Long before Joe DiMaggio attained immortality in the Bronx, a diminutive outfielder from Baltimore set the bar for him. "Wee Willie" Keeler stood just five-foot-four and weighed one hundred and forty pounds. He spent several of his prime seasons with the infamously rough and tumble Orioles squads. The O's were notorious for fracturing rules and Keeler was no exception, keeping extra baseballs hidden in the high grass at Oriole Park in case the ones hit to right field eluded him. Appearing at the top of the batting order, Keeler led Baltimore to three consecutive first place finishes. His most remarkable offensive season came in 1897.
After collecting a hit in his last at-bat of the '96 slate, he hit safely in the first 44 games of the '97 campaign, breaking a record set by "Bad Bill" Dahlen of the Chicago Colts. Keeler's streak came to an end on June 19 against the Pirates. The pitcher that afternoon was Frank Killen, a left-hander who won 30 games in a season twice during his career. There was far less hullabaloo about streaks and records in those days. In fact, a Pittsburgh Press correspondent saw fit to mention Keeler's accomplishment only briefly, remarking: "Until today, Keeler had not missed a hit or more in each game this season." That was it--just one sentence! Had the reporter known that Keeler's 45-game hitting streak would stand as a National League record for more than a century, perhaps he would have waxed poetic about it.
Keeler's record was seriously challenged by NL contenders only a handful of times during the twentieth century. In 1945, Tommy Holmes of the Braves assembled a 37-game hitting streak. In 1978, Cincinnati's Pete Rose tied the single-season mark. Arguably the greatest player outside the Hall of Fame, Rose got his nickname "Charlie Hustle" from Yankee southpaw Whitey Ford, who resented the way Rose sprinted to first base after receiving a walk during an exhibition game. Rose was known for his intensity on the field, sliding headfirst into bags and bowling over anyone who stood in his path. During a playoff loss in 1973, he fought with lightweight shortstop Bud Harrelson, solidifying his reputation as a bully. Three years earlier, his ethics had come into question after a vicious collision with catcher Ray Fosse during the All-Star Game.
Playing with unbridled ferocity, Rose hit safely in 44 straight games during the '78 campaign, mirroring "Wee Willie's" 1897 feat. On August 1, he was stopped in his final at-bat against change-up specialist Gene Garber of the Braves. Garber remembered the game vividly many years after the fact, commenting: "It was the most nervous I'd ever been in my life because I was scared to death I might walk him. I'd be a horses' rear end and never live it down if I walked him to end the streak, so that made the situation a lot more difficult than it really was."
The right-handed Garber was summoned in relief of Dave Campbell, who had taken over for rookie Larry McWilliams. McWilliams had walked Rose in his first plate appearance then robbed him of a hit an inning later with a nifty grab on an ankle-high liner hit back through the box.There were more than 31,000 fans on hand--an unusual sight at Fulton County Stadium considering that the Braves were non-contenders. By the time Rose came to the plate in the ninth inning, Atlanta had opened up a 16-4 lead. There was nothing at stake except the streak. Hitless in four previous trips to the dish, Rose faced Garber with 2 outs and nobody on. With the count at 2-and-2, he swung through a change-up, ending his incredible run. Rose didn't realize that the post-game interview was live and vented his frustration to reporters. Asked how he felt about the streak being over, he barked: "At least now I don't have to deal with you jerks anymore." He later complained that Garber had pitched to him "like it was the seventh game of the World Series." Responding to the comment years later, Garber commented: "For him to say that was a compliment to me. That was my hope, to be perceived as playing the game that way."
Garber spent nineteen years in the majors and recorded more than 200 saves. He lost 108 games in relief--a major league record. To date, he is the only hurler with 200 saves who never made an All-Star appearance.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Monday, November 17, 2014
Record-Setting Streaks (Part I--Joe DiMaggio)
Joe DiMaggio's famous 56-game streak began on May 15, 1941, when the Yankee center fielder went 1-for-4 against White Sox southpaw Eddie Smith. For the next two months, "Joltin' Joe" hit safely in every game. He logged a total of 223 at-bats during the remarkable skein, compiling a .408 batting average with 35 extra-base hits and 55 RBIs. When he began his assault on the record books, his Yankees were sitting in fourth place, five and a half games behind the Indians. After game #56, the Bombers had climbed into first and held a six-game lead over Cleveland.
The streak, which inspired a popular big band song performed by Les Brown, was endangered on several occasions. In games #30 and #31, "The Yankee Clipper" was helped considerably by New York's official scorer Dan Daniel. In each game, Hall of Fame shortstop Luke Appling botched easy grounders hit by DiMaggio. Daniel counted both as base hits, prompting scorn from a handful of sportswriters. A few days later, Joe D. was hitless entering the seventh inning against the Browns. St. Louis manager Luke Sewell ordered pitcher Bob Muncrief to walk the Yankee clean-up man, but Muncrief refused. DiMaggio expanded the streak to 36 games with a single.
On July 17, the Yankees were scheduled to play the Indians at Cleveland's League Park. Anticipating a large crowd, the Indians moved the Thursday night game to Municipal Stadium--a cavernous venue that could accommodate up to 78,000 fans. Though the park was within walking distance of the visiting team's hotel, DiMaggio opted to share a taxi with pitching ace Lefty Gomez. Recognizing his famous passenger, the cabbie said to DiMaggio: "I've got a strong feeling that you're going to get stopped tonight." (Many versions of the quote exist) Gomez was highly perturbed by the comment while DiMaggio just brushed it off.
As it turns out, the driver was on to something. A fixture at third base for the Indians, Ken Keltner was among the most talented glove men in the majors. With wide range and a strong arm, he led the American League in assists four times while capturing three fielding titles. After the events of July 17, 1941, he would forever be remembered as the man who brought DiMaggio's illustrious record to a dramatic end. In the first inning, DiMaggio smashed a hard bouncer to third. Keltner, who was shaded toward the line, backhanded the ball and threw to first baseman Oscar Grimes to beat DiMaggio by a step.
"Ground's still wet," DiMaggio squawked in the dugout. "Footing's not the best"
In the fourth inning, the Yankee slugger drew a walk, prompting a chorus of boos from the crowd. When he came to bat again in the seventh, the score was tied at one apiece. On the first offering from left-hander Al Smith, DiMaggio sent another hot shot to Keltner at third. Again, Keltner made a spectacular back-handed grab as DiMaggio struggled to find his footing. He was out by a full stride. After the Yankees had rallied for three runs in the eighth, Jim Bagby Jr. came on in relief. DiMaggio had homered off of Bagby on June 15, extending his streak to 28. With one out and a runner on first, DiMaggio rapped a 2-1 pitch to Lou Boudreau at short. It took a wicked hop, but Boudreau stayed with it, starting a 6-4-3 double play. Just like that, "The Streak" was officially over.
The Indians arranged a police escort for Keltner and his wife as they left the stadium. The following day, DiMaggio picked up right where he had left off, hitting in sixteen more games. He ended up reaching base safely in 74 consecutive contests (a record broken by Ted Williams in 1949). Fifty years later, Keltner and DiMaggio celebrated the famous hitting streak by making several public appearances together. "I'm glad I'm remembered for something," Keltner remarked. "I didn't feel like a villain. Somebody had to do it. I'm glad he hit them to me."
Monday, November 10, 2014
Hall of Fame Voting 2015: Who's New?
It's time for my annual Hall of Fame predictions. This year's new crop should make the balloting pretty interesting!
Notable holdovers from last year include Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. If last year's voting is any indication of the direction we're headed in, then either Biggio or Piazza could be enshrined in 2015. Biggio missed by a hair's breadth, capturing 74.8% of the vote last year. Piazza received a 62.2% share--up 5% from the previous election. Bonds and Clemens (members of the steroid class) both finished in the 30th percentile and are long shots for the Hall regardless of their accomplishments.
