Highlighted Year: Dick Radatz, 1962

Pitcher, Boston Red Sox

Age:  25 (April 2)

1^st season with Red Sox

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’6”    Weight: 230 

Prior to 1962:

A Michigan native, Radatz (pronounced RAD-its) grew up in the Detroit suburb of Berkley and played football and basketball in addition to baseball in high school. Moving on to Michigan State University where he developed his pitching skills, he spent the summers of 1957 and ’58 playing in the Basin League, a regional circuit of good quality where he performed impressively. Prone to awkwardness in his youth, he had filled out at 6’6” and was now concentrating on baseball rather than basketball and was developing into a serious pitching prospect along with his roommate Ron Perranoki, who also became a successful major league relief pitcher. After going 10-1 with a 1.12 ERA during his senior year at Michigan State he signed with the Red Sox. Assigned to the Raleigh Capitals of the Class B Carolina League in 1959, Radatz started 12 games and produced a 4-6 record and 3.04 ERA with 5 complete games that included a shutout, and 76 strikeouts over 77 innings. He started the 1960 season back with Raleigh and was 9-4 with a 3.79 ERA when he was promoted to the Minneapolis Millers of the Class AAA American Association where he went 3-0 with a 3.67 ERA. Overall, he compiled 179 strikeouts over 161 innings. Back in Class AAA with Seattle of the Pacific Coast League in 1961 where he was used exclusively as a reliever, which he initially resisted,  and over 54 appearances had a 5-6 tally and 2.28 ERA with 74 strikeouts over 71 innings. Making it to the Red Sox in 1962, Radatz immediately excelled with his overpowering fastball and slider which he threw with a deceptive delivery and excellent control.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 62 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 62 [1]

Games Started – 0

Games Finished – 53 [1]

Complete Games – 0

Wins – 9

Losses – 6

PCT - .600 [13, tied with Earl Wilson & Steve Barber]

Saves – 24 [1]

Shutouts – 0

Innings Pitched – 124.2

Hits – 95

Runs – 32

Earned Runs – 31

Home Runs – 9

Bases on Balls – 40

Strikeouts – 144 [13]

ERA – 2.24 [Non-qualifying]

Hit Batters – 4

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 4 

League-leading games pitched were +3 ahead of runner-up John Wyatt

League-leading games finished were +9 ahead of runner-up Hoyt Wilhelm

League-leading saves were +6 ahead of runner-up Marshall Bridges

Midseason Snapshot: 2-4, G – 31, ERA - 2.62, SV – 14, SO - 69 in 55 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 9 (in 9 IP) at NY Yankees 9/9 (relieved for 9 innings of a 16-inning game)

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 5 (in 7 IP) at KC A’s 7/13

Batting

PA – 34, AB – 31, R – 0, H – 3, 2B – 0, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 6, BB – 1, SO – 19, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .097, GDP – 1, HBP – 0, SH – 2, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 14

Put Outs – 5

Assists – 8

Errors – 1

DP – 0

Pct. - .929

Awards & Honors:

AL Fireman of the Year: Sporting News

21^st in AL MVP voting, tied with Jim Bunning, Det., Vic Power, Min. & Zoilo Versalles, Min. (8 points – 3% share)

3^rd in AL Rookie of the Year voting, tied with Bernie Allen, Min. & Dean Chance LAA (1 vote – 5 % share)

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The Red Sox went 76-84 to finish eighth in the AL, 19 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees. In ninth place by May 20, the Red Sox struggled to play .500 ball during the season’s last two months to finish one place higher. Radatz was impressive from the start and didn’t give up a hit until his third appearance in mid-April or an earned run until mid-May, by which point he had 7 saves.

Aftermath of 1962:

Radatz, who had been reluctant to become a reliever in the minors, became content in the role with the Red Sox, appreciating the opportunity to enter games in high pressure situations. In 1963 he had an even better season, appearing in 66 games and compiling a 15-6 record and 23 saves along with a 1.97 ERA and 162 strikeouts over 132.1 innings, an average of 11.0 per nine innings. Known as “Moose” in his youth, Radatz was tagged with the nickname “The Monster” due to his intimidating size and pitching power. He was still dominant in 1964, posting a 16-9 tally and league leading totals in saves (29) and games finished (67) over the course of 79 appearances for the lowly Red Sox. He also set a still standing record for strikeouts by a relief pitcher with 181 over 157 innings and placed ninth in league MVP voting, as well as also receiving AL Fireman of the Year recognition from The Sporting News. for the second time. The three seasons of heavy use out of the bullpen, not always in short relief, began to take a toll in 1965. He blew saves in two of his first three appearances but went on to appear in 63 games, producing a 9-11 record for the ninth-place club and 22 saves. His ERA rose to 3.91 but “The Monster” still struck out 121 batters over 124.1 innings, not quite as dominating as during his previous three seasons, but an average of 8.8 per nine innings while issuing few walks. In 1966 he found himself being booed by the Fenway Park fans and was little used prior to being traded to the Cleveland Indians in June for pitchers Don McMahon and Lee Stange. Although his combined record was a disappointing 0-5 with 14 saves and a 4.64 ERA over 55 appearances, he showed improvement over the season’s second half and compiled 68 strikeouts over 75.2 innings. Radatz lasted with Cleveland only until late April in 1967 when he was dealt again, this time to the Chicago Cubs. Things didn’t get better for him with the Cubs and he pitched in only 20 games and had a 1-0 tally, 5 saves, and a 6.56 ERA when he was demoted to Tacoma of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. His control had faltered badly and at Tacoma his record was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA and 26 walks with 9 wild pitches and 7 hit batters over 22 innings. Treated for a pinched nerve in his right shoulder, Radatz played in the Arizona Instructional League in the offseason. Released by the Cubs following a poor spring outing in 1968, he caught on with the Detroit Tigers, who sent him to the Toledo Mud Hens of the Class AAA International League where he went 6-7 with a 2.78 ERA and 103 strikeouts over 110 innings. Radatz started the 1969 season with the Tigers and pitched respectably until he was sold to the expansion Montreal Expos in June. His performance deteriorated again in Montreal and he was released in August, thus finishing his career. His combined totals for 1969 were 2-6 and 3 saves over 33 appearances, with a 4.89 ERA and 50 strikeouts over 53.1 innings. For his major league career, Radatz pitched in 381 games, all in relief, and produced a 52-43 record with 120 saves, 297 games finished, and 745 strikeouts over 693.2 innings, an average of 9.7 per nine innings. With the Red Sox he appeared in 286 games and went 49-34 with 102 saves, 244 games finished, and 627 strikeouts over 557.1 innings, an average of 10.1 per nine innings. A three-time All-Star, he received MVP votes three times as well. He never appeared in the postseason. In 1997 he was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame primarily based on his three seasons as one of the most dominant relief pitchers of all-time. Returning to the Boston area years after his pitching career ended, he served as pitching coach for the NorthShore Spirit, an independent minor league team. Radatz died in 2005 at age 67 from the effects of a fall on the basement stairs of his home.  

