Highlighted Year: Jim Finigan, 1955

Second Baseman/Third Baseman, Kansas City Athletics

Age:  27 (Aug. 19)

2^nd season with Athletics

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 175 

Prior to 1955:

A native of Quincy, Illinois, Finigan starred in football and basketball, in addition to baseball at Quincy Notre Dame High School. Following graduation in 1946 he attended St. Ambrose College (now University) on a baseball scholarship. Playing sandlot ball on the side, Finigan signed with the New York Yankees for $400 per month in 1948. He initially was assigned to Independence of the Class D Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League where he played second base and batted .309 with a .393 on-base percentage and 59 RBIs in 109 games before moving up to the Joplin Miners of the Class C Western Association for 18 games in which he hit .361. Spending all of 1949 with Joplin he batted .320 with 180 hits, 120 runs scored, 34 doubles, 19 triples, 7 home runs, 79 RBIs, 22 stolen bases,. and a .393 OBP. Promoted to the Norfolk Tars of the Class B Piedmont League in 1950, Finigan hit .260 with 22 extra-base hits, and a .321 OBP. Following the season, he enlisted in the Army where he played service baseball for Fort Leonard Wood. After missing two minor league seasons, Finigan played for Binghamton of the Class A Eastern League in 1953 where he batted .303 with 38 doubles, 8 triples, 13 home runs, 80 RBIs, and a .377 OBP while playing exclusively at third base. In the offseason he was traded to the Philadelphia Athletics as part of a ten-player deal. Expecting that he needed further development before moving up to the majors, Finigan surprisingly stuck with the A’s in 1954 thanks to a strong spring performance. Taking over as the club’s starting third baseman, he had a solid rookie season, gaining selection as an All-Star on his way to hitting .302 with 25 doubles, 6 triples, 7 home runs, 51 RBIs, and a .381 OBP. He also proved to be a solid performer at third base and placed second in AL Rookie of the Year voting. In the offseason, the Athletics were sold and moved to Kansas City.

1955 Season Summary

Appeared in 150 games

2B – 90, 3B – 59, PH – 2, PR – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 615 [12, tied with Yogi Berra, Gil McDougald & Minnie Minoso]

At Bats – 545 [9]

Runs – 72

Hits – 139

Doubles – 30 [4, tied with Sammy White]

Triples – 7 [8, tied with six others]

Home Runs – 9

RBI – 68 [19, tied with Hector Lopez]

Bases on Balls – 61

Int. BB – 6 [10, tied with nine others]

Strikeouts – 49

Stolen Bases – 1

Caught Stealing – 3

Average - .255

OBP - .333

Slugging Pct. - .385

Total Bases – 210

GDP – 18 [4, tied with Minnie Minoso]

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

Sac Hits – 5

Sac Flies – 1

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 22, 3B – 6, HR - 9, RBI - 48, AVG - .286, OBP - .358

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Most hits, game – 3 on six occasions

Longest hitting streak – 11 games

HR at home – 5

HR on road – 4

Most home runs, game – 1 on nine occasions

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 4 vs. Boston 4/26 – 11 innings

Pinch-hitting – 1 for 2 (.500)

Fielding (2B)

Chances – 476

Put Outs – 236

Assists – 228

Errors – 12

DP – 72

Pct. – .975 

Awards & Honors:

All-Star (Started for AL at 3B)

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The relocated Athletics went 63-91 to finish sixth in the AL, 33 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees, while leading the league in fewest stolen bases (22) and fewest walks drawn (462). The pitching-poor A’s lost seven of their first nine games which set the tone for a season in which they still finished higher than their final Philadelphia year and they drew a healthy 1,393,054 fans to Municipal Stadium, which was over a million more than they drew in ’54. Following a solid first half, Finigan slumped badly at the plate after the All-Star break, apparently distracted by being moved to second base to make room for rookie third baseman Hector Lopez.

Aftermath of 1955:

Shifted back to third base in 1956, Finigan suffered a leg injury early in the season which sidelined him for a week. He missed more time due to a May illness and a sprained ankle in July. Shifted back to second base again, his hitting suffered and, limited to 91 games he ended up with a miserable .216 average with 11 extra base hits, 21 RBIs, and a .298 OBP. Vision problems that led to him wearing glasses for the remainder of his career also were an apparent contributor to his hitting problems. In the offseason he was traded to the Detroit Tigers, who anticipated that he would fill a need at third base. Overweight when he reported to spring training in 1957, Finigan suffered a hand injury that sidelined him briefly. He returned to action in April and took over the starting job at third base from 22-year-old Reno Bertoia. Lack of batting production caused him to be benched in favor of Bertoia and Finigan was used sparingly the rest of the way. Appearing in 64 games, Finigan batted .270 with a .357 OBP. In the offseason he was dealt to the newly relocated San Francisco Giants. Beaten out at third base by rookie Jim Davenport, Finigan appeared in only 23 games with the Giants in 1958 before being sent down to Phoenix of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. He hit .285 in 60 games with Phoenix with a .336 OBP. In the offseason he was traded within the PCL to Vancouver and that team’s major league parent, the Baltimore Orioles, purchased his contract. Anticipated to be a reserve outfielder in 1959, a strong spring caused him to take over at third base while young Brooks Robinson, coming off a six-month military commitment, was sent down to the minors. Upon Robinson’s return to the Orioles in July, Finigan was sent to Vancouver. Released by the Orioles, he played three more minor league seasons before retiring, his once promising career having faded away. For his major league career, he batted .264 with 422 hits that included 74 doubles, 17 triples, and 19 home runs. He scored 195 runs and compiled 168 RBIs while drawing 190 walks for a .342 OBP. With the Athletics he batted .265 with 340 hits, 158 runs scored, 62 doubles, 15 triples, 18 home runs, 140 RBIs, 155 walks drawn, and a .344 OBP. The two-time All-Star had no postseason appearances. Finigan was an instructor at a baseball school in Florida for a time and managed an unaffiliated minor league team. He also obtained a college degree and coached at the high school and college levels. He died of a sudden heart attack at age 52 in 1981.  

