Highlighted Year: Gary Sheffield, 1993

Third Baseman, San Diego Padres/Florida Marlins

Age:  24

2^nd season with Padres

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 190 

Prior to 1993:

A native of Tampa, Florida, Sheffield grew up with his uncle and future major league star pitcher Dwight Gooden, who was just four years older. His Little League team reached the finals of the 1980 Little League World Series. Having developed a rough personality while living in a rough neighborhood, Sheffield engaged in bullying behavior. He also sought to emulate his uncle’s success as a pitcher and posted a 1.81 ERA as a senior at Hillsborough High School in 1986. Better as a hitter, that same year he batted .500 with 14 home runs and 31 RBIs over the course of 22 games. His exploits earned him recognition as the Gatorade National High School Baseball Player of the Year. Chosen sixth overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1986 amateur draft. The 17-year-old signed and was sent to the Helena Gold Sox of the Rookie-level Pioneer League where, over the course of 57 games he played shortstop and led the league with 71 RBIs while hitting .365 with 12 doubles, 15 home runs, 14 stolen bases, a .413 on-base percentage, and a .640 slugging percentage. An offseason arrest back home in Tampa resulted in Sheffield being put on probation. Advancing to Stockton of the Class A California Legue in 1987, he batted .277 with 23 doubles, 17 home runs, 103 RBIs, 25 stolen bases, a .388 OBP, and a .448 slugging percentage. Sheffield split 1988 between El Paso of the Class AA Texas League and Denver of the Class AAA American Association and hit a combined .327 with 28 doubles, 8 triples, 28 home runs, 119 RBIs, 13 steals, a .395 OBP, and a .579 slugging percentage. Called up to the Brewers, he took over at shortstop in place of the injured Dale Sveum as the club finished strong and contended in September. Sheffield hit .238 in his first taste of major league action with 4 homers, 12 RBIs, and a .295 OBP. With expectations high for Sheffield in 1989, a misdiagnosed broken foot bone hindered his performance and he encountered problems defensively at shortstop and at the plate. Sent down to Denver in July, he continued to hit poorly and when he returned to the Brewers in September he was moved to third base, much to his chagrin, due to the fine performance of fellow rookie Bill Spiers at shortstop. For the major league portion of the 1989 season, Sheffield hit .247 with 18 doubles, 5 home runs, 32 RBIs, 10 stolen bases, and a .303 OBP. Having been a poor clubhouse presence as well as a disappointing performer on the field, Sheffield remained at third base in 1990 and improved his batting average to .294 and his OBP to .350 to go along with 30 doubles, a disappointing 10 home runs, 67 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases before a shoulder injury finished his season in September. Wrist and shoulder injuries limited Sheffield to 50 games in 1991 and he batted .194 with 16 extra-base hits (only two of them homers), 22 RBIs, and a .277 OBP. Having antagonized the organization with his complaints and criticisms, he was traded to San Diego prior to the 1992 season. Sheffield had an excellent season with his new team in ’92, contending for the Triple Crown for most of the season and winning the NL batting championship at .330 to go along with 34 doubles, 33 home runs, 100 RBIs, a .385 OBP, and a .580 slugging percentage. He was an All-Star for the first time, placed third in league MVP voting, and was named MLB Player of the Year by The Sporting News. In 1993, with the Padres shedding payroll and doubtful of their ability to retain Sheffield once he reached free agency, he was traded to the expansion Marlins in June.  

1993 Season Summary

Appeared in 140 games (SD – 68 / FLA – 72)

3B – 133, PH – 6, PR – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 557 (SD – 282/ FLA – 275)

At Bats – 494 (SD – 258/ FLA – 236)

Runs – 67 (SD – 34/ FLA – 33)

Hits – 145 (SD – 76/ FLA – 69)

Doubles – 20 (SD – 12/ FLA – 8)

Triples – 5 (SD – 2/ FLA – 3)

Home Runs – 20 (SD – 10/ FLA – 10)

RBI – 73 (SD – 36/ FLA – 37)

Bases on Balls – 47 (SD – 18/ FLA – 29)

Int. BB – 6 (FLA)

Strikeouts – 64 (SD – 30/ FLA – 34)

Stolen Bases – 17 (SD – 5/ FLA – 12)

Caught Stealing – 5 (SD – 1/ FLA – 4)

Average - .294 (SD – .295/ FLA – .292)

OBP - .361 (SD – .344/ FLA – .378)

Slugging Pct. - .476 (SD – .473/ FLA – .479)

Total Bases – 235 (SD – 122/ FLA – 113)

GDP – 11 (SD – 9/ FLA – 2)

Hit by Pitches – 9 [6, tied with Kevin Young & Carlos Garcia] (SD – 3/ FLA – 6)

Sac Hits – 0

Sac Flies – 7 [20, tied with eleven others] (SD – 3/ FLA – 4)

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 13, HR - 13, RBI - 42, AVG - .298, SLG – .482, OBP – .358

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 4 AB) vs. NY Mets 5/1

Longest hitting streak – 12 games

HR at home – 10

HR on road – 10

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 4 AB) vs. St. Louis 4/18, (in 4 AB) at Pittsburgh 8/14

Multi-HR games – 2

Most RBIs, game – 5 vs. St. Louis 4/18

Pinch-hitting – 1 for 4 (.250) with 1 R & 2 BB

Fielding (Combined)

Chances – 338

Put Outs – 79

Assists – 225

Errors – 34

DP – 15

Pct. - .899

Awards & Honors:

All-Star (Started for NL at 3B)

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The Padres went 61-101 to finish seventh (last) in the NL Western Division, 43 games behind the division-winning Atlanta Braves, while leading the league in fewest triples (28, tied with the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers). With the club dumping payroll (including the in-season trades of Sheffield and first baseman Fred McGriff) and alienating the fan base, the Padres dropped into the NL West cellar following a seven-game losing streak in August and following a brief uptick, settled into last place to stay in mid-September. They finished with the both the league’s lowest payroll and attendance.

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In their inaugural season, the Marlins went 64-98 to finish sixth in the NL Eastern Division, 33 games behind the division-winning Philadelphia Phillies, while leading the league in batting strikeouts (1054) and fewest runs scored (581), fewest doubles (197), lowest batting average (.248, tied with the New York Mets), fewest home runs (94), and fewest total bases (1897). The Marlins were nearly at .500 with a 30-31 record on June 13, after a four-game sweep of Pittsburgh. They then dropped 11 of 15 to close out the month. A 4-16 finish to the season solidified their hold on sixth place. They drew 3,064,847 fans to Joe Robbie Stadium.

