Highlighted Year: Luis Aparicio, 1959

Shortstop, Chicago White Sox

Age:  25 (April 29)

4^th season with White Sox

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 160 

Prior to 1959:

A native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Aparicio was the son of a shortstop who was a star nationally in the 1930s and ‘40s. Introduced to baseball at an early age, he turned professional in 1953 at age 19 and excelled at shortstop with his speed on the basepaths and quickness in the field. Aparicio signed with the White Sox for $10,000 in 1954. Chicago already had a star Venezuelan shortstop in Chico Carrasquel. Aparicio, who spoke little English at the time, played in 94 games with Waterloo of the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa (or “Three I”) League in ’54 and batted .282 with 20 stolen bases. He moved up to Memphis of the Class AA Southern Association in 1955, where he hit .273 and played well enough in the field that the White Sox traded Chico Carrasquel to Cleveland after the season to open a spot for Aparicio for 1956. Aparicio came through with an outstanding rookie season in which he was superb defensively, leading all AL shortstops in putouts (250) and assists (474). He exceeded expectations with his offensive production as he led the AL with 21 stolen bases while batting .266 with 19 doubles, 6 triples, 3 home runs, 56 RBIs, and a .311 OBP. He received AL Rookie of the Year recognition. Aparicio followed up his fine rookie season by again leading the AL in stolen bases with 28 in 1957 to go with his .257 batting average and .317 OBP. He combined with second baseman Nellie Fox to create an excellent double play combination. In 1958 Aparicio was named an All-Star for the first time and was awarded his first Gold Glove while topping the league in stolen bases for the third (of an eventual nine) consecutive seasons. 

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in 152 games

SS – 152, PR – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 686 [2]

At Bats – 612 [2]

Runs – 98 [6, tied with Harmon Killebrew]

Hits – 157 [8]

Doubles – 18

Triples – 5 [13, tied with seven others]

Home Runs – 6

RBI – 51

Bases on Balls – 53 [19, tied with Roy Sievers]

Int. BB – 1

Strikeouts – 40

Stolen Bases – 56 [1]

Caught Stealing – 13 [1, tied with Vic Power]

Average - .257

OBP - .316

Slugging Pct. - .332

Total Bases – 203

GDP – 11

Hit by Pitches – 3

Sac Hits – 11 [5, tied with Dick Williams]

Sac Flies – 7 [5, tied with Lou Berberet]

League-leading stolen bases were +35 ahead of runner-up Mickey Mantle

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 10, 3B – 1, HR – 5, RBI – 33, SB – 25, AVG - .291, OBP – .353

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) at Baltimore 5/20

Longest hitting streak – 14 games

Most HR, game – 1 on six occasions

HR at home – 2

HR on road – 4

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 4 at KC A’s 4/22

Fielding

Chances – 765

Put Outs – 282

Assists – 460

Errors – 23

DP – 87

Pct. – .970

Postseason Batting: 6 G (World Series vs. LA Dodgers)

PA – 29, AB – 26, R – 1, H – 8, 2B – 1,3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 0, BB – 2, IBB – 0, SO – 3, SB – 1, CS – 1, AVG - .308, OBP - .357, SLG -.346, TB – 9, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 1, SF – 0

Awards & Honors:

Gold Glove

All-Star (Started for AL at SS, both games)

2^nd in AL MVP voting (255 points – 8 first place votes, 76% share)

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The White Sox went 94-60 to win the AL pennant by 5 games over the Cleveland Indians, their first pennant in 40 years while leading the league in triples (46), stolen bases (113), and fewest batting strikeouts (634). The "Go-Go Sox", benefiting from their emphasis on pitching, speed, and defense, of which Aparicio played a key role, moved into first place for good on July 28 but still had to fend off the Indians, solidifying their lead with a late-August four-game sweep of Cleveland. Lost World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4 games to 2.

Aftermath of 1959:

The player known as “Little Louie” spent three more years with the White Sox in his first stint with the club and was an All-Star each season as well as Gold Glove winner and league leader in stolen bases. In 1960, in addition to topping the league with 51 stolen bases, he batted .277 with a .323 OBP and led AL shortstops with 551 assists and a .979 fielding percentage. 1961 was more of the same with 53 stolen bases, a .272 average, and a .313 OBP, while providing continued outstanding defensive play. His batting average slipped to .241 in 1962, his OBP to .280, and his stolen base total to 31, although it was still high enough to pace the American League and he remained a defensive stalwart. With the White Sox seeking to revamp the roster after the 1962 season, Aparicio was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles as part of a seven-player trade. He continued to excel with the Orioles, who were developing into a contender, adding speed to the top of the batting order and defensive excellence. He was an All-Star in 1963 and ’64 in addition to being a Gold Glove performer at shortstop. His string of nine straight AL stolen base titles lasted through ’64, after which his totals dropped off significantly. He was a key player for the Orioles as they topped the AL and won the World Series in 1966. Following one more year in Baltimore, Aparicio was traded back to the White Sox, where he won his last two Gold Gloves in 1968 and ’70. No longer as fast on the basepaths, Aparicio remained a solid performer who hit a career-high .313 in 1970, after which he was traded to the Boston Red Sox where he spent the final three seasons of his career, which came to an end at age 39 in 1973 with his release by Boston. Overall, in his major league career, he batted .262, with 2677 hits, 1335 runs scored, 394 doubles, 92 triples, 83 home runs, 506 stolen bases, and 791 RBIs. Of that, 1576 hits, 223 doubles, 54 triples, 43 home runs, 318 stolen bases, and 464 RBIs were compiled during his two stints with the White Sox, with who he batted .269. Adept at all aspects of the shortstop position, Aparicio was a nine-time Gold Glove recipient. An All-Star selection 13 times, he was voted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984, the first Venezuelan to be so honored. The White Sox also retired his #11. Aparicio returned to Venezuela following his retirement where he became a winter league manager and later, a commentator for baseball telecasts.

