Highlighted Year: Dick Farrell, 1965

Pitcher, Houston Astros

Age: 31 (April 8)

4^th season with Colt .45s/Astros

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’4”    Weight: 215 

Prior to 1965:

A Massachusetts native, Farrell, the son of an amateur athlete known as “Big Turk” came to be known as “Turk”, a lasting nickname. A polio victim before he was two, he wore a leg brace until age six. Overcoming the disease after many hospital treatments, he walked with a slight limp for the remainder of his life. He still managed to become an accomplished athlete at St. Mary’s High School in Brookline, excelling in football and basketball as well as baseball, where his pitching record from sophomore to senior years was 45-5. Farrell passed on college scholarship offers to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies out of high school. Initially assigned to the Schenectady Blue Jays of the Class A Eastern League in 1953, the big 19-year-old posted a 7-3 record with a 3.39 ERA. Reassigned to Schenectady in 1954, Farrell went 11-15 for a last-place team while recording 115 strikeouts in 216 innings pitched. Moving up to the Syracuse Chiefs of the Class AAA International League in 1955, Farrell posted a 12-12 tally with a 3.94 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 185 innings pitched. He also hit a league-longest 475-foot home run at MacArthur Stadium in Syracuse. During the winter he pitched in the Venezuelan Association, where he performed well, including a one-hitter in the Caribbean Series. Unable to crack Philadelphia’s pitching staff in the spring of 1956, he found himself back in the International League with the Miami Marlins. “Turk”, after recovering from a broken ankle that cost him the first two months of the season, went 12-6 with a 2.50 ERA. Along the way he lost 2-0 while throwing a two-hitter due to allowing 10 walks. Receiving a late-season call-up to the Phillies, he lost his only start but stuck with the parent club in 1957 as a reliever, despite typically having started during his minor league career. Farrell went on to excel as a rookie, appearing in 52 games and compiling a 10-2 record with 10 saves, a 2.38 ERA, and 54 strikeouts in 83.1 innings pitched. With his excellent fastball, he was an All-Star for the first time in 1958, although his second half performance tailed off, likely due to overwork and the weakening effects of a severe hay fever allergy. He finished with an 8-9 tally and 11 saves in 54 relief appearances and a 3.35 ERA. The Phillies were a last-place club in 1959 and Farrell took blame as a hard-partying ringleader of the so-called “Dalton Gang” of carousers and whose pitching performance dropped to 1-6 with 6 saves and a 4.74 ERA in 38 appearances. Along the way he was briefly demoted to Buffalo of the International League. Training diligently prior to the 1960 season, he returned to good form, appearing in 59 games and posting a 10-6 record with 11 saves and a 2.70 ERA. With the team in full rebuilding mode, Farrell became a desirable trade asset but started the 1961 season with the Phillies. A poor start damaged his trade value, but he was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers in May. He continued to struggle and became prone to surrendering walks and home runs. For the year he pitched in 55 games and went 8-7 with 10 saves and a 5.20 ERA. Left unprotected by the Dodgers in the expansion draft for the two new National League entries for 1962, Farrell was chosen by Houston, who converted him back into a starting pitcher. He responded with a 10-20 record although he endured tough defeats due to an offense that had difficulty scoring runs. His ERA was a respectable 3.02 and he compiled 10 complete games, 2 shutouts, and 203 strikeouts over 241.2 innings. He was also the first All-Star representative in franchise history. Houston remained strong in pitching and weak in producing runs again in 1963. Farrell reproduced his 3.02 ERA while posting a winning record of 14-13, compiling 12 complete games and 141 strikeouts. In 1964 he got off to a hot start and was 10-1 at the All-Star break. The run production dropped off in the second half and “Turk” finished at 11-10, although with a still respectable 3.27 ERA and 117 strikeouts over the course of 198.1 innings.

1965 Season Summary

Appeared in 33 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 33

Games Started – 29

Complete Games – 8 [19, tied with Dick Ellsworth, Bob Friend & Warren Spahn]

Wins – 11

Losses – 11 [18, tied with four others]

PCT - .500

Saves – 1

Shutouts – 3 [11, tied with Al Jackson & Bill Faul]

Innings Pitched – 208.1

Hits – 202

Runs – 94

Earned Runs – 81

Home Runs – 18

Bases on Balls – 35

Strikeouts – 122 [20, tied with Ray Sadecki]

ERA – 3.50 [19]

Hit Batters – 3

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 1

Midseason Snapshot: 7-2, ERA - 2.30, SO - 75 in 125 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 9 (in 5 IP) at NY Mets 9/1

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 5 (in 9 IP) on four occasions

Batting

PA – 77, AB – 74, R – 2, H – 10, 2B – 1, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 4, BB – 1, SO – 27, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .135, GDP – 3, HBP – 0, SH – 2, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 42

Put Outs – 9

Assists – 30

Errors – 3

DP – 3

Pct. - .929

Awards & Honors:

All-Star

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The renamed Astros went 65-97 to finish ninth in the NL, 32 games behind the pennant-winning Los Angeles Dodgers. The pitching staff led the league in fewest complete games (29, tied with the New York Mets) and fewest walks (388). The Astros moved into baseball’s first domed stadium and drew 2.151,470 fans, many coming to see the impressive new Astrodome rather than the unimpressive Astros. Granted, the spectacular venue was not without kinks to be worked out and proved immediately to be a poor hitters’ park. The club was seeking to build on youth, some of which produced impressively. Following a 10-6 April start, they crashed in May and never recovered. Both manager Luman Harris and GM Paul Richards were dismissed in the offseason.

Aftermath of 1965:

Appearing to have lost some zip on his fastball, the Astros entertained trade offers for Farrell in the offseason. While no longer a carouser, “Turk” was accused of throwing occasional spitballs. He remained with Houston in 1966, starting in just 21 of his 32 pitching appearances as he was relegated to the bullpen. His record was 6-10 with a 4.60 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 152.2 innings pitched. He also showed a propensity for giving up the long ball, surrendering 23 home runs. Farrell returned to the Phillies in May of 1967. Once again almost exclusively a reliever, he posted a 10-6 mark for the ’67 season along with 12 saves and a 2.34 ERA. He was at his best with the Phillies, combining with another veteran, Dick Hall, to solidify the bullpen. Farrell started off well in 1968 but slumped to end up at 4-6 with 12 saves and a 3.48 ERA in 54 appearances. Following a poor season in 1969 he was released, thus ending his major league career, although he tried to catch on with other teams over the next couple of seasons, seeing action in the Mexican League as well. For his major league career, Farrell compiled a 106-111 record with a 3.45 ERA, 41 complete games, 5 shutouts, 83 saves, and 1177 strikeouts over 1704.2 innings pitched. With Houston he went 53-64 with a 3.42 ERA, 41 complete games, 5 shutouts, 8 saves, and 694 strikeouts in 1015 innings pitched. He was a five-time All-Star. Following his retirement from baseball Farrell worked in the oil and gas industry until his death due to an auto accident in England at age 43 in 1977. Years later it was revealed that he was the biological father of Richard Dotson, who pitched primarily with the Chicago White Sox in the 1980s. A fiercely competitive power pitcher and off-field prankster, Farrell led a talented Houston pitching staff in the franchise’s early years.