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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: Bill Monbouquette, 1962

Pitcher, Boston Red Sox

Age: 26 (Aug. 11)

5^th season with Red Sox

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 190 

Prior to 1962:

A Massachusetts native who grew  up in a rough neighborhood, Monbouquette (pronounced MON-bu-ket) developed a toughness that colored his approach to pitching. As a youth he was a Boston Braves fan and regularly attended games. He played midget and American Legion baseball and was a star pitcher and outfielder at Medford High School where he also played hockey and soccer. Monbouquette also played semipro ball in nearby Everett. In 1955 he signed with the Red Sox and the day following his signing he attended a game at Fenway Park where he and his father were taken into custody by the police after a fight with two rowdy fans who spilled beer on his mother. He was freed from a holding cell by Boston farm director Johnny Murphy, capping a combative start to his professional career. With two Class D teams in 1955 he produced a 2-4 record. In 1956 with Corning of the Class D Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York (or Pony) League, his second stop the previous year, Monbouquette compiled a 15-7 tally and 2.45 ERA with 16 complete games, and 177 strikeouts over 184 innings. With the Greensboro Patriots of the Class B Carolina League in 1957 his record was 11-6 with a 3.77 ERA, 11 complete games, and 137 strikeouts over 172 innings. He wrapped up the season with four appearances with the Albany Senators of the Class A Eastern League and went 1-1. Moving up to Class AAA in 1958 with the Minneapolis Millers of the American Association, he was 8-9 with a 3.16 ERA when he was called up to the Red Sox, who were in need of starting pitchers, in July. With his fastball, slider, and curve, he produced a 3-4 record and 3.31 ERA, with 30 strikeouts over 54.1 innings. Having showed promise in his first taste of major league action, “Monbo” entered the Army and was stationed at Camp Curtis in Massachusetts, allowing him to play for the Red Sox in 1959, where he had a fair season as a starter/reliever, pitching in 34 games (17 of them starts) and compiling a 7-7 tally with a 4.15 ERA, 4 complete games, and 87 strikeouts over 151.2 innings. He was an All-Star in 1960 on his way to a 14-11 record and 3.64 ERA with 12 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 134 strikeouts over 215 innings. His best performance was a one-hit shutout of Detroit in May. Monbouquette got off to a slow start in 1961 and finished at 14-14 with a 3.39 ERA, 12 complete games, and 161 strikeouts over 236.1 innings, which included a 17-strikeout performance at Washington, which set a club record at the time.  

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 35 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 35

Games Started – 35 [4, tied with four others]

Complete Games – 11 [7, tied with Ed Rakow, Early Wynn & Hank Aguirre]

Wins – 15 [9, tied with Gene Conley]

Losses – 13 [10, tied with Don Mossi, Claude Osteen & Barry Latman]

PCT - .536

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 4 [4, tied with Ken McBride]

Innings Pitched – 235.1 [10, tied with Ed Rakow]

Hits – 227 [11]

Runs – 100 [16, tied with Camilo Pascual]

Earned Runs – 87 [16, tied with Bennie Daniels & Bill Stafford]

Home Runs – 22

Bases on Balls – 65

Strikeouts – 153 [10]

ERA – 3.33 [11]

Hit Batters – 3

Balks – 1 [6, tied with many others]

Wild Pitches – 1 

Midseason Snapshot: 8-8, ERA - 3.88, SO – 79 in 123 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 9 (in 7 IP) vs. Cleveland 6/10, (in 9 IP) at Cleveland 6/19, (in 9 IP) vs. KC A’s 6/29

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 0 (in 9 IP) at Chi. White Sox 8/1 (No-hitter with 1 BB & 7 strikeouts. Red Sox won 1-0)

Batting

PA – 88, AB – 73, R – 5, H – 7, 2B – 0, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 1, BB – 7, SO – 39, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .096, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 8, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances - 29

Put Outs – 7

Assists – 21

Errors – 1

DP – 0

Pct. – .966

Awards & Honors:

All-Star

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The Red Sox went 76-84 to finish eighth in the AL, 19 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees. In ninth place by May 20, the Red Sox struggled to play .500 ball during the season’s last two months to finish one place higher.

After 1962:

The Red Sox continued to be a team that lagged in the standings in 1963, but Monbouquette achieved a 20-10 record and 3.81 ERA, with 13 complete games and 174 strikeouts over 266.2 innings. “Monbo” dropped to 13-14 with a 4.04 ERA in 1964 and managed only 7 complete games, although 5 were shutouts. While his ERA improved to 3.70 in 1965, he led the AL in losses with his 10-18 tally. In the offseason he was dealt to the Detroit Tigers where he relieved more than he started in 1966 and went 7-8 with a 4.73 ERA and 61 strikeouts over 102.2 innings. Consigned to the bullpen in 1967, he was only used twice in April. When the Tigers attempted to send him down to the minors, he balked at reporting and was released. Signed by the New York Yankees in May, he made 33 appearances as a spot starter and long reliever, producing a 6-5 record and 2.36 ERA with 53 strikeouts over 133.1 innings for the Yankees. Monbouquette got off to good start in 1968, utilized as a starter, but a July slump led to his being dealt to the San Francisco Giants for reliever Lindy McDaniel. Returned to the bullpen, he made only seven appearances for the Giants and finished with a combined record of 5-8 with a 4.35 ERA. Sent to the Houston Astros on a conditional deal in the offseason, he failed to make the team in the spring of 1969 and was finished as a major league pitcher. For his major league career, Monbouquette posted a 114-112 record in 343 games, 263 of them starts, with a 3.68 ERA, 78 complete games, 18 shutouts, 3 saves, and 1122 strikeouts over 1961.1 innings. With the Red Sox his tally was 96-91 in 254 games, with a 3.69 ERA, 228 starts, 72 complete games, 16 shutouts, and 969 strikeouts over 1622 innings. A four-time All-Star, he never appeared in the postseason. After his playing career, “Monbo” became a scout and minor league manager for the Yankees. He later managed and coached in the New York Mets minor league system as well as for the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers. He was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2000. Monbouquette died of leukemia in 2015 at age 78.