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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: Fielder Jones, 1906

Outfielder, Chicago White Sox

Age:  35 (Aug. 13)

6^th season with White Sox

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 180 

Prior to 1906:

A native of the Enchanted Mountains region of northwestern Pennsylvania, Jones attended prep school at Alfred University where he played intramural baseball. Following school he became a surveyor and eventually began playing baseball professionally in Portland, Oregon. A fine athlete, he was a catcher and outfielder for the Portland team in the Oregon State League in 1891. Having returned east due to poor economic conditions, in 1895 he was with Binghamton of the New York State League to start the season and, following the league’s demise in July, was then signed by Springfield of the Eastern League where he batted .399 in 50 games with 57 runs scored and 29 stolen bases. Drafted by Brooklyn of the NL in the offseason, he was caught in a crowded outfield situation in 1896 and was loaned to Hartford of the Atlantic League to give him an opportunity for more playing time. An injury to a starting outfielder opened a spot for Jones with Brooklyn and he made the most of the opportunity, batting .354 with 82 runs scored, 10 doubles, 8 triples, 3 home runs, 46 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, a .427 on-base percentage, and a .443 slugging percentage. He also proved to be a capable outfielder with a strong throwing arm. While his average dropped to .314 in 1897, he scored 134 runs along with 15 doubles and 10 triples, 49 RBIs, 48 stolen bases, a .392 OBP, and a .383 slugging percentage. In a difficult year for the club in 1898, Jones hit. .304 with 15 doubles, 9 triples, a home run, 69 RBIs, 36 stolen bases, a .362 OBP, and .364 slugging percentage. Jones suffered a broken leg during the offseason that delayed his joining the Superbas (as the team had come to be called) until two months into the 1899 season. The club won the NL pennant and over the course of 102 games Jones batted .285 with 12 extra-base hits, 38 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, and a .390 OBP. Having married in 1898, Jones began running a general store in Bolivar, New York during the offseason. He proved to have a sound business sense and became a critic of the player contracts of the time, particularly the reserve clause. After threatening to retire from baseball, he went on to help the Superbas to another pennant in 1900 by hitting .310 with 26 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, 106 runs scored, 54 RBIs, 33 stolen bases, a .383 OBP, and a .393 slugging percentage. As a player targeted by the new American League, he jumped to the White Sox in 1901. Chicago won the initial AL pennant and Jones did his part by batting .311 with 120 runs scored, 65 RBIs, 38 stolen bases, a .412 OBP, and a .365 slugging percentage. In the outfield he accounted for 20 assists. The assists increased to 25 in 1902 and he continued to provide solid offense by hitting .321 with 98 runs scored, 16 doubles, 5 triples, 54 RBIs, 33 stolen bases, a .390 OBP, and a .370 slugging percentage. Anticipating jumping back to the NL and the New York Giants, Jones signed a contract with the White Sox in 1903 that did not contain the reserve clause. On a club that dropped to seventh place, Jones batted .287 with 18 doubles, 5 triples, 45 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, and a .348 OBP. Forced by the ruling National Commission to return to the White Sox in 1904, during the season owner Charles Comiskey made him the club’s manager. The White Sox’s performance improved and they finished a solid third while Jones’ offensive production suffered, although he remained capable in center field. His offense improved in 1905 as he hit .245 with 17 doubles, 12 triples, 2 home runs, 38 RBIs, and a .335 OBP. The White Sox finished in second place. Still a fine all-around player, Jones had come to be recognized as an intelligent and capable manager and motivator whose team used speed, quality pitching, and daring to good effect. 

1906 Season Summary

Appeared in 144 games

CF – 144

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 619 [13]

At Bats – 496

Runs – 77 [11]

Hits – 114

Doubles – 22 [18, tied with Tom Jones]

Triples – 4

Home Runs – 2 [15, tied with nineteen others]

RBI – 34

Bases on Balls – 83 [2]

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 37

Stolen Bases – 26

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .230

OBP - .346 [11, tied with Chick Stahl]

Slugging Pct. - .302

Total Bases – 150

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 5 [19, tied with seven others]

Sac Hits – 30 [6]

Sac Flies – N/A

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 16, HR - 1, RBI - 22, SB – 14, AVG - .245, OBP – .338

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) at Washington 5/18, (in 6 AB) at Cleveland 6/30

Longest hitting streak – 8 games

Most HR, game – 1 (in 5 AB) at Washington 5/18, (in 3 AB) vs. NY Highlanders 9/22

HR at home – 1

HR on road – 1

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 4 at Washington 5/18, at Cleveland 6/30

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding

Chances – 339

Put Outs – 312

Assists – 23

Errors – 4

DP – 5

Pct. – .988

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

PA – 26, AB – 21, R – 4, H – 3, 2B – 0,3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 0, BB – 3, IBB – 0, SO – 3, SB – 0, CS – N/A, AVG - .143, OBP - .250, SLG - .143, TB – 3, GDP – N/A, HBP – 0, SH – 2, SF – N/A

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The White Sox went 93-58 to win the AL pennant by 3 games over the New York Highlanders while leading the league in walks drawn (453) fewest hits (1133), fewest home runs (7), fewest batting strikeouts (492), lowest batting average (.230), lowest slugging percentage (.286), and fewest total bases (1410). The “Hitless Wonders”, relying on pitching and defense while lacking offensive punch, proved masterful at manufacturing runs by playing “small ball”. In fourth place in early August, they put together a 19-game winning streak to move into first and stayed at or near the top until taking over first place to stay on Sept. 25. Won World Series over the Chicago Cubs, 4 games to 2. An 8-6 Game 5 win put the White Sox in position to seal the upset of the Cubs in the only all-Chicago World Series to date.

