owner: Sam Breadon
GM: Branch Rickey
Coaches: Mike Gonzalez, Buzzy Wares
Future Hall of Famers: Dizzy Dean, Leo Durocher, Frankie Frisch, Burleigh Grimes, Jesse Haines, Joe Medwick, Dazzy Vance
All-Stars: Dizzy Dean, Frankie Frisch, Pepper Martin, Joe Medwick
Team Leaders, Batting
BA: Ripper Collins, .333
OBP: Ripper Collins, .393
SLG: Ripper Collins, .615 (NL leader)
OPS: Ripper Collins, 1.008 (NL leader)
2B: Ripper Collins, Joe Medwick, 40
3B: Joe Medwick, 18 (NL leader)
HR: Ripper Collins, 35 (NL leader)
RBI: Ripper Collins, 128
BB: Ripper Collins, 57
SB: Pepper Martin, 23 (NL leader)
Team Leaders, Pitching
W: Dizzy Dean, 30 (NL leader)
SO: Dizzy Dean, 195 (NL leader)
ERA: Dizzy Dean, 2.66
IP: Dizzy Dean, 311.2
CG: Dizzy Dean, 24
SHO: Dizzy Dean, 7 (NL leader)
K/BB: Paul Dean, 2.88
SV: Dizzy Dean, 7
(You think Ol' Diz might have been their ace?)
Tidbits
Oldest Player: Dazzy Vance (b. March 4, 1891)
Youngest Player: Paul Dean (b. August 14, 1912)
First to Leave Us: Chick Fullis (d. March 28, 1946)
Last Survivor: Clarence Heise (d. May 30, 1999)
First in Majors: Dazzy Vance (debut April 16, 1915)
Last in Majors: Joe Medwick (final game July 25, 1948)
First to Play For the Franchise: Jesse Haines (April 14, 1920)
Last to Play For the Franchise: Joe Medwick (July 25, 1948)
Pre-union Team: The 1930-32 Giants had four each: Pat Crawford (1930), Chick Fullis, Francis Healy, Jim Mooney (1931-32) and Bill Walker.
Reunion Team: Like the previous two Cardinal champs, the reunion team was in Cincinnati. The 1937 Reds had four: Kiddo Davis, Spud Davis, Bill Hallahan and Lew Riggs. They were tied with the 1940 Dodgers, however. In addition to player-manager Leo Durocher, Brooklyn had Tex Carleton, Joe Medwick and Gene Moore that year.
Accomplishments
Paul Dean, no-hitter on September 21
Dizzy Dean, NL MVP
Season Summary
When you think of the Cardinals these days you probably think of a quiet, unassuming Midwestern franchise rich with tradition and class. Back in the mid-'30s it was a different story. This group was a dirty, scrappy, raggedy bunch that fought and clawed its way to victory. That reputation earned them the nickname "The Gashouse Gang," since their lack of decorum resembled a bunch of kids from the wrong side of the tracks.
For two seasons Dizzy Dean had been the ace of some pretty average Cardinal staffs; in 1934 his younger brother Paul came onboard and gave St. Louis a formidable 1-2 punch. With a supporting cast of Tex Carleton, Bill Walker and Bill Hallahan, the Cards' pitching finished second in ERA+ and first in strikeout-to-walk ratio. Dizzy won the MVP based on his 30-7 record and 2.66 ERA, while simultaneously embodying the team's free-spirited everyman personality. On offense they led the NL in batting average, slugging average, doubles and stolen bases, while they were second in triples, homers and OPS+. All told, they scored the most runs in the Senior Circuit. Their fielding percentage and DER were both exactly league average.
The Cardinals' road to the World Series wasn't an easy one. They spent less than two weeks total in first place during the season, and they were stuck behind the Giants and Cubs most of the way. The final month was key. The Cardinals went 21-7 in September while their rivals both had losing records. Particularly damaging was the Giants' losing six of their last seven, a run which allowed the Cardinals to reach first place at just the right time. They won the pennant by only two games.
The Cards' World Series opponent was the Detroit Tigers, whom they beat in seven games. The Dean brothers were credited with all four St. Louis victories. Game 7 was an 11-0 Cardinal rout, but in one last display of Gashouse behavior, Joe Medwick spiked Tiger third baseman Marv Owen in the sixth, causing a fight and angering the Detroit crowd. The Motor City fans pelted him with debris after he returned to left field, and the scene was so bad that Medwick had to be removed from the game for his own safety.
Acknowledgements:
Baseball Reference
Baseball Almanac
Google News Archives
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
PTWSW #30: The 1933 New York Giants
Manager: Bill Terry
Record: 91-61
Ballpark: Polo Grounds
Owner: Charles Stoneham
Coaches: Tommy Clarke, Al Smith, Frank Snyder (Interesting fact: Smith was a 25-year-old pitcher who made his Major League debut the next season. In 1933 his role was throwing for batting practice.)
