Pro baseball was being played in Montreal as early as 1890 with entries in the International Association. The Montreal Royals of the Eastern League lasted for twenty seasons and were later revived as a Dodger farm club in 1939. The team was sold and relocated in 1960, prompting city officials to rally for a major league franchise. A bid was placed at the 1967 winter meetings. Dodger owner Walter O'Malley, who was chairman of the expansion committee, endorsed the proposal and convinced his peers to do the same. In May of '68, it was officially announced that teams would be added in San Diego and Montreal for the '69 campaign. The Expos' team name was derived from the Expo 67 World's Fair, which had been held in Montreal. Under pressure from league officials, club owners settled on Jarry Park as a home. The 30,000 seat venue would remain the site of home games until 1977, when the club moved into Olympic Stadium.
The Expos finished below .500 in each of their first ten seasons. Fan interest reached an all time low in 1976, when the club ended up 46 games behind the Phillies and averaged less than 8,000 paying customers per game. Things began to turn around in the late-'70s with the addition of several future Hall of Famers--outfielder Andre Dawson, catcher Gary Carter and first baseman Tony Perez. Tim Raines--a borderline Hall of Famer--made his debut in 1980 as the Expos finished among the top three teams in the division for five straight years.
In 1981, a players strike caused the season to be split into halves. Montreal won the NL East in the second half, earning the first postseason berth in franchise history. They faced the Dodgers in the NLCS and held a 2 games to 1 advantage before losing the last two meetings. Game 5 was decided on a two-out ninth inning homer by Rick Monday. The Expos never made it back to the postseason though they came close. In 1994, they had the best record in the majors at 74-40 when another strike wiped out the rest of the campaign.
Over the years, the Expos developed a reputation for being unable to hang onto their best players. Among the prominent stars to depart were Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and Andres Galarraga (to name just a few). The '94 players strike angered fans in Montreal and attendance slumped mightily. When Jeffrey Loria took over as managing general partner, he made an earnest attempt to revitalize the club, even going so far as to lay plans for a new stadium. As Loria increased his share of the revenue, the other minority owners failed to follow suit. Despite Loria's efforts, the Expos posted the lowest attendance figures in decades during the 2001 slate. Major League baseball sought to oust the Twins and Expos after the season was over and owners voted 28-2 in favor of the move. But both teams survived through legal means.
The Expos played their last season in 2004. With the loss of fan favorite Vladimir Guerrero to free agency, there were few stars left on the roster. The club got off to a horrific 5-19 start then never got back on track, finishing at 67-95. In late-September, MLB officials announced that the club would be moving to Washington in 2005. The last home game was played on September 29 and resulted in a humbling 9-1 loss. The club ended its tenure in Montreal with a sub-.500 record.
Monday, April 4, 2016
Friday, March 25, 2016
Island of Lost Teams (Part III--The Seattle Pilots)
When the Pilots were founded, Seattle was the third largest city on the West Coast. It had been home to the Pacific Coast League Rainiers since the early 1900s. The Cleveland Indians and Kansas City A's both considered moving there at different points in time. Retired Rainiers pitcher Dewey Soriano partnered with former Indians owner William R. Daley to establish the franchise. Originally, the team was scheduled to begin play in 1971, but the date was moved to 1969 under pressure from Missouri Senator Stuart Symington. The Pilots clearly weren't ready yet.
Joe Schultz--a former St. Louis Browns catcher and veteran minor league skipper--was chosen to manage the club. Home games were played at Sick's Stadium, which had once been regarded as one of the finest parks in the minors. By 1969, however, it was negligibly outdated. The Pilots had been ordered by Major League Baseball to expand the seating capacity to 30,000, but less than 20,000 seats were ready by opening day. Entering the month of June, the club had still not satisfied MLB's quota.
Of the fifty-plus players who occupied roster spots during the '69 campaign, there were few stars to be found. Speedy third baseman Tommy Harper led the league in steals and would spend fifteen years in the majors altogether, averaging 27 thefts per season. After winning a pair of batting titles then blowing out his knee, outfielder Tommy Davis drove-in 80 runs for the Pilots before an August trade sent him to Houston. A virtual unknown at the time, right-hander Mike Marshall later became the most productive reliever in the game over a five-year span, making an unprecedented 106 appearances for the Dodgers in 1974. In the Seattle bullpen, former Yankee star Jim Bouton began compiling notes for his controversial autobiography, Ball Four, which became an enduring classic.