Aftermath of 1993:

Sheffield was signed to a four-year, $22.45 million contract extension with the Marlins prior to the end of the 1993 season.  He was shifted to right field in 1994 and put in the extra work to learn the position. During the strike-shortened season he batted .276 with 16 doubles, 27 home runs, 78 RBIs, a .380 OBP, and a .584 slugging percentage. While remaining outspoken and dogged by occasional off-field problems, Sheffield became generous in philanthropic giving in Miami. On the field in 1995 he was limited to 63 games after tearing ligaments in his left thumb. He came back strong late in the season and ended up hitting .324 with 16 home runs, 46 RBIs, a .467 OBP, and a .587 slugging percentage. Sheffield, who was highly-regarded for his outstanding bat speed and controlled swing that cut down on strikeouts, started off fast in 1996 with 11 home runs in April on his way to batting .314 with 33 doubles, 42 home runs, 120 RBIs, a league-leading .465 OBP thanks to drawing 142 walks, and a .624 slugging percentage. Along the way he once again courted controversy by publicly unleashing his anger on the Marlins organization, primarily general manager Dave Dombrowski, who had indicated that the club would be concentrating on a youth movement and might be looking to deal the temperamental slugger after the season. He remained with the team in 1997, and the Marlins reached the postseason as a wild card entry and went on to win the World Series. Sheffield, who received a six-year, $61 million contract extension early in the season, had a far less productive year, hitting only .250 with 21 home runs, 71 RBIs, a .424 OBP, and a .446 slugging percentage. In his first taste of postseason action he hit .321 with three homers, and 7 RBIs and walked 20 times in 71 plate appearances for a .521 OBP. The Marlins gutted the roster in the offseason while seeking to reduce salary. Sheffield started the 1998 season with Florida but was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in May. While his home run total was a rather modest 22 (16 following the trade), his other combined totals were .302 with 27 doubles, 85 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, a .428 OBP, and a .524 slugging percentage. Moved to left field in a reshuffled outfield in 1999, he became the first Dodger since Duke Snider in 1955 to bat over .300 with at least 30 home runs and 100 walks drawn, RBIs, and runs scored in a season with totals of .301, 34 homers, 101 RBIs, and 101 walks. His OBP was .407 and he had a slugging percentage of .523 and he was an All-Star for the fifth time. Sheffield, newly married to gospel singer DeLeon Richards, duplicated his feat in 2000 by batting .325 with 43 home runs, 109 RBIs, 101 walks drawn, a .438 OBP, and a .643 slugging percentage. In 2001 he feuded with the Dodgers organization and outfield teammate Shawn Green in and was hindered by a torn finger ligament on his left hand. He hit .311 with 28 doubles, 36 home runs, 100 RBIs, a .417 OBP, and a .583 slugging percentage. In the offseason he was dealt to the Atlanta Braves for three players. Back in right field with the Braves in 2002, Sheffield, dealing with some injuries, hit .307 with 26 doubles, 25 home runs, 84 RBIs, a .404 OBP, and a .512 slugging percentage. The Braves won the NL East with the league’s best record but lost to the San Francisco Giants in the NLDS with Sheffield managing just one hit in 16 at bats, although he drew 7 walks. Sheffield put together a stronger season in 2003, batting .330 with 37 doubles, 39 home runs, 132 RBIs, a .419 OBP, and a .604 slugging percentage. He placed sixth in league MVP voting and received a Silver Slugger in addition to being an All-Star. Despite his denials of ever using performance enhancing drugs, after the season it was reported that he had likely used a steroid-based cream and used injectable PEDs. As a free agent in the offseason he signed with the New York Yankees for three years and $39 million. Although bothered by a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery, Sheffield had another excellent season in 2004 as he hit .290 with 30 doubles, 36 home runs,121 RBIs, a .393 OBP, and a .534 slugging percentage. He was again a Silver Slugger recipient and finished second in AL MVP balloting. Sheffield continued with his highly productive hitting in 2005 by batting .291 with 27 doubles, 34 home runs, 123 RBIs, a .379 OBP, and a .512 slugging percentage. In addition to the previous awards he placed eighth in league MVP voting. Off to a strong start in 2006, Sheffield suffered a left wrist injury that required surgery. Limited to 39 games he hit .298 with 6 home runs and 25 RBIs. Activated for the postseason, he managed a hit in 12 at bats in the ALDS loss to Detroit. In the offseason he was dealt to the Tigers for three minor league players. Always more valuable for his hitting than fielding, he was used primarily as a Designated Hitter in 2007. In the middle of a deep and productive batting order, Sheffield hit .265 with 25 home runs, 75 RBIs, and a .378 OBP. In the same role with Detroit in 2008 he was plagued by injuries and batted a mere .225 with 19 home runs, 57 RBIs, and a .326 OBP. Released by the Tigers prior to the 2009 season he signed with the New York Mets where the 40-year-old slugger returned to the outfield, and over the course of 100 games hit .276 with 10 home runs, 43 RBIs, and a .276 OBP in what proved to be his last season. As a free agent, he sat out the 2010 season and announced his retirement in 2011. For his major league career, Sheffield batted .292 with 2689 hits that included 467 doubles, 27 triples, and 509 home runs. He scored 1636 runs and compiled 1676 RBIs, 253 stolen bases, a .393 OBP, and a .514 slugging percentage. He drew 1475 walks as opposed to striking out 1171 times. With the Marlins he batted .288 with 365 runs scored, 538 hits, 98 doubles, 7 triples, 122 home runs, 380 RBIs, 74 stolen bases, a .426 OBP, a .543 slugging percentage,424 walks drawn, and 290 strikeouts. Appearing in 44 postseason games he hit .248 with 6 home runs, 19 RBIs, and a .401 OBP. A six-time All-Star, he was awarded 5 Silver Sluggers and was in the Top 10 in league MVP voting six times. Following his playing career Sheffield became a player agent for several years and also acted as an analyst for TBS. Following a highly productive career filled with controversies including steroid allegations, Sheffield thus far has failed to gain selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Wally Moon, 1959

Outfielder, Los Angeles Dodgers

Age:  29 (April 3)

1^st season with Dodgers

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 6’0”    Weight: 169 

Prior to 1959:

A native of Bay, Arkansas, Moon was named by his sports-loving father after Wallace Wade, the successful Univ. of Alabama head football coach at the time. He excelled in American Legion baseball as well as high school basketball and received an offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates which he passed up to go to college at Texas A & M. An All-Southwest Conference outfielder, he signed with the Cardinals for a $6000 bonus while continuing his education. In his first pro season in 1950, Moon batted .315 in 82 games with Omaha of the Class A Western League. Returning to school to complete his master’s degree, he played for Omaha briefly in 1951 and for a full season in 1952, hitting .255 with 10 home runs. Advancing to the Rochester Red Wings of the Class AAA International League in 1953, Moon batted .307 with 24 doubles, 8 triples, 12 home runs, and 61 RBIs. After playing winter ball in Venezuela, he played well with the Cardinals in spring training in 1954 and gained a starting job in the outfield after veteran Enos Slaughter was traded just before the start of the season. Overcoming the pressure of succeeding a popular veteran player, Moon homered in his first plate appearance and went on to hit .304 with 29 doubles, 9 triples, 12 home runs, 76 RBIs, a team-leading 19 stolen bases, a .371 on-base-percentage, and a .435 slugging percentage. He was named NL Rookie of the Year. The serious and ever-hustling Moon, a slashing hitter with some power and good speed, followed up in 1955 by splitting time between first base and the outfield and batted .295 with 24 doubles, 8 triples, 19 home runs, and 76 RBIs. Continuing to play in the outfield and at first base in 1956, Moon hit .298 with 11 triples, 16 home runs, 68 RBIs, and a .390 OBP. A devout Methodist, Moon avoided alcohol and foul language. On the field in 1957, he played at all three outfield positions and batted .295 with 24 home runs and 73 RBIs. Moon had a down year in 1958 due to an elbow injury, hitting just .238 with 7 home runs and 38 RBIs. In the offseason he was traded to the Dodgers as part of a three-player deal.

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in 145 games

LF – 125, CF – 4, PH – 4, 1B – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 637 [15]

At Bats – 543 [19]

Runs – 93 [10]

Hits – 164 [15]

Doubles – 26 [17, tied with Don Blasingame]

Triples – 11 [1, tied with Charlie Neal]

Home Runs – 19 [17, tied with Charlie Neal & Gus Bell]

RBI – 74 [16, tied with Ed Bouchee]

Bases on Balls – 81 [3]

Int. BB – 1

Strikeouts – 64

Stolen Bases – 15 [8, tied with Bill White & Don Blasingame]

Caught Stealing – 6 [11, tied with six others]

Average - .302 [11, tied with Bill White]

OBP - .394 [3]

Slugging Pct. - .495 [10]

Total Bases – 269 [10]

GDP – 9

Hit by Pitches – 3 [19, tied with seventeen others]

Sac Hits – 8 [10, tied with Norm Larker & Don Drysdale]

Sac Flies – 2

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 13, 3B – 5, HR - 5, RBI - 37, AVG - .298, OBP – .379, DLG – .438

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) vs. Mil. Braves 6/16, (in 6 AB) at Mil. Braves 7/9 – 13 innings

Longest hitting streak – 17 games

Most HR, game – 2 (in 4 AB) vs. Pittsburgh 9/11

HR at home – 14

HR on road – 5

Multi-HR games – 1

Most RBIs, game – 4 vs. Pittsburgh 7/28

Pinch-hitting – 2 for 3 (.667)

Fielding

Chances – 241

Put Outs – 224

Assists – 13

Errors – 4

DP – 2

Pct. - .983 

Postseason Batting: 6 G (World Series vs. Chi. White Sox)

PA – 25, AB – 23, R – 3, H – 6, 2B – 0, 3B – 0, HR – 1, RBI – 2, BB – 2, IBB – 0, SO – 2, SB – 1, CS – 0, AVG - .261, OBP - .320, SLG - .391, TB – 9, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 0, SF – 0

Awards & Honors:

All-Star (Started for NL in LF in both games)

4^th in NL MVP voting (161 points – 4 first place votes, 48% share)

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The Dodgers went 86-68 to finish tied for first in the NL with the Milwaukee Braves, which necessitated a season-extending best-of-3 playoff. The Dodgers won the first two games to clinch the NL pennant with a final record of 88-68. They led the league in stolen bases (84) and walks drawn (591). The acquisition of Moon buttressed the lineup. During the season Moon was especially productive down the stretch in a tight pennant race, slugging six homers in six games at one point. Of his 19 home runs, 14 of them were “Moon shots” at the spacious LA Coliseum. The Dodgers were 4.5 games behind the first-place Braves when newcomers who made a further impact joined the team, such as shortstop Maury Wills and pitchers Roger Craig and Larry Sherry. A three-team battle for first ensued with the San Francisco Giants joining the fray and taking the lead for all but two days over the remaining 10 weeks before dropping to third as the Dodgers and Braves deadlocked at the end to force the playoff. Won World Series over the Chicago White Sox, 4 games to 2 and Moon hit a two-run home run in the deciding sixth game.

Aftermath of 1959:

While the Dodgers had a lesser season in 1960, Moon hit .299 with 13 home runs and 69 RBIs, receiving his only career Gold Glove for his play in left field, where he accounted for 15 assists. He remained a solid contributor in 1961, leading the league in OBP (.434) while batting .328 with 17 home runs and 88 RBIs. A victim of LA’s youth movement, Moon split time at first base and the outfield in 1962, hitting .242 with just four home runs. Effective in a utility role as the Dodgers topped the NL in 1963, Moon hit .262 over the course of 122 games with 8 home runs and 48 RBIs. He lasted two more years as a veteran backup and pinch-hitter in 1964 and ’65, retiring after playing for another World Series-winning club. A useful and dedicated player, for his major league career Moon batted .289 with 1399 hits that included 212 doubles, 60 triples, and 142 home runs. He scored 737 runs and compiled 661 RBIs and a .371 OBP. With the Dodgers he batted .286 with 649 hits, 337 runs scored, 99 doubles, 24 triples, 64 home runs, 330 RBIs, and a .377 OBP. Appearing in 8 World Series games (all with the Dodgers), he hit .240 with a home run and two RBIs. Following his playing career, Moon coached baseball collegiately and was hitting coach for the expansion San Diego Padres in 1969. He later served as a hitting instructor in the Baltimore Orioles organization and died in 2018 at age 87.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Jim Gilliam, 1959

Third Baseman, Los Angeles Dodgers

Age: 30

7^th season with Dodgers

Bats – Both, Throws – Right

Height: 5’10” Weight: 175 

Prior to 1959:

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Gilliam began playing semipro baseball at 16, and the following year, he joined the Nashville Black Vols of the Negro Southern League. An intelligent student of the game, he advanced to the Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro National League where he was a reserve infielder. Due to his difficulty with hitting curveballs by righthanded pitchers, the natural righthanded batter was converted to a switch-hitter. With impressive speed, Gilliam was a contact hitter with limited power who hit to all fields. The manager of the Elite Giants nicknamed him “Junior”, one that would prove long-lasting. A very determined player who, throughout his career, was very selective at the plate, Gilliam batted .253 in 1948 and .302 in ’49. In 1948, ’49, and ’50 he was selected to play for the East in the Negro League East-West Games. He also played winter ball in Puerto Rico. Failing in a bid to catch on with the Class AAA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs in 1950, Gilliam played one more season with the Elite Giants and hit .265. The Dodgers bought his contract in 1951 and assigned him to the Montreal Royals of the Class AAA International League. He batted a solid .287 with 22 doubles, 9 triples, 7 home runs, and 73 RBIs while scoring 117 runs. Back with Montreal in 1952 he had a bigger season, hitting .301 with 39 doubles, 9 triples, 9 home runs, and 112 RBIs while scoring 111 runs. He was named league MVP. The Dodgers were coming off a pennant-winning season and there was a feeling that there was a need for an upgrade in the leadoff spot in the lineup in 1953. Star second baseman Jackie Robinson was moved to left field to open a spot for Gilliam in the lineup. Gilliam responded with an outstanding rookie season, batting .278 with 31 doubles, a league-leading 17 triples, 6 home runs, 63 RBIs, 21 stolen bases (although he was caught stealing 14 times), and a .383 OBP thanks to his 100 walks drawn. His performance drew NL Rookie of the Year recognition. Gilliam followed up in 1954 by batting .282 with 28 doubles, 8 triples, 13 home runs, and 52 RBIs, while scoring 107 runs, but he was less steady defensively. Still usually at second base in 1955, he was occasionally utilized in the outfield. The Dodgers returned to the top of the National League and Gilliam contributed 110 runs, 20 doubles, 8 triples, 7 home runs, and a .249 average along with a .341 on-base percentage thanks to his 70 walks. In the seven-game World Series triumph over the Yankees he produced a .469 OBP thanks to seven hits and eight walks. The low-key and workmanlike Gilliam held off the challenge of young Charley Neal and was an All-Star for the first time in 1956 as he batted .300 with 23 doubles, 8 triples, 6 home runs, and 43 RBIs along with 102 runs scored and a .399 OBP. Brooklyn again won the pennant (but not the World Series) and Gilliam placed fifth in league MVP voting. In the final Brooklyn season for the Dodgers in 1957, “Junior” (who was also known by several other nicknames, such as “Junebug” and “Devil”) dropped to .250 with 89 runs scored and a .323 OBP while appearing almost exclusively at second base. Appreciated by manager Walt Alston for his reliability and versatility, he saw significant action at third base as well as second and the outfield in 1958, hitting .261 in the club’s first season in Los Angeles.

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in 145 games

3B – 131, 2B – 8, PH – 7, LF – 3, RF – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 655 [10]

At Bats – 553 [17]

Runs – 91 [12]

Hits – 156 [18, tied with Bill White]

Doubles – 18

Triples – 4

Home Runs – 3

RBI – 34

Bases on Balls – 96 [1]

Int. BB – 4

Strikeouts – 25

Stolen Bases – 23 [2, tied with Orlando Cepeda & Tony Taylor]

Caught Stealing – 10 [3, tied with Bill White]

Average - .282 [20]

OBP - .387 [6]

Slugging Pct. - .345

Total Bases – 191

GDP – 3

Hit By Pitches – 0

Sac Hits – 3

Sac Flies – 3

League-leading bases on balls drawn were +8 ahead of runner-up Joe Cunningham

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 11, HR – 2, RBI – 17, AVG - .349, OBP - .462

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 4 AB) at Mil. Braves 6/6, (in 5 AB) at Pittsburgh 6/12, (in 5 AB) vs. San Francisco 6/29 – 13 innings, (in 5 AB) at Chi. Cubs 8/12

Longest hitting streak – 12 games

Most HR, game – 1 (in 5 AB) vs. Mil. Braves 6/17, (in 4 AB) vs. Philadelphia 6/23, (in 3 AB) vs. Cincinnati 9/17

HR at home – 3

HR on road – 0

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 2 on eight occasions

Pinch-hitting – 1 for 7 (.143) with 1 R & 1 RBI

Fielding (3B)

Chances – 382

Put Outs – 121

Assists – 245

Errors – 16

DP - 18

Pct. - .958

Postseason Batting: 6 G (World Series vs. Chi. White Sox)

PA – 27, AB – 25, R – 2, H – 6, 2B – 0,3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 0, BB – 2, IBB – 0, SO – 2, SB – 2, CS – 0, AVG - .240, OBP - .296, SLG - .240, TB – 6, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 0, SF – 0

Awards & Honors:

All-Star

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The Dodgers went 86-68 to finish tied for first in the NL with the Milwaukee Braves, which necessitated a season-extending best-of-3 playoff. The Dodgers won the first two games to clinch the NL pennant with a final record of 88-68. They led the league in stolen bases (84) and walks drawn (591). The acquisition of outfielder Wally Moon in the offseason buttressed the lineup and the Dodgers were 4.5 games behind the first-place Braves when newcomers who made an impact joined the team, such as shortstop Maury Wills and pitchers Roger Craig and Larry Sherry. A three-team battle for first ensued with the San Francisco Giants joining the fray and taking the lead for all but two days over the remaining 10 weeks before dropping to third as the Dodgers and Braves deadlocked at the end to force the playoff. Won World Series over the Chicago White Sox, 4 games to 2.

Aftermath of 1959:

In 1960, Gilliam’s average dropped to .248 with a still-solid .359 OBP as well as 96 runs scored and 40 RBIs. Still drawing walks and rarely striking out in 1961, Gilliam’s average was .244 with a .358 on-base percentage. The Dodgers nearly won the NL pennant in 1962 and, typically batting second to base-stealing shortstop Maury Wills, Gilliam hit .270 while drawing 93 walks for a .370 OBP. LA won the pennant and World Series in 1963 and Gilliam contributed 6 home runs, 49 RBIs, 19 stolen bases, and a .354 OBP. He placed sixth in NL MVP voting. The Dodgers dropped to sixth in 1964 and Gilliam found himself on the bench and often used as a late-inning defensive replacement. He was made a coach in 1965 but was reactivated as a player in May and returned to third base. He batted .280 with a .374 OBP as the light-hitting Dodgers won the pennant. His outstanding defensive play in Game 7 of the World Series against Minnesota helped to nail down a 2-0 win in what was the fourth World Series title of Gilliam’s career. He spent one last year as a player/coach in 1966 and retired to serve exclusively as a coach for the Dodgers. For his NL career, spent entirely with the Dodgers, Gilliam batted .265 with 1889 hits that included 304 doubles, 71 triples, and 65 home runs. He further scored 1163 runs and compildd 558 RBIs, 203 stolen bases, and 1036 walks for a .360 on-base percentage. Appearing in 39 World Series games, he hit .211 with two home runs, 12 RBIs, and a .326 OBP. Gilliam served as a coach for the Dodgers until his death in 1978 at age 49. A two-time All-Star whose contributions to the team were much appreciated, the Dodgers retired his #19.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Jimmy Sheckard, 1903