Future Hall of Famers: Carl Hubbell, Travis Jackson, Mel Ott, Bill Terry
All-Stars: Carl Hubbell, Lefty O'Doul, Hal Schumacher, Bill Terry
Team Leaders, Batting
BA: Bill Terry, .322
OBP: Bill Terry, .375
SLG: Mel Ott, .467
OPS: Mel Ott, .834
2B: Mel Ott, 36
3B: Johnny Vergez, 6
HR: Mel Ott, 23
RBI: Mel Ott, 103
BB: Mel Ott, 75 (NL leader)
SB: Kiddo Davis, 10
Team Leaders, Pitching
W: Carl Hubbell, 23 (NL leader)
SO: Carl Hubbell, 156
ERA: Carl Hubbell, 1.66 (NL leader)
IP: Carl Hubbell, 308.2 (NL leader)
CG: Carl Hubbell, 22
SHO: Carl Hubbell, 10 (NL leader)
K/BB: Carl Hubbell, 3.32 (NL leader)
SV: Hi Bell, Carl Hubbell, 5
(They didn't call Hubbell "The Meal Ticket" for nothing.)
Tidbits
Oldest Player: Dolf Luque (b. August 4, 1890)
Youngest Player: Jack Salveson (b. January 5, 1914)
First to Leave Us: Hi Bell (d. June 7, 1949)
Last Survivor: Harry Danning (d. November 29, 2004)
First in Majors: Dolf Luque (debut May 20, 1914)
Last in Majors: Mel Ott (final game July 11, 1947)
First to Play For the Franchise: Travis Jackson (September 27, 1922)
Last to Play For the Franchise: Mel Ott (July 11, 1947)
Pre-union Team: The 1925-29 Reds had Hughie Critz, Chuck Dressen and Dolf Luque; the 1930 Cardinals had Hi Bell, Gus Mancuso and Homer Peel; and the 1931-32 Robins/Dodgers had Watty Clark, Dolf Luque (1931), Lefty O'Doul and Paul Richards (1932).
Reunion Team: Many had two, none had more.
Accomplishments
Carl Hubbell, NL MVP
Season Summary
1932 had been a season of change for the Giants. John McGraw, their iconic manager, had resigned in June amidst health problems shortly after his team fell into last place. Managerial duties were then bestowed upon first baseman Bill Terry, a future Hall of Famer and by then a veteran star. When sixth place was the best finish the Giants could muster, Terry knew he had to clean house for 1933. His philosophy? Improve the defense. With several talented pitchers already on the roster (their team strikeout-to-walk ratio was second-best in 1932), a little aid in the field was sure to put them over the top. Gone were poor fielders like catcher Shanty Hogan, shortstop Doc Marshall and center fielder Freddie Lindstrom. Replacing them were superior glovemen Gus Mancuso, Blondy Ryan and Kiddo Davis, respectively. To say that the strategy worked would be an understatement. The team DER jumped from fifth-best to number one. Their ERA+ jumped from a second-worst 97 to a league-leading 118. Their offense took a slight hit, with their team OPS+ decreasing by four points (96 to 92), but the improved run prevention more than made up for it.
The Giants didn't run away with the pennant. They were never out of first after June 4, but the Cardinals, Cubs and Pirates all made them sweat at various points. The Giants made a spectacular trade on June 16 when they sent backup first baseman Sam Leslie (who wasn't going to unseat Terry) to Brooklyn for Watty Clark and Lefty O'Doul. Clark didn't do much, but O'Doul added valuable outfield depth with a 146 OPS+ after the trade. New York spent the last month and a half with a fairly comfortable lead, and they won the pennant by five games.
The Giants hadn't been in the World Series since 1924, when they fell to the Washington Senators. The 1933 Fall Classic rematched them with those same Senators. This time the Giants would have their revenge, beating the Nats in five games. Carl Hubbell, who'd been awarded the NL MVP for his 23-12 record and 1.66 ERA, validated the voters' decision by pitching masterfully in both his starts. Washington scored three runs off him in the 20 innings he pitched, but none was earned. The Giants won both games. New York won Games 4 and 5 in extra innings, with Blondy Ryan's eleventh-inning single and Mel Ott's tenth-inning homer the victorious blows. 43-year-old Dolf Luque, the troop's eldest soldier, pitched out of a jam in the bottom of the tenth in Game 5 to seal the Giants' world championship.
Acknowledgements:
Baseball Reference
Baseball Almanac
Google News Archives
Baseball Between the Numbers
Record: 91-61
Ballpark: Polo Grounds
Owner: Charles Stoneham
Coaches: Tommy Clarke, Al Smith, Frank Snyder (Interesting fact: Smith was a 25-year-old pitcher who made his Major League debut the next season. In 1933 his role was throwing for batting practice.)