After winning three of the first four games, things fell apart for the Pilots. The club went 15-42 in July and August, falling to the bottom of the newly formed American League West Division. A 14-16 run in September prevented them from losing 100 games at least. The Pilots finished dead last at 64-98.
As attendance sagged miserably, owners Daley and Soriano lost a bucketload of cash. Daley refused to invest any more capital to save the franchise and, in the offseason, Soriano struck a deal with former Braves owner Bud Selig to move the club to Milwaukee. The Pilots ended up being sold at a bargain basement price of $10.8 million.
Joe Schultz--a former St. Louis Browns catcher and veteran minor league skipper--was chosen to manage the club. Home games were played at Sick's Stadium, which had once been regarded as one of the finest parks in the minors. By 1969, however, it was negligibly outdated. The Pilots had been ordered by Major League Baseball to expand the seating capacity to 30,000, but less than 20,000 seats were ready by opening day. Entering the month of June, the club had still not satisfied MLB's quota.
Of the fifty-plus players who occupied roster spots during the '69 campaign, there were few stars to be found. Speedy third baseman Tommy Harper led the league in steals and would spend fifteen years in the majors altogether, averaging 27 thefts per season. After winning a pair of batting titles then blowing out his knee, outfielder Tommy Davis drove-in 80 runs for the Pilots before an August trade sent him to Houston. A virtual unknown at the time, right-hander Mike Marshall later became the most productive reliever in the game over a five-year span, making an unprecedented 106 appearances for the Dodgers in 1974. In the Seattle bullpen, former Yankee star Jim Bouton began compiling notes for his controversial autobiography, Ball Four, which became an enduring classic.
After winning three of the first four games, things fell apart for the Pilots. The club went 15-42 in July and August, falling to the bottom of the newly formed American League West Division. A 14-16 run in September prevented them from losing 100 games at least. The Pilots finished dead last at 64-98.
As attendance sagged miserably, owners Daley and Soriano lost a bucketload of cash. Daley refused to invest any more capital to save the franchise and, in the offseason, Soriano struck a deal with former Braves owner Bud Selig to move the club to Milwaukee. The Pilots ended up being sold at a bargain basement price of $10.8 million.
Monday, March 14, 2016
Remembering Baseball's Only Double No-Hitter
Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds
May 2, 1917
The weather was cold and windy as the Reds met the Cubs at Weeghman Park in Chicago. Both clubs had finished in the second division the previous year and the game didn't interest many people. Less than 5,000 fans witnessed a piece of history that day.
A tall, powerful right-hander, Fred Toney liked to show off for teammates by taking fifty pound weights in each hand and holding them at arm's length for periods of time. In the minors, he tossed a 17-inning no-hitter. He started his major league career with the Cubs then ended up with the Reds in 1915. He worked 222 innings that year without giving up a single home run. Entering this game, he carried a 4-1 record and 2.30 ERA.
The left-handed Hippo Vaughn received his unfortunate nickname on account of his considerable size. Though he is often listed at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, evidence suggests that he may have weighed closer to 300 near the end of his career. Whatever the case, he was among the best southpaws in the majors for a seven-year span, reaching the 20-win threshold five times for the Cubs between 1914 and 1920. Vaughn had already tossed two no-hitters--one in the South Atlantic League and another in the American Association.
Reds manager Christy Mathewson assembled a lineup consisting entirely of right-handers to face Vaughn. The only Hall of Famer on either roster, Edd Roush, sat out that day due to his left-handedness. Roush would claim the first of two batting crowns that year and one can only speculate how this game might have turned out if he had played.
Vaughn retired the first nine hitters he faced. In the fourth, he issued a walk to Heinie Groh, who was thrown out trying to steal. Gus Getz drew a second walk from Vaughn, but was erased on a double play. Vaughn settled down after that, allowing no further base runners through the ninth. Toney was equally effective, issuing just two walks all day--one in the second and another in the fifth.