There are several players approaching the end of their fifteen-year candidacy, all of whom seem to be falling out of favor with the Hall of Fame electorate. Former Tigers' pitching ace, Jack Morris, was eliminated last year after peaking at 67.7% of the vote in 2013. Other long-term veterans on the ballot include Don Mattingly, Alan Trammel and Lee Smith. Mattingly, whose prime years were cut short by chronic back trouble, will get his last shot this year. Trammel (an immensely talented shortstop in an era dominated by shortstops) is entering his fourteenth year of eligibility while Lee (the all time saves leader until 2006) has hung in there for the past twelve seasons. Each experienced a significant decrease in support last year and can be realistically eliminated as contenders.
So who's new this year?
There are a slew of candidates who will undoubtedly fail to meet minimum requirements for future eligibility. Those players include Jarrod Washburn, Joe Crede, Paul Byrd, David Weathers and Ron Villone (among others). But this year's rookie class includes at least one first-ballot Hall of Famer. With more than 300 wins and 4,000 strikeouts, I would be shocked and disappointed to see Randy Johnson get overlooked. I'm a bit skeptical about newcomer Pedro Martinez. Though he owns one of the highest winning percentages in baseball history, I'm not sure that his era of dominance extended long enough. It will be interesting to see how members of the Cooperstown electorate feel. Other players I believe will get moderate consideration in their first year of eligibility are John Smoltz and Gary Sheffield. Sheffield played for a long time and put up excellent power numbers despite suffering an ongoing string of injuries. Smoltz collected more than 200 wins and 150 saves--a unique combination in the modern era.
Predictions: Just for Fun
There is no doubt in my mind that Craig Biggio belongs in the Hall of Fame. He was a sparkplug for numerous Astro squads that didn't contend along with several that did. With 3,000 hits, four Gold Gloves and seven All-Star selections, I believe that 2015 will be his year. I think that Randy Johnson will be making an acceptance speech in Cooperstown this coming summer as well. Since there were multiple players enshrined last year, I wouldn't be at all surprised to find Mike Piazza among the 2015 inductees. Though he had some shortcomings behind the plate, he was among the greatest offensive catchers in history. Bagwell--a two-time 30/30 man with a stellar lifetime on-base percentage of .408--will have to wait along with Smoltz and Martinez.
Notable holdovers from last year include Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. If last year's voting is any indication of the direction we're headed in, then either Biggio or Piazza could be enshrined in 2015. Biggio missed by a hair's breadth, capturing 74.8% of the vote last year. Piazza received a 62.2% share--up 5% from the previous election. Bonds and Clemens (members of the steroid class) both finished in the 30th percentile and are long shots for the Hall regardless of their accomplishments.
There are several players approaching the end of their fifteen-year candidacy, all of whom seem to be falling out of favor with the Hall of Fame electorate. Former Tigers' pitching ace, Jack Morris, was eliminated last year after peaking at 67.7% of the vote in 2013. Other long-term veterans on the ballot include Don Mattingly, Alan Trammel and Lee Smith. Mattingly, whose prime years were cut short by chronic back trouble, will get his last shot this year. Trammel (an immensely talented shortstop in an era dominated by shortstops) is entering his fourteenth year of eligibility while Lee (the all time saves leader until 2006) has hung in there for the past twelve seasons. Each experienced a significant decrease in support last year and can be realistically eliminated as contenders.
So who's new this year?
There are a slew of candidates who will undoubtedly fail to meet minimum requirements for future eligibility. Those players include Jarrod Washburn, Joe Crede, Paul Byrd, David Weathers and Ron Villone (among others). But this year's rookie class includes at least one first-ballot Hall of Famer. With more than 300 wins and 4,000 strikeouts, I would be shocked and disappointed to see Randy Johnson get overlooked. I'm a bit skeptical about newcomer Pedro Martinez. Though he owns one of the highest winning percentages in baseball history, I'm not sure that his era of dominance extended long enough. It will be interesting to see how members of the Cooperstown electorate feel. Other players I believe will get moderate consideration in their first year of eligibility are John Smoltz and Gary Sheffield. Sheffield played for a long time and put up excellent power numbers despite suffering an ongoing string of injuries. Smoltz collected more than 200 wins and 150 saves--a unique combination in the modern era.
Predictions: Just for Fun
There is no doubt in my mind that Craig Biggio belongs in the Hall of Fame. He was a sparkplug for numerous Astro squads that didn't contend along with several that did. With 3,000 hits, four Gold Gloves and seven All-Star selections, I believe that 2015 will be his year. I think that Randy Johnson will be making an acceptance speech in Cooperstown this coming summer as well. Since there were multiple players enshrined last year, I wouldn't be at all surprised to find Mike Piazza among the 2015 inductees. Though he had some shortcomings behind the plate, he was among the greatest offensive catchers in history. Bagwell--a two-time 30/30 man with a stellar lifetime on-base percentage of .408--will have to wait along with Smoltz and Martinez.
Monday, November 3, 2014
MVPs We Hardly Know ('80s-'90s)
Willie Hernandez (1984 AL MVP)
Hernandez began his pro career with the Cubs in 1977. During his six seasons in Chicago, the team never placed higher than third. He pitched moderately well at times, but failed to make a name for himself until a trade sent him to Detroit in 1984. The Tigers had a banner season, capturing the AL pennant then cruising to a Series victory over the Padres. Hernandez played a major role, leading the league in closing appearances while posting a spectacular ERA of 1.92. He yielded just 2 runs in six postseason appearances and was on the mound when the Tigers clinched their first world championship since 1968. Hernandez used an assortment of screwballs, sinking fastballs and curves. At one point during his career, he converted 32 consecutive save opportunities--a record since broken. After receiving Cy Young and MVP honors in '84, he spent the next five seasons with the Tigers. He saved 88 games and posted a 27-28 record in that span. A native of Puerto Rico, he reverted to his birth name of Guillermo in 1987. When his ERA soared to 5.74 in '89, he fell from the major league ranks. He continued in the minors until '95.
Willie McGee (1985 NL MVP)
Originally signed by the Yankees, McGee spent portions of ten seasons in the minors. He had an even longer major league career, playing for four teams over an eighteen-year span. McGee combined speed with clutch-hitting during his prime. He finished among the top ten in stolen bases four times between '83 and '88. He was among the Cardinals' top RBI producers several times in that same stretch. McGee enjoyed his greatest all around season in 1985, earning an All-Star selection, a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award. He led the NL with 216 hits, 18 triples and a .353 batting average. He was a resounding choice for MVP that year. Though McGee's averages dropped considerably over the next several seasons, he bounced back with a second NL batting title in 1990. The feat was somewhat unusual as he played 125 games for the Cards that year before an August trade landed him in Oakland. He hit just .274 for the A's, but since his NL average remained at .335, he was declared the batting champion by a somewhat narrow margin over Eddie Murray of the Dodgers. McGee had some good seasons after 1990, but never came close to matching his MVP numbers. He retired in '99 with a .295 lifetime batting average. During his career, he was a quiet, unassuming player who was hesitant to draw attention to himself.
George Bell (1987 AL MVP)
Bell was discovered by Blue Jays' scout Epy Guerrero while playing in the Dominican Republic. Guerrero is noted for having signed a slew of great Latino ballplayers, among them Cesar Cedeno, Tony Fernandez and Carlos Delgado. Bell had a breakthrough season with the Blue Jays in 1984, finishing among the league leaders in extra base hits. He would remain a regular in the Toronto lineup for the next six seasons. Playing alongside speedster Lloyd Moseby and slugger Jesse Barfield in the Blue Jays outfield, Bell saw his club rise to contention, going all the way to the ALCS in 1985. His most productive season came in 1987, when he led the league in RBIs (134) and Total bases (369) while hitting .308. At season's end, he was named AL MVP. A 1991 traded sent Bell to the Cubs. He ended up with the White Sox the following year. He had several good slugging seasons after his MVP year, reaching the century mark in RBIs twice. When his batting average fell to .217 in '93, he disappeared from the majors. He served as a minor league hitting coach for several years. In 2013, he was elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
Kevin Mitchell (1989 NL MVP)
As a teenager, Mitchell ran with an urban street gang and was allegedly shot several times. The Mets rescued him from the streets when they signed him as an amateur free agent in 1980. Known as a malingerer and a toxic clubhouse presence, Mitchell did not endear himself to management in any of the cities he played for. But he was periodically brilliant on the field. Serving mostly as an outfielder, his best offensive span came between 1988 and 1990, when he averaged 33 homers and 99 RBIs per year. He enjoyed his signature campaign in '89, leading the Giants to a World Series berth while pacing the NL with 47 homers, 125 RBIs and a .635 slugging percentage. He stayed hot in the postseason, hitting .323 with 3 homers and 9 RBIs in nine games. Injuries and unpleasant incidents began to pile up after 1989 and Mitchell played for five different teams between '92 and '98, which was his last season in the majors. Anyone interested in specific details of Mitchell's misadventures can pick up a copy of my book: Baseball's Most Notorious Personalities.