Future Hall of Famers: Carl Hubbell, Travis Jackson, Mel Ott, Bill Terry
All-Stars: Carl Hubbell, Lefty O'Doul, Hal Schumacher, Bill Terry
Team Leaders, Batting
BA: Bill Terry, .322
OBP: Bill Terry, .375
SLG: Mel Ott, .467
OPS: Mel Ott, .834
2B: Mel Ott, 36
3B: Johnny Vergez, 6
HR: Mel Ott, 23
RBI: Mel Ott, 103
BB: Mel Ott, 75 (NL leader)
SB: Kiddo Davis, 10
Team Leaders, Pitching
W: Carl Hubbell, 23 (NL leader)
SO: Carl Hubbell, 156
ERA: Carl Hubbell, 1.66 (NL leader)
IP: Carl Hubbell, 308.2 (NL leader)
CG: Carl Hubbell, 22
SHO: Carl Hubbell, 10 (NL leader)
K/BB: Carl Hubbell, 3.32 (NL leader)
SV: Hi Bell, Carl Hubbell, 5
(They didn't call Hubbell "The Meal Ticket" for nothing.)
Tidbits
Oldest Player: Dolf Luque (b. August 4, 1890)
Youngest Player: Jack Salveson (b. January 5, 1914)
First to Leave Us: Hi Bell (d. June 7, 1949)
Last Survivor: Harry Danning (d. November 29, 2004)
First in Majors: Dolf Luque (debut May 20, 1914)
Last in Majors: Mel Ott (final game July 11, 1947)
First to Play For the Franchise: Travis Jackson (September 27, 1922)
Last to Play For the Franchise: Mel Ott (July 11, 1947)
Pre-union Team: The 1925-29 Reds had Hughie Critz, Chuck Dressen and Dolf Luque; the 1930 Cardinals had Hi Bell, Gus Mancuso and Homer Peel; and the 1931-32 Robins/Dodgers had Watty Clark, Dolf Luque (1931), Lefty O'Doul and Paul Richards (1932).
Reunion Team: Many had two, none had more.
Accomplishments
Carl Hubbell, NL MVP
Season Summary
1932 had been a season of change for the Giants. John McGraw, their iconic manager, had resigned in June amidst health problems shortly after his team fell into last place. Managerial duties were then bestowed upon first baseman Bill Terry, a future Hall of Famer and by then a veteran star. When sixth place was the best finish the Giants could muster, Terry knew he had to clean house for 1933. His philosophy? Improve the defense. With several talented pitchers already on the roster (their team strikeout-to-walk ratio was second-best in 1932), a little aid in the field was sure to put them over the top. Gone were poor fielders like catcher Shanty Hogan, shortstop Doc Marshall and center fielder Freddie Lindstrom. Replacing them were superior glovemen Gus Mancuso, Blondy Ryan and Kiddo Davis, respectively. To say that the strategy worked would be an understatement. The team DER jumped from fifth-best to number one. Their ERA+ jumped from a second-worst 97 to a league-leading 118. Their offense took a slight hit, with their team OPS+ decreasing by four points (96 to 92), but the improved run prevention more than made up for it.
The Giants didn't run away with the pennant. They were never out of first after June 4, but the Cardinals, Cubs and Pirates all made them sweat at various points. The Giants made a spectacular trade on June 16 when they sent backup first baseman Sam Leslie (who wasn't going to unseat Terry) to Brooklyn for Watty Clark and Lefty O'Doul. Clark didn't do much, but O'Doul added valuable outfield depth with a 146 OPS+ after the trade. New York spent the last month and a half with a fairly comfortable lead, and they won the pennant by five games.
The Giants hadn't been in the World Series since 1924, when they fell to the Washington Senators. The 1933 Fall Classic rematched them with those same Senators. This time the Giants would have their revenge, beating the Nats in five games. Carl Hubbell, who'd been awarded the NL MVP for his 23-12 record and 1.66 ERA, validated the voters' decision by pitching masterfully in both his starts. Washington scored three runs off him in the 20 innings he pitched, but none was earned. The Giants won both games. New York won Games 4 and 5 in extra innings, with Blondy Ryan's eleventh-inning single and Mel Ott's tenth-inning homer the victorious blows. 43-year-old Dolf Luque, the troop's eldest soldier, pitched out of a jam in the bottom of the tenth in Game 5 to seal the Giants' world championship.