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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: Hal Woodeshick, 1964

Pitcher, Houston Colt .45s

Age:  32 (Aug. 24)

3^rd season with Colt .45s

Bats – Right, Throws – Left

Height: 6’3”    Weight: 200 

Prior to 1964:

A native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Woodeshick moved to that state’s Beaver County at a young age. He became a high school pitching star in the town of Monaca, where he once pitched a perfect game. Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies at age 17, he appeared in one game with Carbondale of the Class D North Atlantic League in 1950 before being sent to a New York Giants affiliate, the Kingsport Cherokees of the Appalachian League in 1952, where he posted a 13-6 record and 4.54 ERA along with 169 strikeouts and 140 walks over 216 innings. Woodeshick spent the next two years in the Army before moving on to the Danville Leafs of the Class B Carolina League in 1955 where he went 14-8 with a 3.55 ERA and 140 strikeouts with 103 walks over 180 innings. Drafted by the Detroit Tigers he next played for Charleston of the Class AAA American Association in 1956 where, despite an elbow injury that cost him a month of action, he produced a 12-5 tally and 2.75 ERA with 72 strikeouts over 157 innings. Called up to the Tigers in September, which forced him to postpone his wedding, his performance was unimpressive after a strikeout of star catcher Yogi Berra in an initial outing against the Yankees. A winter pitching in Cuba failed to adequately improve his curveball and he appeared to be overweight when he arrived for spring training in 1957. Returning to Charleston, he had a disappointing season, posting a 5-9 record and 4.89 ERA with 65 strikeouts and 61 walks over 116 innings. Along the way he was accused of throwing spitballs. Demoted all the way to Class A, Woodeshick was traded to the Cleveland Indians in the offseason. Assigned to San Diego of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League to start the 1958 season, he had a 10-2 tally and 2.54 ERA when he was called up to the Indians by new manager Joe Gordon, who had replaced the fired Bobby Bragan. Woodeshick got off to a strong start with Cleveland, hurling three complete game wins in four starts. His performance dropped off thereafter and he was relegated to the bullpen, where he finished the season strongly. For the season with Cleveland he went 6-6 with a 3.64 ERA and 27 strikeouts over 71.2 innings. With the Indians hoping he could be their best lefthanded option out of the bullpen in 1959, Woodeshick struggled during the spring with his weight and performance and was sent down to Toronto of the Class AAA International League where he performed acceptably as a starter before being dealt to the Washington Senators in late May. Utilized almost exclusively as a reliever by the Senators, the chronic worrier experienced difficulties in the early going but went on to make 31 appearances and produce a 2-4 record and 3.69 ERA with 30 strikeouts over 61 innings. 11 pitchers started games for the Senators in 1960 and Woodeshick started 14 times among his 41 appearances, compiling a 4-5 tally and 4.70 ERA along with 4 saves and 46 strikeouts over 115 innings. With the move of the Senators to Minnesota for 1961, Woodeshick was taken in the expansion draft by the replacement Washington Senators franchise. Moving into the starting rotation for the new club, he had a 3-2 mark and 4.02 ERA when he was traded back to the Detroit Tigers in June. He performed poorly as a reliever for the contending Tigers, resulting in a demotion to Class AAA Charleston of the International League which allowed him to be close to home in West Virginia during his wife’s pregnancy and to help with relief efforts following devastating flooding. In the offseason he was sold to the expansion Colt .45s. Inserted into the starting rotation he put together a 5-16 record that included picking up the win in the first shutout victory in franchise history (with RHP Dick Farrell picking up a save). His ERA was 4.39 and he struck out 82 batters over a career-high 139.1 innings. He would never again start a game after the 1962 season. Previously reliant on his fastball, he finally gained command of his curve and added a slider which would help him come into his own as a reliever in 1963. The result was an 11-9 tally and 10 saves in 55 appearances. His ERA was 1.97 and he finished 39 games while striking out 94 batters over 114 innings. He was Houston’s lone All-Star representative. Heading into 1964, Woodeshick, whose career had been nondescript until 1963, was sought after by contending teams.

1964 Season Summary

Appeared in 61 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 61 [7, tied with Bob Shaw]

Games Started – 0

Games Finished – 48 [4]

Complete Games – 0

Wins – 2

Losses – 9

PCT - .182

Saves – 23 [1]

Shutouts – 0

Innings Pitched – 78.1

Hits – 73

Runs – 32

Earned Runs – 24

Home Runs – 3

Bases on Balls – 32

Strikeouts – 58

ERA – 2.76 [Non-qualifying]

Hit Batters – 7 [7, tied with Bob Purkey, Ken Johnson & Bob Sadowski]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 7 [16, tied with four others]

League-leading saves were +2 ahead of runners-up Al McBean & Jack Baldschun

Midseason Snapshot: 1-5, ERA - 2.61, G – 29, SV – 16, SO - 33 in 38 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 4 (in 2.1 IP) at St. Louis 4/24, (in 3 IP) at St. Louis 6/24, (in 2.2 IP) vs. San Francisco 7/12

10+ strikeout games – 0

Batting

PA – 13, AB – 10, R – 0, H – 0, 2B – 0, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 0, BB – 2, SO – 5, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .000, GDP – 1, HBP – 0, SH – 1, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 33

Put Outs – 5

Assists – 23

Errors – 5

DP – 0

Pct. - .848

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The Colt .45s went 66-96 to finish ninth in the NL, 27 games behind the pennant-winning St. Louis Cardinals. The pitching staff led the league in fewest complete games (30), fewest shutouts (9), and fewest walks (353). The Colt .45s stayed just a few games under .500 until midseason and were at 32-34 on June 21 following a four-game sweep of the Braves at Milwaukee, but the club floundered the rest of the way to settle into ninth place once again and finishing 13 games ahead of the NL’s other third-year team, the Mets. While desired by contenders, Woodeshick remained with Houston and, despite a midseason slump, topped the NL in saves (not yet an official statistic).