Outfielder, Brooklyn Superbas

Age: 24

6^h season with Superbas (5^th complete)

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 175 

Prior to 1903:

Born into a Pennsylvania Dutch family, Sheckard learned baseball when his family moved to Columbia, Pennsylvania where he played on the town team. The 17-year-old outfielder played for four minor league teams in 1896, totaling 65 games. Moving on to Brockton of the New England League in 1897 he was shifted to shortstop and batted a league-leading .373 with 53 stolen bases. Joining Brooklyn late in the season, he performed poorly at shortstop although he hit a promising .386 in 13 games and was back in left field in 1898. He hit .277 with 17 doubles, 9 triples, 4 home runs, 64 RBIs, and a .349 on-base percentage. In a shift of personnel thanks to dual ownership between Brooklyn and the  Baltimore Orioles (then an NL team) in 1899, Sheckard went to the Orioles where he saw more playing time and hit .295 with 18 doubles, 10 triples, 3 home runs, 75 RBIs, a league-leading 77 stolen bases, and a .380 OBP. He also accounted for 33 assists and set an NL record for double plays by an outfielder with 14. Returning to Brooklyn as a backup outfielder in 1900 he hit .300 with 19 doubles, 10 triples, a home run, 39 RBIs, 30 steals, and a .416 OBP. With the departure of outfielder Fielder Jones, who jumped to the American League in 1901, Sheckard started in left field in the reconfigured outfield and led the NL with 19 triples and a .534 slugging percentage a to go along with 29 doubles, 11 home runs, 104 RBIs, 35 stolen bases, a .354 average, and a .409 OBP. Along the way he hit two grand slams. In 1902 he initially jumped to Baltimore of the American League but returned to Brooklyn after four games. He had a lesser season back in the NL, hitting .265 with 20 doubles, 10 triples, 4 home runs, 37 RBIs, 23 stolen bases, a .349 OBP, and a .372 slugging percentage. An excellent baserunner with a keen batting eye, he rebounded at the plate in 1903.  

1903 Season Summary

Appeared in 139 games

LF – 139

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 621 [4]

At Bats – 515 [11]

Runs – 99 [7]

Hits – 171 [6]

Doubles – 29 [7, tied with Jake Beckley & Johnny Kling]

Triples – 9 [16, tied with four others]

Home Runs – 9 [1]

RBI – 75 [8]

Bases on Balls – 75 [5, tied with Sammy Strang]

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 48 [13, tied with Joe Stanley & George Barclay]

Stolen Bases – 67 [1, tied with Frank Chance]

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .332 [7]

OBP - .423 [4]

Slugging Pct. - .476 [7]

Total Bases – 245 [5]

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 6 [17, tied with five others]

Sac Hits – 20 [4, tied with Roy Thomas, Kid Gleason & Doc Casey]

Sac Flies – N/A

League-leading home runs were +2 ahead of six runners-up

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 14, 3B – 4, HR – 2, RBI - 22, SB – 34, AVG - .301, OBP – .384, SLG – .406

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Most hits, game – 4 on six occasions

Longest hitting streak – 7 games

HR at home – 6

HR on road – 3

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 3 AB) vs. Bos. Beaneaters 9/9

Multi-HR games – 1

Most RBIs, game – 4 vs. Bos. Beaneaters 5/9, vs. St. Louis Cards 8/17, vs. Phila. Phillies 8/27

Pinch-hitting – N/A

Fielding

Chances – 368

Put Outs – 314

Assists – 36

Errors – 18

DP – 7

Pct. - .951

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The Superbas went 70-66 to finish fifth in the NL, 19 games behind the pennant-winning Pittsburgh Pirates while leading the league in stolen bases (273), walks drawn (522), and OBP (.348). The Superbas stumbled through April but finished May at 20-18 and were never in contention the rest of the way.

Aftermath of 1903:

Sheckard, a favorite of the Brooklyn fans, followed up with a disappointing performance in 1904, batting .239 with 23 doubles, 6 triples, one home run, 46 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, and a .317 OBP. Although his batting performance rebounded in 1905 to .292 with 20 doubles, 11 triples, 3 homers, 41 RBIs, 23 steals, and a .380 OBP, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in the offseason for four players and $2000. His arrival in Chicago aided the club’s leap to the top of the National League as manager Frank Chance placed him in leftfield and shifted Frank Schulte to right with Jimmy Slagle between them in centerfield. Emerging as a team leader, Sheckard further contributed to the 116-win season by batting .262 with 27 doubles, 10 triples, one home run, 45 RBIs, 30 stolen bases, and a .349 OBP. He accounted for 24 assists as he continued to be a capable defensive outfielder. Taking on the cross-town Chicago White Sox in the World Series, he bragged that he would hit .400 against the vaunted White Sox pitching staff but instead went hitless as the Cubs fell in six games. The Cubs repeated as NL champs in 1907 and Sheckard hit .267 with 25 extra-base hits that featured 23 doubles, 36 RBIs, 31 stolen bases, and a .373 OBP boosted by 76 walks. The club swept the Detroit Tigers in the World Series and Sheckard was somewhat more successful at the plate than he was against the White Sox, hitting two doubles and knocking in a pair of runs. While the Cubs won a third straight pennant in 1908, Sheckard nearly lost sight in his left eye due to a fight with teammate Heinie Zimmerman in which Zimmerman threw a bottle of ammonia at him that hit Sheckard between the eyes and broke, soaking his face in ammonia. The incident resulted in Sheckard missing a few weeks of action and, limited to 115 games, he batted .231 with 18 doubles, 2 home runs, 22 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, and a .336 OBP assisted by drawing 62 walks. In the World Series rematch with the Tigers that Chicago won in five games, he contributed five hits that included two doubles. Off the field he sang baritone in a barbershop quartet with Cub teammates. He also became known for oddball behavior both on and off the field. The club finished a strong second in 1909 and Sheckard contributed by hitting .255 with 29 doubles, 5 triples, one home run, 43 RBIs, 15 steals, and a .346 OBP. Adept at drawing walks, which helped to make him a productive leadoff hitter, he accumulated 72 bases on balls. Chicago returned to first place in 1910 and Sheckard batted .256 with 27 doubles, 6 triples, 5 home runs, 51 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, and a .366 OBP thanks to his 83 walks. In the World Series loss to the Philadelphia Athletics he hit a solid .357 and produced the game-winning RBI in Chicago’s only win. In 1911 he led the league with 121 runs scored and a .434 OBP and also set an NL record by drawing 147 walks (the record lasted until 1945). He also hit .276 with 26 doubles, 11 triples, 4 home runs, 50 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases. Despite having put on considerable weight, Sheckard remained productive in 1912, again leading the NL in walks drawn (122) while batting .245 with 22 doubles, 10 triples, 3 home runs, 44 RBIs, and a .392 OBP. Sold to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1913, he was hitting .199 with a .388 OBP when he was waived in July and finished the season with the Cincinnati Reds. His combined batting totals in 99 games played were .194 with a .368 OBP in what proved to be his last major league season. For his major league career, Sheckard batted .274 with 2084 hits that included 354 doubles, 136 triples, and 56 home runs. He scored 1296 runs and drew 1135 walks while compiling 810 RBIs, 465 stolen bases, a .375 OBP, and a .378 slugging percentage. With Brooklyn the totals were .295 with 566 runs scored, 966 hits, 160 doubles, 73 triples, 36 home runs, 420 RBIs, 212 stolen bases, 381 walks drawn, a .376 OBP, and a .424 slugging percentage. Appearing in 21 World Series games with the Cubs he hit .195 with 5 RBIs and a .303 OBP. After the end of his major league playing career he played for the Cleveland Bearcats of the American Association in 1914 and also played for some independent teams. After coaching for the Cubs in the run-up to American entry into World War I in 1917, he became athletic director at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Following the war he managed wemipro teams in the Columbia, Pennsylvania area and later managed the Lancaster Red Roses of the Class D interstate League. He also was baseball coach at Franklin & Marshall College. Encountering hard times during the Depression, Sheckard worked as a truck driver and gas station attendant until his death in 1947 at age 68 from the effects of being struck by a car. The city of Lancaster later erected a monument in his memory.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years.