The White Sox, still carried by their excellent pitching, finished third in 1907. Jones, given a $10,000 contract, remained productive, batting .261 with 19 extra-base hits (18 of them doubles) and a .345 OBP. The White Sox contended in 1908 until the season’s final day despite the effects of age, injuries, and controversy. Beyond an outstanding job of managing the club, Jones batted .253 with 92 runs scored, 50 RBIs, 26 stolen bases, and a .366 OBP. He left the White Sox after the season and returned to Portland, Oregon where he resisted efforts by owner Comiskey to lure him back to Chicago. He helped to operate a hotel and served as treasurer of the Class D Northwestern League. In 1910 he became baseball coach at Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State University) and then played for the Chehalis Gophers of the Washington State League where he batted .358 during a season in which he turned 39. By 1912 he was president of the Northwestern League. Turning down several offers from major league teams to return to managing, he did manage the rival Federal League’s St. Louis Terriers in 1914 and ’15, with who he also made his last appearances as a player. With the demise of the Federal League he returned to the AL and next managed the St. Louis Browns with some initial success as he instilled a fighting spirit in the club, but was faced by a player mutiny in 1917. He quit during the 1918 season and returned to Portland where he died at age 62 in 1934. For his major league playing career Jones batted .285 with 1920 hits that included 206 doubles, 75 triples, and 21 home runs. He scored 1180 runs and compiled 631 RBIs, 359 stolen bases, 817 walks drawn, a .368 OBP, and a .347 slugging percentage. With the White Sox he batted .269 with 1151 hits, 693 runs scored, 132 doubles, 42 triples, 10 home runs, 375 RBIs, 206 stolen bases, 550 walks drawn, a .357 OBP, and a .326 slugging percentage. The 1906 World Series marked his only postseason action. His managerial record was 683-582 with one World Series title. Jones was intelligent, a talented all-around player and manager, principled, and greatly respected.  

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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 Davis, 1905

Shortstop, Chicago White Sox

Age:  35 (Aug. 23)

3^rd season with White Sox

Bats – Both, Throws – Right

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 180

Prior to 1905:

A native of Cohoes, New York, Davis was playing for tavern-sponsored baseball teams by age 15 in 1886. Already a switch-hitter, he was with a semipro team in Albany in 1889. With a player shortage in the NL due to competition from the Players League in 1890, Davis joined the Cleveland Spiders and appeared primarily in the outfield where he accounted for 35 assists while batting .264 with 22 doubles, 9 triples, 6 home runs, 73 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, a .336 on-base percentage, and a .375 slugging percentage. In 1891 he hit .289 with 35 doubles, 12 triples, 3 home runs, 89 RBIs, 42 stolen bases, a .354 OBP, and a .409 slugging percentage, while striking out only 29 times. A good and versatile defensive player, he was again primarily used in the outfield as well as at third base, and on three occasions as a pitcher (with bad results). In 1892 his batting average dropped to .241, but with 27 doubles, 12 triples, 5 home runs, 82 RBIs, 36 stolen bases, and a .312 OBP helped by drawing 58 walks. In 1893 Davis was traded to the New York Giants for star catcher/first baseman Buck Ewing, where he was installed at third base and batted .355 with 22 doubles, 27 triples, 11 home runs, 119 RBIs, 37 stolen bases, a .410 OBP, and a .554 slugging percentage. Along the way he set a short-lived league record with a 33-game hitting streak. He became a fan favorite and was mentored by manager Monte Ward, with whom he bore a physical resemblance once he grew a handlebar mustache. 1894 was another strong season in which Davis hit .352 with 27 doubles, 19 triples, 9 home runs, 93 RBIs, 42 stolen bases, a .434 OBP, and a .541 slugging percentage. With the purchase of the Giants by Andrew Freedman in 1895, Ward stepped down as manager and the intelligent and articulate Davis became his successor at age 24, making him the NL’s youngest manager at the time. The club got off to a 16-17 start when Davis was relieved of his managerial duties. With Freedman refusing to give him his requested release, Davis stayed on as a player and batted .340 with 36 doubles, 9 triples, 5 home runs, 101 RBIs, 48 stolen bases, a .417 OBP, and a .500 slugging percentage. Moved to shortstop during the 1896 season, Davis continued to thrive while the Giants, under the abrasive and miserly Freedman floundered. He hit .320 with 25 doubles, 12 triples, 5 home runs, 99 RBIs, 48 stolen bases, a .387 OBP, and a .449 slugging percentage. In 1897 Davis topped the NL with 135 RBIs while batting .353 with 31 doubles, 10 triples, 10 home runs, 65 stolen bases, a .410 OBP, and a .509 slugging percentage. Playing at shortstop for the full year, he excelled, leading NL shortstops in putouts (339) and double plays (67). His excellent range and throwing ability were on full display at his new position. In 1898 Davis hit .307 with 20 doubles, 5 triples, 2 home runs, 86 RBIs, 26 stolen bases, a .351 OBP, and a .381 slugging percentage. His fielding remained solid at shortstop. Bothered by injuries in 1899 “Gorgeous George” batted .337 with 28 extra-base hits (22 of them doubles), 59 RBIs, 35 stolen bases, a .394 OBP, and a .420 slugging percentage. Named team captain in 1900, he again became player/manager after the club got off to a dreadful start on the way to a last-place finish. Davis was once again a productive hitter and proficient fielder. The Giants again performed poorly in 1901 although Davis batted .301 with a .356 OBP and .426 slugging percentage. He jumped to the AL’s White Sox in 1902 in which Davis hit .299 with 27 doubles, 7 triples, 3 home runs, 93 RBIs, 31 stolen bases, a .386 OBP, and a .402 slugging percentage. In the offseason the Giants, now managed by John McGraw, got his signature on a two-year contract in a deal that threatened the nascent peace agreement between the NL and AL. In a case that ended up in federal court, White Sox owner Charles Comiskey managed to get an injunction that forced Davis to play for his team. He ended up appearing in only four games for the Giants and didn’t play at all for the White Sox. Returning to the White Sox in 1904, his batting production declined to .252 with 27 doubles, 15 triples, one home run, 69 RBIs, 32 stolen bases, a .311 OBP, and a .359 slugging percentage.

