Highlighted Year: Ken Boyer, 1962

Third Baseman, St. Louis Cardinals

Age: 31 (May 20)

8^th season with Cardinals

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 190 

Prior to 1962:

A Missouri native, Boyer was one of 14 children (two of his brothers, Cloyd and Clete, also played major league baseball). Capable of playing in the infield or outfield, he was signed by the Cardinals out of high school in 1949. With Lebanon of the Class D North Atlantic League, he was utilized as a pitcher thanks to his strong throwing arm and was 5-1 with a 3.42 ERA in 12 games. As a hitter, he had a .455 average with three home runs. Moving to Hamilton of the Class D Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York (or Pony) League in 1950, Boyer was given the opportunity to play at third base and impressed with his defensive skills. He also batted .342 with 9 home runs, thus ending the pitching experiment. Promoted to Omaha of the Class A Western League in 1951, Boyer continued to hone his batting and defensive play at third. He hit .306 with 28 doubles, 7 triples, and 14 home runs. Drafted into the Army in 1951 he spent 1952 and ’53 in the military. Returning to baseball in 1954, Boyer was next assigned to the Houston Buffaloes of the Class AA Texas League where he hit .319 with 21 home runs and 116 RBIs. He played winter ball in Havana until suffering a severe concussion due to a beaning. The Cardinals traded starting third baseman Ray Jablonski to open a spot for Boyer in the lineup for 1955. He had a solid rookie season, appearing in 147 games and hitting .264 with 18 home runs, 62 RBIs, and a .311 on-base percentage. Boyer improved to .306 with 26 home runs, 98 RBIs, a .347 OBP, and a .494 slugging percentage in 1956 and was an All-Star for the first time. He shifted to centerfield in 1957 to make room for rookie Eddie Kasko at third and to add some batting punch to the outfield. The shift caused no defensive lapse as he led all NL outfielders in fielding percentage (.996). He also hit .265 with 19 home runs, 62 RBIs, and a .318 OBP. With Kasko injured in 1958 together with the arrival of centerfielder Curt Flood, Boyer returned to third base and earned his first Gold Glove. He also hit .307 with 21 doubles, 9 triples, 23 home runs, 90 RBIs, a .360 OBP, and a .496 slugging percentage. It was more of the same in 1960 as he batted .304 with 26 doubles, 10 triples, 32 home runs, 97 RBIs, a .370 OBP, and a .562 slugging percentage. In 1961 the numbers were .329 with 26 doubles, 11 triples, 24 home runs, 95 RBIs, a .397 OBP, and a .533 slugging percentage. Entering 1962 he had been an All-Star for three straight seasons, had been in the top 10 in league All-Star voting in each of those years, as well as a Gold Glove winner at third base.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 160 games

3B – 160

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 691 [12]

At Bats – 611 [13]

Runs – 92 [18]

Hits – 178 [13]

Doubles – 27 [13, tied with Tommy Davis, George Altman & Bill Virdon]

Triples – 5

Home Runs – 24 [14, tied with Roman Mejias]

RBI – 98 [11, tied with Felipe Alou]

Bases on Balls – 75 [8, tied with Ron Fairly]

Int. BB – 7 [14, tied with four others]

Strikeouts – 104 [3]

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

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

Average - .291

OBP - .369 [13, tied with Billy Williams]

Slugging Pct. - .470 [19]

Total Bases – 287 [12]

GDP – 15 [16, tied with Frank Thomas, Bill Mazeroski & Jose Pagan]

Hit by Pitches – 1

Sac Hits – 2

Sac Flies – 2

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 14, HR – 15, RBI - 62, AVG - .293, OBP - .389, SLG – .502

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Most hits, game – 3 on twelve occasions

Longest hitting streak – 9 games

HR at home – 10

HR on road – 14

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 4 AB) at NY Mets 4/18

Multi-HR games – 1

Most RBIs, game – 5 vs. Cincinnati 4/29

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding

Chances – 498

Put Outs – 158

Assists – 318

Errors – 22

DP – 34

Pct. - .956 

Awards & Honors:

All-Star (Started for NL at 3B, both games)

18^th in NL MVP voting, tied with Ernie Banks, ChiC, Johnny Callison, Phila. & Harvey Kuenn SF (5 points – 2% share)

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The Cardinals went 84-78 to finish sixth in the NL, 17.5 games behind the pennant-winning San Francisco Giants, while leading the league in fewest triples (31). The Cardinals got off to a solid 11-4 start in April anc contended into May when a 3-9 stretch dropped them into fourth. A brief hot streak gave way to another poor stretch and they were at .500 (24-24) by June 3. A strong June lifted the club to fourth, where they stayed until July 22 but the inconsistent team entered September in fifth place, but an eight-game losing streak mired them in sixth place to stay, although they finished the season with a four-game West Coast winning streak that affected the pennant race. Boyer was dealing with the effects of a bout with pneumonia prior to spring training and became an object of fan frustration during the latter stages of the disappointing season.

Aftermath of 1962:

In 1963 all four St. Louis infielders started for the NL in the All-Star Game, including 1B Bill White, 2B Julian Javier, and SS Dick Groat in addition to Boyer. Boyer went on to hit .285 with 28 doubles, 24 home runs, 111 RBIs, a .358 OBP, and a .454 slugging percentage. He received another Gold Glove and placed thirteenth in league MVP voting. In 1964 the Cardinals came from behind to win the NL pennant with the help of an epic September collapse by the Philadelphia Phillies. Boyer, the team captain, spearheaded the charge as he hit .295 with 30 doubles, 10 triples, 24 home runs, a league-leading 119 RBIs, a .365 OBP, and a .489 slugging percentage. In the World Series against the New York Yankees, where he was matched up against his brother Clete, the starting third sacker for the Yanks, he provided the winning runs in a pivotal 4-3 win with a grand slam at Yankee Stadium as St. Louis went on to take the Series in seven games. Afterward he was named National League MVP. 1965 was a down year for the Cardinals and Boyer, who battled a back injury, batted .260 with only 13 home runs and 75 RBIs. In the offseason he was traded to the New York Mets for LHP Al Jackson and third baseman Charley Smith. With the Mets in 1966 Boyer hit .266 with 14 home runs and 57 RBIs. He started the 1967 season with the Mets and was dealt to the Chicago White Sox, who were in the midst of a torrid pennant race, in July. Altogether, he appeared in 113 games and hit .249 with 7 home runs and 34 RBIs. Released by the White Sox early in the 1968 season, Boyer signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers to provide veteran bench strength and finished up his career with LA in 1969. Overall, for his major league career Boyer batted .287 with 2143 hits that included 318 doubles, 68 triples, and 282 home runs. He also accumulated 1141 RBIs, scored 1104 runs, and produced a .349 OBP and .462 slugging percentage. With the Cardinals he hit .293 with 1855 hits, 269 doubles, 61 triples, 255 home runs, 1001 RBIs, a .356 OBP, and a .475 slugging percentage. He was an 11-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove recipient. Following his playing career, Boyer became a coach and managed in the Cardinals’ and Orioles’ farm systems. He replaced Vern Rapp as manager of the Cardinals during the 1978 season and stayed until he was let go in 1980, having compiled an overall record of 166-190. He died of lung cancer in 1982 at the age of 51. The Cardinals retired his #14. Boyer was elected to the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014.