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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: Eddie Plank, 1901

Pitcher, Philadelphia Athletics

Age:  26 (Aug. 31)

1^st season with Athletics

Bats – Left, Throws – Left

Height: 5’11” Weight: 175 

Prior to 1901:

A native and lifelong resident of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (hence his nickname “Gettysburg Eddie”), Plank grew up on a family farm and played baseball with town teams from the age of 17. The young southpaw pitched with a cross-fire motion across his body that he referred to as a “slant ball”. This off-balance motion proved to be effective but also led to bouts of wildness. Enrolling at Gettysburg Academy at age 22, he came to the attention of Gettysburg College’s baseball coach Frank Foreman who recognized his potential. With Foreman’s guidance, Plank developed a curve and fastball that he threw effectively with excellent control. In 1900 he signed with a team in the Virginia League. The league quickly folded but thanks to Coach Foreman, he came to the attention of Connie Mack, who was the manager of the Athletics in the new American League. Plank joined the new club in May of 1901.

1901 Season Summary

Appeared in 33 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 33 [16]

Games Started – 32 [13]

Complete Games – 28 [11, tied with Bill Reidy & Earl Moore]

Wins – 17 [9, tied with Bill Bernhard]

Losses – 13 [18, tied with Roscoe Miller & Win Mercer]

PCT - .567 [12]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 1 [14, tied with fourteen others]

Innings Pitched – 260.2 [14]

Hits – 254 [18]

Runs – 133 [19, tied with Pink Hawley]

Earned Runs – 96 [16]

Home Runs – 3

Bases on Balls – 68 [14]

Strikeouts – 90 [10]

ERA – 3.31 [10]

Hit Batters – 7

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 13 [1, tied with Ned Garvin]

Midseason Snapshot: 8-6, ERA – 3.49, SO – 49 in 118.2 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 7 (in 9 IP) vs. Washington 7/4

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 2 (in 9 IP) vs. Milwaukee 6/13

Batting

PA – 111, AB – 99, R – 10, H – 18, 2B – 0, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 3, BB – 5, SO – 13, SB – 0, CS – N/A, AVG - .182, GDP – N/A, HBP – 5, SH – 2, SF – N/A

Fielding

Chances – 74

Put Outs – 6

Assists – 63

Errors – 5

DP – 2

Pct. - .932

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In their first year of existence in a new league, the Athletics went 74-62 to finish fourth in the AL, 9 games behind the pennant-winning Chicago White Sox. The pitching staff led the league in complete games (124). The A’s languished in fifth and sixth place throughout July and August until rising to fourth during an 18-10 September capped by an 11-2 finish. Plank quickly became a key component in the pitching staff, while second baseman Nap Lajoie’s outstanding hitting boosted the offense. Hampered by bad weather, they drew 206,329 fans to Columbia Park,28,608 less than the NL Phillies, who finished second in their league.

Aftermath of 1901:

The A’s won the AL pennant in 1902 and Plank contributed a 20-15 record and a 3.30 ERA with 107 strikeouts and a league-leading 18 hit batters due to his willingness to aggressively pitch inside, belying his deceptively slender build and slight appearance. Steady, quiet, and level-headed, Plank went on to a 23-16 tally in 1903 with 33 complete games, a 2.38 ERA, and 176 strikeouts while accumulating 336 innings and leading the league in games pitched (43) and starts (40). It was more of the same in 1904 as Plank went 26-17 with a 2.17 ERA, 37 complete games, 7 shutouts, and 201 strikeouts while working 357.1 innings. One of his shutouts came in a 13-inning 1-0 win when matched against Boston’s ace Cy Young in September. The A’s won the AL pennant in 1905 and “Gettysburg Eddie” contributed a 24-12 record with a 2.26 ERA, while topping the league with 41 starts and 35 complete games. The finesse pitcher recorded 210 strikeouts over the course of 346.2 innings. In the World Series against the NL’s New York Giants, Plank posted a 1.59 ERA while giving up three earned runs, but still ended up with an 0-2 tally against dominant New York pitching. A workhorse over most of the 1906 season, Plank developed a sore arm that almost totally sidelined him over the last 50 games. He still finished at 19-6 with a 2.25 ERA, 21 complete games, 5 shutouts, and 108 strikeouts over 211.2 innings. Plank returned to normal in 1907, appearing in 43 games and posting a 24-16 mark with 33 complete games, a league-leading 8 shutouts, and 183 strikeouts over 343.2 innings. Plank was known for his fidgeting on the mound and many rituals that would have run afoul of the modern pitch clock rules. He also rarely threw to first base with runners present, with the result of his being poor at holding rival base stealers at bay. With the Athletics dropping to sixth in 1908, Plank’s record fell to 14-16 although his ERA was still a healthy 2.17 and he recorded 135 strikeouts over the course of 244.2 innings. With the club once again a contender in 1909, Plank posted a 19-10 tally and a 1.76 ERA with 24 complete games, 3 shutouts, 265.1 innings, and 132 strikeouts. Steadily outstanding and regularly overshadowed by other star pitchers on the A’s, Plank went 16-10 for the pennant-winning club in 1910 with a 2.01 ERA, 22 complete games, and 123 strikeouts. A sore arm kept him out of the World Series triumph over the Chicago Cubs. The Athletics topped the AL again in 1911 and “Gettysburg Eddie” compiled a 23-8 record with a 2.10 ERA while co-leading the league with 6 shutouts among his 24 complete games. He picked up a World Series win against the New York Giants and lost another game when he came in to relieve in extra innings. The A’s were unable to win the pennant in 1912 although Plank had another outstanding season, going 26-6 with a 2.22 ERA and 5 shutouts among his 23 complete games. The Athletics were pennant-winners in 1913 with Plank contributing an 18-10 record with a 2.60 ERA, 7 shutouts, and 151 strikeouts over 242.2 innings. Once more facing the Giants in the World Series, Plank started Game 2 against New York’s star RHP Christy Mathewson. Each of the two starters threw nine shutout innings. Manager Mack allowed Plank to bat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and he hit into an inning-ending fielder’s choice. Plank gave up three runs in the tenth and Mathewson and the Giants came away winners. Plank and Mathewson again went head-to-head in Game 5, and this time “Gettysburg Eddie” came away the winner by a 3-1 score giving the A’s the decisive win of the Series. The A’s won another pennant in 1914 while Plank went 15-7 with a 2.87 ERA. The A’s were swept in the World Series in a major upset by the Boston Braves. Plank was a 1-0 loser in Game 2 to add a final tough-luck loss to his World Series record. Plank’s workload had significantly dropped off in his last few years with the Athletics, and with Mack aware that he and pitchers Chief Bender and Jack Coombs were in contact with agents for the new Federal League, all three were waived. The 39-year-old Plank signed with the St. Louis Terriers of the outlaw league in 1915 and posted a 21-11 record with a 2.08 ERA and 147 strikeouts. Following a 16-15 season with the Terriers in 1916, the Federal League folded and Plank followed owner Phil Ball to the St. Louis Browns. He produced a 5-6 tally for the Browns in 1917, which proved to be his final major league season. The New York Yankees traded for him and veteran second baseman Del Pratt in 1918. Plank chose to retire instead of pitch for the Yankees. He did see action in an industrial league organized by Bethlehem Steel in 1918. For his major league career, including his Federal League stint, Plank compiled a 326-194 record with a 2.35 ERA, eight 20-win seasons, 410 complete games, 69 shutouts, and 2246 strikeouts in 4495.2 innings pitched. With the Athletics he went 284-162 with a 2.39 ERA, 362 complete games, 59 shutouts, and 1985 strikeouts in 3860.2 innings pitched. Appearing in 7 World Series games, his record was 2-5 with a 1.32 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 54.2 innings. In retirement from baseball, among other things Plank was a tour guide at the Gettysburg battlefield. He died of the effects of a stroke at age 50 in 1926. Twenty years later he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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

Highlighted Year: Patsy Dougherty, 1904

Outfielder, Boston Americans/New York Highlanders

Age:  27

3^rd season with Americans

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 6’2”    Weight: 190 

Prior to 1904:

A native of New York state, Patrick “Patsy” Dougherty was the son of an Irish immigrant who made a fortune thanks to the oil boom in the southwest of New York in the 1880s. The family moved to the town of Bolivar where Dougherty played high school baseball with Frank Gannett, who became the founder of the Gannett newspaper chain. From 1896 to 1901, the brawny and red-haired Dougherty played for several minor league teams in the Northeast. Originally a pitcher who played in the outfield when not on the mound, his hitting and speed caused him to become a full-time outfielder. Following the 1901 season he went to play winter ball in California (a common practice at the time). Joining a Los Angeles-based team managed by Jimmy Collins, the player/manager of the new American League’s Boston Americans (now Red Sox). The impressed Collins brought Dougherty back east to play left field for Boston in 1902. Despite missing some 30 games due to assorted injuries, Dougherty’s rookie major league season was a success as he batted .342 with a .407 on-base percentage, 20 stolen bases, and 77 runs scored, although his defense was far less impressive. A good hitter and excellent bunter, he followed up with an outstanding season in 1903, batting .331 while leading the AL with 195 hits and 107 runs scored. His .372 OBP ranked sixth. Boston won the AL pennant and Dougherty had the distinction of hitting two home runs and accounting for 5 RBIs as the Americans topped the NL-champion Pittsburgh Pirates. The Americans had new ownership in 1904 which led to a clash over salary with Dougherty, who was traded to the Highlanders in June for utility infielder Bob Unglaub in a deal which might well have been facilitated by AL president Ban Johnson to improve the league’s New York franchise, although Boston’s president declared that Dougherty was traded due to his poor defense and a quarrelsome attitude. 