Acknowledgements:
Baseball Reference
Baseball Almanac
Google News Archives
Baseball Between the Numbers
Monday, December 28, 2009
PTWSW #29: The 1932 New York Yankees
Manager: Joe McCarthy
Record: 107-47
Ballpark: Yankee Stadium
Owner: Col. Jacob Ruppert
GM: Ed Barrow
Coaches: Jimmy Burke, Art Fletcher, Cy Perkins
Future Hall of Famers: Earle Combs, Bill Dickey, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Gomez, Tony Lazzeri, Herb Pennock, Red Ruffing, Babe Ruth, Joe Sewell
Team Leaders, Batting
BA: Lou Gehrig, .349
OBP: Babe Ruth, .489 (AL leader)
SLG: Babe Ruth, .661
OPS: Babe Ruth, 1.150
2B: Lou Gehrig, 42
3B: Tony Lazzeri, 16
HR: Babe Ruth, 41
RBI: Lou Gehrig, 151
BB: Babe Ruth, 130 (AL leader)
SB: Ben Chapman, 38 (AL leader)
Team Leaders, Pitching
W: Lefty Gomez, 24
SO: Red Ruffing, 190 (AL leader)
ERA: Red Ruffing, 3.09
CG: Red Ruffing, 22
SHO: Johnny Allen, Red Ruffing, 3
K/BB: Lefty Gomez, 1.68
IP: Lefty Gomez, 265.1
SV: Johnny Allen, Wilcy Moore, 4
Tidbits
Oldest Player: Herb Pennock (b. February 10, 1894)
Youngest Player: Frankie Crosetti (b. October 4, 1910)
First to Leave Us: Lou Gehrig (d. June 2, 1941)
Last Survivor: Charlie Devens (d. August 13, 2003)
First in Majors: Herb Pennock (debut May 14, 1912)
Last in Majors: Frankie Crosetti (final game October 3, 1948)
First to Play For the Franchise: Babe Ruth (April 14, 1920)
Last to Play For the Franchise: Frankie Crosetti (October 3, 1948)
Pre-union Team: There were three Red Sox teams with two: 1915-17, 1919 with Herb Pennock and Babe Ruth, 1926-30 with Danny MacFayden and Red Ruffing, and 1931 with Danny MacFayden and Wilcy Moore. Also included are the 1927-28 Indians with Jumbo Brown and Joe Sewell.
Reunion Team: The 1934 Red Sox had six: Dusty Cooke, Hank Johnson, Lyn Lary, Herb Pennock, George Pipgras and Gordon Rhodes.
Accomplishments
Lou Gehrig, four home runs in one game on June 3
Tony Lazzeri, cycle on June 3
Season Summary
Like so many great Yankee teams, the 1932 team was known for its offense. Despite playing in a park that vastly favored pitchers, the Yankee hitters scored the most runs in the American League. Their batting and slugging averages were second-best to the Athletics, but they made up for it by drawing 105 more walks than the White Elephants. The Yanks' team ERA+ was a middle-of-the-pack 102, mainly due to that pitcher's park they played in. Still, they allowed the AL's fewest runs per game and led in strikeout-to-walk ratio. Their defense was nothing special, with only a fifth-best DER.
Like so many teams that win 107 games, there was a significant gap between the Yankees and the next-best team. They were never out of first place after May 20, and their lead was never smaller than four games after June 11. They acquired two talented-but-struggling Red Sox pitchers, Danny MacFayden and Wilcy Moore, in separate midseason trades; both moves paid off when the hurlers' fortunes improved in New York. In the end, the Yankees won the pennant by 13 games.
Like so many teams that win the pennant by a double-digit margin and face a comparatively weak team in the World Series, it only took four games for the Yankees to vanquish the Cubs. The Bronx Bombers outscored them 37-19 for the Series, led by Lou Gehrig's three homers and 1.718 OPS. The most famous home run of the Series though, belonged to Babe Ruth. In the fifth inning of Game 3, with two strikes on him, Ruth pointed a finger toward the field; he delivered a round-tripper on the next pitch. The incident became known as the Babe's "Called Shot," though it's a source of debate to this day whether Ruth intended to predict his homer or if he meant something else by his pointing. Either way, the ambiguous gesture has gone down in history as one of baseball's legendary moments.
Acknowledgements:
Baseball Reference
Baseball Almanac
Google News Archives
Record: 107-47
Ballpark: Yankee Stadium
Owner: Col. Jacob Ruppert
GM: Ed Barrow
Coaches: Jimmy Burke, Art Fletcher, Cy Perkins
Future Hall of Famers: Earle Combs, Bill Dickey, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Gomez, Tony Lazzeri, Herb Pennock, Red Ruffing, Babe Ruth, Joe Sewell
Team Leaders, Batting
BA: Lou Gehrig, .349
OBP: Babe Ruth, .489 (AL leader)
SLG: Babe Ruth, .661
OPS: Babe Ruth, 1.150
2B: Lou Gehrig, 42
3B: Tony Lazzeri, 16
HR: Babe Ruth, 41
RBI: Lou Gehrig, 151
BB: Babe Ruth, 130 (AL leader)
SB: Ben Chapman, 38 (AL leader)
Team Leaders, Pitching
W: Lefty Gomez, 24
SO: Red Ruffing, 190 (AL leader)
ERA: Red Ruffing, 3.09
CG: Red Ruffing, 22
SHO: Johnny Allen, Red Ruffing, 3
K/BB: Lefty Gomez, 1.68
IP: Lefty Gomez, 265.1
SV: Johnny Allen, Wilcy Moore, 4
Tidbits
Oldest Player: Herb Pennock (b. February 10, 1894)
Youngest Player: Frankie Crosetti (b. October 4, 1910)
First to Leave Us: Lou Gehrig (d. June 2, 1941)
Last Survivor: Charlie Devens (d. August 13, 2003)
First in Majors: Herb Pennock (debut May 14, 1912)
Last in Majors: Frankie Crosetti (final game October 3, 1948)
First to Play For the Franchise: Babe Ruth (April 14, 1920)
Last to Play For the Franchise: Frankie Crosetti (October 3, 1948)
Pre-union Team: There were three Red Sox teams with two: 1915-17, 1919 with Herb Pennock and Babe Ruth, 1926-30 with Danny MacFayden and Red Ruffing, and 1931 with Danny MacFayden and Wilcy Moore. Also included are the 1927-28 Indians with Jumbo Brown and Joe Sewell.