Terry Pendleton (1991 NL MVP)
Pendleton was selected by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the '82 amateur draft. He ascended quickly through the minors and made his big league debut in '84. It was a promising one as he hit .324 in 67 games and finished seventh in Rookie of the Year voting. A slick-fielding third baseman, Pendleton led the NL in putouts and assists five times apiece. He won a fielding title in 1989 and captured three Gold Gloves. After helping St. Louis to a pair of World Series appearances in 1985 and '87, he joined the Atlanta Braves. A vital member of various star-studded rosters, he made frequent appearances on the October stage. From 1991 through 1996, he played in four National League Championship Series and three Fall Classics. Pendelton put up his best regular season numbers in 1991, leading the NL in hits (187) and total bases (303) while capturing a batting title. The MVP vote was extremely close, but he edged out Barry Bonds of the Pirates. Pendletton followed his MVP effort with another solid season, leading the NL in hits for the second year in a row. Injuries and age began to take their toll and he was finished in the majors after 1998. He has served as a Braves hitting coach since 2002.
Ken Caminiti (1996 NL MVP)
Ken Caminiti is perhaps best remembered for the way his life ended in ruin. After admitting to polysubstance abuse during his playing days, he died of a drug overdoes in a run-down section of the Bronx in New York City. He was suffering from an enlarged and weakened heart--a condition that was significantly affected by steroid use. In 2002, Caminiti admitted to using performance enhancing drugs during his MVP season of 1996. He also confessed to abusing alcohol and painkillers earlier in his career. Just months before his untimely death in 2004, he tested positive for cocaine. Caminiti played for fifteen seasons, spending time with four different clubs. His best all around year came in '96 when he slammed 40 homers and drove-in 130 runs for the Padres. He finished sixth in the league with a .326 batting average and also captured a Gold Glove (the second of three he would receive at third base during his career). Caminiti's numbers gradually tapered off and, in 2001, he posted a substandard .228 batting mark. He was finished as a player after that. Teammate Trevor Hoffman praised Caminiti's determination, commenting: "He worked his ass off. But he obviously had help. His pain threshold was higher than most. He had things that probably would have crippled a lot of people."
Hernandez began his pro career with the Cubs in 1977. During his six seasons in Chicago, the team never placed higher than third. He pitched moderately well at times, but failed to make a name for himself until a trade sent him to Detroit in 1984. The Tigers had a banner season, capturing the AL pennant then cruising to a Series victory over the Padres. Hernandez played a major role, leading the league in closing appearances while posting a spectacular ERA of 1.92. He yielded just 2 runs in six postseason appearances and was on the mound when the Tigers clinched their first world championship since 1968. Hernandez used an assortment of screwballs, sinking fastballs and curves. At one point during his career, he converted 32 consecutive save opportunities--a record since broken. After receiving Cy Young and MVP honors in '84, he spent the next five seasons with the Tigers. He saved 88 games and posted a 27-28 record in that span. A native of Puerto Rico, he reverted to his birth name of Guillermo in 1987. When his ERA soared to 5.74 in '89, he fell from the major league ranks. He continued in the minors until '95.
Willie McGee (1985 NL MVP)
Originally signed by the Yankees, McGee spent portions of ten seasons in the minors. He had an even longer major league career, playing for four teams over an eighteen-year span. McGee combined speed with clutch-hitting during his prime. He finished among the top ten in stolen bases four times between '83 and '88. He was among the Cardinals' top RBI producers several times in that same stretch. McGee enjoyed his greatest all around season in 1985, earning an All-Star selection, a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award. He led the NL with 216 hits, 18 triples and a .353 batting average. He was a resounding choice for MVP that year. Though McGee's averages dropped considerably over the next several seasons, he bounced back with a second NL batting title in 1990. The feat was somewhat unusual as he played 125 games for the Cards that year before an August trade landed him in Oakland. He hit just .274 for the A's, but since his NL average remained at .335, he was declared the batting champion by a somewhat narrow margin over Eddie Murray of the Dodgers. McGee had some good seasons after 1990, but never came close to matching his MVP numbers. He retired in '99 with a .295 lifetime batting average. During his career, he was a quiet, unassuming player who was hesitant to draw attention to himself.
George Bell (1987 AL MVP)
Bell was discovered by Blue Jays' scout Epy Guerrero while playing in the Dominican Republic. Guerrero is noted for having signed a slew of great Latino ballplayers, among them Cesar Cedeno, Tony Fernandez and Carlos Delgado. Bell had a breakthrough season with the Blue Jays in 1984, finishing among the league leaders in extra base hits. He would remain a regular in the Toronto lineup for the next six seasons. Playing alongside speedster Lloyd Moseby and slugger Jesse Barfield in the Blue Jays outfield, Bell saw his club rise to contention, going all the way to the ALCS in 1985. His most productive season came in 1987, when he led the league in RBIs (134) and Total bases (369) while hitting .308. At season's end, he was named AL MVP. A 1991 traded sent Bell to the Cubs. He ended up with the White Sox the following year. He had several good slugging seasons after his MVP year, reaching the century mark in RBIs twice. When his batting average fell to .217 in '93, he disappeared from the majors. He served as a minor league hitting coach for several years. In 2013, he was elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
Kevin Mitchell (1989 NL MVP)
As a teenager, Mitchell ran with an urban street gang and was allegedly shot several times. The Mets rescued him from the streets when they signed him as an amateur free agent in 1980. Known as a malingerer and a toxic clubhouse presence, Mitchell did not endear himself to management in any of the cities he played for. But he was periodically brilliant on the field. Serving mostly as an outfielder, his best offensive span came between 1988 and 1990, when he averaged 33 homers and 99 RBIs per year. He enjoyed his signature campaign in '89, leading the Giants to a World Series berth while pacing the NL with 47 homers, 125 RBIs and a .635 slugging percentage. He stayed hot in the postseason, hitting .323 with 3 homers and 9 RBIs in nine games. Injuries and unpleasant incidents began to pile up after 1989 and Mitchell played for five different teams between '92 and '98, which was his last season in the majors. Anyone interested in specific details of Mitchell's misadventures can pick up a copy of my book: Baseball's Most Notorious Personalities.
Terry Pendleton (1991 NL MVP)
Pendleton was selected by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the '82 amateur draft. He ascended quickly through the minors and made his big league debut in '84. It was a promising one as he hit .324 in 67 games and finished seventh in Rookie of the Year voting. A slick-fielding third baseman, Pendleton led the NL in putouts and assists five times apiece. He won a fielding title in 1989 and captured three Gold Gloves. After helping St. Louis to a pair of World Series appearances in 1985 and '87, he joined the Atlanta Braves. A vital member of various star-studded rosters, he made frequent appearances on the October stage. From 1991 through 1996, he played in four National League Championship Series and three Fall Classics. Pendelton put up his best regular season numbers in 1991, leading the NL in hits (187) and total bases (303) while capturing a batting title. The MVP vote was extremely close, but he edged out Barry Bonds of the Pirates. Pendletton followed his MVP effort with another solid season, leading the NL in hits for the second year in a row. Injuries and age began to take their toll and he was finished in the majors after 1998. He has served as a Braves hitting coach since 2002.