  

Highlighted Year: Billy Moran, 1962

Second Baseman, Los Angeles Angels

Age: 28

2^nd season with Angels

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 185 

Prior to 1962:

Born in Alabama, Moran moved with his family to the Atlanta area, where he played shortstop at Russell High School. Following graduation in 1952, Moran signed with the Cleveland Indians. Initially assigned to the Green Bay Bluejays of the Class D Wisconsin State League, the 18-year-old shortstop batted .277 in 63 games with 19 extra-base hits, 33 RBIs, and a .372 on-base percentage. In 1953 he moved up to the Spartanburg Peaches of the Class B Tri-State League where his batting production improved to .285 with 17 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs, 50 RBIs, a .362 OBP, and a .446 slugging percentage. Moving to Reading of the Class A Eastern League in 1954 his average dropped to .242 with 19 doubles, 8 triples, 4 home runs, 40 RBIs, and a .296 OBP along with a .332 slugging percentage. Moran missed the next two seasons due to service in the Army, where he played baseball and took classes at Georgia Tech. Resuming his professional baseball career in 1957, he was assigned to San Diego of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. Shifted to second base he batted a miniscule .211 with 25 doubles, 4 home runs, 45 RBIs, and a .254 OBP. Despite his lack of batting production, Moran made it to the Indians in 1958 where he split time between second base and shortstop and hit .226 in 115 games with 11 doubles, a home run, 18 RBIs, and a .262 OBP. Cleveland acquired veteran second baseman Billy Martin in 1959 and Moran saw little action for the Indians before returning to San Diego where he batted .247 with 18 doubles, 5 home runs, 35 RBIs, and a .298 OBP. Moran was out of the majors completely in 1960 as he was still in Class AAA, this time with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League. Manager Mel McGaha helped him with his batting technique and he hit .242 with 14 doubles, 5 triples, 4 home runs, 33 RBIs, and a .300 OBP. Cleveland having sold his contract to Toronto, Moran got off to a strong start at the plate in 1961 and was batting .300 with a .346 OBP in June when he was dealt to the expansion Angels. Given the opportunity to start at second base, where, until shelved by a back injury late in the season, Moran hit .260 with 10 extra-base hits, 22 RBIs, and a .328 OBP and proved to be a capable fielder.  

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 160 games

2B – 160

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 721 [3, tied with Rich Rollins]

At Bats – 659 [2]

Runs – 90 [14, tied with Rocky Colavito & Bill Bruton]

Hits – 186 [6, tied with Rich Rollins]

Doubles – 25

Triples – 3

Home Runs – 17

RBI – 74

Bases on Balls – 39

Int. BB – 2

Strikeouts – 80 [17]

Stolen Bases – 5

Caught Stealing – 1

Average - .282

OBP - .324

Slugging Pct. - .407

Total Bases – 268 [13]

GDP – 8

Hit by Pitches – 4

Sac Hits – 14 [2]

Sac Flies – 5 [20, tied with twelve others]

Midseason snapshot: HR - 11, RBI - 45, AVG - .287, OBP - .326

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 4 AB) at Washington 5/23, (in 5 AB) at Chi. White Sox 6/15, (in 6 AB) at Boston 6/28, (in 5 AB) at Cleveland 7/31

Longest hitting streak – 9 games

HR at home – 9

HR on road – 8

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 5 AB) vs. NY Yankees 8/23 – 13 innings

Multi-HR games – 1

Most RBIs, game – 6 vs. KC Athletics 6/10

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding

Chances – 912

Put Outs – 422

Assists – 477

Errors – 13

DP – 103

Pct. - .986 

Awards & Honors:

All-Star (Started at 2B for AL, second game)

13^th in AL MVP voting (28 points – 10% share)

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In their second season, the Angels went 86-76 to finish third in the AL, 10 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees. Shifting to Dodger Stadium where they improved their home attendance to 1,144,063, the Angels started well and were alone in first place on July 4, a stay that didn’t last long although they drew much attention. Under the guidance of manager Bill Rigney and pitching coach Marv Grissom, who managed the bullpen effectively, the club remained in the first division for the remainder of the season, despite sagging in September.