1904 Season Summary

Appeared in 155 games (Boston – 49 /NYH – 106)

LF – 155

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 703 [2] (BOS – 224/ NYH – 479)

At Bats – 647 [1] (BOS – 195/ NYH – 452)

Runs – 113 [1] (BOS – 33/NYH - 80)

Hits – 181 [4] (BOS – 53/ NYH – 128)

Doubles – 18 (BOS – 5/NYH – 13)

Triples – 14 [10] (BOS – 4/NYH – 10)

Home Runs – 6 [4, tied with five others] (NYH)

RBI – 26 (BOS – 4/ NYH – 22)

Bases on Balls – 44 [13, tied with Sam Crawford & Matty McIntyre] (BOS – 25/NYH – 19)

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 64 [15, tied with Jesse Burkett] (BOS – 20/NYH – 44)

Stolen Bases – 21 [16, tied with Willie Keeler] (BOS – 10/ NYH – 11)

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .280 [11, tied with Buck Freeman] (BOS – .272/NYH – .283)

OBP - .329 [19, tied with Buck Freeman] (BOS – .355/NYH – .316)

Slugging Pct. - .379 [14, tied with Lave Cross & Jimmy Collins] (BOS – .338/NYH – .396)

Total Bases – 245 [5, tied with Danny Murphy] (BOS – 66/ NYH – 179)

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 3 (NYH)

Sac Hits – 7 (BOS – 3/ NYH – 4)

Sac Flies – N/A

League-leading at bats were +16 ahead of runner-up Jimmy Collins

League-leading runs scored were +16 ahead of runner-up Elmer Flick

Midseason snapshot: 3B – 8, HR - 2, RBI - 10, SB – 13, AVG - .282, OBP – .352

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Most hits, game – 5 (in 6 AB) at Washington 6/22

Longest hitting streak – 11 games

HR at home – 6

HR on road – 0

Most home runs, game – 1 on six occasions

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 2 vs. Bos. Americans 7/11, at Washington 6/22

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding (combined)

Chances – 268

Put Outs – 230

Assists – 18

Errors – 20

DP – 4

Pct. – .925

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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, while leading the league in triples (105). The Americans started fast and were in first place from April 19 to August 4, weathering the unpopular June trade of Dougherty to New York with no ill effects. 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. 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.

The Highlanders went 92-59 to finish second in the AL, 1.5 games behind the pennant-winning Boston Americans while leading the league in hits (1354) and fewest batting strikeouts (552). The scrappy Highlanders contended from the start and were locked in a tight battle with the Americans and Chicago White Sox in August. By September the race was between the Highlanders and Boston, as each took turns in first place. A half-game behind following two losses in a mid-September road trip to Boston, RHP Jack Chesbro, pitching on two days’ rest, put them ahead by a half-game with a home win in the climactic series against the Americans. With the team’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. Chesbro, instructed by manager Clark Griffith to remain in New York and rest up, took the train to Boston, insisted on starting, and was rocked by the Americans in the first game of the double-header.  Boston won the darkness-shortened nightcap as well to go up by 1.5 games as the clubs returned to New York for a season-capping double-header, which the Highlanders needed to sweep to capture the pennant. With Chesbro on the mound 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 as Dougherty struck out for the final out with a runner on second, giving Boston a 3-2 win and the pennant. The Highlanders won the meaningless nightcap in 10 innings to finish 1.5 games back.

Aftermath of 1904:

In a season in which AL batting averages in general dropped, Dougherty’s fell to .263 with a .319 OBP and 56 runs scored in 1905 as the Highlanders dropped to sixth place. With his offense and defensive performance continuing to slide in 1906, Dougherty clashed with manager Clark Griffith (including a fistfight on one occasion). Hitting only .192 after 12 games, he quit the team and was suspended by the American League. The Chicago White Sox, managed by Fielder Jones, who had known Dougherty since their days playing for town teams in New York state, purchased his contract in July and got him reinstated. In 75 games for the White Sox Dougherty hit .233 and improved his play in the outfield. Chicago’s “Hitless Wonders”, getting by on speed and defense, won the AL pennant. In the World Series upset of the Cubs, Dougherty had only two hits in 20 at bats (.100) and his three walks pulled his OBP up to .217. In 1907 his batting improved to .270 with a .322 OBP and 33 stolen bases as the White Sox remained in contention until the last week of the season. The White Sox became involved in a hot pennant race in 1908 with Detroit and Cleveland and Dougherty hit .278 with a .367 OBP and led the league with 47 stolen bases. For the second time in his career, he broke up a no-hitter when his seventh-inning single ended a no-hit bid by Joe Lake of the Highlanders. In 1909 he was the top hitter for the fourth-place White Sox, batting .285 with 23 doubles, 13 triples, 55 RBIs, 36 stolen bases, and a .359 OBP helped by drawing 51 walks. With the White Sox embarking on a youth movement in 1910, the 33-year-old Dougherty was the oldest regular starting player and hit .248 with 43 RBIs and a .318 OBP. He was afflicted by health problems that lingered into 1911, although he batted .289 in 76 games in what proved to be his final season. He retired as one of the wealthiest major league players at the time due to his investment in oil wells and various businesses in Bolivar, New York. For his major league career, he batted .284 with 1294 hits that included 138 doubles, 78 triples, and 17 home runs. He scored 678 runs and compiled 413 RBIs, 261 stolen bases, and a .346 OBP. With the Highlanders he batted .269 with 248 hits, 139 runs scored, 55 RBIs, 28 stolen bases, and a .311 OBP. He went into banking following his playing career, also serving as president of the Class D Inter-State League in 1916. He died of a heart attack in 1940 at age 63.