Ken Caminiti (1996 NL MVP)
Ken Caminiti is perhaps best remembered for the way his life ended in ruin. After admitting to polysubstance abuse during his playing days, he died of a drug overdoes in a run-down section of the Bronx in New York City. He was suffering from an enlarged and weakened heart--a condition that was significantly affected by steroid use. In 2002, Caminiti admitted to using performance enhancing drugs during his MVP season of 1996. He also confessed to abusing alcohol and painkillers earlier in his career. Just months before his untimely death in 2004, he tested positive for cocaine. Caminiti played for fifteen seasons, spending time with four different clubs. His best all around year came in '96 when he slammed 40 homers and drove-in 130 runs for the Padres. He finished sixth in the league with a .326 batting average and also captured a Gold Glove (the second of three he would receive at third base during his career). Caminiti's numbers gradually tapered off and, in 2001, he posted a substandard .228 batting mark. He was finished as a player after that. Teammate Trevor Hoffman praised Caminiti's determination, commenting: "He worked his ass off. But he obviously had help. His pain threshold was higher than most. He had things that probably would have crippled a lot of people."
Monday, October 27, 2014
MVPs We Hardly Know (1960-1974)
Dick Groat (1960 NL MVP)
Groat could have chosen basketball as a career if he had wanted to. He was an All-American at Duke University,winning the UPI National Player of the Year award in 1951. He began his pro baseball career with the Pirates the following season. Without the benefit of any minor league experience, he hit .284 in 95 games and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. At season's end, he returned to Duke to complete his degree and ended up being selected in the first round of the NBA draft. He played in 26 games for the Fort Wayne Pistons, averaging 11.9 points per game. His season ended prematurely when he was drafted into the Army. Upon receiving an honorable discharge in 1955, Groat considered pursuing both sports, but ultimately chose hardball over the hardwood.
With the addition of Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Bill Mazeroski in the mid-50s, the Pirates climbed into contention after several years of mediocrity. Groat held his own, combining solid defense with timely hitting. In 1959, he earned his first All-Star selection. He followed with his signature season, winning a batting title, a World Series ring and an MVP Award. Although he was an offensive no-show in the Series that year, he was widely praised for his leadership. His RBI single in the eighth inning of Game 7 helped ignite a historic Pirate rally that sank the powerful Yankees. Groat had some good seasons after 1960, getting named to three more All-Star teams before calling it quits in '67. In later years, he ran a golf course outside of Pittsburgh and served as a commentator at Duquesne University basketball games.
Ken Boyer (1964 NL MVP)
Boyer came from a family of fourteen children. He was one of three siblings who made it to the majors. Cloyd--the oldest--had the shortest career, spending five seasons in the Show as a pitcher. Clete--the youngest--enjoyed great success with the New York Yankee teams of the late-'50s/ early-60s. Together, Clete and Ken combined for 444 lifetime homers, placing them third on the all time list among big league brothers. Only the Aarons and DiMaggios surpassed that total.
Ken began his big league career with the Cardinals in 1955. He blossomed into one of the finest defensive third basemen in the National League, capturing five Gold Glove Awards. He enjoyed his peak offensive years from '56-'64, gathering no fewer than 23 homers and 90 RBIs on eight occasions during that span. His finest hour came in 1964, when he earned his sixth All-Star selection and only World Series ring. At season's end, he was named NL MVP. Slowed by back trouble the following year, Boyer's numbers began to taper off. He played for three different clubs between '66 and '69 then retired. He took over as Cardinals manager in '78, but was fired just 51 games into the 1980 campaign. Two years later, he died of lung cancer. His number (14) was retired in St. Louis.
Denny McLain (1968 AL MVP)
Originally property of the White Sox, the Tigers obtained McLain in the 1963 minor league draft. For five seasons, he was among the best pitchers in the American League, capturing two Cy Young Awards and earning three All-Star selections between 1965 and 1969. In '68, he became the last pitcher of the modern era to win 30 games during the regular season. He added another win in the World Series against the Cardinals, finishing with 32.
McLain's SABR biography describes him as "cocky, arrogant, reckless." He had a habit of pulling his cap down so low that he had to tilt his head back to see the signs from his catchers. He treated batters to a steady diet of fastballs and hard sliders, employing a "Here it is--hit it if you can" strategy. Off the field, he was compared to a high school wise guy. He flew his own airplane and sometimes played the organ at Tigers games. McLain had little success after 1969 as the strain of averaging nearly 300 innings per season over a three-year span began to take its toll. Traded to the Senators in 1971, he compiled an 18-36 record before retiring from baseball two years later. McLain could not keep his personal life in order after baseball. He was sent to prison twice for charges of fraud and embezzlement. In 2008, he failed to show up in court to testify in a foreclosure and eviction case. He ended up in jail.
Boog Powell (1970 AL MVP)
Powell's unusual nickname came from his father, who used the word "Boog" as shorthand for the term "Bugger." After graduating from Key West High School in Florida, Powell quickly ascended through the Orioles minor league ranks. Called to the majors in September of '61, he would spend thirteen full seasons at first base in Baltimore. A big man at six-foot-four, 230 pounds, he was little more than adequate with a glove. His primary value to the club was on offense. Between 1963 and 1970, he smashed 25 or more homers five times while gathering 80 or more RBIs on six occasions. He had his shining moment in 1970, when he finished among the AL top five in at least half a dozen categories, among them homers, RBIs and total bases. He continued to hit well in the World Series against Cincinnati, driving in 5 runs with a double and a pair of homers. It was Baltimore's only championship of the decade.Powell played in four Fall Classics with the Orioles altogether, coming out on the winning end twice.
After another solid effort in 1972, Powell's numbers tapered off. Traded to Cleveland in '75, he bounced back with 27 homers, 86 RBIs and a .297 batting average. It was his last excellent season. After his retirement, Powell appeared in a series of TV commercials for Miller Lite Beer. He currently owns Boog's Barbeque, an eatery located on Eutaw Street at Camden Yards. A second restaurant is located in Ocean City.
Jeff Burroughs (1974 AL MVP)
Burroughs got his start in the Senators organization, but would spend his most productive years with the Rangers and Braves. A right-handed outfielder with some power, he had a breakthrough season in 1973, launching 30 home runs--second in the league to Reggie Jackson of the A's. The following year--at just 23 years of age--Burroughs captured MVP honors on the strength of his 60 extra-base hits and league-high 118 RBIs. He won the vote by a wide margin over four different members of the championship A's, among them Jackson and Catfish Hunter.
Burroughs struck out at an alarming rate over the course of his career, but drew a fair amount of walks as well. After hitting just .226 in '74 and .237 the following year, he was traded to Atlanta. He reached a career high for homers in '77, going deep 41 times. That total was eclipsed by George Foster of the Reds, who became the first player to hit more than 50 long balls in a season since Willie Mays accomplished the feat in '65. After receiving his second All-Star selection in 1978, Burroughs became a rather ordinary player. He never hit more than 16 homers or drove-in more than 56 runs in any season from 1979 to 1985, which was the year he retired. He coached his son Sean's team to consecutive Little League World Series berths in 1992 and '93. Sean later ascended to the majors with the Padres. As of 2014, he was playing for Bridgeport of the Atlantic League after compiling a .278 batting average in portions of seven big league seasons.
Groat could have chosen basketball as a career if he had wanted to. He was an All-American at Duke University,winning the UPI National Player of the Year award in 1951. He began his pro baseball career with the Pirates the following season. Without the benefit of any minor league experience, he hit .284 in 95 games and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. At season's end, he returned to Duke to complete his degree and ended up being selected in the first round of the NBA draft. He played in 26 games for the Fort Wayne Pistons, averaging 11.9 points per game. His season ended prematurely when he was drafted into the Army. Upon receiving an honorable discharge in 1955, Groat considered pursuing both sports, but ultimately chose hardball over the hardwood.