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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: Fred Beebe, 1906

Pitcher, Chicago Cubs/St. Louis Cardinals

Age: 26

1^st season with Cubs

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 190 

Prior to 1906:

Beebe, who had a twin sister, was born in Nebraska and moved to Chicago with his family in his youth. A star pitcher and third baseman at Hyde Park High School he was part of an odd (for the time) interracial battery, teaming up with a black catcher. He managed high strikeout totals as a dominating high school pitcher. Moving on to the Univ. of Illinois, his size and athletic ability were put to use on the football, as well baseball, teams. Leaving college following the 1903 death of his father, Beebe worked as an electrical engineer and played semipro baseball on weekends. In 1905 he joined the Oshkosh Indians of the Class D Wisconsin League and registered 27 wins with 291 strikeouts. Drafted by the Cubs, he made the major league club in 1906. With an impressive fastball, the inexperienced Beebe started only occasionally as member of a crowded pitching staff. He was traded to the Cardinals on July 1 for RHP Jack Taylor.

1906 Season Summary

Appeared in 34 games (CHI 14/ STL 20)

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 34 [19, tied with Mal Eason & Jack Taylor] (CHI – 14/STL – 20)

Games Started – 25 (CHI – 6/STL – 19)

Complete Games – 20 (CHI – 4/ STL – 16)

Wins – 15 [19, tied with Deacon Phillippe] (CHI – 6/ STL – 9)

Losses – 10 (CHI – 1/STL – 9)

PCT - .600 [12, tied with Deacon Philippe] (CHI - .857/STL - .500)

Saves – 1 [13, tied with eleven others] (CHI)

Shutouts – 1 (STL)

Innings Pitched – 230.2 (CHI – 70/STL – 160.2)

Hits – 171 (CHI – 56/STL – 115)

Runs – 92 (CHI – 27/STL – 65)

Earned Runs – 75 [14, tied with Jake Weimer] (CHI – 21/STL – 54)

Home Runs – 2 (CHI -1/STL – 1)

Bases on Balls – 100 [6] (CHI – 32/STL – 68)

Strikeouts – 171 [1] (CHI – 55/STL – 116)

ERA – 2.93 (CHI – 2.70/STL – 3.02)

Hit Batters – 14 [4, tied with Harry McIntire & Lefty Leifield] (CHI – 5/STL – 9)

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 3 (CHI – 1/STL – 2)

League-leading strikeouts were +13 higher than runner-up Jeff Pfeffer

Midseason Snapshot: 8-2, ERA – N/A, SO - 77 in 97.2 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 13 (in 9 IP) vs. Bos. Beaneaters 7/22

10+ strikeout games – 3

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 2 (in 9 IP) vs. Brooklyn 7/17, (in 9 IP) vs. Bos. Beaneaters 7/22, (in 8 IP) vs. Pittsburgh 8/29

Batting (combined)

PA – 93, AB – 87, R – 6, H – 13, 2B – 2, 3B – 1, HR – 0, RBI – 5, BB – 3, SO – 18, SB – 1, CS – N/A, AVG - .149, GDP – N/A, HBP – 0, SH – 3, SF – N/A

Fielding (combined)

Chances – 72

Put Outs – 9

Assists – 54

Errors – 9

DP – 1

Pct. - .875

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The Cubs went 116-36 to win the NL pennant by 20 games over the New York Giants. The pitching staff led the league in ERA (1.75), shutouts (30), strikeouts (702), fewest hits allowed (1018), and fewest runs allowed (381). The highly talented Cubs moved past the Giants into first place to stay on May 28 and rounded out the regular season by winning 48 of their last 54 games, although they lost the World Series to the Chicago White Sox, 4 games to 2.

The Cardinals went 52-98 to finish seventh in the NL, 63 games behind the pennant-winning Chicago Cubs. The pitching staff led the league in walks issued (479), and fewest shutouts (4). The Cardinals were over .500 for the last time on April 27 and went 16-38 in June and July which put them in seventh place to stay.

Aftermath of 1906:

The Cardinals finished in the NL cellar in 1907 at a dismal 52-101 and Beebe’s record reflected the club’s fortunes at 7-19 with a respectable 2.72 ERA (although the league average was 2.46), 24 complete games, and 4 shutouts while registering 141 strikeouts over 238.1 innings. He also dealt with bouts of wildness, walking 109 batters and uncorking 15 wild pitches. With a similarly poor Cardinals team in 1908, Beebe’s tally was 5-13 with a 2.63 ERA, 12 complete games and 66 walks and 72 strikeouts over 174.1 innings. The Cardinals rose slightly to seventh place in 1909 and Beebe improved his record to 15-21 with a 2.82 ERA, 18 complete games, and 105 strikeouts over 287.2 innings. However, issues with control remained as he gave up 104 walks and led the league with 15 wild pitches. In the offseason Beebe was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds, who were mediocre in 1910 and the 30-year-old pitcher produced a 12-14 record with a 3.07 ERA, 11 complete games, 2 shutouts, 94 walks, and 93 strikeouts over 214.1 innings pitched. Beebe also developed a sore arm which he blamed on overusing his curve and he was traded once again in the offseason, this time as part of a multi-player deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. He appeared in only 9 games with the Phillies and was unimpressive as he posted a 3-3 tally and a high 4.47 ERA. A broken hand put him out of action and when he was ready to return he was sent to the Buffalo Bisons of the International League. He performed well for the Bisons in 1912 with a 16-10 record while accumulating 272.1 innings. A lesser performance in 1913 was followed by a 22-10 season in 1914. He was 27-7 for Buffalo in 1915, including a no-hitter. Considered too old to draw interest from major league teams (who were also pulling in players from the defunct rival Federal League) and unwilling to take a pay cut to return to Buffalo, Beebe became coach of the Univ. of Indiana’s baseball team and pitched for a semipro team. He joined the Cleveland Indians in June and threw back-to-back three-hitters in his first two starts. Faltering briefly due to a hand injury, he went on as a starter and reliever for the remainder of the season and finished with a 5-3 record and 2.41 ERA with 5 complete games and 32 strikeouts over 100.2 innings. His comeback also generated much publicity. The Indians returned him to the minors in the offseason, thus concluding his major league career. He pitched with some success in the American Association and Western League until 1922. For his major league career, Beebe produced a 62-83 record with a 2.86 ERA, 93 complete games, 9 shutouts, 534 walks, and 634 strikeouts over 1294.1 innings. With the Cardinals he went 36-62 with a 2.79 ERA, 70 complete games, 6 shutouts, 347 walks, and 434 strikeouts over 1294.1 innings. Playing mostly with losing teams after being traded by the Cubs, he never saw World Series action, nor was he fully able to build upon his early promise, although he did well for Cleveland in his late-career stint and won 128 games in the minor leagues. Following his playing career, Beebe worked for the People’s Gas Company in Chicago until retiring due to illness in 1937. He died in 1957 at age 77.