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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: Jack Chesbro, 1904

Pitcher, New York Highlanders

Age:  30 (June 5)

2^nd season with Highlanders

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 163 

Prior to 1904:

A Massachusetts native, Chesbro was called “Chad” by his family. Performing well for amateur baseball teams, he joined a team in Middletown, New York called the Asylums (because it represented the state mental hospital) in 1894. He worked with patients and pitched for the team, developing his skills. He also acquired his long-lasting nickname of “Happy Jack” due to his pleasant disposition. He went professional in 1895 with Albany of the New York State League and was 5-1 at the point the club folded in May. He then caught on with Jamestown in the same league and went 2-9 before the circuit disbanded in July. Signing on next with Springfield of the Eastern League, Chesbro lasted only seven games before being released. Despite a 3-0 record, he walked 23 batters and gave up 34 hits in 33 innings pitched. After finishing up the year pitching semipro ball, he joined Roanoke of the Virginia League in 1896. He produced an 8-11 tally with a 1.81 ERA prior to the team folding in August, and returned to Cooperstown, New York to pitch semiprofessionally. Signing on with Richmond of the Atlantic League in 1897, Chesbro went 16-18 with a 1.80 ERA and 99 strikeouts over 289.1 innings. With Richmond in 1898 he compiled a 23-15 record and was drafted by Baltimore of the National League. He didn’t sign and returned to Richmond in 1899. With a 17-4 tally by July, his contract was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates. His record in 19 appearances with the Pirates was a disappointing 6-9 with a 4.11 ERA and 28 strikeouts along with 59 walks over 149 innings. Traded to Louisville in the offseason, he found himself back with Pittsburgh when the National League dissolved the Louisville club as part of the contraction from 12 to 8 teams, and Chesbro was returned to the Pirates. Initially refusing to report for spring training in 1900 (not reporting to spring training on time and threatening retirement became a regular routine during his major league career), he eventually joined the club and went on to an improved performance in 1900, finishing at 15-13 with a 3.67 ERA, 20 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 56 strikeouts in 215.2 innings pitched. “Happy Jack” was 21-10 for the pennant-winning Pirates in 1901 with a 2.38 ERA and tied for the league lead with 6 shutouts. He also recorded 129 strikeouts in 287.2 innings pitched. Pittsburgh again finished on top of the NL in 1902 and Chesbro again co-led the NL in shutouts with 8 to go along with a 28-6 record, 31 complete games, and 136 strikeouts over the course of 286.1 innings. Participating in an all-star tour of the west coast in the offseason, he was first shown how to throw a spitball (a legal pitch at that time). Up to this time he had been relying on his outstanding fastball. Jumping to the American League Highlanders in 1903, he produced a 21-15 tally with 33 complete games and 147 strikeouts as he added his new pitch to his arsenal. New York manager Clark Griffith disliked the spitball and didn’t give permission to Chesbro to use it as his primary pitch until the 1904 season. Having slimmed down from his usual playing weight of 180 pounds, he also added a very effective change-of-pace “slow ball” to his repertoire along with his fastball and spitter.  

1904 Season Summary

Appeared in 56 games

P – 55, PH – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 55 [1]

Games Started – 51 [1]

Complete Games – 48 [1]

Wins – 41 [1]

Losses – 12

PCT - .774 [1]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 6 [6, tied with Nick Altrock, Red Donahue & Fred Glade]

Innings Pitched – 454.2 [1]

Hits – 338 [4]

Runs – 128 [7]

Earned Runs – 92 [10]

Home Runs – 4 [14, tied with George Winter]

Bases on Balls – 88 [7]

Strikeouts – 239 [2]

ERA – 1.82 [4]

Hit Batters – 7

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 9 [6, tied with Barney Pelty, Norwood Gibson & Ed Siever

League-leading games pitched were +8 ahead of runner-up Jack Powell

League-leading games started were +5 ahead of runner-up Rube Waddell

League-leading complete games were +6 ahead of runner-up George Mullin

League-leading wins were +15 ahead of runners-up Cy Young & Eddie Plank

League-leading win percentage was +.118 ahead of runner-up Jesse Tannehill

League-leading innings pitched were +64.1 ahead of runner-up Jack Powell

Midseason Snapshot: 21-5, ERA - 1.95, SO - 111 in 235 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 13 (in 9 IP) at Detroit 8/3

10+ strikeout games – 1

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 1 (in 9 IP) at Washington 4/22

Batting

PA – 182, AB – 174, R – 17, H – 41, 2B – 9, 3B – 3, HR – 1, RBI – 17, BB – 4, SO – 43, SB – 1, CS – N/A, AVG - .236, GDP – N/A, HBP – 0, SH – 3, SF – N/A

Fielding

Chances – 202

Put Outs – 24

Assists – 166

Errors – 12

DP – 7

Pct. - .941

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The Highlanders went 92-59 to finish second in the AL, 1.5 games behind the pennant-winning Boston Americans. The scrappy Highlanders contended from the start and were locked in a tight battle with the Americans and Chicago White Sox in August, aided by Chesbro winning 14 straight decisions from May 14 to July 4. By September the race was between the Highlanders and Boston, as each took turns in first place. A half-game behind following two losses in a mid-September road trip to Boston, Chesbro, pitching on two days’ rest, put them ahead by a half-game with a home win in the climactic series against the Americans. With the team’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. Chesbro, instructed by manager Clark Griffith to remain in New York and rest up, took the train to Boston, insisted on starting, and was rocked by the Americans in the first game of the double header.  Boston won the darkness-shortened nightcap as well to go up by 1.5 games as the clubs returned to New York for a season-capping double header, which the Highlanders needed to sweep to capture the pennant. With Chesbro on the mound 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 to finish 1.5 games back. In the resulting controversy over Chesbro’s wild pitch, some blamed the catcher, and other witnesses insisted that the catcher could not possibly have reached the wayward pitch that lost a pennant for the Highlanders.