Reunion Team: The 1934 Red Sox had six: Dusty Cooke, Hank Johnson, Lyn Lary, Herb Pennock, George Pipgras and Gordon Rhodes.
Accomplishments
Lou Gehrig, four home runs in one game on June 3
Tony Lazzeri, cycle on June 3
Season Summary
Like so many great Yankee teams, the 1932 team was known for its offense. Despite playing in a park that vastly favored pitchers, the Yankee hitters scored the most runs in the American League. Their batting and slugging averages were second-best to the Athletics, but they made up for it by drawing 105 more walks than the White Elephants. The Yanks' team ERA+ was a middle-of-the-pack 102, mainly due to that pitcher's park they played in. Still, they allowed the AL's fewest runs per game and led in strikeout-to-walk ratio. Their defense was nothing special, with only a fifth-best DER.
Like so many teams that win 107 games, there was a significant gap between the Yankees and the next-best team. They were never out of first place after May 20, and their lead was never smaller than four games after June 11. They acquired two talented-but-struggling Red Sox pitchers, Danny MacFayden and Wilcy Moore, in separate midseason trades; both moves paid off when the hurlers' fortunes improved in New York. In the end, the Yankees won the pennant by 13 games.
Like so many teams that win the pennant by a double-digit margin and face a comparatively weak team in the World Series, it only took four games for the Yankees to vanquish the Cubs. The Bronx Bombers outscored them 37-19 for the Series, led by Lou Gehrig's three homers and 1.718 OPS. The most famous home run of the Series though, belonged to Babe Ruth. In the fifth inning of Game 3, with two strikes on him, Ruth pointed a finger toward the field; he delivered a round-tripper on the next pitch. The incident became known as the Babe's "Called Shot," though it's a source of debate to this day whether Ruth intended to predict his homer or if he meant something else by his pointing. Either way, the ambiguous gesture has gone down in history as one of baseball's legendary moments.
Acknowledgements:
Baseball Reference
Baseball Almanac
Google News Archives
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
PTWSW #28: The 1931 St. Louis Cardinals
Manager: Gabby Street
Record: 101-53
Ballpark: Sportsman's Park
Owner: Sam Breadon
GM: Branch Rickey
Coaches: Ray Blades, Buzzy Wares
Future Hall of Famers: Jim Bottomley, Frankie Frisch, Burleigh Grimes, Chick Hafey, Jesse Haines
Team Leaders, Batting
BA: Chick Hafey, .349 (NL leader)
OBP: Chick Hafey, .404
SLG: Chick Hafey, .569
OPS: Chick Hafey, .973
2B: Sparky Adams, 46 (NL leader)
3B: George Watkins, 13
HR: Chick Hafey, 16
RBI: Chick Hafey, 95
BB: Charlie Gelbert, 54
SB: Frankie Frisch, 28 (NL leader)
Team Leaders, Pitching
W: Bill Hallahan, 19 (NL leader)
SO: Bill Hallahan, 159 (NL leader)
ERA: Syl Johnson, 3.00
IP: Bill Hallahan, 248.2
CG: Burleigh Grimes, 17
SHO: Paul Derringer, 4
K/BB: Syl Johnson, 2.83
SV: Jim Lindsey, 7
Tidbits
Oldest Player: Technically it was manager Gabby Street (b. September 30, 1882), but his only playing time came when he inserted himself at catcher for the first three innings of a game against Brooklyn. Among regulars it was third-string catcher Mike Gonzalez (b. September 24, 1890).
Youngest Player: Paul Derringer (b. October 17, 1906)
First to Leave Us: Jimmie Wilson (d. May 31, 1947)
Last Survivor: Ray Cunningham (d. July 30, 2005). Centenarian Cunningham was the oldest living former Major Leaguer at the time of his death.
First in Majors: Once again it was manager Street on September 13, 1904, but among regulars it was Mike Gonzalez on September 28, 1912.
Last in Majors: Paul Derringer (final game September 27, 1945)
First to Play For the Franchise: Mike Gonzalez (1915)
Last to Play For the Franchise: Pepper Martin (October 1, 1944)
Pre-union Team: The 1925-27 Cubs had three: Sparky Adams, Mike Gonzalez and Tony Kaufmann.