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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 Taylor, 1904

Pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals

Age:  30

1^st season with Cardinals

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’10” Weight: 170 

Prior to 1904:

A native of southeastern Ohio, Taylor began pitching for semipro teams in Marietta, Ohio and Parkersburg, West Virginia. In 1897, he joined Milwaukee of the Western League where he produced an 8-7 record and 2.54 ERA during a season cut short by a broken arm. Still with Milwaukee in 1898, Taylor posted a 28-13 tally with 40 complete games. Joining the NL’s Chicago Orphans in September, he went 5-0 with a 2.20 ERA. Taylor’s performance with the 75-73 Orphans in 1899 produced a less impressive 18-21 record with a 3.76 ERA, 39 complete games, and 67 strikeouts over 354.2 innings. Throwing a variety of pitches from a sidearm motion, most notably a fastball, he pitched well for a woeful Chicago club that tied for fifth in 1900, Taylor finished with a 10-17 mark, a 2.55 ERA, 25 complete games, and 57 strikeouts over 222.1 innings. The club placed sixth in 1901 but Taylor improved his record to 13-19 with a 3.36 ERA, 30 complete games, and 68 strikeouts over 275.2 innings pitched. With the rebuilding Orphans becoming known (then and ever after) as the Cubs in 1902, Taylor had an outstanding season, leading the NL in ERA (1.29) and shutouts (8) while compiling a 23-11 tally with 34 complete games in as many starts, and 88 strikeouts over 333.2 innings. He went on to another fine season in 1903, producing a 21-14 record and a 2.45 ERA, again completing all of his starts (33), and recording 83 strikeouts over 312.1 innings. In the postseason City Series against the American League’s White Sox he started and easily won the first game but lost three other starts, which led to charges of his having been paid off by gamblers to throw the games. He was traded to the Cardinals along with catcher/first baseman Larry McLean for RHP Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown and catcher Jack O’Neill.  

1904 Season Summary

Appeared in 42 games

P – 41, PH – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 41 [6]

Games Started – 39 – [5]

Complete Games – 39 [1, tied with Vic Willis]

Wins – 20 [6, tied with Jake Weimer]

Losses – 19 [7, tied with Jack Sutthoff]

PCT - .513 [19]

Saves – 1 [7, tied with eleven others]

Shutouts – 2 [18, tied with ten others]

Innings Pitched – 352 [4]

Hits – 297 [7]

Runs – 133 [10]

Earned Runs – 87 [11]

Home Runs – 5 [12, tied with Chick Fraser & Tom Fisher]

Bases on Balls – 82 [10, tied with Tom Fisher]

Strikeouts – 103 [15]

ERA – 2.22 [12]

Hit Batters – 13 [7, tied with Joe McGinnity]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 6 [13, tied with five others]

Midseason Snapshot: 13-7, ERA – N/A, SO – 59 in 183 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 6 (in 9 IP) vs. Chi. Cubs 4/19

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 3 (in 9 IP) vs. Cincinnati 7/6

Batting

PA – 140, AB – 133, R – 9, H – 28, 2B – 3, 3B – 3, HR – 1, RBI – 8, BB – 4, SO – 17, SB – 3, CS – N/A, AVG - .211, GDP – N/A, HBP – 1, SH – 1, SF – N/A

Fielding

Chances – 129

Put Outs – 14

Assists – 109

Errors – 6

DP – 1

Pct. - .953

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The Cardinals went 75-79 to finish fifth in the NL, 31.5 games behind the pennant-winning New York Giants. The pitching staff led the league in complete games (146), fewest shutouts (7), and fewest walks allowed (319). The Cardinals started well and were in second place on May 1. An ensuing six-game losing streak dropped them into fifth. A 9-1 stretch was followed by a five-game losing streak and the club remained on a similar up-and-down course for the remainder of the season.  

Aftermath of 1904:

Following the 1904 season, Taylor was called before baseball’s ruling National Commission which was investigating the game-throwing charge coming out of the 1903 Chicago City Series due to his allegedly having been overheard saying that he was paid $500 to lose. Following his testimony that he had been out drinking and gambling the night before the game in question, he was acquitted on the charge of throwing games but was fined $300 for bad conduct. Together with allegations of having thrown a game against Pittsburgh during the 1904 season, his reputation was further sullied. He did pitch again for the Cardinals in 1905 and went 15-21 with a 3.44 ERA and 102 strikeouts over 309 innings pitched. He started 34 games and completed them all once again. Off to an 8-9 start in 1906, Taylor was dealt back to the Cubs. He performed excellently for the pennant-winning club and finished with a combined tally of 20-12 with a 1.99 ERA. His complete games streak ended at 187 in August when he was finally relieved during a loss to the New York Giants. He ended up with 32 complete games for the year and struck out 61 batters over 302.1 innings. He played one more season with the Cubs in 1907 in which he posted a 7-5 record and 3.29 ERA. For his major league career, Taylor produced a 152-139 record and 2.65 ERA with 279 complete games, 20 shutouts, and 662 strikeouts over 2626 innings. With the Cardinals he was 43-49 with a 2.67 ERA, 90 complete games, 6 shutouts, and 232 strikeouts over 816 innings. Taylor did not appear in World Series play. Following his major league career, he went on to pitch in the minors with six different teams, winding up his playing career in 1913. The one time “iron man” pitcher became a coal miner and died at age 64 in 1938.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category will also include Misc. players who don’t otherwise qualify but received MVP votes or were contributors to teams that reached the postseason. 