Aftermath of 1962:

Moran and the Angels had a lesser season in 1963, although his production was a solid .275 with 29 doubles, 5 triples, 7 home runs, 65 RBIs, and a .310 OBP. In 1964 he lost his starting job at second base to young Bobby Knoop and was shifted to third, an unfamiliar position. In June he was part of a three-team trade that sent him back to Cleveland. Moran appeared in 70 games with the Indians and finished the season with combined batting totals of .241 with 16 doubles, 21 RBIs, and a .304 OBP. He started the 1965 season with Cleveland until being sent down to the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League in June where he played well until being recalled to the Indians in July. He ended up appearing in a total of 22 games for the Indians, mostly as a pinch-hitter. He hit .125 and in the offseason was granted permission to seek a deal with another club that would be willing to pay the waiver fee for his services. Targeting the newly relocated Atlanta Braves, he failed to reach a deal and retired at age 32. For his major league career, Moran batted .263 with 545 hits that included 88 doubles, 10 triples, and 28 home runs. He scored 242 runs and compiled 202 RBIs, a .308 OBP, and a .355 slugging percentage. With the Angels he batted .275 with 200 runs scored, 448 hits, 71 doubles, 10 triples, 26 home runs, 172 RBIs, a .318 OBP, and a .379 slugging percentage. An All-Star in 1962 only, he never appeared in the postseason. It took a long time for him to achieve major league success, and that success proved to be fleeting. After baseball he worked in the insurance industry for many years and died at age 87 in 2021.  

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20), pitching wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10), or have been participants in the annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category will also include Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Ken McBride, 1962

Pitcher, Los Angeles Angels

Age:  27 (Aug. 12)

2^nd season with Angels

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 190 

Prior to 1962:

Born in Alabama, McBride grew up in Cleveland, Ohio where he excelled in basketball and baseball at West High School. Following his graduation from high school in 1953, he pitched for a semipro team before being signed by the Boston Red Sox for a $500 bonus. He was first assigned to Bluefield of the Class D Appalachian League in 1954 where he performed well with an 18-8 record and 2.53 ERA with 178 strikeouts over 210 innings. Spending most of 1955 with Corning of the Class D Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York (or Pony) League he produced a 10-9 tally and 3.81 ERA with 100 strikeouts over 170 innings. He finished the season with Greensboro of the Class B Carolina League, where he played in 1956. He tossed a no-hitter on his way to a 9-7 record and 2.64 ERA with 9 complete games, and 86 strikeouts over 177 innings pitched. Plagued by injuries in 1957 with Oklahoma City of the Class AA Texas League, McBride was limited to 19 games and produced a 2-2 tally with a 4.70 ERA and 24 strikeouts and 21 walks issued over 44 innings, mostly out of the bullpen. Sent to Memphis of the Class AA Southern Association in 1958, his record was 9-10 with a 3.58 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 156 innings while he started in 21 of his 31 games pitched. He had a strong season in 1959 with Indianapolis of the Class AAA American Association and was 11-5 with a 2.79 ERA when he was sold to the Chicago White Sox on August 1. With a fine sinker to go along with a fastball and curve, he made two starts among his 11 appearances for the White Sox, who were in the midst of a pennant race which they won. He showed promise in going 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA. Sent to San Diego of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in 1960, he put together an 11-14 tally and 3.23 ERA with 131 strikeouts over 198 innings before finishing up with another short stint with the White Sox. Left exposed in the AL expansion draft, McBride was chosen by the Angels and became part of the starting rotation for the 1961 inaugural season. His 1961 record was 12-15 with a 3.65 ERA, 11 complete games, and 180 strikeouts over 241.2 innings. He was selected as an All-Star.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 24 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 24

Games Started – 23

Complete Games – 6

Wins – 11 [20, tied with five others]

Losses – 5

PCT - .688 [4]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 4 [4, tied with Bill Monbouquette]

Innings Pitched – 149.1

Hits – 136

Runs – 66

Earned Runs – 58

Home Runs – 9

Bases on Balls – 70

Strikeouts – 83

ERA – 3.50 [Non-qualifying]

Hit Batters – 9 [7, tied with Dan Pfister]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 5 [19, tied with eleven others]

Midseason Snapshot: 8-3, ERA - 3.87, SO - 56 in 111.2 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 8 (in 6 IP) at Boston 5/20

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 2 (in 7 IP) at Minnesota 6/24

Batting

PA – 55, AB – 55, R – 6, H – 9, 2B – 2, 3B – 0, HR – 1, RBI – 2, BB – 0, SO – 23, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .164, GDP – 1, HBP – 0, SH – 0, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 63

Put Outs – 20

Assists – 41

Errors – 2

DP – 7

Pct. - .968

Awards & Honors:

All-Star

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In their second season, the Angels went 86-76 to finish third in the AL, 10 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees. The pitching staff led the league in shutouts (15), saves (47), fewest complete games (23), and fewest home runs allowed (118). Shifting to Dodger Stadium where they improved their home attendance to 1,144,063, the Angels started well and were alone in first place on July 4, a stay that didn’t last long although they drew much attention. Under the guidance of manager Bill Rigney and pitching coach Marv Grissom, who managed the bullpen effectively, the club remained in the first division for the remainder of the season, despite sagging in September. McBride was part of the club’s success until a cracked rib and bout with pleurisy prematurely ended his season.

Aftermath of 1962:

The Angels dropped in the standings in 1963 but McBride remained an All-Star with his 13-12 record, 3.26 ERA, 11 complete games, and 147 strikeouts over 251 innings. Appreciated for being classy, he was a well-liked player. His sinker was highly effective when he was at his best, but he lacked consistency. Two starts into the 1964 season, an arm injury led to a 4-13 record and 5.26 ERA with 66 strikeouts over 116.1 innings. The situation was no better in 1965, and McBride was demoted to San Jose of the Class A California League after having produced an 0-3 mark and 6.14 ERA after eight appearances. His ERA was 11.57 in three starts for San Jose and he retired. For his major league career, which was primarily spent with the Angels, McBride posted a 40-50 record and 3.79 record with 28 complete games, 7 shutouts, and 503 strikeouts over 807.2 innings pitched. A three-time All-Star, physical problems derailed a promising career. Following his playing career, he was briefly a minor league manager and pitching coach for the Milwaukee Brewers. He later was CEO of a construction company. 