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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: Cy Young, 1904

Pitcher, Boston Americans

Age: 37

4^th season with Americans

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’2”    Weight: 210

Prior to 1904:

An Ohio native, Denton Young, known as “Dent” in his youth, quit school following the sixth grade to help on his father’s farm. Playing baseball in his spare time and showing skill as a pitcher, he organized a team in his hometown of Gilmore before playing semi-professionally. In 1890 he signed with Canton of the Tri-States League for $60 per month. He was given the nickname “Cy”, which may have been short for “Cyclone” or may have been a slang term for a rube from the country, and the 23-year-old went 15-15 for a last-place club while striking out 201 batters and issuing only 33 walks. Following a no-hitter in which he recorded 18 strikeouts, he joined the Cleveland Spiders of the National League, and winning over his new teammates who were initially put off by his hick-like appearance, compiled a 9-7 record with a 3.47 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 147.2 innings pitched. With excellent control of his fastball, curve, and changeup, he had a big year for the fifth-place Spiders in 1891, producing a 27-22 tally with a 2.85 ERA and 187 strikeouts while accumulating 423.2 innings that included 43 complete games. Cleveland rose to second place in 1892 and Young led the NL in wins with his 36-12 record, in ERA (1.93), and shutouts (9) while totaling 453 innings and 48 complete games. Adjusting to the increase in distance between batters and pitchers from 55 feet, 6 inches, to 60 feet, 6 inches in 1893, Young’s ERA rose to 3.36, but he still produced a 33-16 tally and struck out 102 batters over 422.2 innings. His 103 walks had him averaging a league-best 2.2 walks per 9 innings, a tribute to his outstanding control. With the Spiders dropping to sixth in 1894, Young had a rough season, which included seven losses in a row, on his way to a 26-21 mark with a 3.94 ERA and 108 strikeouts over 408.2 innings that included 44 complete games. He and the Spiders bounced back in 1895, with the club finishing second and qualifying for the postseason Temple Cup series while Young posted a 35-10 record with a 3.26 ERA, 36 complete games that included a league-leading 4 shutouts, and 121 strikeouts. He won another three games as Cleveland defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the Temple Cup series. In 1896 his tally was 28-15, which included a stretch where he went 14-4 following a slow start. He also had a 3.24 ERA, 42 complete games, and led the league with 5 shutouts and 140 strikeouts. He also wore a fielder’s glove while pitching for the first time. Well-liked and respected for his honesty and gentlemanly behavior, Young twice filled in as an umpire during the season. In 1897 he was a twenty-game winner for the seventh consecutive season, going 21-19 with a 3.78 ERA, including a no-hitter against Cincinnati, 35 complete games, and 335.2 innings pitched, although his strikeout total dropped to 88. He made it eight straight twenty-win seasons in 1898, with a 25-13 record, 2.53 ERA, 40 complete games, and 101 strikeouts over 377.2 innings. With the brothers who owned the Spiders having also acquired the NL’s St. Louis franchise (then called the Perfectos and renamed the Cardinals in 1900), Young, along with other Cleveland stars, was transferred to St. Louis in 1899. Young kept up his winning ways, posting a 26-16 tally with a 2.58 ERA, another 40 complete games, 4 shutouts, and 111 strikeouts while accumulating 369.1 innings. In 1900, the 33-year-old hurler produced a 20-18 mark with a 3.00 ERA, 32 complete games, 4 shutouts, and 115 strikeouts in 321.1 innings. By this point in his career, his great overhand fastball was losing some of its fire, and he began to rely more on breaking pitches and his excellent control. Not liking the hot summer weather in St. Louis or the NL’s $2400 salary cap, Young jumped to Boston of the new American League for $3000 in 1901, helping to provide immediate legitimacy to the new circuit. He did so impressively in 1901 by winning the pitching Triple Crown with a 33-10 record, 1.62 ERA, and 158 strikeouts over 371.1 innings. The durable and highly consistent Young followed up on his first American League season by producing a 32-11 record for Boston in 1902. Aside from again topping the league in wins, he led the AL in games pitched (45), games started (43), complete games (41), and innings pitched (384.2) while also logging a 2.15 ERA, 3 shutouts, and 160 strikeouts, while issuing only 53 walks. Boston won the pennant in 1903 and the durable and highly consistent Young contributed a 28-9 tally to again top the circuit in wins, while also leading in complete games (34), shutouts (7), and innings pitched (341.2) while posting a 2.08 ERA and 176 strikeouts. In the first modern World Series against Pittsburgh, which was a best of 9 format, Young went 2-1, including a crucial Game 7 win that set the stage for the Americans to win in 8 games, with a 1.85 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 34 innings.

1904 Season Summary

Appeared in 43 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 43 [7]

Games Started – 41 [6]

Complete Games – 40 [3]

Wins – 26 [2, tied with Eddie Plank]

Losses – 16 [13, tied with Bill Donovan]

PCT - .619 [6]

Saves – 1 [2, tied with five others]

Shutouts – 10 [1]

Innings Pitched – 380 [5]

Hits – 327 [5]

Runs – 104 [20]

Earned Runs – 83 [13, tied with Weldon Henley]

Home Runs – 6 [8, tied with Beany Jacobson & Doc White]

Bases on Balls – 29

Strikeouts – 200 [5]

ERA – 1.97 [6]

Hit Batters – 4

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 4 

League-leading shutouts were +2 ahead of runner-up Rube Waddell

Midseason Snapshot: 14-7, 2.08 ERA, SO – 99 in 194.1 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 12 (in 12.2 IP) at Phila. A’s 9/10

10+ strikeout games – 2

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 0 (in 9 IP) vs. Phila. A’s 5/5 (Perfect Game with 8 strikeouts. Americans won 3-0)

Batting

PA – 149, AB – 148, R – 14, H – 33, 2B – 3, 3B – 3, HR – 1, RBI – 10, BB – 0, SO – 25, SB – 1, CS – N/A, AVG - .223, GDP – N/A, HBP – 0, SH – 1, SF – N/A