Aftermath of 1964:

The Colt .45s were renamed the Astros and moved into their new domed stadium, the Astrodome in 1965, but Woodeshick would not remain with the club for very long. In June he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, who were desperate to shore up their bullpen, as part of a four-player deal. Woodeshick performed ably for the Cardinals and finished with a combined record of 6-6 with 18 saves in 78 appearances, a 2.25 ERA, and 59 strikeouts over 92 innings pitched. A shoulder injury suffered during 1966 spring training dropped Woodeshick’s workload to 59 games, although he remained effective and produced a 1.92 ERA and 2-1 tally with 4 saves and 30 strikeouts over 70.1 innings. He further proved to be a valuable mentor to the club’s rising cadre of young pitchers. The Cardinals won the NL pennant in 1967 and Woodeshick was part of a remarkably well-balanced and capable bullpen that included lefthanders Joe Hoerner (the closer) and Al Jackson and righties Ron Willis and Jack Lamabe. He appeared in one game during the World Series against the Boston Red Sox and finished the Game 6 loss by inducing Boston slugger Carl Yastrzemski to ground out. The Cardinals won Game 7 and Woodeshick earned a World Series championship ring. Released in the offseason, he chose to retire at age 35 even though several clubs expressed interest in him. For his major league career Woodeshick pitched in 427 games, 62 of them starts, and produced a 44-62 record and 3.56 ERA with 61 saves, 7 complete games, and 484 strikeouts over 847.1 innings. With Houston he appeared in 174 games, 62 of them starts, with a 3.16 ERA, 36 saves, 2 complete games, and 256 strikeouts over 364 innings. A poor fielder, he had particular difficulty with throwing to first base. Following his playing career, Woodeshick moved to Houston and coached and tutored in youth baseball. Back where he had first demonstrated his baseball talent, he was inducted into the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame in 1979. He died in 2009 at age 76. His younger cousin, Tom Woodeshick, was an NFL running back, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles, from 1963-72.

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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: Al Kaline, 1961

Outfielder, Detroit Tigers

Age: 26

8^th season with Tigers

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 175 

Prior to 1961:

A Baltimore native, Kaline was the son of a semipro baseball player. Coached by his father to be a pitcher, he developed a strong throwing arm while also dealing with the effects of osteomyelitis that forced him to run on the side of his left foot. As a freshman at Southern High School, he excelled at basketball and the baseball coach developed him into a center fielder. A .333 hitter as a freshman, he continued to hit impressively, including .469 as a junior and .488 as a senior. as he became an excellent fielder. Drawing the interest of major league scouts, Kaline signed with the Tigers soon after graduating high school in 1953 for a three-year contract at $20,000 plus a $15,000 bonus. The 18-year-old Kaline immediately joined the Tigers and went on to appear in 30 games and batted .250 with a home run and .300 on-base percentage. After playing winter ball in Cuba he became the starting right fielder for the Tigers in 1954 and hit .276 with 18 doubles, 4 home runs, 43 RBIs, and a .305 OBP. More esteemed for his defense at this point, he broke out in a big way as a hitter in 1955 as he became the youngest AL batting champion at age 20 by hitting .340 with a league-leading 200 hits that included 24 doubles, 8 triples, and 27 home runs. He also accounted for 102 RBIs, a .421 OBP, and a .546 slugging percentage. Possessing poise beyond his years while a graceful hitter with a much admired batting form that delivered line drive power, plus great speed and defensive ability, Kaline was an All-Star for the first time and placed second in league MVP voting. Pressing at the plate in 1956, he got off to a slow start but came on strong after the All-Star break to finish at .314 with 32 doubles, 10 triples, 27 home runs, 128 RBIs, a .383 OBP, and a .530 slugging percentage. Prior to the 1957 season Kaline became embroiled in a contract dispute with the Tigers which led to some bad publicity and made the naturally introverted player become wary of the press.. On the field he got off to another slow start and batted .295 with 29 doubles, 23 home runs, 90 RBIs, a .343 OBP, and a .478 slugging percentage with the aid of a strong second half. He received a Gold Glove for his play in right field in the first year that they were awarded. Receiving another Gold Glove in 1958 after topping AL outfielders with 23 assists, Kaline also hit .313 with 34 doubles, 7 triples, 16 home runs, 85 RBIs, a .374 OBP, and a .490 slugging percentage. In 1960 Kaline was shifted to center field due to an injury to Harvey Kuenn, the starting player at that position. Kuenn took over in right field upon his return to the lineup. Kaline also exhibited toughness by returning to action soon after being struck in the cheek by a bad pitch. The move to center field did not keep him from winning another Gold Glove and his batting production did not suffer with the change in position as he hit .327 with 19 doubles, 27 home runs, 94 RBIs, a .410 OBP, and a league-leading .530 slugging percentage. The arrival of power-hitting Rocky Colavito in 1960 kept Kaline in center field and he had an uncharacteristically erratic season at the plate. He was hampered by an ankle injury and there were concerns about his being distracted by off-field business interests in combination with ice hockey star Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings. For the year he batted .278 with 29 doubles, 15 home runs, 68 RBIs, a .354 OBP, and a .426 slugging percentage, although he swiped a career high 19 stolen bases. He still was an All-Star if not a Gold Glove recipient. New manager Bob Scheffing shifted Colavito to left field in 1961, clearing the way for Kaline to return to his preferred spot in right field.

1961 Season Summary

Appeared in 153 games

RF – 141, CF – 22, PH – 5, 3B – 1, LF – 1

 [Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 665 [15]

At Bats – 586 [14]

Runs – 116 [5]

Hits – 190 [3]

Doubles – 41 [1]

Triples – 7 [7, tied with five others]

Home Runs – 19

RBI – 82 [17, tied with Minnie Minoso]

Bases on Balls – 66 [19, tied with Jackie Jensen & Ron Hansen]

Int. BB – 2

Strikeouts – 42

Stolen Bases – 14 [11]

Caught Stealing – 1

Average - .324 [2]

OBP - .393 [7]

Slugging Pct. - .515 [9]

Total Bases – 302 [7]

GDP – 16 [14, tied with Roger Maris, Norm Cash & Jackie Jensen]

Hit by Pitches – 4 [16, tied with fourteen others]

Sac Hits – 4

Sac Flies – 5

League-leading doubles were +3 ahead of runners-up Brooks Robinson & Tony Kubek

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 20, 3B – 5, HR - 10, RBI - 48, AVG - .299, OBP - .358, SLG - .487

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) vs. NY Yankees 6/17, (in 4 AB) at Boston 9/7, (in 4 AB) vs. NY Yankees 9/16

Longest hitting streak – 22 games

HR at home – 8

HR on road – 11

Most home runs, game – 1 on nineteen occasions

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 5 vs. NY Yankees 6/17

Pinch-hitting – 3 for 5 (.600) with 2 2B, 1 3B & 4 RBI

Fielding

Chances – 391

Put Outs – 378

Assists – 9

Errors – 4

DP – 3

Pct. – .990

Awards & Honors:

Gold Glove

All-Star (Started for AL in RF, second game)

9^th in AL MVP voting (35 points – 13% share)

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The Tigers went 101-61 to finish second in the AL, 8 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees while leading the league in runs scored (841), triples (53), batting (.266), and OBP (.347). The Tigers started off fast and were in first place from April 29 until June 6 and then again from June 17 through July 6. They were in first or second for the remainder of July but in second to stay through August and September. After losing three straight to the Yankees in New York to start September, they continued to lose until the string reached eight to end any pennant hopes.

