The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

... the Turkey on the pushbike?

[luckymann]

A huge week for our prize offseason recruit, who certainly seems to be finding the Pirates uniform to his liking.

[luckymann]

It's set to be a big week or two for Rogers, with this milestone now reached and another biggie sure to follow soon. He shows no real signs of slowing down and with recalc set at 3 years should be productive into his early 40s. Were that to happen, he may well give 4000 a nudge and perhaps even get close to Ty. But I just think the latter of these might be a season or two beyond him. You'd certainly have to think the #2 spot is his for the taking, however.

[luckymann]

The attempt to nurse George Grantham through his niggle doesn’t work. His injury worsens and in the end he has to do a minimum stint on the IL. We also lose Nip Winters, who has been a handy addition to the BP, for 6 weeks to a back strain. Joe Heving gets his first call-up to the bigs. We get Grantham back right at month-end.

While still playing nowhere near what I think is our best baseball, we continue to improve and consolidate our position with an excellent 18-9 month to sit at 44-27.





A really impressive month with bat in hand from the lads, with our team BA jumping 8 points to a sturdy 294, although somewhat surprisingly this is only good enough for 4th in the division. Foxx has a huge month, as do Paul Waner (who hits 411), Combs, Traynor and catcher Chuck Berry. But perhaps the most pleasing aspect of all is how much contribution we are getting from our backups, especially Spurgeon - who really stands tall when elevated to everyday 2B duties in Grantham's absence - and Lloyd Waner is also having a much better year as our fourth outfielder. This is key over the course of a long season and can often prove the difference between success and failure without being paid due attention to.

Early in the month, I decide it’s time to look toward the future and flip Ray Hayworth for Bob O’Farrell in the backup catcher role. We have a team option at $12k for Bob in 1932 and unless something drastic happens will not be exercising it.




This has been especially important given that our pitching is still really off the boil. Trent has been the pick of them, going 10-1 / 3.71, and we are in possession of the division's lowest ERA at 4.00. But if the bats cool off and the arms stay where they are, we are doomed to another season of finishing among the also-rans. Foster continues to be the main concern.




So we enter July tied with the Phillies, while the BoSox have a mini-break on the pack over in the AL. After a sluggish start to their title defence, a 10-game win streak puts the Yankees right back in the frame, just 5 1/2 back now.




Heinie Manush, Babe Herman and Frankie Frisch each reach the 100 career HR mark, while Master Melvin Ott and Chuck Klein get to 150. Jesse Hubbard notches his 200th win.

Awards, news and leaders.






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[luckymann]

Andy Cooper gone for most of the year, which you'd think will make it exceptionally tough for the Big Cats to keep pace with Boston et al.

[luckymann]

Here's that other milestone I was referring to a few posts back. He is also currently riding a 34-game hit streak. Some sort of Benjamin Button thing going on apparently...



EDIT: The streak ended right there...

[luckymann]

We lose George Grantham to a long-term knee injury which may well mean his career here is done. He is a FA after this year and we won’t be renewing his contract.

While Spurgeon was great earlier this season when the same thing happened, I suspect we might need reinforcements. I call utility Eddie Moore up from AAA because I just feel we are one OF short and he plays both infield and out, send Heinie Sand down, then do my first trade of the year.

TRADE 1 OF 2 (07/18/31): P General Crowder traded to Philadelphia (AL) for IF Jack Rothrock.

This may well only be a stopgap measure, as Jack is FA eligible at the end of the season and seems intent on testing the waters, but we’ll have a chat to him and try and keep him on. He is a handy type who defends at a variety of IF and OF slots with varying degrees of capability. General possibly has a couple good years in him down the track, but at 32 I am happy to risk missing out on them, especially with our pitching stocks in pretty good shape.


Not that I think Jack’s arrival has anything to do with it, but it nevertheless coincides with an ugly turnaround to finish the month as we lose our last six games – including being shut out twice in quick succession – to end up with a 16-14 record for the sectional.





The bats are still humming along OK without being spectacular. Wells, Foxx and Traynor are the pick.