Fielding

Chances - 117

Put Outs – 7

Assists – 103

Errors – 7

DP – 0

Pct. – .940

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The Americans (aka Pilgrims) went 95-59 to win the AL pennant by 1.5 games over the New York Highlanders. The pitching staff led the league in ERA (2.12), complete games (148), home runs allowed (31) fewest runs allowed (466), and fewest bases on balls (233). The Americans started fast and were in first place from April 19 to August 4, weathering the unpopular June trade of outfielder Patsy Dougherty to New York with no ill effects. Young’s perfect game against the Philadelphia Athletics came amidst a 24-inning hitless streak. From that point they were locked in a tight battle with the Highlanders and White Sox. Heading into September the race narrowed to the Americans and Highlanders, as each took turns in first place. Young closed out the season with three straight shutouts, which were much needed in a tight pennant race. A half-game in front following a three-game sweep of the White Sox, the Americans headed to New York for a season-ending series.  New York pulled ahead by a half-game with a win in the first game. With New York’s co-owner having rented out Hilltop Park to Columbia University for a football game, the next game in the series was transferred to Boston, creating a double header to make up for a June rainout. Boston swept the Saturday double-header to go up by 1.5 games as the clubs returned to New York for a season-capping double header on Monday, with the Americans needing just one win to secure the pennant. With 41-game winner Jack Chesbro on the mound for New York and the score tied at 2-2 in the top of the ninth and a Boston runner on third, Chesbro uncorked a spitball that went over the catcher’s head and was scored a wild pitch, allowing the Americans to take the lead. New York was unable to score in the bottom of the ninth, giving Boston a 3-2 win and the pennant. The Highlanders won the meaningless nightcap in 10 innings. There was no opportunity for further World Series glory as the owner of the NL-champion New York Giants, John T. Brush, refused to allow his club to face the champions of a “minor league”.

After 1904:

Boston dropped to fourth place in 1905 and Young’s record fell to 18-19, although his 1.82 ERA ranked third in the league and his 210 strikeouts tied for second while he compiled 320.2 innings. 1906 was another rough year for the Americans, and Young got off to a slow start on his way to a 13-21 tally with a 3.19 ERA and 140 strikeouts while pitching 287.2 innings that included 28 complete games. Young was acting as Boston’s temporary manager at the start of the 1907 season. On the mound, his record rebounded to 21-15 with a 1.99 ERA, 33 complete games, 343.1 innings, and 147 strikeouts. At age 41 in 1908, he had another excellent year, recording a 21-11 tally that included a no-hitter against the Highlanders, with a 1.26 ERA, and 155 strikeouts in 299 innings pitched. Praised for his clean living and outstanding work ethic, which included the offseason farm work that he credited for his longevity, he moved on from Boston in 1909, when he was traded to Cleveland. Returning to the city where he had begun his major league career at age 42, Young went 19-15 in ’09 with a 2.26 ERA, 30 complete games, 294.1 innings pitched, and 109 strikeouts. He won his 500^th game in 1910, a season in which he went 7-10 with a 2.53 ERA. In 1911 he was released in August with a record of 3-4 and a 3.88 ERA. Signed by the NL’s Boston Rustlers (former Beaneaters and future Braves) for his box office value, he made 11 starts and put together a 4-5 mark with a 3.71 ERA. He attempted to return to action in 1912, but a sore arm, complicated by difficulty in fielding his position as his girth increased, forced his retirement at age 45. For his long major league career, Young compiled a 511-315 record with a 2.63 ERA, 749 complete games, 7356 innings pitched, 76 shutouts, and 2803 strikeouts. His totals for wins, losses, complete games, and innings pitched remain as all-time records. Young’s total of 1217 walks issued averages out to 1.5 per nine innings, a very good rate. With Boston, Young’s record was 192-112 with a 2.00 ERA, 275 complete games, 38 shutouts, 2728.1 innings pitched, and 1341 strikeouts. Counting the 1892 Temple Cup series and 1903 World Series, he pitched in 7 postseason games and went 2-3 with a 2.36 ERA, 6 complete games, and 26 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched. Young compiled 16 twenty-win seasons that included five thirty-win seasons and had a winning percentage of .619. Following his retirement as a player, Young managed in the rival Federal League in 1913. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937 and died at the age of 88 in 1955. The next year, the annual award for the best pitcher in each league was named in his honor. A statue of Young was built on the site of the Huntington Avenue Grounds, the home venue of the Americans when Young pitched for them, which is now part of Northeastern University. 

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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: George Kell, 1957

Third Baseman, Baltimore Orioles

Age: 35 (Aug. 23)

2^nd season with Orioles (1^st complete)

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height:5’9”    Weight: 175 

Prior to 1957:

A native of Swifton, Arkansas, Kell was the son of a barber who had been a star pitcher for the local amateur team. A baseball fan in his youth, he graduated from high school at 16 and enrolled at Arkansas State University in 1939. Due to the university lacking a baseball team, he played intramural softball before returning home in the spring of 1940 and joining the town team. That same spring he signed with Newport, an affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers in the Class D Northeast Arkansas League. The 17-year-old third sacker appeared in 48 games and batted only .160 with five extra-base hits. Still with Newport in 1941, Kell hit better (.310) with 32 extra-base hits prior to moving on to the unaffiliated Lancaster Red Roses in the Class B Interstate League in 1942 where he hit .299. With Lancaster again in 1943, Kell batted .396 with 33 doubles, 23 triples, 5 home runs, 79 RBIs, a .455 on-base percentage, and a .566 slugging percentage. Given the opportunity to join the Philadelphia Athletics late in the season, Kell tripled in his first major league at bat He taught at a junior high school back in Arkansas during the offseason and then returned to the A’s in 1944 where he became the starting third baseman for the lowly club. He flashed plenty of potential in batting .268 with 15 doubles, 3 triples, 44 RBIs, and a .300 OBP. In 1945 he hit .272 with 30 doubles, 3 triples, 4 home runs, 56 RBIs, a .306 OBP, and a .356 slugging percentage, Defensively, he led AL third basemen in assists (345), and fielding percentage (.964). Kell started the 1946 season with the Athletics until traded to the Detroit Tigers in May for outfielder Barney McCosky. The trade proved beneficial as Kell joined a club that finished in second place, and for the full season he batted .322 with 25 doubles, 10 triples, 4 home runs, 52 RBIs, a .372 OBP, and a .432 slugging percentage, while only striking out on 20 occasions. In the field he led AL third sackers in assists (267), double plays (27), and again in fielding percentage (.983). Kell also tied for sixteenth in league MVP voting. In 1947 he was an All-Star for the first time on his way to hitting .320 with 29 doubles, 5 triples, 5 home runs, 93 RBIs, a .387 OBP, and a .412 slugging percentage. His strikeouts dropped to 16 and he remained solid defensively. He finished fifth in league MVP balloting. In 1948 a broken wrist cost him almost all of May and a broken jaw suffered late in August finished his season. Appearing in 92 games Kell batted .304 with 24 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs, 44 RBIs, and a .369 OBP while whiffing only 15 times. He came back strong in 1949 to narrowly edge Boston’s Ted Williams for the AL batting championship (.343) while also compiling 38 doubles, 9 triples, 3 home runs, 59 RBIs, a .424 OBP, and a .467 slugging percentage while striking out only 13 times. He placed eighth in league MVP voting. The Tigers strongly contended in 1950 and Kell contended for another batting title, finishing second at .340 while leading the league in hits (218) and doubles (56). Furthermore, he scored 114 runs, and produced 6 triples, 8 home runs, 101 RBIs, a .403 OBP, and a .484 slugging percentage. He placed fourth in league MVP voting. In 1951, despite missing the first ten games of the season due to a broken finger, Kell again topped the American League in hits (191) and doubles (36) while batting .319 with a .386 OBP and .400 slugging percentage. Still a highly regarded defensive third baseman, he finished fifteenth in league MVP balloting. With the Tigers sinking in the standings and needing a personnel shakeup, Kell was dealt to the Boston Red Sox in June of 1952 as part of a nine-player trade. For the year he hit .311 with 23 doubles, 7 home runs, 57 RBIs, a .379 OBP, and a .423 slugging percentage. Dealing with chronic back pain in 1953, he saw some action in the outfield to reduce wear on his back but remained an outstanding fielder at third base and a reliable hitter. The line-drive hitting Kell achieved a career high with 12 home runs while batting .307 with 41 doubles, 73 RBIs, a .383 OBP, and a .483 slugging percentage. In May of 1954 he was traded once again, this time to the White Sox. A knee injury knocked him out of the lineup for six weeks, and limited to 97 games in all, he ended up hitting a disappointing .276 with 13 doubles, 5 home runs, 58 RBIs, and a .334 OBP. Kell rebounded in 1955 to .312 with 24 doubles, 8 home runs, 81 RBIs, a .389 OBP, and a .429 slugging percentage. He started the 1956 season with the White Sox until he was traded to the Orioles in May as part of a six-player deal. He ended up batting a combined .271 with 22 doubles, 9 home runs, 48 RBIs, and a .324 OBP, achieving an All-Star selection along the way. Contemplating retirement, Kell returned to the Orioles for one last season in 1957.

1957 Season Summary

Appeared in 99 games

3B – 80, 1B – 22, PH – 13, PR – 2

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 345

At Bats – 310

Runs – 28

Hits – 92

Doubles – 9

Triples – 0

Home Runs – 9

RBI – 44

Bases on Balls – 25

Int. BB – 2

Strikeouts – 16

Stolen Bases – 2

Caught Stealing – 0

Average - .297 [Non-qualifying]

OBP - .352 [Non-qualifying]

Slugging Pct. - .413

Total Bases – 128

GDP – 11

Hit by Pitches – 2

Sac Hits – 7 [18, tied with six others]

Sac Flies – 1 

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 5, HR - 5, RBI - 22, AVG - .281, OBP - .350

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) at Chi. White Sox 5/1, (in 4 AB) vs. Chi. White Sox 7/27

Longest hitting streak – 8 games

HR at home – 3

HR on road – 6

Most home runs, game – 1 on nine occasions

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 4 at KC A’s 6/4, vs. NY Yankees 9/2 – 11 innings

Pinch-hitting – 4 for 11 (.364) with 1 R, 3 RBI & 2 BB

Fielding (3B)

Chances – 192

Put Outs – 66

Assists – 122

Errors – 4

DP – 15

Pct. - .979

Awards & Honors:

All-Star (Started for AL at 3B)

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The Orioles went 76-76 to finish fifth in the AL, 21 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees while leading the league in fewest doubles (191), fewest home runs (87), lowest slugging percentage (.353), and fewest total bases (1856). The rebuilding Orioles benefited from improved pitching and defense (they played a total of 82 errorless games during the season) which allowed them to rise from a 15-24 record at the end of May. Thanks to a 19-win June and a 30-23 August and September tally they scratched out a break-even season. Kell was an All-Star for the tenth and last time. despite two beanings that cost him 10 games apiece.

Aftermath of 1957:

Following through with retirement after the season, for his major league career Kell batted .306 with 2054 hits that included 385 doubles, 50 triples, and 78 home runs. He scored 880 runs and compiled 870 RBIs, a .367 OBP, and a .414 slugging percentage. With the Orioles he batted .278 with 73 runs scored, 182 hits, 26 doubles, 2 triples, 17 home runs, 81 RBIs, a .331 OBP, and a .402 slugging percentage. He had no World Series appearances. The 10-time All-Star started for the American League at third base in six of those games. Recognized for his consistency and solid work ethic, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983. Following his playing career, Kell became a long-time broadcaster for the Tigers, finally retiring in 1987. He died at age 86 in 2009. His brother Everett “Skeeter” Kell was a second baseman who played for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1952.

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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 Gardner, 1957

Second Baseman, Baltimore Orioles

Age: 30 (July 19)

2^nd season with Orioles

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height:6’0”    Weight: 170 

Prior to 1957:

A native of Waterford, Connecticut, Gardner grew up on a farm. He played football as well as baseball at Chapman Technical High School, which he attended for two years before signing with the New York Giants in 1945 at age 17. Assigned to Bristol of the Class D Appalachian League, he played third base and over 74 games batted .329 with 16 doubles, 6 triples,5 home runs, 56 RBIs, 15 stolen bases, a .389 on-base percentage, and a .470 slugging percentage. Finishing the season with Jersey City of the International League, in 49 games he hit .273 with 20 RBIs and a .306 OBP. Joining the Army at the end of 1945 he missed the 1946 season but returned in 1947 with the Jacksonville Tars of the Class A South Atlantic (or Sally) League. Gardner batted .262 with 18 doubles, 5 triples, one home run, 41 RBIs, and a .307 OBP. Returning to Jacksonville in 1948 he hit .255 with 26 doubles, 3 home runs, 66 RBIs, and a .295 OBP. Injuries limited him to two 17-game stints in Class AAA with Jersey City of the International League and Minneapolis of the American Association. He ended up batting a combined .219 with a .296 OBP. Back in Class A in 1950 with Sioux City of the Western League Gardner hit .303 with 32 doubles, 7 triples,22 home runs, 118 RBIs, a .377 OBP, and a .496 slugging percentage. Returning to the International League with the Ottawa Giants in 1951 he batted .231 with 19 doubles, 6 triples, 3 home runs, and a .294 OBP. Gardner returned to Minneapolis in 1952 and hit .259 with a .303 OBP. He also married Barbara Carnaroli, a star women’s baseball and basketball player in Connecticut who also won the Miss New London beauty contest. In 1953 he played for the Nashville Volunteers of the Class AA Southern Association and batted .308 with 42 doubles, 5 triples, 10 home runs, 71 RBIs, a .345 OBP, and a .447 slugging percentage. Gardner made it to the Giants in 1954 and was a utility infielder, primarily appearing at third base, and over the course of 62 games played he performed well defensively while hitting only .213 with a .261 OBP and 7 RBIs. He didn’t play in the World Series for the pennant-winning club. Returned to Minneapolis early during the 1955 season, Gardner hit .310 with 15 doubles, 17 home runs, 48 RBIs, and a .367 OBP before being recalled to the Giants in August where he again performed in a utility role, seeing considerable action at shortstop due to an injury to Alvin Dark. He appeared in 59 games for the Giants and batted .203 with a .261 OBP. In 1956, the Giants sold Gardner to the Orioles for $20,000. Installed at second base by his new club, he hit .231 with 16 doubles, 11 home runs, 50 RBIs, and a .281 OBP. He placed third among AL second basemen in putouts (274) and assists (331). His 76 double plays ranked fourth. He also obtained the nickname “Shotgun” for his outstanding throwing arm and was also called “Slick” for reasons that may, or may not, have pertained to his fielding prowess.

1957 Season Summary

Appeared in 154 games

2B – 148, SS – 9

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 718 [1, tied with Nellie Fox]

At Bats – 644 [1]

Runs – 79 [13]

Hits – 169 [8]

Doubles – 36 [1, tied with Minnie Minoso]

Triples – 3

Home Runs – 6

RBI – 55

Bases on Balls – 53

Int. BB – 2

Strikeouts – 67 [16]

Stolen Bases – 10 [10]

Caught Stealing – 7 [7, tied with Al Pilarcik & Jim Lemon]

Average - .262

OBP - .325

Slugging Pct. - .356

Total Bases – 229 [16]

GDP – 13 [17, tied with seven others]

Hit by Pitches – 8 [5, tied with Chico Carrasquel]

Sac Hits – 11 [5, tied with Johnny Kucks]

Sac Flies – 2

League-leading at bats were +10 ahead of runner-up Frank Malzone

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 19, HR - 4, RBI - 30, AVG - .293, OBP - .359

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) at Boston 5/29

Longest hitting streak – 12 games

HR at home – 1

HR on road – 5

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 4 AB) at Washington 8/13

Multi-HR games – 1

Most RBIs, game – 4 at Cleveland 8/28

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding (2B)

Chances – 828

Put Outs – 393

Assists – 424

Errors – 11

DP – 96

Pct. - .987 

Awards & Honors:

12^th in AL MVP voting (22 points – 7% share)

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The Orioles went 76-76 to finish fifth in the AL, 21 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees while leading the league in fewest doubles (191), fewest home runs (87), lowest slugging percentage (.353), and fewest total bases (1856). The rebuilding Orioles benefited from improved pitching and defense which allowed them to rise from a 15-24 record at the end of May. Thanks to a 19-win June and a 30-23 August and September tally they scratched out a break-even season. Gardner put together a 55-game errorless streak in May and June. As a team, the Orioles played a total of 82 errorless games during the season.

After 1957:

In 1958 Gardner’s batting production dropped to .225 with a .271 OBP although he still totaled 28 doubles and his defense remained effective. In 1959 his average fell off to .217 with a .284 OBP and 13 doubles, 6 home runs, and 27 RBIs and he faced competition for playing time from veterans Chico Carrasquel and Bobby Avila as well as the up-and-coming Jerry Adair. Prior to the 1960 season, Gardner was dealt to the Wahington Senators. Bringing his hustle and defensive skill to Washington in 1960, he also batted .257 with 26 doubles, 5 triples, 9 home tuns, 56 RBIs, and a .313 OBP. The franchise moved to Minnesota and became the Minnesota Twins in 1961 but Gardner wasn’t with them for long, being traded to the New York Yankees in June for LHP Danny McDevitt. As a utility infielder for the Tankees during their drive to a pennant, he filled in mostly at third base and for the year batted a combined .225 in 86 games with 14 doubles, 2 home runs, 13 RBIs, and a .279 OBP. Gardner made only one appearance in the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds and lined out as a pinch-hitter to end the only game the Yanks lost. It marked the only postseason action of his career. Riding the bench for the Yankees in 1962, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox in June where he remained a reserve and in 53 games for the Bosox he hit .271 with a .310 OBP. After seeing scant action with Boston in 1963 he was released, thus ending his major league playing career. He spent 1964 back in Class AAA with the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League. For his major league career Gardner batted .237 with 841 hits that included 159 doubles, 18 triples, and 41 home runs. He scored 356 runs and compiled 271 RBIs, a .292 OBP, and a .327 slugging percentage. With the Orioles, where he had his greatest success, he batted .236 with 198 runs scored, 501 hits, 93 doubles, 9 triples, 26 home runs, 165 RBIs, a .293 OBP, and a .325 slugging percentage. He was never an All-Star and 1957 marked the only season in which he received MVP votes. Gardner coached for the Red Sox and also was a minor league manager for several seasons, where he enjoyed some success. He later became a major league manager with the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals, compiling an overall record of 330-417. The life-long Connecticut resident died in 2024 at age 96. His son Billy Jr. spent two years playing in the Kansas City Royals system before entering into a long career as a minor league manager.  