Aftermath of 1961:

Kaline got off to a strong start in 1962 and was batting over .336 in May when he suffered a broken collarbone while making a diving catch at Yankee Stadium. He missed eight weeks and 57 games as Detroit lost ground in the pennant race and he finished the season at .304 with 16 doubles, 29 home runs, 94 RBIs, a .376 OBP, and a .593 slugging percentage. Iin 1963 Kaline was hitting well until hindered by a knee injury and ended up batting .312 with 24 doubles, 27 home runs, 101 RBIs, a .375 OBP, and a .514 slugging percentage. Foot, ankle, and knee injuries hindered Kaline in 1964 and he hit .293 with 31 doubles, 5 triples, 17 home runs, 68 RBIs, a .383 OBP, and a .469 slugging percentage. He was still an All-Star (although he skipped the game due to injury) and received a Gold Glove for his sterling defensive play. His batting production remained below par in 1965 due to chronic injuries and appearing in 125 games, he finished at .281 with 18 doubles, 18 home runs, 72 RBIs, a .388 OBP, and a .471 slugging percentage. Following foot surgery in the offseason, in 1966 Kaline was able to run with his customary speed again and was batting a league-leading .325 at the All-Star break. Further minor injuries and the distractions of two managers having to step down due to health issues caused both Kaline and the entire club to dip in the second half and he finished at .288 with 29 doubles, 29 home runs, 88 RBIs, a .392 OBP, and a .534 slugging percentage. An All-Star as usual, he also placed seventh in league MVP balloting and won his ninth Gold Glove. The Tigers were strong contenders in a wild AL pennant race in 1967 and, although Kaline missed 26 games after suffering a broken thumb due to slamming his bat back in the rack following a strikeout in a June game against Cleveland (an uncharacteristic display of temper), he still contributed mightily to Detroit’s pennant chase by batting .308 with 28 doubles, 25 home runs, 78 RBIs, a .411 OBP, and a .541 slugging percentage. The Tigers narrowly missed the pennant but they didn’t fall short in 1968, winning the American League pennant by 12 games. Kaline suffered a broken arm in late May and played in a reduced role upon his return due to Jim Northrup’s good play in right field in his place. Primarily used at first base and as a pinch-hitter during the season’s second half, he still contributed key hits as the club nailed down the pennant. Appearing in 102 games he hit .287 with 14 doubles, 10 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a .392 OBP. While one of his previously stated career goals was to play in a World Series, he suggested to manager Mayo Smith that he didn’t deserve the opportunity at this point. Smith adjusted the lineup for the Series against the St. Louis Cardinals by moving center fielder Mickey Stanley to shortstop, Northrup to center field, and installing Kaline in right field. The Tigers fell behind three-games-to-one but won three straight games and the World Series. Kaline batted .379 with two homers in the seven games. Back in his regular spot in right field in 1969, Kaline hit .272 with 21 home runs, 69 RBIs, a .346 OBP, and a .447 slugging percentage. The Tigers finished second in the AL East in the new divisional alignment, unable to gain ground on the first-place Baltimore Orioles. Al Kaline Day was celebrated at Tiger Stadium in 1970 and the aging star split time between right field and first base on his way to batting .278 with 24 doubles, 16 home runs, 71 RBIs, a .377 OBP, and a .450 slugging percentage. In 1971 he reached the $100,000 salary level, played regularly in right field, and hit .294 with 15 home runs, 54 RBIs, a .416 OBP, and a .462 slugging percentage for the resurgent Tigers. 1972 marked his twentieth season, as he achieved another of his stated career goals. Dealing with an injured left leg throughout the season, he came on strong down the stretch and knocked in the winning run in the game that clinched the AL East title for the Tigers. Overall, in 106 games he batted .313 with 10 home runs, 32 RBIs, a .374 OBP, and a .475 slugging percentage. Detroit lost the ALCS to the Oakland Athletics in five games in which Kaline hit .263 with a home run. He played two more seasons until 1974, when he was used almost exclusively as a Designated Hitter, batting .262 with 28 doubles, 13 home runs, 64 RBIs, and a .227 OBP. He was also an All-Star for the eighteenth and last time. For his major league career, spent entirely with the Tigers, Kaline batted .297 with 3007 hits that included 498 doubles, 75 triples, and 399 home runs. He scored 1622 runs and compiled 1582 RBIs, 137 stolen bases, a .376 OBP, and a .480 slugging percentage. Appearing in 12 postseason games, he hit .333 with 3 homers and 9 RBIs. In addition to being an 18-time All-Sar, he finished in the Top 10 in AL MVP voting nine times and received 10 Gold Gloves. Following his playing career he became a commentator on Tigers telecasts for 25 years. He also served the team as a spring training instructor. The modest star was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Tigers retired his #6. “Mr. Tiger” died in 2020 at age 85. At his Hall of Fame induction he summed up his career by saying “if there is one accomplishment of which I am particularly proud, it is that I have always served baseball to the best of my ability, never have I deliberately done anything to discredit the game, the Tigers, or my family.” The quiet man of dignity led by example and was esteemed by fans and contemporaries.

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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: Rocky Colavito, 1961

Outfielder, Detroit Tigers

Age: 28 (Aug. 10)

2^nd season with Tigers

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’3”    Weight: 190 

Prior to 1961:

A native of the New York City borough of the Bronx, Rocco Colavito dropped out of high school to play semipro baseball. Initially prohibited from signing with a major league team before his high school class graduation, he appealed to Commissioner Chandler who allowed him to sign a contract with the Cleveland Indians at age 17 for a $3000 bonus in 1951. Assigned to Daytona Beach of the Class D Florida State League, he batted .275 with 35 doubles, 23 home runs, 111 RBIs, a .408 on-base percentage, and a .492 slugging percentage. Playing for two teams at the Class B level in 1952, Colavito hit a combined .228 with 19 home runs, 55 RBIs, and a .466 slugging percentage. Moving up to Reading of the Class A Eastern League in 1953, his average rebounded to .271 with 21 doubles, 28 home runs, 121 RBIs, a .352 OBP, and a .492 slugging percentage. He also met his wife-to-be at Reading and roomed with lifelong friend LHP Herb Score. In 1954 Colavito was promoted to Indianapolis of the Class AAA American Association where he batted .271 with 30 doubles, 38 home runs, 116 RBIs, a .369 OBP, and a .555 slugging percentage. In addition to his batting power, he also gained notoriety for his strong throwing arm in the outfield. Faced with a crowded outfield situation in Cleveland in 1955, Colavito returned to Indianapolis where he hit .268 with 30 doubles, 30 home runs, 104 RBIs, a .366 OBP, and a .495 slugging percentage. Having received a late-season call-up to Cleveland that went well, he reached the Indians in 1956, but a slow start had him back in Class AAA in June, this time with San Diego of the Pacific Coast League where he batted .368 with 12 home runs and 32 RBIs in 35 games. Returning to the Indians he hit well the rest of the way and his major league totals for the year were .276 with 21 homers, 65 RBIs, a .372 OBP, and a .531 slugging percentage. He came in a distant second in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Now the regular right fielder for the Indians in 1957 he led all AL right fielders with 266 putouts and his 12 assists ranked second, although his 11 errors led the league and attested to his occasional defensive lapses in the outfield. At the plate his average dropped to .252 with a .348 OBP, but his power production remained strong with 26 doubles, 25 home runs, and 84 RBIs. Colavito broke out in a big way in 1958 as he batted .303 with 26 doubles, 41 home runs, 113 RBIs, a .405 OBP, and a league-leading .620 slugging percentage. He tied for American League home run leadership in 1959 with 42, a record-tying four of which came in a game at Baltimore. This followed a prolonged slump, which was a common occurrence during his career (and typical of many sluggers). For the year he hit .257 with 111 RBIs, a .337 OBP, and a .512 slugging percentage. The handsome, charismatic, and accommodating Colavito was extremely popular with Cleveland fans who were dealt a bitter blow just prior to the 1960 season when he was traded to the Tigers for shortstop Harvey Kuenn by general manager Frank Lane. Kuenn, the AL’s reigning batting champion, was a contact hitter preferred by Lane, who considered home runs to be overrated. Furthermore Colavito lacked speed due to flat feet and despite his impressive throwing arm, remained an inconsistent fielder. He started off slowly with his new club and was benched for a time in May when his average was mired below .200. His hitting perked up in the season’s second half and he finished at .249 with 35 home runs, 87 RBIs, a .317 OBP, and a .474 slugging percentage. New manager Bob Scheffing moved Colavito to left field in 1961.

1961 Season Summary

Appeared in 163 games

LF – 150, RF – 20, PH – 2

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 708 [5]

At Bats – 583 [15, tied with Carl Yastrzemski]

Runs – 129 [3]

Hits – 169 [11]

Doubles – 30 [7, tied with Tito Francona & Danny O’Connell]

Triples – 2

Home Runs – 45 [5]

RBI – 140 [3]

Bases on Balls – 113 [3]

Int. BB – 2

Strikeouts – 75

Stolen Bases – 1

Caught Stealing – 2

Average - .290 [13]

OBP - .402 [6]

Slugging Pct. - .580 [6]

Total Bases – 338 [4]

GDP – 14

Hit by Pitches – 2

Sac Hits – 2

Sac Flies – 8 [6, tied with Bob Allison, Clete Boyer & Jim Gentile]

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 19, HR - 22, RBI - 63, AVG - .280, OBP - .411, SLG - .577

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) at NY Yankees 5/13, (in 5 AB) at Baltimore 6/30 – 12 innings, (in 5 AB) at Minnesota 8/12

Longest hitting streak – 15 games

HR at home – 18

HR on road – 27

Most home runs, game – 3 (in 5 AB) at Washington 8/27

Multi-HR games – 4

Most RBIs, game – 6 at Washington 8/27

Pinch-hitting – 0 for 2 (.000)

Fielding

Chances – 354

Put Outs – 329

Assists – 16

Errors – 9

DP – 4

Pct. – .975 

Awards & Honors:

All-Star (Started for AL in LF, both games)

8^th in AL MVP voting (51 points – 18% share)

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The Tigers went 101-61 to finish second in the AL, 8 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees while leading the league in runs scored (841), triples (53), batting (.266), and OBP (.347). The Tigers started off fast and were in first place from April 29 until June 6 and then again from June 17 through July 6. They were in first or second for the remainder of July but in second to stay through August and September. After losing three straight to the Yankees in New York to start September, they continued to lose until the string reached eight to end any pennant hopes.

Aftermath of 1961:

Off to a slow start in 1962, in which he didn’t homer for the first time until mid-May, Colavito went on to bat .273 with 30 doubles, 37 home runs, 112 RBIs, a .371 OBP, and a .514 slugging percentage. He was an All-Star for the third time in four seasons and placed sixteenth in league MVP voting. 1963 was a subpar season for Colavito in which he hit .271 with 29 doubles, 22 home runs, 91 RBIs, a .358 OBP, and a .437 slugging percentage. In the offseason he was dealt to the Kansas City Athletics primarily for up-and-coming second baseman Jerry Lumpe. The power-starved A’s also obtained slugging first baseman Jim Gentile to further bolster the club’s home run potential. Colavito batted .274 with 31 doubles, 34 home runs, 102 RBIs, a .366 OBP, and a .507 slugging percentage. With Gentile’s 28 homers, the pair combined for 62 four-baggers, although the A’s lost 105 games and finished in the American League cellar. In the offseason he was on the move again as part of a three-team trade that returned him to Cleveland. Over 44,000 fans were in attendance for the Indians’ home-opener in 1965, attesting to Colavito’s enduring popularity with the fans. The rejuvenated club contended when his bat was most productive and fell when he slumped. He finished with 26 home runs and a league-leading 108 RBIs while batting .287 with a .383 OBP that was helped by his drawing a league-high 93 walks. Back in his familiar spot in right field, Colavito committed no errors and accounted for 9 assists. Hampered by a sore shoulder in 1966 he only hit .238 but socked 30 home runs with 72 RBIs and a .336 OBP. Colavito was a salary holdout at the beginning of spring training in 1967 due to having taken a $12,000 cut from his estimated $67,000 salary in ’66. Upon joining the fold new manager Joe Adcock chose to platoon him in left field with Leon Wagner, an arrangement that neither veteran slugger found to be satisfactory. Colavito made his discontent publicly known and at the end of July he was dealt to the Chicago White Sox, who were in the midst of a wild pennant race. Having appeared in only 63 games with Cleveland prior to the trade, he added a veteran presence along with longtime NL third baseman Ken Boyer and proved modestly helpful down the stretch as the club came up short in the end. For the year Colavito batted a combined .231 with 8 home runs, 50 RBIs, and a .317 OBP. Purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers during spring training in 1968, Colavito lasted only until July when he was released and joined the New York Yankees, the hometown team of which he had been a fan during his youth that showed scant interest in him when he was looking to sign in 1951. The highlights of his time with the Yankees came when he homered in his first game with the club and when during a game against Detroit  he was called upon to pitch, only his second major league mound appearance. He acquitted himself well and was credited with a win. Overall, his final season was nothing special and he ended up batting a mere .211 with 8 home runs and 24 RBIs. He retired following the season at age 35. For his major league career, Colavito batted .266 with 1730 hits that included 283 doubles, 21 triples, and 374 home runs. He scored 971 runs and compiled 1159 RBIs, a .359 OBP, and a .489 slugging percentage. With the Tigers he batted .271 with 633 hits, 377 runs scored, 107 doubles, 7 triples, 139 home runs, a .364 OBP, and a .501 slugging percentage. He never appeared in the postseason. Colavito was a nine-time All-Star and finished in the top 10 in AL MVP voting four times. Following his playing career, he became a television analyst in Cleveland and coached for the Indians for a time. A 1994 book written by Cleveland sportswriter Terry Pluto called The Curse of Rocky Colavito which dealt with the misfortunes of the Cleveland franchise since Frank Lane traded Colavito to Detroit sold very well and served as a reminder of his popularity among Cleveland’s baseball fans. A panel named Colavito as one of the Cleveland team’s 100 greatest players at the time of the franchise’s centennial in 2001. A statue of Colavito was erected in Cleveland’s Little Italy section in 2021. “The Rock” died in 2024 at age 91.