It's a case of shuffling deckchairs in the pitching, however. Trent remains as steady as always and Foster finally seems to be getting his arm back. But Derringer is really struggling at this level and McCall has basically imploded. The pen has done an admirable job thus far of keeping us in games, but once again it is yet to be seen how much of a toll this has taken.




Both of the New York clubs make a serious move, with each now sitting in second place and well within reach of the lead. The Yanks post a 22-8 month, while the Giants' 20-9 July includes a 13-game win streak including four at Forbes against us.




Here are the Top 20 players by WAR to this point:





News, awards, leaders. Herb Pennock gets his 200th win, John Beckwith his 250th home run. George Scales and Turkey Stearnes are each making a serious run at hitting 400.






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[luckymann]

Ohboyoboyoboyoboy, what a month. Undoubtedly the most engrossing, infuriating, invigorating 31 days I have experienced in this game. It had a bit of everything: peaks and troughs; slumps and spikes; blowouts (including a club-worst 0-19 loss to the Giants) and walkoffs; niggles and nightmares. No less than four doubleheaders, including two in three days.

And, after all that, we finish with a near 500 record and end up neither closer to nor further from any sort of resolution.






All the bats continue to pull their weight, both starters and backups. Jimmie Foxx leads the way, slashing 322/412/534 with 5 HR - including the 150th of his career - and 29 RBI. Jack Rothrock has really impressed since joining us, but remains frustratingly committed to testing the FA waters at the end of the year. Big Poison is crafting another fine season. All looks on track in this area, but I have made the decision not to renew Pie Traynor's contract when it expires and season's-end and will be on the hunt for a big bat to replace him.




A mixed bag for our pitchers. Willie Foster's season from hell continues with a 1-6 / 4.70 month, while Paul Derringer rights the ship sufficiently to win the monthly rookie award.




It is, as they say, delicately poised in the NL, with the Phillies a few games to the good of the Jints and then us in third. While I'd obviously prefer us to be where Philly is, I also am kind of glad we're not. Defending a lead is tough. If we can just keep nipping at their heels, our homestand against them covering games 150 thru 152 looms awfully large. In the AL, the BoSox have a decent, albeit not insurmountable, lead over the Yanks.




Awards, news, leaders. A few milestones of note. Oscar Charleston reaches 2500 hits, Bill Terry 1500 hits, Les Bell 100 HR. So caught up was I in the excitement, I neglected to post that Adam Comorosky hit for the cycle. While Turkey Stearnes has cooled off, George Scales' push for 400 continues. At 414 with 30-odd to play, he's looking good. Cool Papa Bell sets a new single-season SB mark with 66, but any chance of extending this figure is derailed by a season-ending hip injury.






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Our challenge never really materialises as, like the season in its entirety, we are good but nowhere near good enough. We are eliminated after a loss to the Robins in Game 145.

After it really matters, we both lose Paul Derringer to forearm inflammation and get George Grantham back from his long IL stint. We put him into our final game as a well-earned send off for the service he has given our club.







Both the Red Sox and Phils clinch with big Game 152 wins – Boston 15-0 over the A’s and Philly 14-1 over us. Neither race is ever really as close as that might imply, even though a late losing streak leaves Boston just a game clear of the Yanks at the finish.



Batting titles to the 410-hitting (3rd highest, all-time) George Scales in the NL and Turkey Stearnes, who hits 374 to take the AL crown. Both are their first. Satchel Paige wins 33 games, tying his own and Dazzy Vance's record. Chuck Klein leads both leagues with 38 HR, ahead of Babe's AL-leading 34. Babe also heads the ribbie table with 145 ahead of Klein and Al Simmons with 135. Our own Walter Anderson ties Reggie Richter's season saves mark with 21.

Bing Miller, Al Simmons and Heinie Manush all make it to 1500 career hits. Biz Mackey belts his 200th HR, Glenn Wright his 100th.

Awards and final leaders.






And, finally, here are the end-of-season Top 20s by WAR.





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[luckymann]

Boston Red Sox (95-59) v Philadelphia Phillies (98-56)
Best-of-seven, Red Sox with the home-field advantage.

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PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES S+ PAGE

What a World Series this promises to be, with superstars everywhere you look: Paige, Klein, Cochrane, Dihigo, Hafey (against his former club), Cronin, Scales, Hack Wilson, rookie sensation Ray Brown and so many more. Throw in the heightened expectation of a potential first Championship for the Phils and things are at fever pitch.