Reunion Team: The 1933-34 Reds had eight each, and eleven overall between them: Sparky Adams, Jim Bottomley, Paul Derringer, Taylor Douthit (1933), Jake Flowers (1934), Chick Hafey, Andy High (1933), Syl Johnson (1934), Jim Lindsey (1934), Wally Roettger (1933) and Allyn Stout. You might assume it was because the Reds hired Larry MacPhail out of the Cards' minor league system to be their GM around this time, but in fact, MacPhail didn't join the Reds until December of 1933. Also, MacPhail's Columbus team wasn't part of the Cardinals' minor league system until 1931, by which point these players (obviously) had all reached the majors. As far as I can tell, Branch Rickey simply had a good relationship with the Cincinnati franchise.
Accomplishments
Jim Bottomley, six-hit game on August 5
Frankie Frisch, NL MVP
Season Summary
The Cardinals' biggest strength was their pitching staff, which led the NL with a 114 ERA+, was second in strikeout-to-walk ratio and allowed the second-fewest runs. Their Defensive Efficiency Ratio was slightly below-average, which made those punchouts especially valuable. Their offense was built on speed; they led the league in doubles and stolen bases, and were second in triples. MVP Frankie Frisch led the circuit with 28 swipes, and four of the NL's top five in that category were Redbirds. Only George Watkins and Chick Hafey reached double digits in homers, with 13 and 16, respectively. It all worked, as St. Louis' offense was a close second to the Cubs' in runs scored. The pennant race wasn't especially eventful, as the Cardinals nearly led wire-to-wire, falling behind only briefly in April and May. Their final lead over the second-place Giants was 13 games.
The World Series gave the Cardinals a rematch with the Athletics, who'd beaten them in last year's Fall Classic. St. Louis would emerge victorious in seven games this time. The talk of the Series was center fielder Pepper Martin, who batted .500 (12-for-24), hit four doubles and a home run, drew two walks and stole five bases in the septet. On the pitching side the star was "Wild Bill" Hallahan, who allowed only one earned run in 18.1 innings. When the Athletics threatened in the final inning of Game 7, manager Street called on Hallahan, who retired Max Bishop for the final out.
Acknowledgements:
Baseball Reference
Baseball Almanac
Google News Archives
Record: 101-53
Ballpark: Sportsman's Park
Owner: Sam Breadon
GM: Branch Rickey
Coaches: Ray Blades, Buzzy Wares
Future Hall of Famers: Jim Bottomley, Frankie Frisch, Burleigh Grimes, Chick Hafey, Jesse Haines
Team Leaders, Batting
BA: Chick Hafey, .349 (NL leader)
OBP: Chick Hafey, .404
SLG: Chick Hafey, .569
OPS: Chick Hafey, .973
2B: Sparky Adams, 46 (NL leader)
3B: George Watkins, 13
HR: Chick Hafey, 16
RBI: Chick Hafey, 95
BB: Charlie Gelbert, 54
SB: Frankie Frisch, 28 (NL leader)
Team Leaders, Pitching
W: Bill Hallahan, 19 (NL leader)
SO: Bill Hallahan, 159 (NL leader)
ERA: Syl Johnson, 3.00
IP: Bill Hallahan, 248.2
CG: Burleigh Grimes, 17
SHO: Paul Derringer, 4
K/BB: Syl Johnson, 2.83
SV: Jim Lindsey, 7
Tidbits
Oldest Player: Technically it was manager Gabby Street (b. September 30, 1882), but his only playing time came when he inserted himself at catcher for the first three innings of a game against Brooklyn. Among regulars it was third-string catcher Mike Gonzalez (b. September 24, 1890).
Youngest Player: Paul Derringer (b. October 17, 1906)
First to Leave Us: Jimmie Wilson (d. May 31, 1947)
Last Survivor: Ray Cunningham (d. July 30, 2005). Centenarian Cunningham was the oldest living former Major Leaguer at the time of his death.
First in Majors: Once again it was manager Street on September 13, 1904, but among regulars it was Mike Gonzalez on September 28, 1912.
Last in Majors: Paul Derringer (final game September 27, 1945)
First to Play For the Franchise: Mike Gonzalez (1915)
Last to Play For the Franchise: Pepper Martin (October 1, 1944)
Pre-union Team: The 1925-27 Cubs had three: Sparky Adams, Mike Gonzalez and Tony Kaufmann.
Reunion Team: The 1933-34 Reds had eight each, and eleven overall between them: Sparky Adams, Jim Bottomley, Paul Derringer, Taylor Douthit (1933), Jake Flowers (1934), Chick Hafey, Andy High (1933), Syl Johnson (1934), Jim Lindsey (1934), Wally Roettger (1933) and Allyn Stout. You might assume it was because the Reds hired Larry MacPhail out of the Cards' minor league system to be their GM around this time, but in fact, MacPhail didn't join the Reds until December of 1933. Also, MacPhail's Columbus team wasn't part of the Cardinals' minor league system until 1931, by which point these players (obviously) had all reached the majors. As far as I can tell, Branch Rickey simply had a good relationship with the Cincinnati franchise.