1905 Season Summary

Appeared in 151 games

SS – 151

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 654 [6, tied with Jesse Burkett & Willie Keeler]

At Bats – 550 [15]

Runs – 74 [8]

Hits – 153 [11, tied with Jiggs Donahue]

Doubles – 29 [8, tied with Lave Cross & Elmer Flick]

Triples – 1

Home Runs – 1

RBI – 55 [17]

Bases on Balls – 60 [5]

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 66 [13]

Stolen Bases – 31 [9, tied with John Anderson]

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .278 [10]

OBP - .353 [6]

Slugging Pct. - .340

Total Bases – 187 [17]

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 4

Sac Hits – 40 [2]

Sac Flies – N/A 

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 16, HR - 0, RBI - 29, SB – 19, AVG - .280, OBP – .367

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 4 AB) at Washington 6/14

Longest hitting streak – 14 games

Most HR, game – 1 (in 3 AB) at St. Louis Browns 10/7

HR at home – 0

HR on road – 1

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 3 at Detroit 7/7

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding

Chances – 877

Put Outs – 330

Assists – 501

Errors – 46

DP – 56

Pct. – .948

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The White Sox went 92-60 to finish second in the AL, 2 games behind the pennant-winning Philadelphia Athletics while leading the league in fewest home runs (11). A strong start boosted the White Sox into contention, and they spent several days in first during May on their way to a 44-27 first half record. In second and occasionally first during July, they settled into a close second in late September, with a 2-2 October trip against the St. Louis Browns sealing their fate.

Aftermath of 1905:

The White Sox won the AL pennant in 1906 despite being the league’s lightest-hitting club. Davis contributed to “the Hitless Wonders” by batting .277 with 26 doubles, 6 triples, 80 RBIs, 27 stolen bases, a .338 OBP, and a .355 slugging percentage. On a club that prospered on pitching and defense, Davis was a key player. Illness caused him to miss the first three games of the World Series against the highly-favored cross-town Cubs, but in the three games he appeared in he hit .308 with 3 doubles, 4 runs scored, and 6 RBIs as the White Sox won in six games. Davis’ performance dropped off in 1907 and ’08 due to age and injuries, and after appearing in only 28 games in 1909 he was given his release, thus ending his playing career. For his major league career, he batted .295 with 2665 hits that included 453 doubles, 163 triples, and 73 home runs. He scored 1545 runs and compiled 1440 RBIs, 619 stolen bases, a .362 OBP, and a .405 slugging percentage. With the White Sox he batted .259 with 785 hits, 393 runs scored, 140 doubles, 32 triples, 6 home runs, 377 RBIs, 162 stolen bases, a .333 OBP, and a .332 slugging percentage. Following his playing career, Davis operated a bowling alley (he was apparently an excellent bowler), managed a minor league team, scouted for the New York Yankees and St. Louis Browns, and coached at Amherst College. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998, 58 years after his death in 1940 at age 70.

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

Highlighted Year: George Altman, 1962

Outfielder/First Baseman, Chicago Cubs

Age:  29

4^th season with Cubs

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 6’4”    Weight: 200 

Prior to 1962:

A native of Goldsboro, North Carolina, Altman played basketball and football in addition to baseball at Dillard High School. He went on to play basketball at Tennessee A & I University, a historically black college now called Tennessee State University. Playing basketball in college (the school didn’t field a baseball team until he was a junior), he went undrafted by the NBA and, upon receiving his degree, Altman coached basketball at Lemoyne College in Memphis. He came to the attention of the Negro American League Kansas City Monarchs, who he joined in 1955. Previously an outfielder exclusively, he learned to play first base as well in his brief tenure with the Monarchs. He signed with the Cubs and was assigned to the Burlington Bees of the Class B Illinois-Indiana-Iowa (or Three I) League in 1956 where he batted .263 with 16 home runs, 67 RBIs, 17 stolen bases, and a .342 on-base percentage. Drafted into the Army, he played baseball at Fort Carson, Colorado which won the All-Army championship. Following his military stint, Altman was with the Pueblo Bruins of the Class A Western League in 1958 where, in 89 games, he hit .325 with 14 home runs, 78 RBIs, a .389 OBP, and a .536 slugging percentage. Following a winter playing in Panama, a strong spring performance propelled Altman to the Cubs in 1959 where he started in center field and batted .245 with 12 home runs, 47 RBIs, and a .312 OBP. He impressed with his speed and ability to hit with power to all fields. Following a successful stint playing winter ball in Cuba, Altman split time between the three outfield positions and first base in 1960, having been dislodged in center field by the arrival of veteran Richie Ashburn. Altman, who dealt with a variety of injuries, improved his average to .266 with 13 home runs, 51 RBIs, a .330 OBP, and a .455 slugging percentage. In 1961 he was an All-Star for the first time and hit a key homer in the first of the two All-Star games that year. For the season he batted .303 with 28 doubles, a league-leading 12 triples, 27 home runs, 96 RBIs, a .353 OBP, and a .560 slugging percentage. Having settled into right field, he also performed well defensively.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 147 games