That expectation is entirely justified. After those mean and lean years in the wilderness, the Phillies have put together a monster squad that will have learned bucketloads from last year’s loss at this stage and be much improved for having experienced it.

But this is a quality Red Sox unit as well, with Satchel Paige well on the way to becoming one of the greatest pitchers ever. The biggest problem for the Boston boys is how ransacked they have been by injuries, with no less than seven pitchers down for the count. This has been offset somewhat by the late loss of Phillies SS Charlie Gelbert, but I think in the end this will prove the deciding factor.

Phils to win their maiden title in six.

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Boston, October 1st 1931

Satchel Paige (33-12, 3.68) v Ray Brown (25-14, 4.29)

NeL legends all over the place here and we get two of them going head-to-head to kick things off. If the Sox want to make a statement and set the tone, they get the chance to right here with their ace going against a rookie.

It works out almost the opposite, as the Phillies bats go wild, knocking out 16 hits in a 15-5 demolition job.

The Sox grab an early 3-0 lead but the Phils get it back to square by the top 4th, only to fall behind again over the next two frames. From there on, however, it is all Philadelphia as they tack on 12 unanswered runs to shock the Fenway faithful.

Mickey Cochrane has four hits – three for extra bases – while he, McManus, Scales, Klein and Cuccinello each drive in a pair of runs in a devastating offensive performance. Brown, despite his struggles, goes the distance.

Phillies 15, Red Sox 5

BOX SCORE

Game 2 in Boston, October 2nd 1931

Herb Pennock (17-14, 5.30) v Ramon Bragana (23-13, 4.47)

Phillies lead series 1-0

A contrast in styles here, with crafty veteran Herb Pennock taking on tyro flamethrower Ramon “El Profesor” Bragana. A Phillies win would really throw the cat among the pigeons.

Both acquit themselves well as it takes spares to separate the teams, with the Sox securing a dramatic win thanks to a two-out 2-run walkoff homer to Chick Hafey against his former teammates.

It is again the Sox who make the early running, taking a 2-0 lead in the 3rd. But the Phils answer with two of their own in the 6th to set up the thrilling denouement. Pennock allows only 6 hits over 9+ and we head to the COBL all tied up.

Red Sox 4, Phillies 2 (10 innings)

BOX SCORE

Game 3 in Philadelphia, October 4th 1931

Dazzy Vance (19-16, 4.50) v Martin Dihigo (4-6, 5.06)

Series tied 1-1

A chance here for Dazzy Vance to chase away the ghosts of a poor Series last year, up against the tricky but inconsistently enigmatic Martin “El Inmortal” Dihigo.

He might consider retirement after this absolute nightmare as the BoSox do get their statement win and then some in a game that is over almost as soon as it begins.

Vance fails to record an out as the Boston bats explode with 9 in the 1st and never let up on the Phillies pitchers, racking up 19 runs in all on 21 hits. Payback is indeed a lady of questionable disposition.

Ed Morgan homers, doubles twice and drives in 6 to lead the charge and catcher Shanty Hogan chimes in with 5 ribbies. Dihigo fails to impress, conceding six over 8 IP, but it matters little in a 19-6 final. Boy how quickly the momentum has shifted in this one.

Red Sox 19, Phillies 6

BOX SCORE

Game 4 in Philadelphia, October 5th 1931

Ray Brown (1-0, 5.00) v Satchel Paige (0-1, 7.36)

Red Sox lead series 2-1

The law of averages would have to make you think this will be a pitchers’ duel after that Game 1 blowout, but the World Series more often than not pays little heed to that sort of thing.

It certainly is a tighter affair, as the rookie trumps the master again in a gritty 4-2 win for the home side to tie the series at 2.

Both hurlers go all nine, but Brown is the more convincing of the two allowing just 8 hits as his offence stakes him to a 3-0 lead after four. It is nip-and-tuck after that but the Phillies hang tough to get home in the end. Chuck Klein continues his good form with a 3-for-4 / 2 RBI effort, while Riggs Stephenson and Marty McManus both go solo deep for the hosts.