Accomplishments
Jim Bottomley, six-hit game on August 5
Frankie Frisch, NL MVP
Season Summary
The Cardinals' biggest strength was their pitching staff, which led the NL with a 114 ERA+, was second in strikeout-to-walk ratio and allowed the second-fewest runs. Their Defensive Efficiency Ratio was slightly below-average, which made those punchouts especially valuable. Their offense was built on speed; they led the league in doubles and stolen bases, and were second in triples. MVP Frankie Frisch led the circuit with 28 swipes, and four of the NL's top five in that category were Redbirds. Only George Watkins and Chick Hafey reached double digits in homers, with 13 and 16, respectively. It all worked, as St. Louis' offense was a close second to the Cubs' in runs scored. The pennant race wasn't especially eventful, as the Cardinals nearly led wire-to-wire, falling behind only briefly in April and May. Their final lead over the second-place Giants was 13 games.
The World Series gave the Cardinals a rematch with the Athletics, who'd beaten them in last year's Fall Classic. St. Louis would emerge victorious in seven games this time. The talk of the Series was center fielder Pepper Martin, who batted .500 (12-for-24), hit four doubles and a home run, drew two walks and stole five bases in the septet. On the pitching side the star was "Wild Bill" Hallahan, who allowed only one earned run in 18.1 innings. When the Athletics threatened in the final inning of Game 7, manager Street called on Hallahan, who retired Max Bishop for the final out.
Acknowledgements:
Baseball Reference
Baseball Almanac
Google News Archives
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
PTWSW #27: The 1930 Philadelphia Athletics
Manager: Connie Mack
Record: 102-52
Ballpark: Shibe Park
Owner: Connie Mack and The Shibe Family
Coaches: Eddie Collins, Kid Gleason, Earle Mack
Future Hall of Famers: Mickey Cochrane, Eddie Collins, Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Al Simmons
Team Leaders, Batting
BA: Al Simmons, .381 (AL leader)
OBP: Jimmie Foxx, .429
SLG: Al Simmons, .708
OPS: Al Simmons, 1.130
2B: Mickey Cochrane, 42
3B: Al Simmons, 16
HR: Jimmie Foxx, 37
RBI: Al Simmons, 165
BB: Max Bishop, 128
SB: Bing Miller, 13
Team Leaders, Pitching
W: Lefty Grove, 28 (AL leader)
SO: Lefty Grove, 209 (AL leader)
ERA: Lefty Grove, 2.54 (AL leader)
IP: George Earnshaw, 296
CG: Lefty Grove, 22
SHO: George Earnshaw, 3 (AL leader)
K/BB: Lefty Grove, 3.48 (AL leader)
SV: Lefty Grove, 9 (AL leader)
Tidbits
Oldest Player: Jack Quinn (b. July 1, 1883)
Youngest Player: Glenn Liebhardt (b. July 31, 1910)
First to Leave Us: Jack Quinn (d. April 17, 1946). Not exactly a shocker, as he was the oldest guy on the team.
Last Survivor: Dib Williams (d. April 2, 1992). Williams, the second-youngest player on the team, died less than a month after Liebhardt, the youngest player.
First in Majors: Technically it was player-coach Eddie Collins on September 17, 1906. For guys who had a more significant on-field contribution than three measly pinch-hitting appearances it was Jack Quinn on April 15, 1909.
Last in Majors: Doc Cramer (final game May 12, 1948)
First to Play For the Franchise: Collins again on the same date as before, but excepting him it was Wally Schang on May 9, 1913.
Last to Play For the Franchise: Al Simmons (July 1, 1944)
Pre-union Team: None had more than two. The ones with two include the 1918 White Sox, 1921 Yankees, 1923-25 Red Sox, 1925-26 White Sox and 1926-27 Browns.
Reunion Team: The 1936-37 Red Sox had six each: Doc Cramer, Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Pinky Higgins (1937), Eric McNair, Bing Miller (1936) and Rube Walberg. Like the previous A's dynasty, Connie Mack had to dismantle the team after a few years. Also like last time, the Red Sox were happy to load up on his players. The White Sox were a prominent buyer too, with Jimmie Dykes, George Earnshaw, Mule Haas and Al Simmons playing for the 1934-35 Pale Hose.
Accomplishments
Lefty Grove, Pitching Triple Crown
Season Summary
Like the previous year, the Athletics led the league in strikeout-to-walk ratio. It was the only statistic where they dominated; however, they had no real weaknesses elsewhere. Their ERA+ was second in the AL and they also allowed the second-fewest runs. Lefty Grove was the undisputed ace of staff, leading the league in wins, strikeouts and ERA. Their offensive picture looked strikingly similar; they were second-best in both team OPS+ and runs scored, with Al Simmons and Jimmie Foxx once again serving as the main power sources. Mickey Cochrane also made a significant contribution with his bat, while Jimmie Dykes and Max Bishop utilized their on-base skills to keep the machine rolling. Defensively they were strong too, with the third-best DER and the top fielding percentage. While they spent the first half battling the Indians and Senators for first place, an eight-game winning streak in July put them on top for good. They won the pennant by eight games.