RF – 125, 1B – 16, CF – 6, PH – 6

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 603

At Bats – 534

Runs – 74

Hits – 170 [18]

Doubles – 27 [13, tied with Tommy Davis, Ken Boyer & Bill Virdon]

Triples – 5

Home Runs – 22 [18, tied with Billy Williams]

RBI – 74

Bases on Balls – 62 [19]

Int. BB – 14 [3, tied with Hank Aaron]

Strikeouts – 89 [18, tied with Bob Skinner]

Stolen Bases – 19 [6]

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

Average - .318 [6]

OBP - .393 [4]

Slugging Pct. - .511 [9]

Total Bases – 273 [16]

GDP – 8

Hit by Pitches – 5 [20, tied with six others]

Sac Hits – 0

Sac Flies – 2 

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 11, HR - 12, RBI - 41, SB – 10, AVG – .325, SLG – .512, OBP – .405

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 7 AB) at LA Dodgers 5/1 – 16 innings, (in 6 AB) at NY Mets 5/15 – 13 innings, (in 4 AB) vs. NY Mets 6/8, (in 5 AB) at Houston 8/19

Longest hitting streak – 13 games

Most HR, game – 2 (in 6 AB) at NY Mets 5/15 – 13 innings, (in 4 AB) at Philadelphia 5/18

HR at home – 9

HR on road – 13

Multi-HR games – 2

Most RBIs, game – 5 at Philadelphia 5/18

Pinch-hitting – 1 for 6 (.167)

Fielding (OF)

Chances – 249

Put Outs – 234

Assists – 8

Errors – 7

DP – 3

Pct. - .972 

Awards & Honors:

All-Star 

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The Cubs went 59-103 to finish in ninth place in the newly expanded NL, 42.5 games behind the pennant-winning San Francisco Giants, while leading the league in batting strikeouts (1044). Continuing their experiment of utilizing a rotating group of coaches to guide the club, in lieu of a manager, the Cubs started poorly and stumbled through a chaotic season despite the presence of some young talent. Following a strong first half, Altman suffered a sprained wrist in June which hindered his power production thereafter.

Aftermath of 1962:

In the offseason, Altman was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, who were looking to add power to the middle of their batting order, as part of a six-player deal. “Big George” had a disappointing season in 1963, dealing with injuries and trying too much to take aim at the short right field porch at Busch Stadium. He batted .274 with 18 doubles, 7 triples, 9 home runs, 47 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, a .339 OBP, and a .401 slugging percentage. He was traded again in the offseason, to the New York Mets for RHP Roger Craig. Primarily playing in left field for the Mets in 1964, leg and shoulder injuries limited his production to .230 with 14 doubles, 9 home runs, 47 RBIs, a .262 OBP, and a .332 slugging percentage. He was dealt back to the Cubs in the offseason and his career continued to decline in 1965, ’66, and ’67, much of which he spent with Tacoma of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. Hoping to resurrect his career, he went to Japan in 1968 where he played for the Tokyo Orions and batted .320 with 34 home runs, 100 RBIs, a .372 OBP, and a .578 slugging percentage. The team became the Lotte Orions in 1969 and Altman remained productive, hitting .269 with 25 doubles, 21 home runs, 82 RBIs, a .318 OBP, and a .471 slugging percentage. His career having turned around during his mid-30s in Japan, he stayed with the Orions until 1974, and finished up with the Hanshin Tigers in 1975, after which he retired after having been weakened by a bout with colon cancer. In Japan, he batted .310 with 452 runs scored, 985 hits, 163 doubles, 11 triples, 205 home runs, 656 RBIs, a .378 OBP, and a .561 slugging percentage. His high for home runs was 39 in 1971 but in 85 games in 1974, up to his cancer diagnosis, he was hitting .351 with 21 homers, 67 RBIs, a .442 OBP, and a .653 slugging percentage. For his major league career, he batted .269 with 832 hits that included 132 doubles, 34 triples, and 101 home runs. He scored 409 runs and compiled 403 RBIs, 52 stolen bases, a .329 OBP, and a .432 slugging percentage. With the Cubs he batted .276 with 608 hits, 299 runs scored, 100 doubles, 26 triples, 83 home runs, 309 RBIs, 35 stolen bases, a .340 OBP, and a .458 slugging percentage. Following his playing career, Altman became a commodities trader. He also became a youth mentor in his community. Altman was a two-time All-Star in America's National League and had an excellent second career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.

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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: Johnny Kling, 1902

Catcher, Chicago Cubs

Age:  26

2^nd season with Orphans/Cubs

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 160 

Prior to 1902:

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Kling was the son of a baker. From an early age he was assigned to deliver bread to his father’s customers using a horse-drawn wagon. He would tend to run late as he stopped to play informal baseball games in a corner lot along his route. By 1890, at age 14, he was pitching for a local amateur league team and moved up to the semipro Kansas City Schmelzers where the teenager pitched, played first base, and managed. A tryout with St. Louis in 1895 failed to land a contract offer due to Kling’s lack of size. He spent 1896 with the Houston Buffaloes of the Texas Association and in 1897 he spent time with Rockford of the Western Association who soon let him go as being too small. He returned to the Schmelzers, where he was converted into a catcher. An 1899 barnstorming trip with Kansas City of the Western League provided Kling with the opportunity to play for the St. Joseph Saints in 1900, also of the Western League. By season’s end he was playing for the Cubs (then called the Orphans). Splitting time at catcher with Mike Kahoe and Frank Chance in 1901, Kling appeared in 74 games and batted .273 with a .301 on-base percentage. With Chance’s becoming the starting first baseman in 1902, Kling took over the regular duties behind the plate.  