Phillies 4, Red Sox 2

BOX SCORE

Game 5 in Philadelphia, October 6th 1931

Ramon Bragana (0-1, 2.79) v Herb Pennock (0-0, 1.86)

Series tied 2-2

The final home game of the season for the Phillies, and I’m sure they’ll want to use it to their advantage so as to avoid having to win two from two at Fenway.

Which they do, as Bragana impresses again with a CG 5-hitter allowing just an unearned run and the inimitable Klein runs rampant, belting 2 jacks and bringing in all but one of the Phillies’ runs in a fairly cruisy win to get them on the cusp of a famous victory.

Phillies 6, Red Sox 1

BOX SCORE

Game 6 in Boston, October 8th 1931

Martin Dihigo (1-0, 6.75) v Dazzy Vance (0-1, 0.00)

Phillies lead series 3-2

If Game 3 is any guide, anything could happen here. Vance has obviously lost all confidence in himself and Dihigo runs hotter and colder than almost any other pitcher.

In the end, the Phillies offence is just too relentless and remorseless, grinding out a 6-3 win to finally give this downtrodden franchise their moment in the sun. Late solo shots to Tubby Scales and Mickey Cochrane prove decisive after the scores are tied entering the middle innings.

Vance gets the sort of redemption only baseball can offer, showing his spine with an excellent CG win, and all but one of the Philly starters get a hit, with Klein adding two more RBI to give him 12 for the Series and a well-deserved MVP award.

Only the hardest of heart would be unwilling to acknowledge the merit in this win, and let’s hope it inspires some of these other success-free clubs to follow suit.

Phillies 6, Red Sox 3

BOX SCORE

PHILADELPHIA WINS SERIES 3-2

SERIES MVP: Chuck Klein (Philadelphia)

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[luckymann]

Our Wilkes-Barre Barons sweep Ft. Worth to land the club's third AAA Championship.

[luckymann]

Three "deaths in the family" this time around, as Otis Clymer (Senators), Dick Hoblitzell (Robins / Dodgers) and Harry Bemis (Reds) each gets a pink slip. Coincidentally, all three are former players - welcome to the Dark Side, boys.

I was wrong about George Grantham - oops - he has another year with us. We void the last year of both Bob O'Farrell's and Sam Streeter's contracts. With them, Pie Traynor and a few lesser odds and sods coming off the books we free up roughly $50k, which gives us plenty of ammo for our FA shopping. We know who we want and - barring unforeseen circumstances - will do everything in our power to get him.

As far as retirements go, NeL legends Cristobal Torriente and Dick Redding head the list and will get a separate post. Other big names include Jack Fournier, Erskine Mayer, High Pockets Kelly, Charlie Jamieson, Jakie May, Harry Salmon, Eppa Rixey, Wally Schang and Jim Shaw.

[luckymann]

Dick Redding

Few players get to spend their entire career with one club, as the mighty Cannonball Redding has with the Sens. It's amazing that easily the two best pitchers so far (Rube Waddell notwithstanding) both played for Washington, and Dick and Train Johnson were greatly responsible for the franchise's great run in the 1910s.

Dick finishes his superb career with 378 wins (second only to his great friend) and 112.5 pWAR, 4th highest all-time), along with an exemplary 3.16 ERA. No doubt he'll be getting his call in five years' time.

Cristobal Torriente

The earlier problems I had with NeL hitters needs to be taken into consideration for Cristo, the early part of whose career fell during that period, costing him plenty. As did being parked behind Tris Speaker for so long. Still, he has put together some fine numbers indeed. Not sure they are good enough to get him into the HoF, which is a shame because he has given the game great service.

[luckymann]

AL 1931 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1931 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


A bit of a surprise as Lou Gehrig earns his 5th Wagner-Lajoie Medal ahead of the highly-favoured Turkey Stearnes, with Babe Ruth making it a Yankees trifecta. Mickey Cochrane caps a stunning year with his first gong in the NL.

Satchel Paige and Carl Hubbell each wins his second Johnson-Waddell, while Roy Parmelee and our own Walter Anderson claim the relief awards.

RoY honours go to Cleveland's Pinky Higgins and Ray Brown of the Phillies.