Highlighted Year: Smoky Burgess, 1960

Catcher, Pittsburgh Pirates

Age: 33

2^nd season with Pirates

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height:5’8”    Weight: 185 

Prior to 1960:

A North Carolina native, Forrest Burgess acquired the nickname “Smoky” in his youth, for reasons not clearly known. He was a leadoff-hitting infielder for Tri High School in Corleen and also played American Legion ball. Signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1943, the contract was voided by Commissioner Landis due to Burgess being too young. A bit later he signed with the Chicago Cubs. Initially assigned to Lockport of the Class D Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York (or Pony) League, the 17-year-old catcher and outfielder batted .325 with a .354 on-base percentage. He briefly played for Portsmouth of the Piedmont League in 1945 before joining the Army. He returned for the last game of the 1946 Pacific Coast League season with the Los Angeles Angels. In 1947 he was assigned to Fayetteville of the Class B Tri-State League where he won the league batting title by hitting .387 while also accumulating 28 doubles, 11 home runs, 76 RBIs, a .454 OBP, and a .554 slugging percentage. A shoulder injury suffered in the Army had Burgess playing more in the outfield than behind the plate, but clearly did not hinder his batting. He spent 1948 with the Nashville Volunteers of the Class AA Southern Association where he won another batting title by hitting .386 with 38 doubles, 6 triples, 22 home runs, 102 RBIs, a .428 OBP, and a .654 slugging percentage. No longer thin as in his youth, he settled into playing catcher along with some outfield. Burgess started the 1949 season with the Cubs and appeared primarily as a pinch-hitter who saw occasional duty as a backstop. He played in 46 major league games and batted .268 with a home run, 12 RBIs, and a .317 OBP. He was sent to Los Angeles of the PCL once again and appeared in 19 games for the Angels. Burgess spent 1950 in Class AAA with Springfield of the International League and batted .327 with 15 doubles, 10 triples, 8 home runs, 52 RBIs, a .386 OBP, and a ,514 slugging percentage. He returned to the major leagues for good in 1951 as he appeared in 94 games for the Cubs and hit .251 with 8 extra-base hits, 20 RBIs, and a .317 OBP. In the offseason he was traded twice, first to Cincinnati and then to the Philadelphia Phillies. Seeing regular duty behind the plate for the Phillies in 1952 he batted .296 with 27 doubles, 6 home runs, 56 RBIs, a .380 OBP, and a .429 slugging percentage. An aggressive and talented line-drive hitter at the plate, he was slow and suspect defensively with the lingering shoulder problem causing him to be poor at throwing out opposing baserunners, although he proved to be adept at handling pitchers. Sharing the catching duties with Stan Lopata in 1953 Burgess appeared in 102 games and hit .292 with 17 doubles, 5 triples, 4 home runs, 36 RBIs, a .370 OBP, and a .417 slugging percentage. The easy-going Burgess could be adept at heckling other players but off-the-field he was a devout Baptist who did not smoke or drink. Burgess was an All-Star for the first time in 1954 as he batted .368 with 27 doubles, 5 triples, 4 home runs, 46 RBIs, a .432 OBP, and a .510 slugging percentage. Due to his platooning with the right-handed batting Lopata, he didn’t have sufficient at bats to qualify for the NL batting title. Early in the 1955 season Burgess was traded to Cincinnati in a deal which brought catcher Andy Seminick back to the Phillies, who had been part of the trade that brought Burgess to Philadelphia. With the Reds (commonly called “Redlegs” at this time, due to “Red Scare” concerns), he went on to bat .306 with 20 home runs, 77 RBIs, a .373 OBP, and a .499 slugging percentage, and was once again an All-Star. Along the way he had a three-home run, 9-RBI game in July against Pittsburgh. In 1956, he found himself in a familiar situation, splitting time behind the plate with Ed Bailey, a better defensive catcher as well as a power hitter. The two combined for 40 home runs with Burgess providing 12 to go along with 39 RBIs, a .275 batting average, a .346 OBP, and a .476 slugging percentage. He also was behind the plate when three Cincinnati pitchers combined to hold the Braves hitless in Milwaukee for 9.2 innings before the no-hitter and, eventually the game, was lost. Continuing to share backstop duties with Bailey in 1957, Burgess enhanced his reputation as a top pinch-hitter. He appeared in 90 games, 45 as a catcher, and hit .283 with 14 doubles, 14 home runs, 39 RBIs, a .353 OBP, and a .566 slugging percentage. In the same role in 1958, he saw more action behind the plate and batted .283 with 12 doubles, 6 home runs, 31 RBIs, a .343 OBP, and a .410 slugging percentage. In 1959 he was part of a seven-player trade with the Pirates, in need of a catcher who could provide some batting punch (as one preview magazine said about Burgess, “Smoky’s, no gazelle behind the plate, but he’ll hit”). Hit he did in ’59, batting .297 (.412 as a pinch-hitter) with 28 doubles, 5 triples, 11 home runs, 59 RBIs, a .349 OBP, and a .485 slugging percentage. For a second time, he was behind the plate during an ultimately futile no-hit effort. In a May game against the Braves in Milwaukee LHP Harvey Haddix pitched 12 perfect innings before ultimately losing the no-hitter and the game in the thirteenth inning. In the offseason another catcher, Hal Smith, was obtained from the Kansas City A’s to provide a platoon partner with Burgess, a familiar situation that worked out well for the Pirates.

1960 Season Summary

Appeared in 110 games

C – 89, PH – 24

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 376

At Bats – 337

Runs – 33

Hits – 99

Doubles – 15

Triples – 2

Home Runs – 7

RBI – 39

Bases on Balls – 35

Int. BB – 12 [5, tied with Ed Bressoud]

Strikeouts – 13

Stolen Bases – 0

Caught Stealing – 1

Average - .294 [Non-qualifying]

OBP - .356 [Non-qualifying]

Slugging Pct. - .412

Total Bases – 139

GDP – 6

Hit by Pitches – 0

Sac Hits – 0

Sac Flies – 4 

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 6, HR - 5, RBI - 23, AVG - .307, OBP - .361, SLG - .446

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 6 AB) at St. Louis 6/12

Longest hitting streak – 8 games

HR at home – 5

HR on road – 2

Most home runs, game – 1 on seven occasions

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 3 at Milwaukee 7/4

Pinch-hitting – 9 for 20 (.450) with 1 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 9 RBI & 3 BBFielding

Fielding

Chances – 526

Put Outs – 485

Assists – 38

Errors – 3

Passed Balls – 2

DP – 7

Pct. - .994

Postseason Batting: 5 G (World Series vs. NY Yankees)

PA – 20, AB – 18, R – 2, H – 6, 2B – 1,3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 0, BB – 2, IBB – 0, SO – 1, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .333, OBP - .400, SLG - .389, TB – 7, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 0, SF – 0

Awards & Honors:

All-Star

20^th in NL MVP voting, tied with Frank Robinson, Cin. & Larry Sherry LAD (2 points, 1% share)

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The Pirates went 95-59 to win the NL pennant by 7 games over the Milwaukee Braves for their first pennant since 1927. They led the NL in runs scored (734), hits (1493), doubles (236), RBIs (689), batting (.276), OBP (.335), and total bases (2201). The Pirates moved into first place on May 29 and held off all challengers for the rest of the way. They won the World Series over the New York Yankees, 4 games to 3, capped by Bill Mazeroski’s Game 7 walk-off home run.