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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: George Stone, 1906

Outfielder, St. Louis Browns

 Age:  30 (Sept. 3)

2^nd season with Browns

Bats – Left, Throws – Left

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 175 

Prior to 1906:

An Iowa native, Stone played amateur baseball locally until appearing with two teams in the Western League in 1902. He led the league with 198 hits and joined the American League’s Boston Americans in 1903. After striking out in his first two plate appearances he was farmed out to Milwaukee of the Western League and batted .298 with 15 doubles, 4 triples, and 4 home runs. Returning to Milwaukee, which was now a member of the American Association in 1904, Stone had an outstanding season, hitting .406 with 254 hits that included 36 doubles, 19 triples, and 7 home runs. Dealt to the Washington Senators in August in a transaction that fell through, he continued with Milwaukee but was reacquired by Boston. Refusing to report to the Americans, in the offseason he was dealt to the Browns for veteran outfielder Jesse Burkett and cash. He quickly received favorable comments in the press for his bunting ability and speed that allowed him to be a capable outfielder as well as baserunner. Utilizing an odd crouching stance he led the American League in 1905 in hits (187) while batting .296 with 25 doubles, 13 triples, 7 home runs, 52 RBIs, 26 stolen bases, a .347 on-base percentage, and a .410 slugging percentage.   

1906 Season Summary

Appeared in 154 games

LF – 154

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 662 [4]

At Bats – 581 [10]

Runs – 91 [5]

Hits – 208 [2]

Doubles – 25 [7, tied with five others]

Triples – 20 [2]

Home Runs – 6 [3]

RBI – 71 [6]

Bases on Balls – 52 [7]

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 89 [1, tied with Monte Cross]

Stolen Bases – 35 [6]

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .358 [1]

OBP - .417 [1]

Slugging Pct. - .501 [1]

Total Bases – 291 [1]

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 7 [10, tied with four others]

Sac Hits – 18 [18, tied with five others]

Sac Flies – N/A

League-leading batting average was +.003 ahead of runner-up Nap Lajoie

League-leading OBP was +.025 ahead of runner-up Nap Lajoie

League-leading slugging percentage was +.036 ahead of runner-up Nap Lajoie

League-leading total bases were +11 ahead of runner-up Nap Lajoie

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 8, 3B – 12, HR - 3, RBI - 17, SB – 19, AVG - .368, OBP - .441, SLG – .509

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) at Chi. White Sox 5/9, (in 5 AB) vs. Bos. Americans 6/12

Longest hitting streak – 19 games

Most HR, game – 1 on six occasions

HR at home – 3

HR on road – 3

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 3 vs. Bos. Americans 6/12, at NY Highlanders 7/11

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding

Chances – 315

Put Outs – 294

Assists – 10

Errors – 11

DP – 3

Pct. - .965 

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The Browns went 76-73 to finish fifth in the AL, 16 games behind the pennant-winning Chicago White Sox. The Browns were 7-10 in May when they put together a seven-game winning streak although they entered June at only 20-18. A streaky club, they hung around .500 through July and August and managed to wrap up the season with a winning record.

After 1906:

Stone held out for $5000 in 1907, which cost him spring training. He went on to hit .320 with 13 doubles, 11 triples, 4 home runs, 59 RBIs, 23 stolen bases, and a .387 OBP. The soft-spoken Stone, who was nicknamed “Silent George” reportedly came down with malaria in 1908 and still went on to a respectable season, batting .281 with 21 doubles, 8 triples, 5 home runs, 31 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, and a .345 OBP. Limited to 83 games by an ankle injury in 1909, Stone hit .287 with 10 extra-base hits, only 8 stolen bases, and a .340 OBP. Now lacking speed and with arm trouble diminishing his throwing ability, he had a mediocre season in 1910, batting .256 with 17 doubles, 12 triples, and no home runs. He drove in 40 runs and had a .315 OBP in what proved to be his last major league season. Stone returned to Milwaukee of the American Association in 1911 and hit .282, but nagging injuries led to his retirement in 1912. For his major league career, spent almost entirely with the Browns, he batted .301 with 984 hits that included 106 doubles, 68 triples, and 23 home runs. He scored 426 runs and compiled 268 RBIs, 132 stolen bases, a .360 OBP, and a .396 slugging percentage. Following his playing career he became a banker in Nebraska and continued to pursue his hobbies of playing the violin and reading. Stone died in 1945 at the age of 68.

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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 will also include Misc. players who don’t otherwise qualify but received MVP votes or were contributors to teams that reached the postseason. 

Highlighted Year: Clete Boyer, 1967

Third Baseman, Atlanta Braves

Age: 30

1^st season with Braves

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’0”    Weight: 165 

Prior to 1967:

A Missouri native, Boyer was one of 14 children (two of his brothers, Cloyd and Ken, also played major league baseball). A two-sport standout in high school, basketball as well as baseball, he was signed by the Kansas City Athletics in 1955 for a $35,000 bonus, which at that time meant that he had to spend two seasons on the major league roster or the A’s would lose their rights to him. In 1955 the 18-year-old “bonus baby” split time at shortstop and third base and over 47 games with the newly-relocated and rebuilding club batted .241 with a .268 on-base percentage and 6 RBIs. Seeing more action in 1956, primarily at second base, Boyer hit a meager .217 with 5 extra-base hits, 4 RBIs, and a .284 OBP. Boyer started the 1957 season with the Athletics as he wrapped up his two-year apprenticeship, but they dealt him to the Yankees in June as part of a 13-player trade. The Yankees sent him to Binghamton of the Class A Eastern League where he batted .243 with 15 doubles, 12 home runs, 48 RBIs, and a .340 OBP. Promoted to Richmond of the Class AAA International League in 1958, he played shortstop and hit .284 with 25 doubles, 7 triples, 22 home runs, 71 RBIs, a .353 OBP, and a .494 slugging percentage, as he began to display more of his power potential. After starting the 1959 season with the Yankees, Boyer found himself seeing little action at shortstop behind Tony Kubek and was sent down to Richmond in June where he appeared in 64 games and batted .224 with 12 home runs, 36 RBIs, and a .301 OBP. He returned to the Yankees in August and played 16 games at third base for the year with the Yanks as well as 26 games at short and hit .175 with no homers. Boyer took over at third base in 1960 as the Yankees returned to the top of the American League and he batted .242 with 20 doubles, 14 home runs, 46 RBIs, a .285 OBP, and a .405 slugging percentage. In the seven-game World Series loss to Pittsburgh, he appeared in four games and managed three hits and a RBI. Boyer developed into a slick defensive third baseman, helped by his good throwing arm. In 1961 the Yankees were even better in cruising to another pennant while his batting production dropped to .224 with 19 doubles, 11 home runs, 55 RBIs, and a .308 OBP. In the hard-hitting Yankee lineup he was typically placed low in the batting order, which would be the trend throughout his tenure with the club. In the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, he put on a fine defensive display in the opening game, Fielding a one-hopper in the second inning, he threw out the runner while on his knees. He did likewise later in the game on a grounder between shortstop and third, earning plaudits for his performance. The Yankees won in five games and Boyer’s defense drew praise throughout. He remained a defensive standout in 1963, leading AL third basemen in putouts (187), assists (353), and double plays (41). He also batted .272 with 24 doubles, 18 home runs, 68 RBIs, a .331 OBP, and a .413 slugging percentage. Improved patience at the plate played a role in his batting improvement and in the seven-game World Series victory over the San Francisco Giants he hit .318 with a home run and 4 RBIs. The injury-riddled Yankees were again pennant-winners in 1963 and Boyer remained consistent in the field although his batting production dropped to .251 with 20 doubles, 12 home runs, 54 RBIs, and a .295 OBP. His bat was a non-factor in the World Series in which the Dodgers swept the Yanks in four games. The Yankees narrowly won a fifth straight pennant in 1964 and Boyer’s fielding continued to overshadow his batting as he hit .218 with 10 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a .269 OBP. In the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, he was matched up against his brother Ken. The Cardinals won in seven games and the Yankees entered a period of decline in 1965, ending up with a losing record for the first time since 1925. Boyer remained a stalwart presence in the field, leading AL third basemen in assists (354) and double plays (46). His batting was respectable at .251 with 23 doubles, 6 triples, 18 home runs, 58 RBIs, a .304 OBP, and a .424 slugging percentage. The club finished in the AL cellar in 1966 and Boyer hit .240 with 22 doubles, 14 home runs, 57 RBIs, and a .303 OBP. As part of an offseason housecleaning, he was traded to the Braves for two players. He became the replacement for longtime third base standout Eddie Mathews.