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[luckymann]

Man this FA negotiation thing is tough to get a handle on. When we seek out our guy he tells us all he wants is $5k and change for a 1-year deal. Not wanting to stir the pot, we counter just below and, a couple weeks later, get the signed contract for this deal:




So now with him safely on our books for at least the 1932 season, I think to myself what's the harm in asking? and canvass his thoughts on an extension. I pitch him a 6-year deal that at just a mite under $60k is ridiculously cheap in the grand scheme of things. A week later, we get the signed contract with a note of thanks. Would that it were always so simple and straightforward, nay pleasant even.

I doubt I need to explain why Martin is our guy. With him, you get about 6 players in one. Our strategy, at least to begin with, is to play him strictly as a position player - namely our everyday 3B. That may change down the track, but I doubt it.

Another piece falls into place. Watch this space. Huge news impends.

[luckymann]

Once again there aren’t many Legacy Players coming in. But, of the four that do, you’ll obviously be hearing and seeing a lot more of one. Three really solid NeLers also join the ranks.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1932 season:

Chicago Cubs: Stan Hack (55.5; 1938 – one-club player)
New York Yankees: Frankie Crosetti (24.5; 1938 – one-club player)
Pittsburgh Pirates: Arky Vaughan (78.0; 1411) MARQUEE
St. Louis Cardinals: Joe Medwick (54.5; 1216)


Bill Swift (21.2; 305) and Rip Sewell (26.9; 385) were also eligible for the Pirates, but Vaughan’s higher WAR makes him the selection.

There are 98 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 5 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1931 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):

Round 1

1. Pittsburgh Pirates (487)
2. Chicago Cubs (545)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (656)
4. New York Yankees (614)
5. Chicago White Sox (366)
6. Cincinnati Reds (377)
7. Detroit Tigers (396)
8. Boston Red Sox (408)
9. Boston Braves (416)
10. St. Louis Browns (409)
11. Philadelphia Phillies (429)
12. Cleveland Indians (506)
13. Brooklyn Dodgers (520)
14. New York Giants (572)
15. Washington Senators (597)
16. Philadelphia Athletics (704)

Rounds 2 thru 5

1. Chicago White Sox (366)
2. Cincinnati Reds (377)
3. Detroit Tigers (396)
4. Boston Red Sox (408)
5. Boston Braves (416)
6. St. Louis Browns (409)
7. Philadelphia Phillies (429)
8. Pittsburgh Pirates (487)
9. Cleveland Indians (506)
10. Brooklyn Dodgers (520)
11. Chicago Cubs (545)
12. New York Giants (572)
13. Washington Senators (597)
14. New York Yankees (614)
15. St. Louis Cardinals (656)
16. Philadelphia Athletics (704)


So we get not just a Legacy but a Marquee Player, and what a get he is.

Meet the new Pittsburgh Pirates players:

1. SS Arky Vaughan, 19

• The final piece in the puzzle, that’s all I have to say.

2. P Bill Swift, 23

• Bill finds his way to his proper home and will be a useful addition a bit further down the track.

3. P Rip Sewell, 24

• Another historical Pirates stalwart, another handy addition to our staff moving forward.

4. P Ray Starr, 25
5. P Jimmy DeShong, 22

• Two more decent enough arms to stock the coffers at Wilkes-Barre.

An excellent Draft for us in every regard.

Here is the 1st Round in its entirety.




FULL DRAFT LOG

[luckymann]

Yet another serendipitous HOF induction as, with the glow of the Phillies' triumph still permeating the air, one of their favoured sons gets the call.

Old Pete Alexander played all but 61 of his 659 MLB games for the Phils, and has now got his plaque in Cooperstown on the third try. I was concerned his losing record from all those seasons spent toiling thanklessly for The Fightins might have meant he would miss out, so I am ecstatic the voters saw past this to give him his fair due.

[luckymann]

The Yankees get back to the Series after a few years’ absence by dint of a 107-win season, while the Cubs earn their spot after seeing off the Pirates in a tight and tough race. It is of little avail for the Baby Bears, however, as they are swept in a World Series memorable for the eternal debate that still rages over whether or not Babe Ruth “called” his Game 3 home run off Charlie Root.