Aftermath of 1960:

The Pirates dropped off significantly in 1961 but Burgess was an All-Star once again, batting .303 with 17 doubles, 12 home runs, 52 RBIs, a .365 OBP, and a .486 slugging percentage while appearing in 100 games, 15 as a pinch-hitter. Battling ulcers in 1962, Burgess started 94 games behind the plate and hit .328 with 19 doubles, 13 home runs, 61 RBIs, a .375 OBP, and a .500 slugging percentage. Splitting time with young Jim Pagliaroni in 1963 the 36-year-old Burgess appeared in 91 games and batted .280 with 6 home runs, 37 RBIs, and a .338 OBP. With Pagliaroni taking over as starting catcher in 1964, Burgess appeared in only 44 games as backstop and also had 26 at bats as a pinch-hitter. He hit .246 with 6 extra-base hits, 17 RBIs, and a .303 OBP before being waived in September. He was picked up by the White Sox, who wanted use of his bat off the bench as they contended for the AL pennant. He remained almost exclusively in the role of pinch-hitter in 1965, tying the existing AL record with 20 pinch-hits. His career total of 117 at that point broke the existing AL/NL record by four and was a tribute to his ability to enter a game “cold” in the later innings and produce. Very heavy by this point, he was a .313 hitter with a .413 OBP In 1966, and in his last season in 1967, his average dipped to .133 with a .303 OBP. For his major league career, Burgess batted .295 with 1318 hits that included 230 doubles, 33 triples, and 126 home runs. He scored 485 runs and compiled 673 RBIs, a .362 OBP, and a .446 slugging percentage. With the Pirates he batted .296 with 178 runs scored, 543 hits, 92 doubles, 14 triples, 51 home runs, 265 RBIs, a .352 OBP, and a .445 slugging percentage. As a pinch-hitter he batted .285 and delivered 144 hits, 27 doubles, 16 home runs, 147 RBIs, a .376 OBP, and a .434 slugging percentage. The 1960 World Series proved to be his only postseason appearance. He was a nine-time All-Star. After his playing career, Burgess was a scout and minor league batting coach for the Atlanta Braves. He was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1975 and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1978. Burgess died in 1991 at age 64.

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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: Honus Wagner, 1900

Outfielder, Pittsburgh Pirates

Age: 26

1^st season with Pirates

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 200 

Prior to 1900:

Johannes Wagner quickly picked up the nickname “Honus”, which was a diminutive of Johannes. He is also shown as John Peter Wagner, the Americanized version of his German name and was a native of a small town near Pittsburgh. Recommended by his elder brother Albert (who would play one season of major league baseball in 1898), he joined a team in Steubenville, Ohio in 1895. He ended up playing 80 games with five teams in three leagues that first year, hit very well, and displayed tremendous versatility. Moving on to Paterson of the Atlantic League in 1896, he continued to appear at multiple positions and showed great speed while batting .313 with power. Once again with Paterson in 1897, Wagner again hit robustly and his contract was sold to the NL’s Louisville Colonels where he played primarily in center field and batted .335 in 62 games with 18 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs, 39 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, a .376 on-base percentage, and a .467 slugging percentage. Severely bowlegged, barrel-chested, and heavy-looking, with long arms and legs, Wagner had deceptive speed and hit the ball with authority with his split-handed grip. Playing at third, first, and second base in 1898, he hit .299 with 29 doubles, 10 home runs, 105 RBIs, 27 steals, a .341 OBP, and a .410 slugging percentage. In 1899 Wagner appeared most often at third base and right field and he batted .341 with 45 doubles, 13 triples, 7 home runs, 114 RBIs, 37 stolen bases, a .395 OBP, and a .501 slugging percentage. With the elimination of the Louisville franchise in 1900, Wagner was obtained by the Pirates.

1900 Season Summary

Appeared in 135 games

RF – 118, 3B – 9, 2B – 7, 1B – 3, P – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 580 [17]

At Bats – 527 [15]

Runs – 107 [5]

Hits – 201 [3]

Doubles – 45 [1]

Triples – 22 [1]

Home Runs – 4 [20, tied with nine others]

RBI – 100 [3]

Bases on Balls – 41

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 17

Stolen Bases – 38 [5, tied with Sam Mertes]

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .381 [1]

OBP - .434 [5]

Slugging Pct. - .573 [1]

Total Bases – 302 [1]

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 8 [15, tied with Kip Selbach, Nap Lajoie & Mike Grady

Sac Hits – 4

Sac Flies – N/A

League-leading doubles were +12 ahead of runner-up Nap Lajoie

League-leading triples were +5 ahead of runners-up Joe Kelley & Charlie Hickman

League-leading batting average was +.014 ahead of runner-up Elmer Flick

League-leading slugging percentage was +.028 ahead of runner-up Elmer Flick

League-leading total bases were +5 ahead of runner-up Elmer Flick

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Pitching:

G – 1 GS – 0, CG – 0, Record – 0-0, PCT – .000, SV – 0, ShO – 0, IP – 3, H – 3, R – 3, ER – 0, HR – 0, BB – 4, SO – 1, ERA – 0.00, HB – 0, BLK – 0, WP – 0 

Fielding (OF)

Chances – 199

Put Outs – 181

Assists – 11

Errors – 7

DP – 4

Pct. - .965

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The Pirates went 79-60 to finish second in the NL, 4.5 games behind the pennant-winning Brooklyn Superbas while leading the league in triples (100), fewest stolen bases (174), and fewest walks drawn (327). With the addition of key players, including Wagner, from the defunct Louisville franchise, the Pirates started slowly in April but caught fire in May and entered June at 20-16, in second place. June was a rougher month, featuring a season-high 7-game losing streak. They bounced between second and third through July and August, settling into second place to stay on August 7.

Aftermath of 1900:

Wagner primarily played at shortstop for the first time in 1901, although he saw significant action in the outfield and third base as well. He led the NL in RBIs (126) and stolen bases (49) while batting .353 with 37 doubles, 11 triples, 6 home runs, a .417 OBP, and .494 slugging percentage. In addition, the Pirates won the pennant. Continuing to split his time between multiple positions in 1902, his bat and speed on the basepaths remained outstanding and he topped the league in runs scored (105), doubles (30), RBIs (91), stolen bases (42), and slugging (.463) while batting .330 with a .394 OBP. Friendly, honest, humble, and appreciated for his sportsmanship, Wagner became popular with fans and other players alike. In 1903 he settled in as Pittsburgh’s starting shortstop. Despite his stocky and ungainly appearance, he had excellent coordination and was at his best in the field at shortstop, where, with his large hands and strong arm, he would scoop up balls and dirt and gravel would go flying along with his throws. Also in 1903, the Pirates won a third consecutive NL pennant and Wagner topped the circuit in batting (.355) and triples (19) while also compiling 30 doubles, 5 home runs, 101 RBIs, 46 stolen bases, a .414 OBP, and a .518 slugging percentage. The Pirates lost the first modern World Series to the Boston Americans (now Red Sox) in a best of nine-game format. Wagner had a disappointing performance, hitting only .222 with a double and 3 RBIs. Known as “the Flying Dutchman” despite his German heritage, or “Hans”, a more common nickname for Johannes, Wagner and his brothers barnstormed playing basketball in the offseason, somewhat to the consternation of the Pittburgh management. He remained highly productive in 1904 as he led the NL in doubles (44), batting (.349), OBP (.423), slugging (.520), total bases (255), and stolen bases (53) while also accounting for 14 triples, 4 home runs, and 75 RBIs. In 1905 he hit .363 with 32 doubles, 14 triples, 6 home runs, 101 RBIs, 57 stolen bases, a .427 OBP, and a .505 slugging percentage. In the field he ranked third among NL shortstops with 517 assists and 64 double plays turned, categories where he was regularly among the league leaders. Wagner regained the NL batting title in 1906 (.339) while also leading the league in runs scored (103), doubles (38), and total bases (237). With the second-place Pirates in 1907, “the Flying Dutchman” again led the NL in batting (.350) and in OBP (.408), slugging (.513), doubles (38), stolen bases (61), total bases (264) while also producing 14 triples, 6 home runs, and 82 RBIs. The Pirates closely contended for the pennant in 1908 and Wagner led in hits (201), doubles (39), triples (19), RBIs (109), stolen bases (53), batting (.354), OBP (.415), slugging (.542), and total bases (308). Pittsburgh returned to the top of the National League in 1909 and Wagner contributed by leading the circuit in doubles (39), RBIs (100), batting (.339), OBP (.420), slugging (.489), and total bases (242) while also performing with his usual adroitness in the field. This time the Pirates won the World Series in seven games against the Detroit Tigers and Wagner hit .333 with 6 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Three of his hits came in an 8-6 Game 3 win. In the vaunted matchup against Detroit’s star hitter Ty Cobb, Cobb only hit .231 with 6 hits and 5 RBIs. In 1910 Wagner topped the NL in hits (178) while batting .320 with 34 doubles, 8 triples, 4 home runs, 81 RBIs, 24 stolen bases, a .390 OBP, and a .432 slugging percentage. He led the league’s shortstops with 337 putouts and placed third in assists with 413. Any speculation that Wagner was slowing down at age 36 was put to rest in 1911 when “the Flying Dutchman” won his eighth (and final) NL batting title (.334) while producing 23 doubles, 16 triples, 9 home runs, 89 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, a .423 OBP, and a .507 slugging percentage, although he missed 25 games due to an August ankle injury which caused the Pirates to fall out of contention. He tied for third in league MVP voting. In 1912 he hit .324 with 35 doubles, 20 triples, 7 home runs, 101 RBIs, 26 stolen bases, a .395 OBP, and a .496 slugging percentage. This time he placed second in league MVP balloting. In 1913 the 39-year-old Wagner played in 114 games and batted .300 with a .349 OBP and finished eighth in NL MVP voting. With his career winding down he became the second player to reach 3000 hits in 1914, a year in which his batting average dropped to a mere .252. He played until 1917 and occasionally displayed aspects of his once formidable hitting skills in his last few seasons. In 1915 at age 41 he became the oldest player in NL/AL history to hit a grand slam, a record which lasted for 70 years, and in 1916, at 42 he became the oldest to hit an inside-the-park home run. In 1917 he briefly retired and returned to the Pirates in June. Spiked in July, he appeared only occasionally for the rest of his last season and even served briefly as Pittsburgh’s interim player/manager, a role which he chose not to continue with. For his major league career, Wagner batted .328 with 3420 hits that included 643 doubles, 252 triples, and 101 home runs. He scored 1739 runs and produced 1732 RBIs, 723 stolen bases, a .391 OBP, and a .467 slugging percentage. With the Pirates he batted .328 with 1521 runs scored, 2967 hits, 551 doubles, 232 triples, 82 home runs, 1374 RBIs, 639 stolen bases, a .394 OBP, and a .468 slugging percentage. He retired as the National League’s all-time leader in hits, a total which was first eclipsed by Stan Musial of the Cardinals. Wagner appeared in 15 World Series games and hit .275 with 9 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. A hero of the “Dead Ball” era, he was also one of the highest paid players, receiving a raise from $5000 to $10,000 in 1908 after threatening retirement, an amount which he received annually until 1916. Following his major league career, Wagner managed and played for a semipro team. He returned to the Pirates as a coach until 1951 where he was a respected batting instructor as well as revered story-telling presence. The Pirates retired the #33 that he wore as a coach (since he played before players wore numbers) and he was one of the first players voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. Wagner died in 1955 at age 81. In addition to retiring his number the Pirates erected a statue of Wagner that has moved from Forbes Field to Three Rivers Stadium, and currently PNC 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 will also include Misc. players who don’t otherwise qualify but received MVP votes or were contributors to teams that reached the postseason. 

Highlighted Year: Rube Waddell, 1900

Pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates

Age:  23

1^st season with Pirates

Bats – Right, Throws – Left

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 196 

Prior to 1900:

A native of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, Eddie Waddell’s father  worked in the oil fields of that area (and was not a farmer, as legend would have it). While many legends grew over the years relating to his origins, he began to develop a reputation as a teenager for his pitching prowess from the sandlots to area semipro teams where he picked up the nickname “Rube”, due to the presumption that the powerfully built, and largely unschooled,  youngster was a country hick (he originally disliked the nickname but came to embrace it). Given a tryout with the Pirates in 1897, he was released after the manager heard his manner of speech during a team meal. Signed instead by the NL’s Louisville Colonels, it was quickly determined that he needed minor league experience, and he was sent to Detroit of the Western League where he posted a 4-4 record prior to quitting the club due to a dispute over a fine, thus establishing a reputation for quickly wearing out his welcome with his teams. He then went to Canada and pitched for a club in Chatham, Ontario before returning to Pennsylvania and finishing the year with a team in Homestead. He spent 1899 with Columbus in the Western League and produced a 26-8 tally. With Louisville dropped from the NL in 1900, Waddell was sent to the Pirates where he ran afoul of strict player/manager Fred Clarke with his free-spirited ways and was suspended in July. Playing semipro ball in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, he was approached by Connie Mack, who was managing Milwaukee of the not-yet-major American League. With Pittsburgh’s permission, he signed Waddell under the stipulation that the Pirates could recall him at will, which they did after he performed extremely well over a month’s period in Milwaukee. Waddell went on to complete the season with Pittsburgh.