With the addition of Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Bill Mazeroski in the mid-50s, the Pirates climbed into contention after several years of mediocrity. Groat held his own, combining solid defense with timely hitting. In 1959, he earned his first All-Star selection. He followed with his signature season, winning a batting title, a World Series ring and an MVP Award. Although he was an offensive no-show in the Series that year, he was widely praised for his leadership. His RBI single in the eighth inning of Game 7 helped ignite a historic Pirate rally that sank the powerful Yankees. Groat had some good seasons after 1960, getting named to three more All-Star teams before calling it quits in '67. In later years, he ran a golf course outside of Pittsburgh and served as a commentator at Duquesne University basketball games.
Ken Boyer (1964 NL MVP)
Boyer came from a family of fourteen children. He was one of three siblings who made it to the majors. Cloyd--the oldest--had the shortest career, spending five seasons in the Show as a pitcher. Clete--the youngest--enjoyed great success with the New York Yankee teams of the late-'50s/ early-60s. Together, Clete and Ken combined for 444 lifetime homers, placing them third on the all time list among big league brothers. Only the Aarons and DiMaggios surpassed that total.
Ken began his big league career with the Cardinals in 1955. He blossomed into one of the finest defensive third basemen in the National League, capturing five Gold Glove Awards. He enjoyed his peak offensive years from '56-'64, gathering no fewer than 23 homers and 90 RBIs on eight occasions during that span. His finest hour came in 1964, when he earned his sixth All-Star selection and only World Series ring. At season's end, he was named NL MVP. Slowed by back trouble the following year, Boyer's numbers began to taper off. He played for three different clubs between '66 and '69 then retired. He took over as Cardinals manager in '78, but was fired just 51 games into the 1980 campaign. Two years later, he died of lung cancer. His number (14) was retired in St. Louis.
Denny McLain (1968 AL MVP)
Originally property of the White Sox, the Tigers obtained McLain in the 1963 minor league draft. For five seasons, he was among the best pitchers in the American League, capturing two Cy Young Awards and earning three All-Star selections between 1965 and 1969. In '68, he became the last pitcher of the modern era to win 30 games during the regular season. He added another win in the World Series against the Cardinals, finishing with 32.
McLain's SABR biography describes him as "cocky, arrogant, reckless." He had a habit of pulling his cap down so low that he had to tilt his head back to see the signs from his catchers. He treated batters to a steady diet of fastballs and hard sliders, employing a "Here it is--hit it if you can" strategy. Off the field, he was compared to a high school wise guy. He flew his own airplane and sometimes played the organ at Tigers games. McLain had little success after 1969 as the strain of averaging nearly 300 innings per season over a three-year span began to take its toll. Traded to the Senators in 1971, he compiled an 18-36 record before retiring from baseball two years later. McLain could not keep his personal life in order after baseball. He was sent to prison twice for charges of fraud and embezzlement. In 2008, he failed to show up in court to testify in a foreclosure and eviction case. He ended up in jail.
Boog Powell (1970 AL MVP)
Powell's unusual nickname came from his father, who used the word "Boog" as shorthand for the term "Bugger." After graduating from Key West High School in Florida, Powell quickly ascended through the Orioles minor league ranks. Called to the majors in September of '61, he would spend thirteen full seasons at first base in Baltimore. A big man at six-foot-four, 230 pounds, he was little more than adequate with a glove. His primary value to the club was on offense. Between 1963 and 1970, he smashed 25 or more homers five times while gathering 80 or more RBIs on six occasions. He had his shining moment in 1970, when he finished among the AL top five in at least half a dozen categories, among them homers, RBIs and total bases. He continued to hit well in the World Series against Cincinnati, driving in 5 runs with a double and a pair of homers. It was Baltimore's only championship of the decade.Powell played in four Fall Classics with the Orioles altogether, coming out on the winning end twice.
After another solid effort in 1972, Powell's numbers tapered off. Traded to Cleveland in '75, he bounced back with 27 homers, 86 RBIs and a .297 batting average. It was his last excellent season. After his retirement, Powell appeared in a series of TV commercials for Miller Lite Beer. He currently owns Boog's Barbeque, an eatery located on Eutaw Street at Camden Yards. A second restaurant is located in Ocean City.
Jeff Burroughs (1974 AL MVP)
Burroughs got his start in the Senators organization, but would spend his most productive years with the Rangers and Braves. A right-handed outfielder with some power, he had a breakthrough season in 1973, launching 30 home runs--second in the league to Reggie Jackson of the A's. The following year--at just 23 years of age--Burroughs captured MVP honors on the strength of his 60 extra-base hits and league-high 118 RBIs. He won the vote by a wide margin over four different members of the championship A's, among them Jackson and Catfish Hunter.
Burroughs struck out at an alarming rate over the course of his career, but drew a fair amount of walks as well. After hitting just .226 in '74 and .237 the following year, he was traded to Atlanta. He reached a career high for homers in '77, going deep 41 times. That total was eclipsed by George Foster of the Reds, who became the first player to hit more than 50 long balls in a season since Willie Mays accomplished the feat in '65. After receiving his second All-Star selection in 1978, Burroughs became a rather ordinary player. He never hit more than 16 homers or drove-in more than 56 runs in any season from 1979 to 1985, which was the year he retired. He coached his son Sean's team to consecutive Little League World Series berths in 1992 and '93. Sean later ascended to the majors with the Padres. As of 2014, he was playing for Bridgeport of the Atlantic League after compiling a .278 batting average in portions of seven big league seasons.
Monday, October 20, 2014
MVPs We Hardly Know (1950s)
Jim Konstanty (1950 NL MVP)
Though Konstanty had only one brilliant season, he has been widely credited with legitimizing the role of the closer. Konstanty was a multi-sport star at Syracuse University, graduating with a degree in Phys Ed. While pitching in the minors, he doubled as a high school coach. He had a slider and a curve in his arsenal, but didn't gain success until he mastered the palmball. After appearing in 53 games for the Phillies in '49, he became the club's official closer. 1950 was Konstanty's biggest year. He led the league in appearances (74) and saves (22) while gathering 16 wins. No National League reliever had ever appeared in as many games or registered as many victories. From July 23 through August 29 of that year, he yielded just 1 run in 17 assignments, bringing his ERA to a season-low 2.14. The 1950 Phillies were dubbed "The Whiz Kids" on account of their youth and hustle. They won the pennant by a slender margin over the Dodgers then met the Yankees in the World Series. Philly manager Eddie Sawyer tried to ride Konstanty's arm to a championship, designating him the starter in Game 1. Konstanty pitched brilliantly in the unfamiliar role, scattering four hits over eight innings against the likes of Johnny Mize, Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra. But New York's starter, Vic Raschi, was even better that day, spinning a complete game shutout. Konstanty made two more appearances in the Series, but was not as effective as the Yankees completed a sweep. The bespectacled right-hander hung around the majors for several more seasons, but never matched the success of his MVP campaign. He later served as athletic director at Hartwick College for several years.
Bobby Shantz (1952 AL MVP)
At five-foot-six, 138 pounds, Shantz was one of the smallest pitchers in major league history. He weighed even less when he joined the Army out of high school in 1944. After serving in the Philippines for sixteen months, he returned to the states, where he began a brief and successful minor league career. He led the Western League in wins and strikeouts during the 1948 campaign and was called to Philadelphia the following year. The A's weren't very good in those days and neither was Shantz initially. In his first two seasons, he went 14-22 with a 4.16 ERA. Then in 1951, he suddenly found his groove, winning 18 games. In his MVP season of '52, the diminutive southpaw posted a 24-7 record and 2.48 earned run average (third best in the league). Even more impressive is that he finished 27 of his 33 starts. In a shortened All Star Game, he struck out all three batters he faced, including Jackie Robinson and Stan Musial. There would be no more extracurricular activity for Shantz that year as the A's finished in fourth place. After several rocky seasons, it became evident that Shantz lacked the durability to be a long term starter. He hung around the majors as a swingman until 1964, winning eight Gold Glove Awards. He had several successful seasons with the Yankees, accruing a 30-18 record between 1957 and 1960. His 2.45 ERA was tops in the American League in '57. In six World Series appearances with the Yankees, he met with mixed success. The Bombers lost both of the Series he appeared in.