Aftermath of 1904:

Having demonstrated his durability with his outstanding 1904 season, a sore arm prevented Chesbro from going on an offseason tour. He also missed spring training in 1905 to coach at Harvard and his weight rose to 200 pounds. Insisting that the spitball and resulting alteration of his pitching motion, was not the cause of his arm trouble, Chesbro struggled to a 19-15 record in 1905 with a 2.20 ERA and 156 strikeouts while accumulating 303.1 innings. Reporting to spring training on time in 1906 he produced a 23-17 tally with a 2.96 ERA and 152 strikeouts over 325 innings pitched. Threatening to retire in 1907 to tend to his business interests that included a farm and a sawmill, Chesbro joined the Highlanders two weeks into the season and had a disappointing 10-10 record with a 2.53 ERA, while pitching 206 innings and striking out 78 batters. His 1908 tally with the last-place Highlanders was 14-20 with a 2.93 ERA, 288.2 innings pitched, and 124 strikeouts. Appearing in only nine games with a 0-4 mark in 1909, he was waived by the Highlanders in September and made one appearance with the Red Sox, which was a loss and effectively marked the end of his major league career. Unwanted by either club in 1910, and refusing an assignment to the minors, he stayed home in Massachusetts and pitched for a semipro team. For his major league career, Chesbro produced a 198-132 record and a 2.68 ERA with 260 complete games, 35 shutouts, and 1265 strikeouts over 2896.2 innings. With the Highlanders he was 128-93 with a 2.58 ERA, 168 complete games, 18 shutouts, and 913 strikeouts in 1952 innings pitched. His impressive 1904 performance was his best despite the disappointing ending. He coached at Massachusetts Agricultural College (now the University of Massachusetts) in 1911 and attempted a comeback as a major league pitcher in 1912 but was unable to catch on with a team. His last job in organized baseball was as a coach for the Washington Senators in 1924. He died of a heart attack in 1931 at age 57, 15 years before he was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946. His widow wrote articles and letters insisting that his infamous 1904 wild pitch should have been ruled a passed ball, to no avail.

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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: Richie Ashburn, 1962

Outfielder, New York Mets

 Age:  35

1^st season with Mets

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 5’10” Weight: 170 

Prior to 1962:

A native of Tilden, Nebraska, Ashburn, who had a twin sister, was the son of a blacksmith and semipro baseball player. He played baseball and basketball in his youth. While playing American Legion baseball, he was originally a catcher. Utilizing his speed in the outfield when not behind the plate, Ashburn compensated for a weak throwing arm by charging in on balls hit toward him, a technique that he would utilize throughout his career. Drawing the interest of major league scouts, Ashburn twice signed contracts that were voided. The first in 1943, when he was 16, was voided by Commissioner Landis because he was still in high school. The second with the Chicago Cubs in 1944 was nullified because of a technicality. Following a semester at Norfolk Junior College, Ashburn signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and reported to the Utica Blue Sox of the Class A Eastern League in 1945. Starting out as a catcher, he demonstrated his speed in a game where he beat the runner to first base on a ground ball and made the putout. He quickly became a full-time center fielder. Due to his light blonde hair he also obtained the nickname “Whitey”, which proved lasting. For the season he batted .312 with a .408 on-base percentage and 21 stolen bases but was a work in progress in the outfield. Drafted into the Army, he missed the 1946 season. Returning to Utica in 1947, he set a league record with 191 hits that included 21 doubles, 12 triples, 3 home runs, and batted .362 with 113 walks drawn, a .476 OBP, and 24 stolen bases. Ashburn was invited to spring training with the Phillies in 1948 and not only made the team but he replaced the reigning NL batting champ, Harry Walker in left field and as leadoff hitter in the lineup. He had an excellent rookie season, hitting .333 with a league-leading 32 stolen bases and .410 OBP. He was an All-Star, finished eleventh in league MVP voting, and received Rookie of the Year recognition from The Sporting News while placing third in BBWA Rookie of the Year balloting. During the All-Star Game, slugger Ted Williams of the Red Sox tagged Ashburn with the nickname "Putt-Putt” because he thought the rookie ran as if he had an outboard motor in the seat of his pants. Ashburn slumped mildly in 1949, batting .284 with 11 triples, 9 stolen bases, and a .343 OBP. His defensive play in center field was outstanding. The 1950 Phillies, known as the “Whiz Kids” won the NL pennant and Ashburn hit .303 with a .372 OBP, and a league-leading 14 triples. In the season’s final game against Brooklyn, with the pennant on the line, Ashburn’s running throw on a ninth inning line-drive by Dodger slugger Duke Snider managed to put baserunner Cal Abrams out at the plate while attempting to score the go-ahead run from second. The Phillies won on a tenth-inning home run. In his only taste of World Series action, Ashburn hit only .176 as the New York Yankees won in a four-game sweep. With the Phillies sliding to fifth in 1951, Ashburn topped the NL with 221 hits while batting .344 with a .393 OBP. He also led NL center fielders with 532 putouts and finished seventh in NL MVP voting. In 1952, bothered by a stomach ulcer, Ashburn led the league with 702 plate appearances and hit .282 with 31 doubles, 6 triples, 93 runs scored, 42 RBIs, 16 stolen bases, and a .362 OBP. More consistent in the field than at bat, he led NL center fielders with 413 putouts and 19 assists. His average jumped to .330 in 1953 while he led the NL with 205 hits. He also contributed a .394 OBP and once again led NL center fielders in putouts (487) and assists (17). In 1954 Ashburn topped the league in walks drawn (125) and OBP (.441) while batting .313 and continuing to excel in the outfield. Ashburn was rewarded with a $30,000 contract in 1955, but a stint on the disabled list ended his consecutive game playing streak at 731. He recovered to go on to win the NL batting title by hitting .338. He also again led the circuit with a .449 OBP. He placed fourteenth in league MVP balloting. Ashburn remained a solid performer in 1956 and ’57, batting .303 with a .384 OBP and 190 hits in the first year and .297 with 186 hits and a .390 OBP, helped by his league-leading 94 walks drawn, in 1957. Defensively, he remained the top NL center fielder in putouts both seasons (500 and 499 respectively) and led in assists (17) in 1957. He won a second NL batting championship in 1958, hitting .350 and further topping the circuit in hits (215), triples (13), walks drawn (97), and OBP (.440). Defensively, he led NL center fielders in putouts for the ninth time with 494 and finished seventh in league MVP voting. Ashburn’s performance dropped off significantly in 1959 as he batted only .266 with a .360 OBP. Defensively, his 359 putouts in center field placed third. In the offseason, the Phillies traded him to the Chicago Cubs, and at 33 he rebounded significantly with his new club in 1960, batting .291 and leading the NL in walks drawn (116) and OBP (.415). With his speed diminishing in 1961, he hit a lowly .257 with a .373 OBP, and he was no longer covering as much ground in the outfield. With the Cubs committing to a youth movement (which cut into his 1961 playing time), Ashburn was sold to the expansion Mets in the offseason to provide an experienced lefthanded hitter in the outfield.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 135 games