AL CHAMPIONS: New York Yankees (107-47)
NL CHAMPIONS: Chicago Cubs (90-64)
WORLD SERIES: Yankees 4, Cubs 0


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. CHUCK KLEIN, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 154 games, .348 average, 152 runs, 226 hits, 50 doubles, 15 triples, 38 home runs, 137 RBIs, 60 walks, 20 stolen bases, .646 slugging percentage.
• Klein became the second and last modern league leader in both homers and steals (Jimmy Sheckard, 1903).

2. MEL OTT, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 154 games, .318 average, 119 runs, 30 doubles, 8 triples, 38 home runs, 123 RBIs, 100 walks, .424 on-base percentage.
• All but squelched from sharing (or bettering) the home run crown with Chuck Klein in 1929, Ott couldn’t get even as he failed to break a tie with Klein—going homerless in his final six games.

3. BILL TERRY, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 154 games, .350 average, 124 runs, 225 hits, 42 doubles, 11 triples, 28 home runs, 117 RBIs.
• Perhaps fueled by anger over a payroll cut—because his batting average ‘dropped’ 52 points from .401 in 1931—Terry powered up to collect a career-high total in home runs, among many other achievements.

4. DON HURST, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .339 average, 109 runs, 196 hits, 41 doubles, 24 home runs, 143 RBIs, 65 walks.
• The Baker Bowl effect certainly applied to Hurst, who thanked the good architect for hitting .402 at the Phillies’ home yard.

5. LEFTY O’DOUL, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: .368 average, 120 runs, 219 hits, 32 doubles, 8 triples, 21 home runs, 90 RBIs.
• Collecting his second batting title in four years, O’Doul finished a mesmerizing stretch in which, from 1929-32, he hit .373.

6. PAUL WANER, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 154 games, .341 average, 107 runs, 215 hits, 62 doubles, 10 triples, 8 home runs, 82 RBIs, 13 stolen bases.
• Though his 62 doubles are not a record, he did set a mark with 20 in one month (May); four of those came at St. Louis on May 20, tying another all-time record.

7. BABE HERMAN, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: .326 average, 87 runs, 188 hits, 38 doubles, 19 triples, 16 home runs, 87 RBIs, 18 caught stealing, 22 grounded into double plays.
• Throwing its hands in the air after failing to come to a contract agreement, Brooklyn sent Herman—along with an unknown catcher named Ernie Lombardi—to the Reds, where he made good on what would turn out to be a one-year tour of duty.

8. HACK WILSON, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 135 games, .297 average, 37 doubles, 23 home runs, 123 RBIs, 85 strikeouts.
• Brushed out of Chicago after a miserable follow-up to his sensational 1930 effort, Wilson experienced a mild resurgence with the Robins before his career crashed again—this time, for good—due to his stubborn habit for the good life off the field.

9. PINKY WHITNEY, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .154 games, .298 average, 93 runs, 186 hits, 33 doubles, 11 triples, 13 home runs, 124 RBIs.
• Whitney rounded out the trio of Phillies (along with Don Hurst and Chuck Klein) who placed 1-2-3 in the NL RBI race, while pacing the team to its only winning year between 1917 and 1949.

10. DICK BARTELL, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 154 games, .308 average, 118 runs, 189 hits, 48 doubles, 7 triples, 64 walks, 35 sacrifice hits.
• The soon-to-be All-Star shortstop for the Giants had his most profitable year in his four years playing for the Phillies—with 34 of his 48 doubles swatted at home.

AL Hitters

1. JIMMIE FOXX, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .364 average, 151 runs, 213 hits, 33 doubles, 9 triples, 58 home runs, 169 RBIs, 116 walks, .749 slugging percentage.
• Foxx was robbed on several accounts during the year; he might have matched Roger Maris 29 years in advance with 61 homers, but three of them were turned into ground rule doubles at St. Louis because extra netting—an extension of the outfield wall hung up just a few years earlier—swatted them back. He also didn’t get the triple crown because of Dale Alexander (.367), who under today’s rules would not have had enough plate appearances to qualify. Foxx would make up for that slight the following year.