1902 Season Summary

Appeared in 115 games

C – 113, SS – 1, PH – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 477

At Bats – 436

Runs – 50

Hits – 126

Doubles – 19 [15, tied with Homer Smoot, Joe Tinker & George Smith]

Triples – 3

Home Runs – 0

RBI – 59 [11]

Bases on Balls – 29

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 26

Stolen Bases – 25 [14, tied with Tommy Leach]

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .289 [16]

OBP - .333

Slugging Pct. - .346

Total Bases – 151

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 0

Sac Hits – 12 [20, tied with four others]

Sac Flies – N/A

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 5, HR - 0, RBI - 24, SB – 11, AVG - .253, OBP - .302

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Most hits, game – 5 (in 5 AB) vs. Bos. Beaneaters 8/25 – 12 innings

Longest hitting streak – 10 games

Most HR, game – 0

HR at home – 0

HR on road – 0

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 4 vs. NY Giants 5/9

Pinch-hitting – N/A

Fielding

Chances – 654

Put Outs – 477

Assists – 160

Errors – 17

Passed Balls – 18

DP – 17

Pct. – .974 

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The Cubs went 68-69 to finish fifth in the NL, 34 games behind the pennant-winning Pittsburgh Pirates while leading the league in stolen bases (229) and batting strikeouts (566). The Cubs started well and were in second place with a 23-12 record by the end of May following a split of a doubleheader with the Pirates in Pittsburgh. The club dropped off the pace in the summer. A six-game August win streak was followed by an eight-game losing streak which knocked them down to fourth, and they were unable to finish in the first division while Pittsburgh ran away from the pack. 

Aftermath of 1902:

Having established himself as an outstanding defensive catcher who was adept at handling pitchers, Kling continued to develop as an offensive contributor in 1903, a rarity for a catcher in that era, as he hit .297 with 29 doubles, 13 triples, 3 home runs, 68 RBIs, 23 stolen bases, a .330 OBP, and a .428 slugging percentage. Chattering constantly throughout games, he earned the nickname “Noisy”. He also did not drink and abstained from smoking and chewing tobacco. As the Cubs continued to develop into a winning club during 1904 and ’05, Kling remained a key contributor. 1906 was a pennant-winning season for the Cubs, who won 116 games in achieving NL dominance, and Kling did his part by batting .312 with 15 doubles, 8 triples, 2 home runs, 46 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, a .357 OBP, and a .420 slugging percentage in addition to excellent defense and leadership skills. The club lost the World Series to the crosstown White Sox but returned to the top of the NL in 1907. Kling hit .284 with 15 doubles, 8 triples, a home run, 43 RBIs, a .342 OBP, and a .386 slugging percentage. His .987 fielding percentage topped the league’s catchers. This time the Cubs won the World Series although Kling’s offensive contribution was limited to four hits, two runs, and an RBI. The Cubs won a third straight pennant, and repeated as World Series champs, in 1908. Kling batted .276 with 23 doubles, 5 triples, 4 home runs, 59 RBIs, a .315 OBP, and a .382 slugging percentage. He also was among the top defensive backstops. He hit .250 in the World Series triumph over Detroit. In the offseason he won the world pocket billiards championship and invested heavily in a billiards emporium in Kansas City. He requested a leave-of-absence from the Cubs while he sought to establish his new business and missed the 1909 season. Considered to be holding out, he was fined for being in violation of his contract when he sought to return in 1910. He proved to be rusty from his layoff and showed a decline in his catching skills although he batted .269 with a .354 OBP. The club returned to the top of the National League but lost the World Series to the Philadelphia Athletics. During the 1911 season he was traded to the Boston Braves and hit .212 for the year with a .295 OBP. He was player/manager of the Braves in 1912 and his eldest daughter became the team mascot, which proved to be of no help to the last-place club. Kling played in 81 games and batted .317 with a .356 OBP and .405 slugging percentage. Replaced as manager by George Stallings (who would yield better results), Kling was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds and finished his playing career in 1913. For his major league career, Kling batted .272 with 1154 hits that included 181 doubles, 61 triples, and 20 home runs. He scored 475 runs and compiled 514 RBIs, 124 stolen bases, a .319 OBP, and a .357 slugging percentage. With the Cubs he batted .272 with 397 runs scored, 963 hits, 156 doubles, 51 triples, 16 home runs, 438 RBIs, 119 stolen bases, a .317 OBP, and a .358 slugging percentage. Appearing in 21 World Series games, he hit .185 with 2 doubles and 4 RBIs. Well after his playing career, Kling bought the minor league Kansas City Blues and eliminated segregated seating at Muehlebach Field, the team’s ballpark. A private man who may have been Jewish (souces differ, although his wife later indicated that he had become a Lutheran), he was successful as a baseball player and businessman. He died in 1947 at age 71. His brother Bill had a brief major league pitching career.

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

Highlighted Year: Fred “Topsy” Hartsel, 1901

Outfielder, Chicago Orphans

Age:  27 (June 26)

1^st season with Orphans

Bats – Left, Throws – Left

Height: 5’5”    Weight: 155 

Prior to 1901:

An Ohio native, Tully Frederick Hartsel played football and baseball in school but turned down a chance to play football collegiately to instead play semipro baseball. Short and stocky, he was originally a middle infielder, but he was shifted to the outfield, due to his being left-handed, when he joined the Burlington Colts of the Class B Western Association in 1897. He appeared in 20 games and batted .282. He started the 1898 season with the Montgomery Senators of the Southern League but moved to Salem of the Ohio State League after the Southern League folded. That circuit also went out of business and Hartsel moved on again to Grand Rapids of the Inter-State League. There he hit .332 with 20 doubles, 11 triples, 107 runs scored, and 34 stolen bases in 101 games. He finished the year with the Louisville Colonels of the National League where he hit .324 with a .422 on-base percentage. He started the 1899 season with Louisville but was sold to Indianapolis of the Western League in June where he received the ironic and enduring nickname “Topsy” because of his fair-skinned, white-haired appearance, since the character Topsy in the novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was black and a sportswriter remarked that Hartsel was “as light as Topsy is black”, which was considered very amusing at the time. The nickname stuck but Hartsel typically went by Fred in his everyday life. Hartsel remained with Indianapolis in 1900, on the eve of the Western League going major as the American League. He batted .301 with 86 runs scored, 11 doubles, 13 triples, 5 home runs, and 31 stolen bases. A dispute broke out between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Orphans over which one had purchased Hartsel’s contract from Indianapolis. Hartsel played 19 games with the Reds and hit .328, but the Orphans succeeded in obtaining him for 1901, where he proceeded to have a breakout season as a major league player.  

1901 Season Summary

Appeared in 140 games

LF – 131, RF – 9

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 636 [3]

At Bats – 558 [6, tied with Ginger Beaumont]

Runs – 111 [7]

Hits – 187 [6]

Doubles – 25 [11, tied with Charlie Irwin]

Triples – 16 [3, tied with Ed Delahanty, Kitty Bransfield & Sam Crawford]

Home Runs – 7 [7, tied with George Davis]

RBI – 54

Bases on Balls – 74 [2]

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 48

Stolen Bases – 41 [2]

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .335 [7, tied with George Van Haltren]

OBP - .414 [5]

Slugging Pct. - .475 [7]

Total Bases – 265 [7]

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 1

Sac Hits – 3

Sac Flies – N/A

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 15, 3B – 10, HR- 4, RBI- 36, SB - 30, AVG - .338., OBP - .416, SLG – .489

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) vs. NY Giants 6/13, (in 5 AB) at Cincinnati 8/21

Longest hitting streak – 12 games

Most HR, game – 2 (in 5 AB) at Cincinnati 8/5

HR at home – 3

HR on road – 4

Multi-HR games – 1

Most RBIs, game – 4 vs. NY Giants 6/13, at Cincinnati 8/21

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding

Chances – 304

Put Outs – 273

Assists – 16

Errors – 15

DP – 3

Pct. – .951

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The Orphans went 53-86 to finish sixth in the NL, 37 games behind the pennant-winning Pittsburgh Pirates while leading the league in stolen bases (204) and fewest home runs (18). The Orphans were in the NL cellar at 19-40 by the end of June but played .500 ball in July and August and managed to make it up to sixth by season’s end. Hartsel’s lone multi-home run game consisted of two inside-the-park homers.

Aftermath of 1901:

Hartsel jumped to the Philadelphia Athletics of the American League in 1902. Installed in the leadoff spot, he excelled thanks to his speed and excellent batting eye, leading the circuit in runs scored (109), stolen bases (47), and walks drawn (87) while batting .283 with 20 doubles, 12 triples, 5 home runs, 58 RBIs, and a .383 OBP for the pennant-winning A’s. Limited to 98 games in 1903 due to injuries, he remained productive, hitting .311 with 19 doubles, 14 triples, 5 home runs, 26 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, a .391 OBP, and a .477 slugging percentage. Fully recovered in 1904, Hartsel’s average dropped to .253 although his OBP was a healthy .347 thanks to his drawing 75 walks. The A’s returned to the top of the AL in 1905 and the diminutive Hartsel led the league in walks drawn (121) and OBP (.409) while hitting .275 with 22 doubles, 8 triples, and 37 stolen bases. In the World Series loss to the New York Giants in five games he accounted for four hits against dominant New York pitching. Still adept at drawing walks, he continued to lead the AL in 1906, ‘07 and ’08, with 88, 106, and 93 respectively. While he hit only .255 in 1906, his OBP was a healthy .363. Correspondingly in 1907, Hartsel batted .280 with a league-leading .405 OBP. In 1908 his batting average was .243 but with a .371 OBP. As he reached his mid-30s in 1909 he was no longer able to play as regularly but he remained useful with a .381 OBP in 83 games. As a part-time player who helped with coaching and preparing scouting reports, he remained a significant part of the pennant-winning A’s teams in 1910 and 1911. His major league playing career ended following the latter season as he was purchased by the Toledo Mud Hens of the American Association where he finished his career. For his major league career, Hartsel batted .276 with 1336 hits that included 182 doubles, 92 triples, and 31 home runs. He scored 826 runs and compiled 341 RBIs, 247 stolen bases, a .384 OBP, and a .370 slugging percentage while drawing 837 walks, a category in which he led the AL four times. He appeared in six World Series games and hit .227 with five hits and four stolen bases. He later became active in promoting amateur baseball in Toledo and died at age 70 in 1944.  