1900 Season Summary

Appeared in 29 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 29

Games Started – 22

Complete Games – 16

Wins – 8

Losses – 13 [18, tied with six others]

PCT - .381

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 2 [10, tied with eleven others]

Innings Pitched – 208.2

Hits – 176

Runs – 96

Earned Runs – 55

Home Runs – 3

Bases on Balls – 55

Strikeouts – 130 [2]

ERA – 2.37 [1]

Hit Batters – 13 [13, tied with Bill Carrick, Al Orth & Bill Phillips]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 2

League-leading ERA was -0.04 lower than runner-up Ned Garvin

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Batting

PA – 82, AB – 81, R – 6, H – 14, 2B – 2, 3B – 3, HR – 0, RBI – 9, BB – 0, SO – 15, SB – 1, CS – N/A, AVG - .173, GDP – N/A, HBP – 1, SH – 0, SF – N/A

Fielding

Chances – 66

Put Outs – 12

Assists – 49

Errors – 5

DP – 1

Pct. - .924

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The Pirates went 79-60 to finish second in the NL, 4.5 games behind the pennant-winning Brooklyn Superbas. The pitching staff led the league in ERA (3.06), strikeouts (415), fewest hits allowed (1232), fewest runs allowed (612), and fewest walks allowed (295). With the addition of key players from the defunct Louisville franchise, the Pirates started slowly in April but caught fire in May and entered June at 20-16, in second place. June was a rougher month, featuring a season-high 7-game losing streak. They bounced between second and third through July and August, settling into second place to stay on August 7. Despite his time missed with the club, Waddell was still able to lead the NL in ERA.

Aftermath of 1900:

Early in the 1901 season the Pirates sold Waddell to the Chicago Orphans (now Cubs) where he produced a 14-14 record with a 2.81 ERA, 26 complete games, and 168 strikeouts over 243.2 innings pitched. Waddell quit the losing club, played more semipro ball, and in the offseason joined a barnstorming team that traveled through California, where he became a fan favorite. In 1902 he signed with Los Angeles of the California League but was soon persuaded to join the American League’s Philadelphia Athletics, reuniting him with manager Connie Mack. Waddell produced well under the guidance of the patient Mack, and his 1902 record was 24-7 with 26 complete games and a league-leading 210 strikeouts over 276.1 innings, and as Mack carefully noted, attendance rose on days when Waddell was scheduled to start. In a July game against Baltimore, he became the first AL pitcher to strike out the side on just nine pitches. Possessor of an excellent fastball and devastating curve, Waddell had another fine season for the A’s in 1903, again leading the league in strikeouts (302) while compiling a 21-16 tally (despite a 13-3 start), 34 complete games, and 324 innings. Easily distracted and prone to missing starts to go fishing or play marbles with street kids, Waddell became famous for his antics, both on the field and off. Stories of opposing players being able to occasionally easily sidetrack him in juvenile fashion were likely pure mythology, as was the belief that he would disappear during games to chase fire engines, although he was known to assist firefighters on occasion. He played some semipro football and was seen leading parades and wrestling alligators in Florida during spring training. Catcher Osee Schrecongost, something of a wacky character in his own right, became his regular battery-mate with excellent results. Off the field, Waddell married for a second time (he had one earlier short marriage), but Mack’s hopes that marriage would stabilize Waddell proved to be in vain. He often neglected his new bride, and while the marriage lasted nearly seven years, it was very stormy. Mack even hired a detective to keep tabs on his wayward pitcher, to no avail. Suspended at one point by Mack (who handled him with noteworthy aplomb) he returned and signed a contract for 1904 in which he promised to “live up to the regular rules”. Following the season, he performed in a bit role in a theatrical melodrama which sought to take advantage of his notoriety and popularity with the public. He failed to complete the play’s run. In 1904 he lived up to his promises of better behavior and posted a 25-19 record with a 1.62 ERA, 39 complete games, 8 shutouts, 383 innings pitched, and a league-leading 349 strikeouts. He also stepped in during a game in which outfielder Danny Hoffman was knocked unconscious by a pitch and carried his injured teammate off the field, hailed a carriage, and accompanied him to a nearby hospital where he sat at Hoffman’s bedside for most of the night. 1905 was another excellent season for Waddell in which he produced a 27-10 tally to lead the AL in wins and winning percentage (.730) and he also topped the circuit in ERA (1.48), games pitched (46), and strikeouts (287) while also compiling 328.2 innings, 27 complete games, and 7 shutouts. His most significant performance was in going a full 20 innings in a matchup against Boston ace Cy Young, won by the A’s by a 4-2 score. The A’s won the pennant but Waddell didn’t pitch in the World Series loss to the New York Giants due to a shoulder injury incurred during a scuffle with a teammate over a straw hat (rumors arose that gamblers had persuaded him to sit out the Series). Waddell’s record dropped to 15-17 in 1906 with a 2.21 ERA and he still led the AL in strikeouts with 196. His drinking became more problematic during the season. Waddell rebounded in 1907 to 19-13 with a 2.15 ERA and he led the AL in strikeouts for the sixth consecutive season with 232. It would prove to be his last season of topping the league in strikeouts. It was also his last year with the Athletics. Mack dealt him to the St. Louis Browns (now Baltimore Orioles) “in the interest of team harmony”. He had a solid season with the Browns in 1908, going 19-14 with a 1.89 ERA and 232 strikeouts over 285.2 innings. Waddell’s performance dropped off in 1909 to 11-14 with a 2.37 ERA, 16 complete games, and 141 strikeouts over 220.1 innings. He appeared in only 10 games with the Browns in 1910 before being released in August. He finished the season pitching for Newark in the Eastern League. Catching on with the Minneapolis Millers of the American Association in 1911, he produced a 20-17 tally with a 2.79 ERA but his performance dropped off thereafter and his playing career came to an end in 1913. For his major league career, Waddell compiled a 193-143 record with a 2.16 ERA, 261 complete games, 50 shutouts, and 2316 strikeouts over 2961.1 innings. In his brief period with the Pirates he produced an 8-15 record with a 2.62 ERA, 16 complete games, 2 shutouts, and 134 strikeouts over 216.1 innings. He missed his only opportunity to pitch in the World Series in 1905. Waddell contracted tuberculosis and died at age 37 in 1914. While confined to a sanitarium in San Antonio, Connie Mack and A’s ownership partner Ben Shibe paid for his medical care. As Mack summed up, “he was the greatest pitcher in the game, and although widely known for his eccentricities, was more sinned against than sinner. He may have failed us at times but to him, I and the other owners of the Athletics ball club, owe much.” Rube Waddell was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946 in recognition of his power pitching prowess that was remarkable for his era.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category will also include Misc. players who don’t otherwise qualify but received MVP votes or were contributors to teams that reached the postseason. 