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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 Mullin, 1905

Pitcher, Detroit Tigers

Age:  25 (July 4)

4^th season with Tigers

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 188 

Prior to 1905:

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Mullin played semipro baseball in Wabash and South Bend, Indiana prior to signing with the Fort Wayne Railroaders of the Western Association in 1901. He produced a 21-20 record and 3.48 ERA. Strong and solidly built he joined the Tigers in 1902. He quickly established himself in Detroit’s pitching staff by compiling a 13-16 tally and 3.67 ERA with 25 complete games and 78 strikeouts over 260 innings pitched. He also batted .325 with 11 RBIs, proving to be a good pitcher who was a capable hitter. In 1903 he produced a 19-15 tally and 2.25 ERA while compiling 31 complete games and striking out 170 batters while issuing a league-leading 106 walks. Nicknamed “Big George” for his build, Mullin threw an excellent fastball and effective curve. Also known as “Wabash George” for the Indiana city that became his home, he followed up on his 1903 performance with a lesser won-lost record of 17-23 as the Tigers dropped to seventh place in 1904, although his ERA was a solid 2.40 and the workhorse pitcher accumulated 382.1 innings with 42 complete games, 7 shutouts, and 161 strikeouts, although he again topped the league by walking 131 batters. “Big George” was a canny hurler who utilized a number of stalling and distracting tactics such as walking off the mound, adjusting his belt, and talking to himself and opposing batters and fans (especially those who heckled him) in order to distract hitters.  

1905 Season Summary

Appeared in 47 games

P – 44, PH – 3, LF – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 44 [2]

Games Started – 41 [1, tied with Eddie Plank]

Complete Games – 35 [1, tied with Eddie Plank & Harry Howell]

Wins – 21 [6, tied with Frank Owen]

Losses – 21 [3, tied with Casey Patten]

PCT - .500 [17, tied with Earl Moore & Barney Pelty]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 1

Innings Pitched – 347.2 [1]

Hits – 303 [1]

Runs – 149 [1]

Earned Runs – 97 [3, tied with Al Orth]

Home Runs – 4 [13, tied with four others]

Bases on Balls – 138 [1]

Strikeouts – 168 [6]

ERA – 2.51 [15]

Hit Batters – 8

Balks – 1 [3, tied with Bill Hogg, Tom Hughes & Ed Barry

Wild Pitches – 6 [14, tied with four others]

League-leading innings pitched were +1 ahead of runner-up Eddie Plank

League-leading hits allowed were +3 ahead of runner-up Casey Patten

League-leading runs allowed were +4 ahead of runner-up Casey Patten

League-leading bases on balls issued were +31 ahead of runner-up Frank Smith

Midseason Snapshot: Midseason Snapshot: 11-13, ERA – N/A, SO - 101 in 182.1 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 10 (in 8 IP) at Washington 6/6

10+ strikeout games – 1

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 3 (in 9 IP) vs. St. Louis Browns 5/4

Batting

PA – 150, AB – 135, R – 15, H – 35, 2B – 4, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 12, BB – 12, SO – 21, SB – 4, CS – N/A, AVG - .259, GDP – N/A, HBP – 0, SH – 3, SF – N/A

Fielding

Chances – 160

Put Outs – 20

Assists – 134

Errors – 6

DP – 7

Pct. - .963

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The Tigers went 79-74 to finish third in the AL, 15.5 games behind the pennant-winning Philadelphia Athletics. The pitching staff led the league in walks (474). The Tigers, with an infusion of young talent, were in sixth place at 54-60 entering September, when a 25-14 surge to finish out the season lifted them into third place. Mullin won eight of his last ten decisions to contribute to the strong performance.

Aftermath of 1905:

Mullin topped the American League in walks issued for the fourth consecutive season in 1906 while posting a 21-18 tally and 2.78 ERA with 35 complete games, 2 shutouts, and 123 strikeouts over 330 innings. The Tigers won the pennant in 1907 and “Big George” contributed a 20-20 record and 2.59 ERA with 35 complete games, 5 shutouts, and 146 strikeouts over 357.1 innings. He lost both of his World Series starts against the Chicago Cubs despite going the distance in each with a 2.12 ERA (he lost Game 2 by a score of 3-1 and the decisive Game 5 by 2-0). Mullin had a lesser season in 1908, producing a 17-13 tally and 3.10 ERA with 26 complete games, one shutout, and 121 strikeouts over 290.2 innings. Detroit again won the pennant and lost to the Cubs, with “Big George” delivering the only win for the Tigers in his Game 3 start. Mullin won his first 11 decisions in 1909 on his way to a 29-8 record and 2.22 ERA with 29 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 124 strikeouts over 303.2 innings. The Tigers won a third straight pennant but once again lost the World Series, this time to Pittsburgh, and Mullin went 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA, winning Games 4 and 6. Brought into Game 7 in relief, he was unable to stop the Pirates from winning the game and Series. In 1910 he went 21-12 with a 2.87 ERA, 27 complete games, 5 shutouts, and 98 strikeouts over 289 innings. His 1911 performance was a still-solid 18-10 with a 3.07 ERA and 87 strikeouts over 234.1 innings. Dapper and jovial, he was also poor at maintaining his weight and staying in condition, Mullin ran into problems with Detroit management in 1912. Waived by the club in June, he went unclaimed and was reactivated. On his 32^nd birthday on July 4, he proved he wasn’t finished by hurling a no-hitter at home against the St. Louis Browns. He went on to finish the season with a 12-17 record and 3.54 ERA. A 1-6 start in 1913 led to his being sold to the Washington Senators in May where his performance remained mediocre. He finished the season with Montreal of the International League and jumped to the upstart Federal League in 1914 where he was 14-10 with a 2.70 ERA for Indianapolis. He stayed in the Federal League in 1915 with Newark, lasting for only 5 games. Thereafter he pitched and managed for semipro teams until 1919. For his major league career, Mullin produced a 228-196 record and 2.82 ERA with 353 complete games, 35 shutouts, 8 saves, and 1482 strikeouts over 3686.2 innings. With Detroit his record was 209-179 with a 2.76 ERA, 336 complete games, 34 shutouts, 6 saves, and 1380 strikeouts over 3394 innings. “Big George” appeared in 7 World Series games, 6 of them starts, and posted a 3-3 tally and 2.02 ERA, 6 complete games, and 35 strikeouts over 58 innings. The good-hitting hurler also batted .262 for his career with 139 RBIs. Following baseball he became a policeman back home in Wabash and died in 1944 at age 63. He was posthumously inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1962.  