The A's beat the Cardinals in six games to win their second straight World Series. If they'd awarded the World Series MVP in those days it surely would've gone to George Earnshaw. The tall right-hander pitched a complete game victory in Game 2, threw seven shutout innings in Game 5 (which the A's later won) and came back on only a day's rest to pitch another complete game victory in the clinching Game 6. In 25 World Series innings he struck out 19, walked seven and allowed only two earned runs.
Acknowledgements:
Baseball Reference
Baseball Almanac
Google News Archives
Record: 102-52
Ballpark: Shibe Park
Owner: Connie Mack and The Shibe Family
Coaches: Eddie Collins, Kid Gleason, Earle Mack
Future Hall of Famers: Mickey Cochrane, Eddie Collins, Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Al Simmons
Team Leaders, Batting
BA: Al Simmons, .381 (AL leader)
OBP: Jimmie Foxx, .429
SLG: Al Simmons, .708
OPS: Al Simmons, 1.130
2B: Mickey Cochrane, 42
3B: Al Simmons, 16
HR: Jimmie Foxx, 37
RBI: Al Simmons, 165
BB: Max Bishop, 128
SB: Bing Miller, 13
Team Leaders, Pitching
W: Lefty Grove, 28 (AL leader)
SO: Lefty Grove, 209 (AL leader)
ERA: Lefty Grove, 2.54 (AL leader)
IP: George Earnshaw, 296
CG: Lefty Grove, 22
SHO: George Earnshaw, 3 (AL leader)
K/BB: Lefty Grove, 3.48 (AL leader)
SV: Lefty Grove, 9 (AL leader)
Tidbits
Oldest Player: Jack Quinn (b. July 1, 1883)
Youngest Player: Glenn Liebhardt (b. July 31, 1910)
First to Leave Us: Jack Quinn (d. April 17, 1946). Not exactly a shocker, as he was the oldest guy on the team.
Last Survivor: Dib Williams (d. April 2, 1992). Williams, the second-youngest player on the team, died less than a month after Liebhardt, the youngest player.
First in Majors: Technically it was player-coach Eddie Collins on September 17, 1906. For guys who had a more significant on-field contribution than three measly pinch-hitting appearances it was Jack Quinn on April 15, 1909.
Last in Majors: Doc Cramer (final game May 12, 1948)
First to Play For the Franchise: Collins again on the same date as before, but excepting him it was Wally Schang on May 9, 1913.
Last to Play For the Franchise: Al Simmons (July 1, 1944)
Pre-union Team: None had more than two. The ones with two include the 1918 White Sox, 1921 Yankees, 1923-25 Red Sox, 1925-26 White Sox and 1926-27 Browns.
Reunion Team: The 1936-37 Red Sox had six each: Doc Cramer, Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Pinky Higgins (1937), Eric McNair, Bing Miller (1936) and Rube Walberg. Like the previous A's dynasty, Connie Mack had to dismantle the team after a few years. Also like last time, the Red Sox were happy to load up on his players. The White Sox were a prominent buyer too, with Jimmie Dykes, George Earnshaw, Mule Haas and Al Simmons playing for the 1934-35 Pale Hose.
Accomplishments
Lefty Grove, Pitching Triple Crown
Season Summary
Like the previous year, the Athletics led the league in strikeout-to-walk ratio. It was the only statistic where they dominated; however, they had no real weaknesses elsewhere. Their ERA+ was second in the AL and they also allowed the second-fewest runs. Lefty Grove was the undisputed ace of staff, leading the league in wins, strikeouts and ERA. Their offensive picture looked strikingly similar; they were second-best in both team OPS+ and runs scored, with Al Simmons and Jimmie Foxx once again serving as the main power sources. Mickey Cochrane also made a significant contribution with his bat, while Jimmie Dykes and Max Bishop utilized their on-base skills to keep the machine rolling. Defensively they were strong too, with the third-best DER and the top fielding percentage. While they spent the first half battling the Indians and Senators for first place, an eight-game winning streak in July put them on top for good. They won the pennant by eight games.
The A's beat the Cardinals in six games to win their second straight World Series. If they'd awarded the World Series MVP in those days it surely would've gone to George Earnshaw. The tall right-hander pitched a complete game victory in Game 2, threw seven shutout innings in Game 5 (which the A's later won) and came back on only a day's rest to pitch another complete game victory in the clinching Game 6. In 25 World Series innings he struck out 19, walked seven and allowed only two earned runs.
Acknowledgements:
Baseball Reference
Baseball Almanac
Google News Archives
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