Hank Sauer (1952 NL MVP)
Sauer did not become a full time player until he was thirty-one years old. Painfully slow afoot, he lacked range in the outfield and was somewhat of a liability on the base paths. For several seasons, he made up for those shortcomings with his bat, cracking 30 or more homers six times and reaching the 100 RBI plateau on three occasions. He had a pair of three-homer games during his career. When Sauer was named MVP in '52, it set off a storm of controversy since he was a one-dimensional player for the fifth place Cubs. No one was more surprised than Sauer himself, who commented: "I thought maybe the other guy, Roberts, would win it." The Roberts he was referring to was none other than Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts, who won 28 games for the Phillies that year. Sauer had a handful of good offensive seasons after '52. In all, he spent portions of fifteen seasons in the majors with four different clubs. He later scouted for the Giants.
Al Rosen (1953 AL MVP)
Rosen was of Jewish ancestry. A stint as an amateur boxer taught him not to back down from a fight. He stood up to several opponents who directed anti-Semitic slurs at him and sacrificed three full seasons during World War II while serving in the U.S. Navy. In a 2010 documentary, he commented: "There's a time when you let it be known that enough is enough...You flatten [them]." Carrying the nickname of the "The Hebrew Hammer," Rosen languished in the Indians' farm system for several years waiting for an opening at third base. He was twenty-six years old when he attained full time playing status. A right-handed hitter with power, he enjoyed his peak seasons between 1950 and 1954, leading the league in homers and RBIs twice apiece. He was named to four straight All-Star teams. In his MVP season of '53, he paced the circuit in runs scored (115), homers (43) and RBIs (145). He narrowly missed a Triple Crown, finishing one percentage point behind Mickey Vernon of the Senators with a .336 batting average. Rosen had a good follow-up season though he missed a significant amount of playing time with a broken finger. The Indians won 111 games that year and were heavily favored to win the World Series over the Giants. Rosen was limited to 3 games and couldn't prevent his club from being swept as Cleveland hitters managed an anemic .190 collective batting average. Rosen's career ended rather abruptly after that as injuries began to take their toll. He suffered from back trouble and reportedly broke his nose more than a dozen times. After retiring as a player, he worked as a stockbroker. He later served as President of the Yankees for two seasons. He was General Manager of the Astros for six years and the Giants for eight more.
Don Newcombe (1956 NL MVP)
Newcombe was solidly built at six-foot-four, 225 pounds. Before joining the Dodgers, he played for the Newark Eagles and was named in a newspaper poll as one of the greatest Negro Leaguers of all time. He was certainly no flash in the pan at the major league level, dominating the NL for three straight seasons before losing two full campaigns to military duty. He struggled in his '54 return, but bounced back with a stellar 20-5 record the following year. 1956 was Newcombe's signature season as he jumped out to a 15-1 start before the All-Star break. He finished the season at 27-7, leading the league in winning percentage for the second consecutive year. He was the first player to receive Cy Young and MVP honors in the same season. After that, he began a downward spiral, exiting the majors after the 1960 slate. In 1962, he played for the Chunichi Dragons of Japan, serving as a first baseman and outfielder. He had always hit well for a pitcher with a .271 lifetime batting average to prove it. After his playing days, he worked in the Dodgers front office. He struggled with alcoholism but later cleaned himself up and turned his life around.
Jackie Jensen (1958 AL MVP)
Jensen became infamous for his debilitating fear of flying--an affliction that ended his major league career. Long before then, he was the University of California's "Golden Boy," setting a record for rushing yards as the school's starting running back. He was equally skilled at baseball and ended up being signed by the Yankees in 1949. Though he struggled for playing time in New York, he eventually became a regular in Washington and Boston. Between 1954 and '59, Jensen finished among the top ten in homers, RBIs and total bases every year. He reached a career zenith in '58 with 122 ribbies and 66 extra-base hits. The MVP vote was close, but Jensen beat out pitcher Bob Turley of the Yankees by a handful of votes. As Jensen began to suffer panic attacks on airplanes, he ended up traveling to numerous games in his own car. The pressure was too much and he retired in 1960. He made a comeback attempt the following year, but was not the same player. He coached baseball at the Universities of Nevada and California during the 1970s. He suffered fatal heart attack in 1982.
Though Konstanty had only one brilliant season, he has been widely credited with legitimizing the role of the closer. Konstanty was a multi-sport star at Syracuse University, graduating with a degree in Phys Ed. While pitching in the minors, he doubled as a high school coach. He had a slider and a curve in his arsenal, but didn't gain success until he mastered the palmball. After appearing in 53 games for the Phillies in '49, he became the club's official closer. 1950 was Konstanty's biggest year. He led the league in appearances (74) and saves (22) while gathering 16 wins. No National League reliever had ever appeared in as many games or registered as many victories. From July 23 through August 29 of that year, he yielded just 1 run in 17 assignments, bringing his ERA to a season-low 2.14. The 1950 Phillies were dubbed "The Whiz Kids" on account of their youth and hustle. They won the pennant by a slender margin over the Dodgers then met the Yankees in the World Series. Philly manager Eddie Sawyer tried to ride Konstanty's arm to a championship, designating him the starter in Game 1. Konstanty pitched brilliantly in the unfamiliar role, scattering four hits over eight innings against the likes of Johnny Mize, Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra. But New York's starter, Vic Raschi, was even better that day, spinning a complete game shutout. Konstanty made two more appearances in the Series, but was not as effective as the Yankees completed a sweep. The bespectacled right-hander hung around the majors for several more seasons, but never matched the success of his MVP campaign. He later served as athletic director at Hartwick College for several years.
Bobby Shantz (1952 AL MVP)
At five-foot-six, 138 pounds, Shantz was one of the smallest pitchers in major league history. He weighed even less when he joined the Army out of high school in 1944. After serving in the Philippines for sixteen months, he returned to the states, where he began a brief and successful minor league career. He led the Western League in wins and strikeouts during the 1948 campaign and was called to Philadelphia the following year. The A's weren't very good in those days and neither was Shantz initially. In his first two seasons, he went 14-22 with a 4.16 ERA. Then in 1951, he suddenly found his groove, winning 18 games. In his MVP season of '52, the diminutive southpaw posted a 24-7 record and 2.48 earned run average (third best in the league). Even more impressive is that he finished 27 of his 33 starts. In a shortened All Star Game, he struck out all three batters he faced, including Jackie Robinson and Stan Musial. There would be no more extracurricular activity for Shantz that year as the A's finished in fourth place. After several rocky seasons, it became evident that Shantz lacked the durability to be a long term starter. He hung around the majors as a swingman until 1964, winning eight Gold Glove Awards. He had several successful seasons with the Yankees, accruing a 30-18 record between 1957 and 1960. His 2.45 ERA was tops in the American League in '57. In six World Series appearances with the Yankees, he met with mixed success. The Bombers lost both of the Series he appeared in.
Hank Sauer (1952 NL MVP)
Sauer did not become a full time player until he was thirty-one years old. Painfully slow afoot, he lacked range in the outfield and was somewhat of a liability on the base paths. For several seasons, he made up for those shortcomings with his bat, cracking 30 or more homers six times and reaching the 100 RBI plateau on three occasions. He had a pair of three-homer games during his career. When Sauer was named MVP in '52, it set off a storm of controversy since he was a one-dimensional player for the fifth place Cubs. No one was more surprised than Sauer himself, who commented: "I thought maybe the other guy, Roberts, would win it." The Roberts he was referring to was none other than Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts, who won 28 games for the Phillies that year. Sauer had a handful of good offensive seasons after '52. In all, he spent portions of fifteen seasons in the majors with four different clubs. He later scouted for the Giants.