Of all the no-hitters thrown in the majors prior to that date, none had occurred on the same day let alone in the same game. According to one source, the odds of a no-hitter being thrown at the big league level are about 13,000 to 1.What Toney and Vaughn accomplished that day was statistically unfeasible though it seems likely that few in the sparse crowd at Weeghman Park realized it at the time.
In the top of the tenth, Reds shortstop Larry Kopf spoiled Vaughn's gem with a single. Cubs outfielder Cy Williams--a fearsome slugger but mediocre defensive player--dropped a two-out fly hit by first baseman Hal Chase (who would later receive a lifetime ban for throwing games). With runners on second and third, former Olympic gold medalist Jim Thorpe hit a ball back to the mound. Thorpe was known for his blazing speed and Vaughn opted to throw to home instead of first. The relay hit Art Wilson in the chest protector, allowing Kopf to score. Vaughn later swore that Wilson was paralyzed on the play, staring blankly at the mound with his hands at his sides. As Chase rounded third, Vaughn shouted at his dazed catcher: "Are you going to let him score, too?!" The spell was broken and Wilson sprung into action, tagging Chase for the final out of the inning.
In the bottom half of the tenth, Toney retired the side in order, completing his masterpiece. In the clubhouse after the game, Art Wilson allegedly broke down crying. He apologized to Vaughn, admitting: "I just went out on you, Jim. I just went tight." Vaughn held no grudges but Cubs owner Charles Weeghman allegedly swore at his players.
May 2, 1917
The weather was cold and windy as the Reds met the Cubs at Weeghman Park in Chicago. Both clubs had finished in the second division the previous year and the game didn't interest many people. Less than 5,000 fans witnessed a piece of history that day.
A tall, powerful right-hander, Fred Toney liked to show off for teammates by taking fifty pound weights in each hand and holding them at arm's length for periods of time. In the minors, he tossed a 17-inning no-hitter. He started his major league career with the Cubs then ended up with the Reds in 1915. He worked 222 innings that year without giving up a single home run. Entering this game, he carried a 4-1 record and 2.30 ERA.
The left-handed Hippo Vaughn received his unfortunate nickname on account of his considerable size. Though he is often listed at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, evidence suggests that he may have weighed closer to 300 near the end of his career. Whatever the case, he was among the best southpaws in the majors for a seven-year span, reaching the 20-win threshold five times for the Cubs between 1914 and 1920. Vaughn had already tossed two no-hitters--one in the South Atlantic League and another in the American Association.
Reds manager Christy Mathewson assembled a lineup consisting entirely of right-handers to face Vaughn. The only Hall of Famer on either roster, Edd Roush, sat out that day due to his left-handedness. Roush would claim the first of two batting crowns that year and one can only speculate how this game might have turned out if he had played.
Vaughn retired the first nine hitters he faced. In the fourth, he issued a walk to Heinie Groh, who was thrown out trying to steal. Gus Getz drew a second walk from Vaughn, but was erased on a double play. Vaughn settled down after that, allowing no further base runners through the ninth. Toney was equally effective, issuing just two walks all day--one in the second and another in the fifth.
Of all the no-hitters thrown in the majors prior to that date, none had occurred on the same day let alone in the same game. According to one source, the odds of a no-hitter being thrown at the big league level are about 13,000 to 1.What Toney and Vaughn accomplished that day was statistically unfeasible though it seems likely that few in the sparse crowd at Weeghman Park realized it at the time.
In the top of the tenth, Reds shortstop Larry Kopf spoiled Vaughn's gem with a single. Cubs outfielder Cy Williams--a fearsome slugger but mediocre defensive player--dropped a two-out fly hit by first baseman Hal Chase (who would later receive a lifetime ban for throwing games). With runners on second and third, former Olympic gold medalist Jim Thorpe hit a ball back to the mound. Thorpe was known for his blazing speed and Vaughn opted to throw to home instead of first. The relay hit Art Wilson in the chest protector, allowing Kopf to score. Vaughn later swore that Wilson was paralyzed on the play, staring blankly at the mound with his hands at his sides. As Chase rounded third, Vaughn shouted at his dazed catcher: "Are you going to let him score, too?!" The spell was broken and Wilson sprung into action, tagging Chase for the final out of the inning.