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Dick Drago, 1971

Pitcher, Kansas City Royals

Age: 26 (June 25)

3^rd season with Royals

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 190 

Prior to 1971:

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Drago started out playing youth baseball prior to lettering in basketball and bowling, in addition to baseball, at that city’s Woodward High School. His varsity pitching record was 18-3, including two no-hitters. Accepting a baseball scholarship to the University of Detroit, Drago signed with the Detroit Tigers following his sophomore year in 1964. Initially assigned to the Florida Instructional League, in 15 relief appearances he produced a 1-2 record and 2.19 ERA with 14 strikeouts and 12 walks over 37 innings. With Daytona Beach of the Class A Florida State League and Rocky Mount of the Carolina League in 1965 Drago, utilized primarily as a starting pitcher, had a combined tally of 5-14 with a 3.36 ERA, 105 strikeouts and 58 walks over 142 innings pitched. Back with Rocky Mount in 1966 his record was a far more agreeable 15-9 with a 1.79 ERA, 14 complete games, 7 shutouts, and 151 strikeouts over 186 innings. He pitched a seven-inning no-hitter and was a league All-Star. He finished the season with an appearance with the Toledo Mud Hens of the Class AAA International League although he spent 1967 with the Montgomery Rebels of the Class AA Southern League. He duplicated his Class A win total by achieving a 15-10 tally with a 3.27 ERA, 12 complete games, 4 shutouts, and 134 strikeouts over 179 innings. Drago spent 1968 in Class AAA back in his hometown with Toledo and was once more a 15-game winner with his 15-8 record and 3.36 ERA with 9 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 146 strikeouts over 182 innings. With a repertoire of both a sinking and rising fastball, a slider, and a changeup, and appearing ready for the major leagues, he was exposed to the 1969 expansion draft and was taken by the Royals. Overcoming a midseason slump, Drago posted a respectable 11-13 tally and 3.77 ERA with 10 complete games that included two shutouts, and 108 strikeouts over 200.2 innings for the new club. Both he and the Royals had a more difficult season in 1970, with Drago’s record coming in at 9-15 with a 3.75 ERA, 7 complete games, and 127 strikeouts over 240 innings.

1971 Season Summary

Appeared in 35 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 35

Games Started – 34

Complete Games – 15 [12, tied with Jim Kaat & Steve Kline]

Wins – 17 [11, tied with Jim Perry]

Losses – 11

PCT - .607 [14]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 4 [7, tied with ten others]

Innings Pitched – 241.1

Hits – 251 [8]

Runs – 84

Earned Runs – 80

Home Runs – 14

Bases on Balls – 46

Strikeouts – 109

ERA – 2.98 [16]

Hit Batters – 9 [3, tied with Tom Murphy]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 4 

Midseason Snapshot: 9-5, ERA - 3.44, SO – 60 in 117.2 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 8 (in 9 IP) at California 7/1

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 5 (in 9 IP) vs. Baltimore 7/20

Batting

PA – 92, AB – 77, R – 3, H – 10, 2B – 3, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 4, BB – 8, SO – 44, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .130, GDP – 1, HBP – 0, SH – 7, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 51

Put Outs – 7

Assists – 42

Errors – 2

DP – 9

Pct. - .961

Awards & Honors:

5^th in AL Cy Young voting, tied with Andy Messersmith, Cal. (1 point – 1% share)

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The Royals went 85-76 to finish second in the AL Western Division, 16 games behind the division-winning Oakland Athletics. The pitching staff led the league in saves (44) and fewest home runs allowed (84). The Royals, in their first full season under manager Bob Lemon, got off to an 11-11 April start and played consistently well throughout the season. The addition of shortstop Freddie Patek significantly improved the infield defense and he combined well with veteran second baseman Cookie Rojas, who was in his first full season in Kansas City.

Aftermath of 1971:

Following his fine 1971 season, Drago faltered in 1972 and produced a record of 12-17, which was nearly the exact opposite of his ’71 tally, along with a respectable 3.01 ERA, 11 complete games, and 135 strikeouts over 239.1 innings. 1973 was a more disappointing season for Drago, if not the Royals, as his ERA rose to 4.23 to go along with a 12-14 record, 10 complete games, and 98 strikeouts over 212.2 innings. In the offseason he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for RHP Marty Pattin. Utilized as both a starter and reliever with his new club in 1974, Drago was at his most effective out of the bullpen and finished at 7-10 with 3 saves, a 3.48 ERA, 8 complete games (out of 18 starts), and 90 strikeouts over 175.2 innings. Almost exclusively a reliever in 1975, he recorded 15 saves along with a 2-2 tally in 40 appearances along with a 3.84 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 72.2 innings. The Red Sox topped the AL East and Drago picked up two saves in the ALCS triumph over Oakland. He made two more appearances in the seven-game World Series loss to the Cincinnati Reds where he was credited with the loss in Game 2 but finished with a 2.25 ERA over 4 innings. In the offseason, Drago was dealt to the California Angels, a team on the rise after being cellar dwellers for two years. In 1976 his 6 saves were enough to lead the team. In addition he compiled a 7-8 record in 43 relief appearances along with a 4.42 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 79.1 innings. Midway through the 1977 season, Drago was on the move again, this time to the Baltimore Orioles who were seeking to keep up with the Yankees in the AL East. Having appeared in only 13 games with the Angels, he pitched in 36 games out of the bullpen for the Orioles and finished with an overall record of 6-4 with 5 saves, a 3.41 ERA, and 35 strikeouts over 60.2 innings. As a free agent in the offseason, Drago returned to the Red Sox. In 1978 the Red Sox started strong and had a 14.5-game lead in the AL East before collapsing in the season’s second half and needing a late rally to end up tied with the Yankees, who defeated them in a one-game playoff to decide the division title. Drago appeared in 37 games (one start and the remainder in relief), splitting bullpen duty with righthanders Bob Stanley and Tom Burgmeier. His record was 4-4 with 7 saves, a 3.03 ERA, and 42 strikeouts over 77.1 innings. The club endured another second-half collapse on the way to third place in 1979. Drago made 53 appearances and remained a solid performer out of the bullpen with a 10-6 tally, 13 saves, another 3.03 ERA, and 67 strikeouts over 89 innings. A notorious bench jockey who relentlessly needled opposing players, off the field he regularly visited children in hospitals, bringing gifts and signing autographs. In 1980 he started in seven of his 43 appearances, one of them a complete game on his way to a 7-7 record with 3 saves, a 4.14 ERA, and 63 strikeouts over 132.2 innings. Just before the 1981 season Drago was dealt to the Seattle Mariners where he was back to being a full-time reliever and endured a disappointing season where he went 4-6 with 5 saves in 39 appearances, posting a career-worst 5.53 ERA. He was released by the Mariners prior to the 1982 season, thus concluding his playing career. For his major league career, Drago pitched in 519 games, 189 of them starts, and produced a 108-117 record with 58 saves, a 3.62 ERA, 62 complete games, 10 shutouts, and 987 strikeouts over 1875 innings. With the Royals he made 182 appearances, including 160 starts, and was 61-70 with one save, 53 complete games, all 10 shutouts, and 577 strikeouts over 1134 innings pitched. Drago pitched in 4 postseason games, all with Boston, and had a 0-1 record with 2 saves and a 1.04 ERA. Never an All-Star Drago proved to be a capable pitcher as both a starter and reliever, but 1971 marked the only season in which he received an award vote. Following his baseball career, he became entangled in legal problems stemming from his two divorces and child support payments. He died at age 78 in 2023.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years.