Al Rosen (1953 AL MVP)
Rosen was of Jewish ancestry. A stint as an amateur boxer taught him not to back down from a fight. He stood up to several opponents who directed anti-Semitic slurs at him and sacrificed three full seasons during World War II while serving in the U.S. Navy. In a 2010 documentary, he commented: "There's a time when you let it be known that enough is enough...You flatten [them]." Carrying the nickname of the "The Hebrew Hammer," Rosen languished in the Indians' farm system for several years waiting for an opening at third base. He was twenty-six years old when he attained full time playing status. A right-handed hitter with power, he enjoyed his peak seasons between 1950 and 1954, leading the league in homers and RBIs twice apiece. He was named to four straight All-Star teams. In his MVP season of '53, he paced the circuit in runs scored (115), homers (43) and RBIs (145). He narrowly missed a Triple Crown, finishing one percentage point behind Mickey Vernon of the Senators with a .336 batting average. Rosen had a good follow-up season though he missed a significant amount of playing time with a broken finger. The Indians won 111 games that year and were heavily favored to win the World Series over the Giants. Rosen was limited to 3 games and couldn't prevent his club from being swept as Cleveland hitters managed an anemic .190 collective batting average. Rosen's career ended rather abruptly after that as injuries began to take their toll. He suffered from back trouble and reportedly broke his nose more than a dozen times. After retiring as a player, he worked as a stockbroker. He later served as President of the Yankees for two seasons. He was General Manager of the Astros for six years and the Giants for eight more.
Don Newcombe (1956 NL MVP)
Newcombe was solidly built at six-foot-four, 225 pounds. Before joining the Dodgers, he played for the Newark Eagles and was named in a newspaper poll as one of the greatest Negro Leaguers of all time. He was certainly no flash in the pan at the major league level, dominating the NL for three straight seasons before losing two full campaigns to military duty. He struggled in his '54 return, but bounced back with a stellar 20-5 record the following year. 1956 was Newcombe's signature season as he jumped out to a 15-1 start before the All-Star break. He finished the season at 27-7, leading the league in winning percentage for the second consecutive year. He was the first player to receive Cy Young and MVP honors in the same season. After that, he began a downward spiral, exiting the majors after the 1960 slate. In 1962, he played for the Chunichi Dragons of Japan, serving as a first baseman and outfielder. He had always hit well for a pitcher with a .271 lifetime batting average to prove it. After his playing days, he worked in the Dodgers front office. He struggled with alcoholism but later cleaned himself up and turned his life around.
Jackie Jensen (1958 AL MVP)
Jensen became infamous for his debilitating fear of flying--an affliction that ended his major league career. Long before then, he was the University of California's "Golden Boy," setting a record for rushing yards as the school's starting running back. He was equally skilled at baseball and ended up being signed by the Yankees in 1949. Though he struggled for playing time in New York, he eventually became a regular in Washington and Boston. Between 1954 and '59, Jensen finished among the top ten in homers, RBIs and total bases every year. He reached a career zenith in '58 with 122 ribbies and 66 extra-base hits. The MVP vote was close, but Jensen beat out pitcher Bob Turley of the Yankees by a handful of votes. As Jensen began to suffer panic attacks on airplanes, he ended up traveling to numerous games in his own car. The pressure was too much and he retired in 1960. He made a comeback attempt the following year, but was not the same player. He coached baseball at the Universities of Nevada and California during the 1970s. He suffered fatal heart attack in 1982.
Monday, October 13, 2014
MVPs We Hardly Know (The WWII Era)
Bucky Walters (1939 NL MVP)
Walters began his career as a two-way player, splitting time on the mound and at third base. He served primarily as an infielder until 1936, when he made 33 starts for Philadelphia. The Phillies lost 100 games that year and Walters led the league in that category. On the bright side, he paced the circuit with 4 shutouts. In those days, the Phillies played their home games in a dilapidated old bandbox known as the Baker Bowl, which was an offensive paradise. Walters' earned run averages suffered every year. Traded to Cincinnati in June of 1938, he completely turned his career around. In 1939, he was the best pitcher in the majors, claiming a triple crown with 27 wins, 137 strikeouts and a 2.29 ERA. His performance not only helped the Reds to a World Series berth, but it earned him NL MVP honors. During the war years, Walters was among the most successful pitchers in the majors. From 1939-1944, he posted a 121-73 record with a 2.67 ERA. Extremely durable, he logged no fewer than 246 innings per season. When the war ended, he steadily lost his effectiveness, retiring after the 1950 slate.
Frank McCormick (1940 NL MVP)
Considered tall for the era at six-foot-four, McCormick was one of the most productive first basemen in the majors during WWII. Spending most of his career with the Reds, he led the league in hits from 1938-1940. Though he captured MVP honors in 1940, he actually had a better all around offensive campaign in '39, hitting .332 with 128 RBIs and 99 runs scored. His average "slipped" to .309 during his MVP year though he did pace the NL with 44 doubles. McCormick rarely struck out, averaging just one whiff per 30 at-bats during his career. He was also extremely reliable, playing in 652 consecutive games at one point. Exceptionally skilled with a glove, he won four fielding titles at first base. During his thirteen years in the big leagues, he was named to eight All-Star teams. After retiring in 1948, he managed in the minors, guiding the Quebec Braves to a league championship in 1949. He also coached for the Reds in '56 and '57.
Dolph Camilli (1941 NL MVP)
The left-handed Camilli was a free swinger who led the league in strikeouts four times. But he also drew a fair share of walks, topping the 100 mark in that category on four occasions. He began his career with the Cubs in 1933 then spent portions of fours seasons at first base with the Phillies. Traded to Brooklyn in 1938, he became one of the most productive players on the club. Appearing most often as a clean-up man, he hit .345 with the bases loaded during his career and .285 with runners in scoring position. He earned his only All-Star selection in 1941--the same year he claimed the NL MVP Award with a league-best 34 homers and 120 RBIs. Camilli had one more great season left in him after that, slamming 26 long balls while driving in 109 runs during the '42 campaign. Traded to the Giants in 1943, he refused to report, retiring to his cattle ranch in California. He returned for a curtain call with the Red Sox in 1945. When his playing days were over, he coached and managed in the minors. He later scouted for the Yankees and Angels.
Mort Cooper (1942 NL MVP)
Cooper kicked around the Cardinals' minor league system for portions of six seasons, finally earning a call-up in 1938. Before the U.S. entered World War II, the big right-hander compiled a 38-28 record with a 3.56 ERA. As many of the game's most talented players were called to military duty, Cooper emerged as one of the most dominant pitchers in the National League. From 1942-'44, he won no fewer than 20 games per year while leading the league in shutouts twice. His finest effort came in 1942, when he notched a 22-7 record with a 1.78 earned run average. He led the Cardinals to three pennants and two world championships in a three-year span. Cooper pitched with bone chips in his elbow for years. He once told a reporter that he performed better when he was in pain. The condition finally took its toll in 1947, when his record fell to 3-10 with the Giants and Braves. He finished his career with the Cubs in 1949.
Spud Chandler (1943 AL MVP)
With a lifetime mark of .717, Chandler is baseball's all time winning percentage leader. It certainly didn't hurt that he played for the most successful club in the majors. During his eleven-year career, spent entirely with the Yankees, the Bombers won seven pennants and six World Series (including a run of four straight championships that began a year before Chandler's major league debut). Chandler lost portions of several seasons during the 1930s with a balky right elbow. When he was healthy, he was a fiery competitor and an intimidating presence on the mound. He finished among the top ten in hit batsmen three times, leading the league in 1940. His best season came in 1943, when he led the league with 20 wins and a 1.64 ERA. Additionally, he paced the loop in complete games and shutouts. The performance earned him MVP honors. After serving in the Army from April of '44 through September of '45, he was a bit rusty when he returned. He regained his form the following year with a 20-8 record and a 2.10 ERA (second best in the AL). In his final big league season of 1947, he made 17 appearances and led the American League with a 2.46 earned run average. He served as A's coach for two seasons and later scouted for the Indians and Twins.