In the bottom half of the tenth, Toney retired the side in order, completing his masterpiece. In the clubhouse after the game, Art Wilson allegedly broke down crying. He apologized to Vaughn, admitting: "I just went out on you, Jim. I just went tight." Vaughn held no grudges but Cubs owner Charles Weeghman allegedly swore at his players.
Friday, March 4, 2016
Island of Lost Teams (Part II--The St. Louis Browns)
The St. Louis Browns began their existence as the Brown Stockings in the American Association. During their inaugural season of 1882, they finished out of pennant contention. Their fortunes changed dramatically soon afterward as the club appeared in four consecutive World Series from 1885 through 1887. Prior to 1903, all postseason games were considered exhibitions and the number of games played varied widely. In 1886, the Browns won four of six meetings against the Chicago White Stockings. The following year, they lost ten of fifteen contests against the Detroit Wolverines.
The American Association folded after the 1891 campaign and the Browns (as they were known by then) joined the National League. Aside from Hall of Fame first baseman Roger Connor, they carried few stars on their roster, placing ninth or lower in the standings for seven straight seasons. Before the 1898 slate, Cleveland Spiders owners Frank and Stanley Robison, bought the ailing St. Louis franchise from eccentric proprietor Chris von der Ahe. Believing that a team in St. Louis would generate higher attendance, the Robisons raided the Cleveland roster, transferring their best players to the newly purchased Browns, which they renamed the Perfectos. Thirty-two year old Cy Young won 26 games that year and Hall of Fame shortstop Bobby Wallace had one of his best seasons at the plate as the newly christened Perfectos compiled a respectable 84-67 record. As predicted, their attendance was second best in the league. Meanwhile, the pitiful Spiders posted the worst record in major league history at 20-134. Unable to draw fans to the ballpark, they played most of their games on the road. The Spiders were ousted from the league along with three other teams before the 1900 slate. The Perfectos survived, though their name was changed to the Cardinals.
When the American League was elevated to major league status in 1901, the Browns were not among the original lineup. After posting a miserable 48-89 record and attracting few spectators in '01, the Milwaukee Brewers moved to St. Louis and borrowed the Perfectos discarded moniker. During five decades of play, the "new" Browns lost more than 100 games eight times and finished last during ten seasons. The club made just one postseason appearance--in 1944 when more than 300 players were serving in the military. Facing the rival Cardinals, with whom they shared a stadium, they lost the Series in six games. The Browns fielded their best team during the early-'20s. In those days, the outfield was manned by a trio of stars--Ken Williams, Jack Tobin and Baby Doll Jacobson, who topped the .300 mark together in five consecutive campaigns. St. Louis's first baseman--Hall of Famer George Sisler--set a record for hits in a single season (since broken) with 257 while topping the .400 mark at the plate twice. With Sisler, Tobin, Williams and Jacobson all in their prime, the Browns won 93 games and finished one game behind the powerhouse Yankees in 1922. It was their highest order of finish until the dubious pennant run of '44.
In 1951, the flamboyant Bill Veeck purchased the club. He renovated Sportsman's Park, changed the team's uniforms and began signing talented players, among them Negro League legend Satchel Paige. Despite Veeck's strenuous efforts, which included wild promotional schemes such as the infamous midget at-bat gag, the Browns floundered in the standings. Veeck considered moving to Milwaukee but the Braves beat him to the punch. He then set his sights on Baltimore, but the American League rejected his bid. Out of viable options, the maverick owner sold the Browns to a Baltimore lawyer named Clarence Miles. With Veeck out of the picture, the AL endorsed a move to Baltimore in 1954. The Browns have played as the Orioles ever since.