CF – 54, RF – 45, PH – 37, LF – 8, PR – 4, 2B – 2

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 473

At Bats – 389

Runs – 60

Hits – 119

Doubles – 7

Triples – 3

Home Runs – 7

RBI – 28

Bases on Balls – 81 [3]

Int. BB – 2

Strikeouts – 39

Stolen Bases – 12 [17, tied with four others]

Caught Stealing – 7 [11, tied with eleven others]

Average - .306 [Non-qualifying]

OBP - .424 [Non-qualifying]

Slugging Pct. - .393

Total Bases – 153

GDP – 4

Hit by Pitches – 0

Sac Hits – 1

Sac Flies – 2

Midseason snapshot: HR - 5, RBI - 18, AVG - .293, OBP - .402

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) at St. Louis 7/28

Longest hitting streak – 13 games

HR at home – 6

HR on road – 1

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 4 AB) vs. Houston 6/23

Multi-HR games – 1

Most RBIs, game – 3 vs. Houston 6/23, at LA Dodgers 6/29

Pinch-hitting – 13 for 31 (.419) with 1 2B, 4 R & 1 RBI

Fielding

Chances – 201

Put Outs – 187

Assists – 9

Errors – 5

DP – 1

Pct. - .975 

Awards & Honors:

All-Star

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In their inaugural season, the Mets went 40-120 to finish tenth in the NL, 60.5 games behind the pennant-winning San Francisco Giants, while leading the league in most walks drawn (616), fewest hits (1318), and lowest batting average (.240). The “Amazing Mets”, guided by veteran manager Casey Stengel (who turned 72 during the season) and with a roster filled by veteran castoffs and young prospects, rose as high as ninth in the newly expanded league thanks to a 9-3 May spurt, but settled into the cellar on the way to setting a record-for futility, often in amazingly inept fashion. The popular and highly publicized underdogs drew 922,530 fans to the Polo Grounds, their temporary home while awaiting construction of a new ballpark in Queens. Ashburn was named team MVP following the season and commented that “to be voted the MVP on the worst team in the history of baseball is a dubious honor for sure.”

Aftermath of 1962:

Ashburn’s one season with the Mets marked the end of his playing career. Unwilling to return for another season with the inept expansion team, he agreed to go into broadcasting as a color commentator on Phillies games. For his major league playing career, he batted .308 with 2574 hits that included 317 doubles, 109 triples, and 29 home runs. He scored 1322 runs and compiled 586 RBIs, 234 stolen bases, and a .396 OBP, a testament to his drawing 1198 walks. His defensive prowess was reflected in leading NL center fielders in putouts nine times and three times in assists. A six-time All-Star, Ashburn finished in the top 10 in NL MVP voting three times, won two batting championships, and led the league in walks drawn on four occasions. With his natural charm, down-to-earth nature, and candor, he remained a broadcaster for the Phillies until his death in 1997 at age 70, two years after his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He also wrote regular columns for Philadelphia newspapers. The Phillies retired his #1 and honored him with a plaque on its Wall of Fame on Ashburn Alley behind center field at Citizen’s Bank Park.