1967 Season Summary

Appeared in 154 games

3B – 150, SS – 6, PH – 2

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 619 [19]

At Bats – 572 [18]

Runs – 63

Hits – 140

Doubles – 18

Triples – 3

Home Runs – 26 [7, tied with Tony Perez]

RBI – 96 [8]

Bases on Balls – 39

Int. BB – 3

Strikeouts – 81

Stolen Bases – 6

Caught Stealing – 3

Average - .245

OBP - .292

Slugging Pct. - .423

Total Bases – 242 [17]

GDP – 14 [17, tied with five others]

Hit by Pitches – 2

Sac Hits – 0

Sac Flies – 6 [7, tied with five others]

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 10, HR - 10, RBI - 49, AVG - .243, OBP – .289

.289

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 4 AB) at Philadelphia 5/9

Longest hitting streak – 7 games

HR at home – 10

HR on road – 16

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 5 AB) at Chi. Cubs 8/3

Multi-HR games – 1

Most RBIs, game – 4 at Philadelphia 6/14, vs. NY Mets 6/25, vs. Pittsburgh 8/29

Pinch-hitting – 0 for 2 (.000)

Fielding

Chances – 471

Put Outs – 166

Assists – 291

Errors – 14

DP – 30

Pct. - .970

Awards & Honors:

21^st in NL MVP voting (6 points – 2% share)

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The Braves went 77-85 to finish seventh in the NL, 24.5 games behind the pennant-winning St. Louis Cardinals while leading the league in home runs (158). The Braves, facing problems defensively (apart from Boyer), a lack of team speed, and hindered by injuries, were mired in mediocrity during the season’s first half until a 7-2 stretch in July pulled them into contention, just 3.5 games behind the Cardinals. A three-game series sweep by the Cardinals in Atlanta delivered a blow from which the Braves could not recover.

After 1967:

Hand injuries suffered due to being hit by pitches by Juan Marichal of the Giants and Don Drysdale of the Dodgers limited Boyer to 71 games in 1968 and his batting production dropped to .227 with 4 home runs, 17 RBIs, and a .275 OBP. Healthy in 1969, Boyer overcame a dreadful early-season slump to bat .250 with 16 doubles, 14 home runs, 57 RBIs, and a .328 OBP. Along with his Golf Glove defense, he contributed to the Braves finishing first in the new NL West in the initial year of divisional play in major league baseball. Atlanta lost the NLCS to the New York Mets in a three-game sweep and Boyer’s bat did nothing to help the club’s cause. The Braves dropped in the standings in 1970 and Boyer hit .246 with 14 doubles, 16 home runs, 62 RBIs, and a .305 OBP. During 1971, Boyer became embroiled in controversy that resulted in the end of his major league playing career. After starting the season as Atlanta’s regular third baseman, a salary dispute with Braves general manager Paul Richards escalated due to Boyer’s public comments in the press against Richards and manager Luman Harris, who had imposed a curfew that drew the objection of Boyer, who had a reputation for carousing. The controversy led to his buying his release from the club for $10,000 in late May. Boyer filed a grievance against the Braves and Commissioner Kuhn ordered the team to return the money. He also fined Boyer $1000 for betting on football and basketball games. Unable to catch on with another major league club, and believing he was being blackballed, he finished out the season with the Hawaii Islanders of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League and moved on to the Taiyo Whales in Japan from 1972 to ’75 where he batted .257 with 51 doubles, 71 home runs, 218 RBIs, a .300 OBP, and a .437 slugging percentage. For his major league career, Boyer batted .242 with 1396 hits that included 200 doubles, 33 triples, and 162 home runs. He scored 645 runs and compiled 654 RBIs, a .299 OBP, and a .372 slugging percentage. With the Braves he batted .244 and scored 193 runs with 467 hits, 56 doubles, 7 triples, 66 home runs, 251 RBIs, a .303 OBP, and a .384 slugging percentage. Appearing in 30 postseason games, Boyer hit .221 with 6 doubles, 2 home runs, and 14 RBIs. Despite his years of defensive wizardry, he received only one Gold Glove for his play at third base, which was with the Braves in 1969. During his years with the Yankees, he was blocked from the AL Gold Glove by Baltimore’s Brooks Robinson whose assessment of Boyer was “in terms of catching the ball and throwing, Clete Boyer was the best defensive third baseman I ever played against.”. Following his playing career, Boyer was a coach with the Oakland Athletics from 1980-85 and with the Yankees from 1992-94. He also worked as a roving minor league instructor for the Yankees. With a summer home in Cooperstown, New York, he operated a restaurant called Clete Boyer’s Hamburger Hall of Fame. Boyer died in 2007 at age 70.  

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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.