The American Association folded after the 1891 campaign and the Browns (as they were known by then) joined the National League. Aside from Hall of Fame first baseman Roger Connor, they carried few stars on their roster, placing ninth or lower in the standings for seven straight seasons. Before the 1898 slate, Cleveland Spiders owners Frank and Stanley Robison, bought the ailing St. Louis franchise from eccentric proprietor Chris von der Ahe. Believing that a team in St. Louis would generate higher attendance, the Robisons raided the Cleveland roster, transferring their best players to the newly purchased Browns, which they renamed the Perfectos. Thirty-two year old Cy Young won 26 games that year and Hall of Fame shortstop Bobby Wallace had one of his best seasons at the plate as the newly christened Perfectos compiled a respectable 84-67 record. As predicted, their attendance was second best in the league. Meanwhile, the pitiful Spiders posted the worst record in major league history at 20-134. Unable to draw fans to the ballpark, they played most of their games on the road. The Spiders were ousted from the league along with three other teams before the 1900 slate. The Perfectos survived, though their name was changed to the Cardinals.
When the American League was elevated to major league status in 1901, the Browns were not among the original lineup. After posting a miserable 48-89 record and attracting few spectators in '01, the Milwaukee Brewers moved to St. Louis and borrowed the Perfectos discarded moniker. During five decades of play, the "new" Browns lost more than 100 games eight times and finished last during ten seasons. The club made just one postseason appearance--in 1944 when more than 300 players were serving in the military. Facing the rival Cardinals, with whom they shared a stadium, they lost the Series in six games. The Browns fielded their best team during the early-'20s. In those days, the outfield was manned by a trio of stars--Ken Williams, Jack Tobin and Baby Doll Jacobson, who topped the .300 mark together in five consecutive campaigns. St. Louis's first baseman--Hall of Famer George Sisler--set a record for hits in a single season (since broken) with 257 while topping the .400 mark at the plate twice. With Sisler, Tobin, Williams and Jacobson all in their prime, the Browns won 93 games and finished one game behind the powerhouse Yankees in 1922. It was their highest order of finish until the dubious pennant run of '44.
In 1951, the flamboyant Bill Veeck purchased the club. He renovated Sportsman's Park, changed the team's uniforms and began signing talented players, among them Negro League legend Satchel Paige. Despite Veeck's strenuous efforts, which included wild promotional schemes such as the infamous midget at-bat gag, the Browns floundered in the standings. Veeck considered moving to Milwaukee but the Braves beat him to the punch. He then set his sights on Baltimore, but the American League rejected his bid. Out of viable options, the maverick owner sold the Browns to a Baltimore lawyer named Clarence Miles. With Veeck out of the picture, the AL endorsed a move to Baltimore in 1954. The Browns have played as the Orioles ever since.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Island of Lost Teams (Part I--The Washington Senators)
The Senators have had several lives. They began their existence in the American Association as the Washington Statesmen. When the AA folded after the 1891 slate, the Statesmen joined the National League and became the Senators. The club floundered in the standings despite the presence of multiple deadball stars--among them Jack Doyle, Kip Selbach and Deacon McGuire. After the 1899 campaign, the NL downsized from twelve to eight teams. The Senators, with their lousy 54-98 record, were ousted from the league.
A new incarnation would appear among the inaugural American League lineup in 1901. In 1905, the team name was changed to the Nationals, but it never caught on. The old Senators were a star-crossed club through most of their existence, compiling a cumulative won/loss record well below .500. Their lackluster play inspired the popular saying: "Washington: First in War, First in Peace and Last in the American League!"
During the mid-'20s/ early-'30s, the club climbed into contention with the addition of Hall of Fame outfielders Sam Rice and Goose Goslin. Walter Johnson--among the greatest hurlers of all time--had been anchoring the pitching corps for many years. In 1924, the rejuvenated Senators captured the first World Series title in franchise history, squeaking out a narrow 7-game victory over the Giants. The final game meandered into extra innings and was decided on a pair of flukey defensive mishaps. With the lineup virtually intact, the Senators returned to the Fall Classic the following year. They met their match against the Pirates, who carried a trio of all time greats on their roster--Kiki Cuyler, Max Carey and Pie Traynor. The Senators brought the last pennant to Washington in 1933, finishing seven games ahead of the powerful Yankees. Season highlights more or less ended there as the Giants rolled over them in five games.