2. LOU GEHRIG, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 156 games, .349 average, 138 runs, 208 hits, 42 doubles, 9 triples, 34 home runs, 151 RBIs, 108 walks, 11 stolen bases.
• The first four-homer performance in American League history was the obvious highlight in another stellar year for the Iron Horse.

3. BABE RUTH, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 133 games, .341 average, 120 runs, 41 home runs, 137 RBIs, 130 walks, .489 on-base percentage.
• Aging into nothing more than a home run machine at age 37, Ruth collected 40-plus blasts for the seventh straight year.

4. AL SIMMONS, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .322 average, 670 at-bats, 144 runs, 216 hits, 28 doubles, 9 triples, 35 home runs, 151 RBIs.
• In his final year playing in an A’s uniform before being sold off to the White Sox, Simmons was going to miss playing in Shibe Park; he knocked in 100 of his 151 runs at the ballpark alone.

5. EARL AVERILL, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: .314 average, 116 runs, 198 hits, 37 doubles, 14 triples, 32 home runs, 124 RBIs, 75 walks, 6 hit-by-pitches.
• At the peak of his career, Averill might have hit more than the 32 homers listed had the Indians not played 32 of their home games at voluminous Cleveland Stadium (as opposed to the more compact League Park).

6. HEINIE MANUSH, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: .342 average, 121 runs, 214 hits, 41 doubles, 14 triples, 14 home runs, 116 RBIs.
• Manush continued to prove to the Senators that they weren’t missing Goose Goslin, dealt to the Browns for himself and workhorse General Crowder a couple of years earlier.

7. MICKEY COCHRANE, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .293 average, 118 runs, 35 doubles, 23 home runs, 112 RBIs, 100 walks.
• Despite a rare sub-.300 average, Cochrane set career marks in home runs, runs and RBIs while reaching 100 walks for the first time; he struck out just 22 times.

8. JOE CRONIN, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: .318 average, 95 runs, 43 doubles, 18 triples, 6 home runs, 116 RBIs, 66 walks.
• The vast outfield expanses of Griffith Stadium allowed Cronin to pace the AL in triples for the only time in his career; he hit 13 alone at home.

9. BEN CHAPMAN, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .299 average, 101 runs, 41 doubles, 15 triples, 10 home runs, 107 RBIs, 71 walks, 38 stolen bases, 18 caught stealing.
• Chapman led the AL in steals for a second straight year—and for those assuming he was robbing Ruth and Gehrig of an opportunity to hit by leaving first base open, he actually batted behind the two boppers in the lineup.

10. CHARLIE GEHRINGER, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: .298 average, 112 runs, 184 hits, 44 doubles, 11 triples, 19 home runs, 107 RBIs, 68 walks.
• For the only time between 1927 and 1940, Gehringer finished with a sub-.300 average after collecting just four hits in his final 24 at-bats of the season.

NL Pitchers

1. LON WARNEKE, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.37 ERA, 22 wins, 6 losses, 25 complete games, 4 shutouts, .786 win percentage, 277 innings.
• Warneke more than set the pace to initiate a string of 10 straight winning seasons.

2. CARL HUBBELL, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.50 ERA, 18 wins, 11 losses, 40 appearances, 32 starts, 284 innings, 40 walks.
• In 16 of the 22 games in which Hubbell went the distance, he gave up two or fewer earned runs.

3. RED LUCAS, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 2.94 ERA, 13 wins, 17 losses, 28 complete games, 269.1 innings, 35 walks.
• The right-hander from Tennessee authored the best ERA of his 15-year career—but poor support led him to a career-worst number of losses.

4. WATTY CLARK, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 3.49 ERA, 20 wins, 12 losses, 40 appearances, 36 starts, 273 innings, 49 walks.
• By winning his last seven starts, Clark finally reached the promised land of 20 victories, before imploding over the next two seasons.

5. SI JOHNSON, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 3.27 ERA, 13 wins, 15 losses, 42 appearances, 27 starts, 245 innings, 57 walks.
• Like Red Lucas above, woeful offense played a big role in Johnson’s inability to sport an acceptable record; it would only get worse over the next two years (a combined 14-40 mark).