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

Highlighted Year: Mike Fornieles, 1961

Pitcher, Boston Red Sox

Age:  29

5^th season with Red Sox (4^th complete)

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 155 

Prior to 1961:

A native of Cuba, Fornieles (pronounced For-NEE-lis) attended high school at Havana’s Edison Institute and was playing amateur baseball when signed by the Washington Senators in 1950. Initially assigned to the Big Spring Broncs of the Class C Longhorn League in 1951, the 19-year-old pitcher posted a 17-6 record with a 2.86 ERA, 17 complete games, and 142 strikeouts over 208 innings, although difficulties with his control led to 100 walks as well. In 1952 he advanced to Havana of the Class B Florida International League where he was primarily used out of the bullpen and had a 14-12 tally for a team that often provided inadequate run support. His ERA was 2.66 and he registered 135 strikeouts over 213 innings. With the Senators short on pitchers heading into September, Fornieles got the opportunity to join the parent club and started the second game of a double-header, going the distance and throwing a one-hitter against the Philadelphia Athletics. He made another start and two relief appearances to end his first month as a major league pitcher at 2-2 with a 1.37 ERA, 2 complete games, one shutout, 12 strikeouts, and 11 walks over 26.1 innings. In the offseason the Senators traded Fornieles to the Chicago White Sox, who were seeking to add youth to their pitching staff. After pitching well over the winter in Cuba, he appeared in 39 games for the White Sox in 1953 (16 of them starts) and put together an 8-7 record with a 3.59 ERA, 5 complete games, and 72 strikeouts with 61 walks over 153 innings pitched. In 1954 Fornieles spent most of the season back in Class AAA with Charleston of the American Association where he went 7-7 with a 2.45 ERA, 8 complete games, and 80 strikeouts with 32 walks over 114 innings. In 15 appearances with the White Sox (6 of them starts), his ERA was 4.29 with 18 strikeouts and 14 walks over 42 innings. Splitting time between the White Sox and Class AAA Toronto in 1955, Fornieles went 5-0 with a 2.36 ERA for Toronto and 6-3 in 26 games with Chicago (9 of them starts), producing a 3.86 ERA and 23 strikeouts and 29 walks over 86.1 innings. He started the 1956 season with the White Sox and was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles in May as part of a six-player trade. His combined tally for the year was 4-8 in 36 appearances (11 starts) with a 4.05 ERA, one shutout, and 59 strikeouts with 31 walks over 126.2 innings. Fornieles got off to a 2-6 start with the Orioles in 1957 before being traded to the Red Sox in June for veteran infielder Billy Goodman. Utilized primarily as a starting pitcher, he went 8-7 the rest of the way with a 3.52 ERA, 7 complete games, and 64 strikeouts over 125.1 innings. He proved to be particularly effective pitching at home in Fenway Park. Fornieles followed up with a poor season in 1958, in which he was mostly used out of the bullpen. In 37 appearances (7 of them starts) his record was 4-6 with a 4.96 ERA, two saves, and 49 strikeouts over 110.2 innings. Used exclusively as a reliever in 1959, he appeared in 46 games and, following a slow start, compiled a 5-3 tally with 11 saves, a 3.07 ERA, and 54 strikeouts over 82 innings. With his repertoire of fastball, curve, knuckleball, slider, and screwball he established himself as a formidable bullpen closer and put together an outstanding season in 1960 in which he made a then-record 70 relief appearances that resulted in a 10-5 record with 13 saves, a league-leading 48 games finished, a 2.64 ERA, and 64 strikeouts over 109 innings pitched. He received Fireman of the Year recognition from The Sporting News as the AL’s best reliever. The offseason was filled with drama due to the deteriorating relations between the United States and Cuba. Fornieles ended up defecting to the United States, although his wife, who was sympathetic to the Communist Party, refused to leave Cuba and remained there with their daughter, leading to an eventual divorce and remarriage for Fornieles. 

1961 Season Summary

Appeared in 57 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 57 [5]

Games Started – 2

Games Finished – 42 [4]

Complete Games – 1

Wins – 9

Losses – 8

PCT - .529 [Non-qualifying]

Saves – 15 [3]

Shutouts – 0

Innings Pitched – 119.1

Hits – 121

Runs – 65

Earned Runs – 62

Home Runs – 18

Bases on Balls – 54

Strikeouts – 70

ERA – 4.68

Hit Batters – 2

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 5

Midseason Snapshot: G – 28, 5-4, ERA - 4.97, SV – 8, SO - 38 in 70.2 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 4 (in 6 IP) vs. Washington 6/18, (in 5 IP) at LA Angels 6/22, (in 2.1 IP) at Cleveland 7/19, (in 2 IP) at Cleveland 8/16

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 10 (in 9 IP) vs. KC A’s 6/5

Batting

PA – 33, AB – 32, R – 2, H – 5, 2B – 1, 3B – 0, HR – 1, RBI – 4, BB – 0, SO – 8, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .156, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 1, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 38

Put Outs – 12

Assists – 25

Errors – 1

DP – 2

Pct. - .974

Awards & Honors:

All-Star

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The Red Sox went 76-86 to finish sixth in the AL, 33 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees. Dominant at Fenway Park (50-31) but a losing team on the road (26-55), the Red Sox were buoyed by a good rookie crop that included RHP Don Schwall, outfielder Carl Yastrzemski, and second baseman Chuck Schilling.

Aftermath of 1961:

Fornieles’ performance deteriorated in 1962 and he lost his role as Boston’s top reliever to Dick Radatz, who he mentored. He made 42 appearances and posted a 3-6 record with 5 saves, a 5.36 ERA, and 36 strikeouts over 82.1 innings. Along the way he tied an AL record by hitting four batters in a game against Cleveland. He lasted just one more season in 1963, which was split between the Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. He appeared in only 20 games combined, and was 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA. Released by the Twins, he signed with the Cincinnati Reds for 1964, but failed to make it to the regular season. For his major league career, Fornieles compiled a 63-64 record while making 432 appearances that included 76 starts, 20 complete games, and 4 shutouts. He totaled 55 saves and 576 strikeouts over 1156.2 innings. With the Red Sox his totals were 286 appearances, a 39-35 record, 4.08 ERA, 9 complete games, 48 saves, and 342 strikeouts over 642.2 innings. He never pitched in the postseason and was an All-Star only once. A pitcher who had a reputation for being alternately spectacular and mediocre, he sold cars after his major league career and also pitched in the Boston Park League. Fornieles also spent time as a broadcaster prior to his death at age 66 in 1998.

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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.