Marty Marion (1944 NL MVP)
Marion received a fair amount of Hall of Fame consideration, peaking at forty percent of the vote in 1970. An MVP in 1944, he finished among the top ten in balloting two other times. Marion spent his prime years with the Cardinals, earning wide acclaim for his defensive excellence. With his long arms and wide range, he picked up the nickname of "The Octopus." He led the league in fielding percentage three times and finished among the top five in putouts and assists for ten straight seasons. A childhood accident left him with a right leg that was shorter than the other along with a trick knee that could be easily dislocated. The affliction kept him out of World War II. Marion was named to seven All-Star teams during his career. A competent but not exceptional hitter, he compiled a .267 batting average with a personal-best 63 RBIs during his MVP year. When his playing days were over, he served as manager of the Cardinals, Browns and White Sox. He later owned the Houston Buffs of the American Association.
Phil Cavarretta (1945 NL MVP)
A quietly consistent performer, Cavarretta remained with the Cubs for twenty seasons and served as player/manager for three of those campaigns. He lost his job during spring training of 1954, when he told owner Philip K. Wrigley that the club would finish near the bottom of the pack that year. Fired for his "defeatist attitude," he moved across town to close out his career with the White Sox. Cavarretta helped the Cubs to three pennants and hit .317 in 17 World Series games. He enjoyed his finest season in 1945, when he led the league with a .355 batting average and a .449 on-base percentage. On the strength of those numbers, he was named NL MVP. Cavarretta was a steady hitter throughout his career, maintaining an average of .270 or better in nineteen of his twenty-two major league seasons. Following his retirement in 1955, he coached for the Tigers and Yankees. He also worked as a hitting instructor for the Mets.
Walters began his career as a two-way player, splitting time on the mound and at third base. He served primarily as an infielder until 1936, when he made 33 starts for Philadelphia. The Phillies lost 100 games that year and Walters led the league in that category. On the bright side, he paced the circuit with 4 shutouts. In those days, the Phillies played their home games in a dilapidated old bandbox known as the Baker Bowl, which was an offensive paradise. Walters' earned run averages suffered every year. Traded to Cincinnati in June of 1938, he completely turned his career around. In 1939, he was the best pitcher in the majors, claiming a triple crown with 27 wins, 137 strikeouts and a 2.29 ERA. His performance not only helped the Reds to a World Series berth, but it earned him NL MVP honors. During the war years, Walters was among the most successful pitchers in the majors. From 1939-1944, he posted a 121-73 record with a 2.67 ERA. Extremely durable, he logged no fewer than 246 innings per season. When the war ended, he steadily lost his effectiveness, retiring after the 1950 slate.
Frank McCormick (1940 NL MVP)
Considered tall for the era at six-foot-four, McCormick was one of the most productive first basemen in the majors during WWII. Spending most of his career with the Reds, he led the league in hits from 1938-1940. Though he captured MVP honors in 1940, he actually had a better all around offensive campaign in '39, hitting .332 with 128 RBIs and 99 runs scored. His average "slipped" to .309 during his MVP year though he did pace the NL with 44 doubles. McCormick rarely struck out, averaging just one whiff per 30 at-bats during his career. He was also extremely reliable, playing in 652 consecutive games at one point. Exceptionally skilled with a glove, he won four fielding titles at first base. During his thirteen years in the big leagues, he was named to eight All-Star teams. After retiring in 1948, he managed in the minors, guiding the Quebec Braves to a league championship in 1949. He also coached for the Reds in '56 and '57.
Dolph Camilli (1941 NL MVP)
The left-handed Camilli was a free swinger who led the league in strikeouts four times. But he also drew a fair share of walks, topping the 100 mark in that category on four occasions. He began his career with the Cubs in 1933 then spent portions of fours seasons at first base with the Phillies. Traded to Brooklyn in 1938, he became one of the most productive players on the club. Appearing most often as a clean-up man, he hit .345 with the bases loaded during his career and .285 with runners in scoring position. He earned his only All-Star selection in 1941--the same year he claimed the NL MVP Award with a league-best 34 homers and 120 RBIs. Camilli had one more great season left in him after that, slamming 26 long balls while driving in 109 runs during the '42 campaign. Traded to the Giants in 1943, he refused to report, retiring to his cattle ranch in California. He returned for a curtain call with the Red Sox in 1945. When his playing days were over, he coached and managed in the minors. He later scouted for the Yankees and Angels.
Mort Cooper (1942 NL MVP)
Cooper kicked around the Cardinals' minor league system for portions of six seasons, finally earning a call-up in 1938. Before the U.S. entered World War II, the big right-hander compiled a 38-28 record with a 3.56 ERA. As many of the game's most talented players were called to military duty, Cooper emerged as one of the most dominant pitchers in the National League. From 1942-'44, he won no fewer than 20 games per year while leading the league in shutouts twice. His finest effort came in 1942, when he notched a 22-7 record with a 1.78 earned run average. He led the Cardinals to three pennants and two world championships in a three-year span. Cooper pitched with bone chips in his elbow for years. He once told a reporter that he performed better when he was in pain. The condition finally took its toll in 1947, when his record fell to 3-10 with the Giants and Braves. He finished his career with the Cubs in 1949.
Spud Chandler (1943 AL MVP)
With a lifetime mark of .717, Chandler is baseball's all time winning percentage leader. It certainly didn't hurt that he played for the most successful club in the majors. During his eleven-year career, spent entirely with the Yankees, the Bombers won seven pennants and six World Series (including a run of four straight championships that began a year before Chandler's major league debut). Chandler lost portions of several seasons during the 1930s with a balky right elbow. When he was healthy, he was a fiery competitor and an intimidating presence on the mound. He finished among the top ten in hit batsmen three times, leading the league in 1940. His best season came in 1943, when he led the league with 20 wins and a 1.64 ERA. Additionally, he paced the loop in complete games and shutouts. The performance earned him MVP honors. After serving in the Army from April of '44 through September of '45, he was a bit rusty when he returned. He regained his form the following year with a 20-8 record and a 2.10 ERA (second best in the AL). In his final big league season of 1947, he made 17 appearances and led the American League with a 2.46 earned run average. He served as A's coach for two seasons and later scouted for the Indians and Twins.
Marty Marion (1944 NL MVP)
Marion received a fair amount of Hall of Fame consideration, peaking at forty percent of the vote in 1970. An MVP in 1944, he finished among the top ten in balloting two other times. Marion spent his prime years with the Cardinals, earning wide acclaim for his defensive excellence. With his long arms and wide range, he picked up the nickname of "The Octopus." He led the league in fielding percentage three times and finished among the top five in putouts and assists for ten straight seasons. A childhood accident left him with a right leg that was shorter than the other along with a trick knee that could be easily dislocated. The affliction kept him out of World War II. Marion was named to seven All-Star teams during his career. A competent but not exceptional hitter, he compiled a .267 batting average with a personal-best 63 RBIs during his MVP year. When his playing days were over, he served as manager of the Cardinals, Browns and White Sox. He later owned the Houston Buffs of the American Association.
Phil Cavarretta (1945 NL MVP)
A quietly consistent performer, Cavarretta remained with the Cubs for twenty seasons and served as player/manager for three of those campaigns. He lost his job during spring training of 1954, when he told owner Philip K. Wrigley that the club would finish near the bottom of the pack that year. Fired for his "defeatist attitude," he moved across town to close out his career with the White Sox. Cavarretta helped the Cubs to three pennants and hit .317 in 17 World Series games. He enjoyed his finest season in 1945, when he led the league with a .355 batting average and a .449 on-base percentage. On the strength of those numbers, he was named NL MVP. Cavarretta was a steady hitter throughout his career, maintaining an average of .270 or better in nineteen of his twenty-two major league seasons. Following his retirement in 1955, he coached for the Tigers and Yankees. He also worked as a hitting instructor for the Mets.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)