From 1934-1960, the Sens finished in fifth place or lower more than twenty times. This included six last place showings. When owner/ president Clark Griffith passed away in 1955, his nephew Calvin took over the team. He sold Griffith Stadium to the city of Washington then leased it back, generating speculation that the team would relocate. By 1957, Griffith was actively negotiating with officials in Minnesota. The American League was initially opposed to the move, but a deal was eventually struck in 1960. The Senators became the Twins and a new franchise continued play in the nation's capital.
The new Senators were more pitiable than their predecessors, losing 100 games in four consecutive seasons. During their eleven years of existence, they finished above .500 just once. It happened in 1969 with former Red Sox great Ted Williams at the helm. Slugger Frank Howard, known to fans as "The Capital Punisher," had a banner year with 48 homers and 111 RBIs. It wasn't enough to prevent the club from moving to Texas and changing its identity in 1972. To date, the Rangers have made a total of seven playoff appearances, advancing to the World Series twice. Both were losing causes.
A new incarnation would appear among the inaugural American League lineup in 1901. In 1905, the team name was changed to the Nationals, but it never caught on. The old Senators were a star-crossed club through most of their existence, compiling a cumulative won/loss record well below .500. Their lackluster play inspired the popular saying: "Washington: First in War, First in Peace and Last in the American League!"
During the mid-'20s/ early-'30s, the club climbed into contention with the addition of Hall of Fame outfielders Sam Rice and Goose Goslin. Walter Johnson--among the greatest hurlers of all time--had been anchoring the pitching corps for many years. In 1924, the rejuvenated Senators captured the first World Series title in franchise history, squeaking out a narrow 7-game victory over the Giants. The final game meandered into extra innings and was decided on a pair of flukey defensive mishaps. With the lineup virtually intact, the Senators returned to the Fall Classic the following year. They met their match against the Pirates, who carried a trio of all time greats on their roster--Kiki Cuyler, Max Carey and Pie Traynor. The Senators brought the last pennant to Washington in 1933, finishing seven games ahead of the powerful Yankees. Season highlights more or less ended there as the Giants rolled over them in five games.
From 1934-1960, the Sens finished in fifth place or lower more than twenty times. This included six last place showings. When owner/ president Clark Griffith passed away in 1955, his nephew Calvin took over the team. He sold Griffith Stadium to the city of Washington then leased it back, generating speculation that the team would relocate. By 1957, Griffith was actively negotiating with officials in Minnesota. The American League was initially opposed to the move, but a deal was eventually struck in 1960. The Senators became the Twins and a new franchise continued play in the nation's capital.
The new Senators were more pitiable than their predecessors, losing 100 games in four consecutive seasons. During their eleven years of existence, they finished above .500 just once. It happened in 1969 with former Red Sox great Ted Williams at the helm. Slugger Frank Howard, known to fans as "The Capital Punisher," had a banner year with 48 homers and 111 RBIs. It wasn't enough to prevent the club from moving to Texas and changing its identity in 1972. To date, the Rangers have made a total of seven playoff appearances, advancing to the World Series twice. Both were losing causes.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
The Greatest Players From Each Franchise (Part VI--NL West)
ARIZONA
DIAMONDBACKS
Randy
Johnson
Johnson is also among the greatest Mariner players
in history. During his ten seasons in Seattle, he won 130 games and captured
four strikeout titles. He landed in Houston after getting off to a slow start
during the ’88 campaign. Unable to meet his salary demands, the Astros let him
go before the ’89 slate. Johnson spent eight of his prime seasons with the
Diamondbacks, compiling a 118-62 record with a 2.83 ERA. He averaged 260
strikeouts per year while helping the club to three postseason appearances, including
the only World Series title in franchise history. Johnson was co-MVP of the
Series—sharing the honor with Curt Schilling. By the time he retired in 2009,
the towering left-hander (6-foot-10) held numerous all-time records. His 4,875
lifetime strikeouts are most for a southpaw.