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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: Harmon Killebrew, 1961

First Baseman/Third Baseman, Minnesota Twins

Age:  25 (June 29)

7^th season with Senators/Twins

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’0”    Weight: 195 

Prior to 1969:

The son of a former college football fullback, Killebrew was a native of Payette, Idaho. A burly and muscular youth who played football and basketball, as well as baseball, in high school, he was playing in a semipro baseball league at age 17 when he came to the attention of Idaho US Senator Herman Welker, who brought him to the attention of the Washington Senators. Scouted by Washington, as well as the Boston Red Sox, Killebrew signed a $6000 contract and $4000 bonus with the Senators. As a bonus signee at the time, he had to be on the major league roster for two years before he could be sent down to the minors and spent 1954 and ’55 as a sparsely utilized reserve third baseman for the Senators. He split the 1956 season between Charlotte of the Class A South Atlantic League, where he batted .325 with 15 home runs, and the Senators, where he hit .222 in 44 games with 5 home runs and 13 RBIs. Killebrew showed off his power in 1957 with the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Class AA Southern Association as he slugged 29 home runs. He split 1958 between Chattanooga and Indianapolis of the Class AAA American Association, batting a combined .281 with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs. He finally got a chance as the starting third baseman for the Senators in 1959 and made the most of it, leading the AL with 42 home runs (tied with Cleveland’s Rocky Colavito) in addition to driving in 105 RBIs and hitting .242. Killebrew was named as an All-Star for the first time and finished fifteenth in league MVP balloting. An unimpressive fielder and hindered by a leg injury, he split 1960 between third base and first and batted .276 with 31 home runs and 80 RBIs. The Senators moved to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and were rechristened the Minnesota Twins in 1961 and Killebrew primarily played at first base (and still shifting between the two corner infield positions).

1961 Season Summary

Appeared in 150 games

1B – 119, 3B – 45, LF – 2

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 656 [17]

At Bats – 541

Runs – 94 [10]

Hits – 156 [18, tied with Jim Piersall]

Doubles – 20

Triples – 7 [7, tied with five others]

Home Runs – 46 [3, tied with Jim Gentile]

RBI – 122 [6]

Bases on Balls – 107 [4]

Int. BB – 6 [9, tied with Elston Howard]

Strikeouts – 109 [5]

Stolen Bases – 1

Caught Stealing – 2

Average - .288 [14, tied with Albie Pearson]

OBP - .405 [5]

Slugging Pct. - .606 [5]

Total Bases – 328 [5]

GDP – 11

Hit by Pitches – 3

Sac Hits – 0

Sac Flies – 5

Midseason snapshot: 3B – 4, HR – 26, RBI – 68, AVG - .335, SLG - .696, OBP – .451

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Most hits, game – 5 (in 6 AB) at Boston 6/12

Longest hitting streak – 12 games

HR at home – 29

HR on road – 17

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 5 AB) vs. Boston 5/7, (in 4 AB) vs. Baltimore 6/21

Multi-HR games – 2

Most RBIs, game – 5 at KC A’s 7/1

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding (1B)

Chances - 1053

Put Outs – 972

Assists – 67

Errors – 14

DP – 91

Pct. - .987

Awards & Honors:

All-Star

11^th in AL MVP voting (29 points, 10% share)

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The relocated and renamed Twins went 70-90 to finish seventh in the AL, 38 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees. The Twins got off to a promising start with a 9-6 April but slumped thereafter and were 23-36 in June when manager Cookie Lavagetto was replaced by Sam Mele. Following a brief summer lift, the club dropped down and moved into seventh place to stay on September 17. They drew 1,256,723 fans to Metropolitan Stadium, an increase of over 513,000 from their last season in Washington.

Aftermath of 1961:

“Killer” (a nickname which belied Killebrew’s pleasant nature) was moved to left field in 1962 and led the league in home runs (48) as well as RBIs (126) and batting strikeouts (142) while batting .243 for the surprising second-place Twins. He topped the AL in home runs again in 1963 (45) and 1964 (49), further establishing himself as a premier power hitter. Minnesota won the AL pennant in 1965, but Killebrew, who went back to splitting his time between first base and third, was sidelined by a dislocated elbow in August that cost him seven weeks. He ended up with 25 home runs and 75 RBIs in 113 games while hitting .269. He batted .286 with a home run and two RBIs in the seven-game World Series loss to the Dodgers. In 1966 he drew 103 walks on his way to leading the AL in that category for the first of four occasions in a six-year span. Killebrew also hit .281 with 39 home runs and 110 RBIs. He tied for the league lead in home runs in 1967 with 44. A severe hamstring injury suffered during the 1968 All-Star Game limited Killebrew to 100 games with 17 home runs and 40 RBIs. He came back with a 1969 season in which he was named league MVP, batting .276 while leading the AL in home runs (49), RBIs (140), walks drawn (145), and OBP (.427). In the first season of divisional play, the Twins topped the new AL West, losing the ALCS to the Baltimore Orioles in a three-game sweep. Killebrew followed up in 1970 with his eighth and last 40-home run season, totaling 41 to go along with 113 RBIs and a .271 average. He placed third in AL MVP voting. While his home run total dropped to 28 in 1971, he still topped the circuit with 119 RBIs. He stayed with the Twins through 1974 with steadily declining production. Offered the chance to be a player/coach or manager with Minnesota’s Class AAA Tacoma franchise for 1975, Killebrew chose to sign with the Kansas City Royals instead. As a Designated Hitter and pinch hitter in his final major league season, he batted just .199 with 14 home runs and 44 RBIs. In his career with the Senators/Twins he batted .258 with 2024 hits that included 277 doubles, 24 triples, and 559 home runs. He further scored 1258 runs and compiled 1540 RBIs. Including his season with the Royals, he ended up hitting 573 home runs with 1584 RBIs and a .256 batting average along with an on-base percentage of .376 (a testament to his 1559 walks drawn). An eleven-time All-Star (at three positions), he finished in the Top 10 in AL MVP voting on seven occasions. In 13 postseason games he hit .250 with 3 home runs and 6 RBIs. The Twins retired his # 3 and he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984. Killebrew went into broadcasting for a time following his playing career and suffered major financial losses in retirement. He died of cancer in 2011 at the age of 74.

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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.