Highlighted Year: Johnny Callison, 1962

Outfielder, Philadelphia Phillies

Age:  23

3^rd season with Phillies

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 5’10” Weight: 175 

Prior to 1962:

Born in Oklahoma, Callison moved to Bakersfield, California with his family in his youth during World War II. Shy and quiet, but with outstanding athletic skills, he performed well in baseball at East Bakersfield High School. Upon graduation he signed with the Chicago White Sox. Initially the 18-year-old Callison stayed close to home when assigned to the Bakersfield Bears of the Class C California League where he batted an impressive .340 in 86 games with 18 doubles, 6 triples, 17 home runs, 61 RBIs, 31 stolen bases, a .423 on-base percentage, and a .571 slugging percentage. Advancing to Indianapolis of the Class AAA American Association in 1958, he hit .283 while leading the league with 29 home runs and producing 93 RBIs, a .372 OBP, and a .517 slugging percentage. He also displayed an outstanding throwing arm in the outfield. A late-season call-up to the White Sox resulted in his appearing in 18 games and batting .297 with a home run and 12 RBIs. Impressed by his power potential in the outfield, Callison started the 1959 season with the White Sox, but while hitting only .173 at midseason, he was sent back to Indianapolis where, in 79 games, he batted .299 with 16 doubles, 9 triples, 10 home runs, 46 RBIs, a .353 OBP, and a .505 slugging percentage. In the offseason he was traded to the Phillies for third baseman Gene Freese. The Phillies were in rebuilding mode with a youth movement. Although hindered in 1960 by an injury sustained while playing winter ball, Callison appeared in 99 games and hit .260 with 11 doubles, 5 triples, 9 home runs, 30 RBIs, a .360 OBP, and a .427 slugging percentage. He continued his development with the last-place Phils in 1961, batting .266 with 20 doubles, 11 triples, 9 home runs, 47 RBIs, a .363 OBP, and a .418 slugging percentage. He also accounted for 10 assists in the outfield. After initially being tried in left field, entering 1962, he was Philadelphia’s starting right fielder.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 157 games

RF – 151, PH – 10, CF – 5, LF – 3

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 672 [18]

At Bats – 603 [17]

Runs – 107 [6, tied with Vada Pinson]

Hits – 181 [11, tied with Vada Pinson]

Doubles – 26 [17, tied with Orlando Cepeda & Eddie Kasko]

Triples – 10 [1, tied with Bill Virdon, Willie Davis & Maury Wills]

Home Runs – 23 [16, tied with Vada Pinson]

RBI – 83 [18, tied with Ron Santo]

Bases on Balls – 54

Int. BB – 1

Strikeouts – 96 [7, tied with Lou Brock & Jim Hickman]

Stolen Bases – 10

Caught Stealing – 3

Average - .300 [14]

OBP - .363 [17]

Slugging Pct. - .491 [15]

Total Bases – 296 [7, tied with Bill White]

GDP – 8

Hit by Pitches – 6 [13, tied with six others]

Sac Hits – 8 [14, tied with five others]

Sac Flies – 1

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 19, 3B – 4, HR – 10, RBI – 45, AVG – .312, OBP - .372, SLG – .489

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Most hits, game – 4 on five occasions

Longest hitting streak – 12 games

Most HR, game – 1 on twenty-three occasions

HR at home – 10

HR on road – 13

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 4 at St. Louis 8/12

Pinch-hitting – 4 for 9 (.444) with 1 R, 1 HR & 5 RBI

Fielding

Chances – 358

Put Outs – 327

Assists – 24

Errors – 7

DP – 7

Pct. - .980

Awards & Honors:

All-Star

18^th in NL MVP voting, tied with Ernie Banks, ChiC, Ken Boyer, StL & Harvey Kuenn SF (5 points, 2% share)

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The Phillies went 81-80 to finish seventh in the NL, 20 games behind the pennant-winning San Francisco Giants. Following four straight last-place finishes, the retooling Phillies started slowly but finished strong in August and September to nose just above .500.

Aftermath of 1962:

The Phillies rose to fourth place in 1963 and Callison contributed by batting .284 with 36 doubles, 11 triples, 26 home runs, 78 RBIs, a .339 OBP, and a .502 slugging percentage. He led NL right fielders in assists for the second straight year with 25 and placed fifteenth in league MVP voting. With surprising power despite his slender build thanks to his well-developed forearms, he prospered despite Connie Mack Stadium’s 34-foot right field wall. He was outstanding in 1964, a season in which the Phillies lost the NL pennant due to an epic September collapse. Along the way Callison’s ninth inning three-run home run at New York’s Shea Stadium won the All-Star Game for the NL. He went on to hit .274 with 30 doubles, 10 triples, 31 home runs, 104 RBIs, a .316 OBP, and a .492 slugging percentage. He continued to excel defensively and placed second in league MVP balloting, although it was widely believed he would have won the award if the Phillies had not failed to win the pennant. The club dropped in the standings in 1965 but Callison continued to excel. He batted .262 with 25 doubles, a league-leading 16 triples, 32 home runs, 101 RBIs, a .328 OBP, and a .509 slugging percentage. Defensively, he led all NL outfielders in assists for a record fourth straight season with 21. Callison’s power production dropped significantly in 1966 as his home run total fell to 11 and his RBIs to 55 although he still led the NL in doubles (40) and accumulated 7 triples. Complaining of problems with his eyesight, he began wearing glasses later in the season. His OBP was .338, his slugging percentage .418 and he remained capable defensively. 1967 proved to be another disappointing offensive season for Callison despite a solid start. He was hitting .282 with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs at the All-Star break but tailed off in the second half and finished at .261 with 30 doubles, 14 home runs, 64 RBIs, a .329 OBP, and a .408 slugging percentage. Dealing with nagging injuries (and some speculated a loss of confidence) the decline continued in 1968 as his batting production dropped to .244 with 18 doubles, 14 homers, 40 RBIs, a .319 OBP, and a .415 slugging percentage. Still a skilled defender, he had an errorless season in the outfield. Callison showed some signs of improvement in 1969, batting .265 with 29 doubles, 16 home runs, 64 RBIs, a .332 OBP, and a .440 slugging percentage. With the declining Phillies in need of a shakeup, he was traded in the offseason to the Chicago Cubs. Taking over in right field for the second-place Cubs in 1970, Callison hit .264 with 23 doubles, 19 home runs, 68 RBIs, a .348 OBP, and a .440 slugging percentage, although he was platooned starting in midseason. During 1971, unhappy with being platooned, he was one of several veteran players who feuded with manager Leo Durocher and his playing time diminished. Appearing in 103 games he batted .210 with 8 home runs, 38 RBIs, and a .298 OBP. In the offseason he was dealt to the New York Yankees where he finished his career as a reserve and occasional outfield starter during 1973 and ‘74. For his major league career, Callison batted .264 with 1757 hits that included 321 doubles, 89 triples, and 226 home runs. He scored 926 runs and compiled 840 RBIs, a .331 OBP, and a .441 slugging percentage. With the Phillies he batted .271 with 1438 hits, 774 runs scored, 265 doubles, 84 triples, 185 home runs, 666 RBIs, a .338 OBP, and a .457 slugging percentage. A three-time All-Star, he was honored on the Phillies Wall of Fame (now at Citizens Bank Park) in 1997. After retiring to suburban Philadelphia following his playing career, Callison worked as a car salesman, among other pursuits, and died at age 67 in 2006.

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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.