COLORADO
ROCKIES
Todd
Helton
Offense has always been an intrinsic feature of
Coors Field and, when Helton becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame, he will
have his share of detractors. Still, the talented first baseman put up some of the best numbers in franchise history. A lifetime .316
hitter in seventeen seasons, he logged a .372 average during the 2000 campaign with 59 doubles
and 147 RBIs. Despite those tacky numbers, he finished fifth in MVP voting that year. A
multi-dimensional player, Helton won three Gold Gloves during his career. He
helped the Rockies to their only World Series appearance in 2007. His .333
batting mark (highest among Colorado regulars) could not prevent a sweep at the
hands of the Red Sox. Helton currently holds franchise records for runs scored,
hits, total bases, doubles, homers and RBIs.
SAN
FRANCISCO GIANTS
Willie
Mays
Warren Spahn blamed himself for Mays’s complete
domination of National League pitching. “He was something like zero for
twenty-one the first time I saw him,” Spahn reminisced years after the fact.
“His first major league home run was off me and I’ll never forgive myself. We
might have gotten rid of him forever if I’d only struck him out.” Mays
eventually found his groove and captured Rookie of the Year honors in ’51.
Twelve Gold Gloves and Twenty All-Star selections would follow. A five-tool
player, Mays hit for power and average, ran the bases exceptionally well and
had unparalleled defensive skills. During his 21 seasons with the Giants, he
hit .304 with 646 homers and 1,859 RBIs. He holds franchise records for total
bases, doubles and extra-base hits (among others).
SAN
DIEGO PADRES
Tony
Gwynn
Gwynn spent his entire twenty-year career with the
Padres, helping the club reach the postseason three times. Gwynn was a .371
hitter in two World Series. During the regular season, he compiled a more
modest .338 mark. He was an eight-time batting champion and fifteen-time
All-Star. Proving he was a well-rounded player, he won five Gold Gloves and stole
30 or more bases four times. Opposing pitchers dreaded facing him, especially
Al Leiter, who once commented, “The only way to pitch Tony is to throw the ball
down the middle and hope he hits it at someone.” Elected to the Hall of Fame in
2007, he died seven years later at the age of fifty-four—a victim of cancer.
LOS
ANGELES DODGERS
Zack
Wheat
The Dodgers have had so many great players over the
years—especially during the ‘50s, when Ebbets Field was home to Pee Wee Reese,
Duke Snider, Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson. But from a purely statistical
standpoint, the most productive Dodger player retired long before “The Boys of
Summer” took the field. An obscure historical figure, Zack Wheat spent eighteen
seasons with the Dodgers from 1909-1926. During Wheat’s career, the club carried
three different names--the Superbas, Dodgers and Robins. Wheat was the team’s
brightest star for well over a decade. A writer from Baseball Magazine once remarked that “What Lajoie was to
infielders, Zack Wheat is to outfielders, the finest mechanical craftsmen of
them all.” Wheat led players at his position (LF) in fielding percentage twice
and remains among the all-time leaders in putouts, assists and double plays. He
was pretty good with a bat too, establishing franchise records for hits,
doubles, triples and times on base. He led the Dodgers to their first two World
Series appearances and reached base eighteen times in twelve games. Had he
played alongside the aforementioned luminaries, the Dodgers would likely have
captured several more world championships.