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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: Marvin Freeman, 1994

Pitcher, Colorado Rockies

 Age: 31 (April 10)

1^st season with Rockies

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’7”    Weight: 200 

Prior to 1994:

A Chicago native, Freeman excelled while pitching at Chicago Vocational High School. Drafted by the Montreal Expos following his senior year in 1981, he chose instead to attend Jackson State University With a winning college program, he developed further as a pitcher and was a second-round amateur draft choice of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1984. Signing with the Phillies Freeman was initially assigned to Bend, Oregon of the short-season Class A Northwest League where the 21-year-old produced an 8-5 record and 2.61 ERA with 79 strikeouts over 89.2 innings, having been impressive with his fastball, slider, and curve developed with a good work ethic which made him a top prospect. Struggling with his control at Class AA Reading of the Eastern League in 1985 Freeman was returned to Class A Clearwater of the Florida League and compiled a 7-12 combined tally and 4.04 ERA with 5 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 90 strikeouts over 153.2 innings. In 1986 he was back with Reading and produced a 13-6 record and 4.03 ERA with 4 complete games, two shutouts, and 113 strikeouts over 163 innings. Receiving a September call-up to the Phillies, he went 2-0 in three starts with a 2.25 ERA. Entering spring training in 1987 as a potential fifth starter for the Phillies, he was out of condition, experiencing shoulder problems, and a poor spring showing had him starting the season with the Maine Guides of the Class AAA International League where he was 0-7 in ten starts with a 6.26 ERA before being demoted back to Reading where he appeared in nine games and compiled a 3-3 tally and 5.07 ERA. Struggling with his confidence as well as pitching woes, Freeman started off 1988 with Maine and had a 5-5 record and 4.62 ERA when he was called up to the Phillies after no-hitting Richmond in late July and shutting out Columbus over 6 innings on August 2. In 11 major league starts, Freeman posted a 2-3 tally and 6.10 ERA with 43 walks and 37 strikeouts over 51.2 innings. Unable to crack the Philadelphia pitching staff in the spring of 1989, he started the season back in Class AAA with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre of the International League but was soon called up to the Phillies following an injury to RHP Steve Ontiveros. A strained tricep muscle sidelined him after one appearance and he returned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to rehab and saw minimal action. With his career in the Phillies organization stagnating, the pitcher known as “Starvin’ Marvin” due to his tall and thin build found himself back in AAA to start the 1990 season although he was once again called up to the majors where he was utilized primarily in relief until traded to the Atlanta Braves in July for reliever Joe Boever. The Braves assigned him to Richmond of the International League but after seven starts he was called up to the Braves in September where he appeared in nine games out of the bullpen and went 1-0 with a 1.72 ERA. With improved control he appeared in 34 games for the Braves, who went from last place in ’90 to the NL West title and a pennant in 1991. His record was 1-0 with a save, a 3.00 ERA, and 34 strikeouts over 48 innings. Hindered by an elbow injury, he did not appear in the postseason. Freeman was again effective out of the bullpen for the Braves in 1992, appearing in 58 games and posting a 7-5 tally and 3.22 ERA with 41 strikeouts over 64.1 innings, although he again spent some time on the DL. As Atlanta won another division title and advanced to the World Series, Freeman had difficulty when facing Pittsburgh in the NLCS and did not appear in the World Series. A free spirit appreciated for his humor off the field, he again began to experience problems staying healthy on the field. In 1993, plagued by arm problems, Freeman was limited to 21 games and a 2-0 record with a 6.08 ERA. Released by the Braves in the offseason, He signed with the Rockies for 1994 for $500,000. Entering the season with full command of his sinking fastball, slider, and forkball he returned to being a starting pitcher.

1994 Season Summary

Appeared in 19 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 19

Games Started – 18

Complete Games – 0

Wins – 10 [12, tied with Zane Smith & Mark Portugal]

Losses – 2

PCT - .833 [1]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 0

Innings Pitched – 112.2

Hits – 113

Runs – 39

Earned Runs – 35

Home Runs – 10

Bases on Balls – 23

Strikeouts – 67

ERA – 2.80 [3]

Hit Batters – 5 [20, tied with five others]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 4

League-leading win percentage was +.033 ahead of runner-up William VanLandingham

Midseason Snapshot: 7-2, ERA - 3.18, SO - 53 in 85 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 7 (in 6.1 IP) at Houston 5/13, (in 7 IP) vs. NY Mets 6/8

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 4 (in 7 IP) at San Francisco 7/28

Batting

PA – 42, AB – 36, R – 5, H – 4, 2B – 1, 3B – 0, HR – 1, RBI – 3, BB – 1, SO – 21, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .111, GDP – 0, HBP – 2, SH – 3, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 28

Put Outs – 8

Assists – 20

Errors – 0

DP – 0

Pct. - 1.000

Awards & Honors:

4^th in NL Cy Young voting, tied with Doug Drabek, Hou. (4 points – 3% share)

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The Rockies went 53-64 to finish third in the NL Western Division, 6.5 games behind the first place Los Angeles Dodgers, at the point in August that a players’ strike prematurely shut down the season and eliminated the postseason. The pitching staff led the league in highest ERA (5.15), most hits allowed (1185), most runs allowed (638), and most bases on balls issued (448). The Rockies started off slowly during a 10-12 April which still had them in second place in the NL West at the end of the month. They managed to remain in contention despite playing their second (and last) season in Mile High Stadium, with short power alleys that adversely affected their league-worst pitching staff. At 36-43 and 5.5 games back at the end of June, the club broke even in July, but the loss of slugging first baseman Andres Galarraga caused the Rockies to finish 3-10 in the run-up to the season-ending strike. Freeman’s excellent control and ability to elicit double play balls led to a career-best performance while his inability to pitch more than seven innings in any game added to the strain on an overstretched bullpen.