6. HUCK BETTS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.80 ERA, 13 wins, 11 losses, 221.1 innings, 35 walks.
• Back in the majors for the first time since an unsatisfying first tenure with the Phillies during the early 1920s, the 35-year-old Betts brought more sage and backbone following five solid minor league campaigns for St. Paul in the American Association.

7. LARRY FRENCH, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 3.02 ERA, 18 wins, 16 losses, 47 appearances, 33 starts, 274.1 innings, 62 walks.
• One of the hardest working pitchers of the time, French finished strong by winning half of his games from mid-August on.

8. DIZZY DEAN, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 3.30 ERA, 18 wins, 15 losses, 46 appearances, 33 starts, 4 shutouts, 286 innings, 191 strikeouts.
• At 21, Dean made his presence known by becoming an instant threat on the mound—and a pain in the rear to Cardinals management, threatening to bolt at midseason due to a contract he suddenly wasn’t happy with.

9. STEVE SWETONIC, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 2.82 ERA, 11 wins, 6 losses, 4 shutouts.
• Local guy makes good, even if briefly; the Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania native gave up a major league-best .221 opposing batting average in, easily, his best of five big-league seasons.

10. GUY BUSH, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.21 ERA, 19 wins, 11 losses, 40 appearances, 30 starts.
• The man with the 15-10 record and 6.20 ERA in 1930 got a slightly more prominent record with half the ERA of two years later.

AL Pitchers

1. LEFTY GROVE, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 2.84 ERA, 25 wins, 10 losses, .714 win percentage, 7 saves, 44 appearances, 30 starts, 27 complete games, 4 shutouts, 291.2 innings, 188 strikeouts.
• It was a bad year for Grove, but only in relative terms; he lost 10 games for the first time in five years and failed to lead the league in strikeouts for the first time in seven years—but he capped his sixth straight 20-win campaign and his fourth straight AL ERA crown.

2. GENERAL CROWDER, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: 3.33 ERA, 26 wins, 15 losses, 50 appearances, 39 starts, 327 innings.
• Settled back in at D.C.—where he began his career in 1926 before spending roughly three years with the Browns—the General earned his stars as Workhorse of the Year.

3. RED RUFFING, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.09 ERA, 18 wins, 7 losses, .720 win percentage, 259 innings, 190 strikeouts, 115 walks.
• Ruffing was the guy responsible for knocking Lefty Grove off the top spot of the AL strikeout leaderboard for the first time in seven years.

4. WES FERRELL, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 3.66 ERA, 23 wins, 13 losses, 38 appearances, 34 starts, 26 complete games, 287.2 innings.
• Ferrell became the first, and still the only, pitcher to win at least 20 games in each of his first four years.

5. JOHNNY ALLEN, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.70 ERA, 17 wins, 4 losses, .810 win percentage.
• The 27-year-old rookie didn’t waste time grabbing more than his share of wins, something he’d luck out on throughout much of his career—and that was a good thing given his temperamental attitude.

6. MEL HARDER, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 3.75 ERA, 15 wins, 13 losses, 39 appearances, 32 starts, 254.2 innings, 68 walks.
• Consistent if anything else, Harder began an eight-year run in which he won at least 15 games.

7. TED LYONS, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.28 ERA, 10 wins, 15 losses, 230.2 innings.
• The long-time White Sock, now halfway through his Hall-of-Fame career, deserved better than a 10-15 record—but perspective is everything; the White Sox finished 49-102.

8. LEFTY GOMEZ, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 4.21 ERA, 24 wins, 7 losses, .774 win percentage, 37 appearances, 31 starts, 265.1 innings.
• Proving life isn’t fair, Gomez put together an ERA one run higher than Lyons but attached it to a much better record thanks to run support that was nearly double per start.

9. MONTE WEAVER, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: 4.08 ERA, 22 wins, 10 losses, 43 appearances, 30 starts, 234 innings.
• It was a sterling rookie effort for Weaver, but it would be his best effort as a switch to a vegan diet would take the power out of his pitching game in later years.

10. CLINT BROWN, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 4.08 ERA, 15 wins, 12 losses, 37 appearances, 32 starts, 262.2 innings, 50 walks.
• Before making slightly better fame later in the decade as the White Sox’ closer, Brown enjoyed his best effort as a starter.