Aftermath of 1994:

Elbow problems resurfaced in 1995 and Freeman was limited to 22 games and a 3-7 record and 5.89 ERA while striking out 61 batters over 94.2 innings. As the club reached the postseason for the first time, “Starvin’ Marvin” ended up on the DL. The situation was no better in 1996 and Freeman was released at the end of August with a 7-9 tally in 26 appearances, a 6.04 ERA, and 71 strikeouts over 129.2 innings. Picked up by the Chicago White Sox, he started one game and lasted two innings and became a free agent in the offseason. Signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997, he started the season in Class AAA before retiring. After an abortive attempt to return to the Blue Jays, his career finally came to an end. For his major league career, Freeman compiled a 35-28 record and 5 saves while appearing in 221 games, 78 of which were starts. His ERA was 4.64 and he recorded 383 strikeouts over 593.2 innings. With the Rockies he went 20-18 with a 4.91 ERA and 199 strikeouts over 337 innings. His 1992 NLCS action with Atlanta marked his only postseason play. Following his playing career, Freeman coached at the high school level and founded the Marvin Freeman Youth Foundation.

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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: Bubba Phillips, 1961

Third Baseman, Cleveland Indians

Age: 33

2^nd season with Indians

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 180 

Prior to 1961:

A Mississippi native, John Melvin Phillips acquired his lifelong nickname of “Bubba” in his youth. A football star at Macon High School, he scored 235 points in nine games as a senior thanks to his production at tailback and placekicking. Receiving a football scholarship to Mississippi Southern College (now the University of Southern Mississippi) Phillips performed well in both football and baseball where he topped the school’s team with 36 hits in 1948. Viewing baseball as his better professional option, he signed with the Detroit Tigers in 1948 and the 20-year-old outfielder appeared in 11 games with the Stroudsburg Poconos of the Class D North Atlantic League where he batted .302 with a .348 on-base percentage. Advancing to Thomasville of the Class D Georgia-Florida League in 1949, Phillips hit .329 with 114 runs scored, 17 doubles, 11 triples, 12 home runs, 75 RBIs, 60 stolen bases, a .370 OBP, and a .458 slugging percentage. He also led all the league’s outfielders with 29 assists. Promoted next to the Flint Arrows of the Class A Central League in 1950, he batted .290 with 22 doubles, 15 triples, 6 home runs, 70 RBIs, 22 steals, a .332 OBP, and a .416 slugging percentage. Playing for teams at the Class A and AAA levels in 1951, Phillips hit a combined .314 with 27 doubles, 10 home runs, 43 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, a .361 OBP, and a .451 slugging percentage. In 1952, despite some interest in promoting him to the Tigers in the spring, he was sent to the Buffalo Bisons of the Class AAA International League for further seasoning. He batted .291 with 19 doubles, 14 home runs, 49 RBIs, a .337 OBP, and a .434 slugging percentage. Drafted into the Army at that point, Phillips missed the next two seasons. Having completed his military commitment, he joined the Tigers in 1955 and saw significant action in left field. Traded to the Chicago White Sox in the offseason for RHP Virgil Trucks, Phillips was used in all three outfield positions in 1956, typically as a defensive replacement due to his versatility and adept fielding. Appearing in 67 games he hit .273 with 8 extra-base hits and a .321 OBP. Shifted to third base in 1957 he batted .270 with 13 doubles, 7 home runs, 42 RBIs, and a .322 OBP while splitting time with Sammy Esposito and Fred Hatfield. Hindered by a slow start at the plate in 1958, Phillips then missed six weeks at midseason due to a broken right foot. Challenged by veteran Billy Goodman at third base, he ended up appearing in 84 games at third and in the outfield and hit .273 with 10 doubles, 5 home runs, 30 RBIs, and a .310 OBP. The White Sox went from contenders to pennant winners in 1959 and, splitting time with Goodman at third and playing 23 games in the outfield, Phillips contributed by batting .264 with 27 doubles, 5 home runs, 40 RBIs, and a .319 OBP. He started three games in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and came through with hits in all three although the club lost the Series in six games. In the offseason, with the White Sox wanting to increase their batting punch, he was dealt to Cleveland as part of a seven-player trade. Slumping at bat in 1960, Phillips hit only .207 in 113 games with 14 doubles, 4 home runs, 33 RBIs, and a .249 OBP.

1961 Season Summary

Appeared in 143 games

3B – 143

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 590

At Bats – 546

Runs – 64

Hits – 144

Doubles – 23

Triples – 1

Home Runs – 18

RBI – 72

Bases on Balls – 29

Int. BB – 4 [17, tied with eight others]

Strikeouts – 61

Stolen Bases – 1

Caught Stealing – 0

Average - .264

OBP - .305

Slugging Pct. - .408

Total Bases – 223

GDP – 14

Hit by Pitches – 5 [11, tied with four others]

Sac Hits – 7

Sac Flies – 3 

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 16, HR – 13, RBI – 51, AVG - .285, OBP - .328

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 4 AB) at Boston 7/2 – 10 innings

Longest hitting streak – 10 games

HR at home – 7

HR on road – 11

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 4 AB) at Boston 7/2 – 10 innings

Multi-HR games – 1

Most RBIs, game – 5 vs. LA Angels 6/3

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding

Chances – 453

Put Outs – 188

Assists – 246

Errors – 19

DP – 23

Pct. - .958

Awards & Honors:

17^th in AL MVP voting, tied with Dick Donovan, Wash. (5 points, 2% share)

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The Indians went 78-83 to finish fifth in the AL, 30.5 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees while leading the league in hits (1493), doubles (257), batting (.266, tied with the Yankees), and fewest walks drawn (492). The Indians started well, moved into contention, and were in first place from June 6-16 before a seven-game losing streak dropped them out of contention. A rough second half, primarily caused by inadequate pitching, left them in fifth place and led to the dismissal of manager Jimmy Dykes.

Aftermath of 1961:

Phillips followed up with a 1962 season in which he dropped off somewhat in power production, batting .258 with 26 doubles, 10 home runs, 54 RBIs, a .289 OBP, and a .358 slugging percentage. Having developed into a capable defensive third baseman, he remained an unassuming presence on the club and was noted for his calm demeanor. That did not guarantee him security in Cleveland as he was traded to his original team, the Detroit Tigers, in the offseason to make room for promising rookie third baseman Max Alvis. In his return to the Tigers, he was the club’s primary third sacker in 1963, hitting .246 with 11 doubles, 5 home runs, 45 RBIs, and a .276 OBP. In 1964 he backed up young Don Wert at third and appeared in only 46 games, hitting .253 with a .327 OBP in his last season. For his major league career, Phillips batted .255 with 835 hits that included 135 doubles, 8 triples, and 62 home runs. He scored 349 runs and compiled 356 RBIs, a .297 OBP, and a .358 slugging percentage. With Cleveland he batted .249 and scored 151 runs with 352 hits, 63 doubles, 2 triples, 32 home runs, 159 RBIs, a .287 OBP, and a .365 slugging percentage. His participation in the 1959 World Series with the White Sox marked his only postseason action. Never an All-Star, 1961 marked the only year in which he received MVP votes. Following his retirement from baseball, Phillips was involved with real estate back home in Mississippi. He also became a tennis instructor and appeared in the Satchel Paige biopic “Don’t Look Back”. Inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1972, he died of a heart attack in 1993 at age 65.

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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.