Monday, February 1, 2016
The Greatest Players From Each Franchise (Part V--NL Central)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Stan Musial
Anyone who thinks Musial was NOT the greatest player in Cardinal history needs to reexamine the facts. In May of 1954, Musial had 4 hits, 3 homers and 6 RBIs in the first game of a doubleheader at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. With the hometown crowd cheering him on, he added 2 homers and 4 RBIs in the second game, finishing the day with 21 total bases. The 5 long balls are still a record (tied by Nate Colbert of the Padres). Though he had some less exciting days at the plate, the performance was typical of Musial's remarkable career. Despite losing a full season to military duty during WWII, Musial is still among the all time leaders in runs scored, hits, total bases, doubles, RBIs and times on base. He won three MVP Awards and seven batting titles. He narrowly missed a Triple Crown in 1948, finishing just one home run behind league leaders Ralph Kiner and Johnny Mize. Musial rarely struck out, recording less than forty whiffs in sixteen seasons--a major league record. He was pretty good on defense too, leading the NL in fielding percentage three times. His efforts guided the Cards to four World Series berths, three of which were winning causes. Off the field, Musial was a consummate gentleman and tireless ambassador of the game. Even the great Mickey Mantle was in awe of Musial's all around greatness. "He was a better player than me because he was a better man than me," said Mantle. Before his death in 2013, Musial received the Presidential Medal of Freedom--the highest honor bestowed upon a U.S. civilian.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Honus Wagner
Wagner was widely hailed by his contemporaries as one of the greatest players in the game. A hundred years later, those endorsements still hold up. Sabermetric similarity scores place Wagner above Napoleon Lajoie, Eddie Collins and Tris Speaker--three of the most prolific hitters in baseball history. Statistical guru Bill James once ranked Wagner as the second best player of all time behind Babe Ruth. Wagner won eight batting crowns and led the league in slugging percentage on six occasions. He still holds the record for most triples by a right-handed batter (252). By the time MVP Awards were handed out, Wagner was thirty-seven years old. Still, he finished among the top ten in voting every year from 1911-1913. There was no All-Star Game in his day, but he would undoubtedly have been a perennial choice. Nicknamed "The Flying Dutchman," Wagner was oddly proportioned with huge hands, a barrel-chest and bowed legs. Though he must have looked a bit awkward doing it, he ran the bases well, accumulating more than 700 steals during his career. He was mild-mannered and approachable off the field. He never hesitated to give teammates and opponents due credit. He was always ready with an interesting anecdote or a joke. After missing out on a managing opportunity in Cincinnati, he served as Pirates coach from 1932 to 1952.
CINCINNATI REDS
Pete Rose
Of all the players outside the Hall of Fame, Rose is among the most worthy of inclusion. He once remarked that he would "walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball." Few players have matched his level of enthusiasm. Hank Aaron famously joked: "Does Pete Rose hustle? Before the All-Star Game he came into the clubhouse and took off his shoes and they ran another mile without him." Rose's fierce desire to win became infamous. He once brawled with pint-sized infielder Bud Harrelson during a playoff game the Reds were losing handily. In the 1970 All-Star Game, he laid a nasty hit on AL catcher Ray Fosse while delivering the winning run. The resulting injury derailed Fosse's promising career. Over the past two and a half decades, Rose has served as an outspoken proponent of the sport. Banned for life after being caught betting on games he was involved in, he holds the all time record for hits and times on base. He is also the only player to log at least five-hundred games of experience at five different positions. Describing Rose's importance to the "Big Red Machine" of the 1970s, manager Sparky Anderson said: "He is Cincinnati. He is the Reds."
CHICAGO CUBS
Ernie Banks
Nicknamed "Mr. Cub," Banks was the living embodiment of baseball in Chicago. Even when his team failed to make it to the World Series year after year, he maintained his zest for the game. He became famous for the statement: "Let's play two." A fourteen-time All-Star, he was the National League's first back-to-back MVP recipient. In an era when shortstops were known mostly for their defense, he went deep 512 times, reaching the 40-homer threshold on five occasions. Highly versatile, he made the switch to first base in 1962. As a shortstop, he led the league in fielding percentage three times. At first base, he led the league once and finished among the top three during five other seasons. He won a Gold Glove in 1960. When sportswriters asked him during spring training how the club would fare in any given year, he always offered a memorable quote. Some examples are as follows: "The Cubs are due in sixty-two," "Wrigley Field will be heaven in sixty-seven," and "The Cubs will shine in sixty-nine." Before he died in 2015, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Robin Yount
When discussions of great Milwaukee players surface, Paul Molitor and Robin Yount inevitably enter the mix. While Molitor was undoubtedly among the most gifted hitters ever to don a Brewers uniform, he can't match Yount's record for longevity. Yount spent his entire twenty-year career with the Brewers and appeared to be on pace to reach the 4,000 hit mark when he unexpectedly retired at the age of thirty-seven. In 1982, Yount put together one of the finest seasons ever by a shortstop, leading the American League in hits, doubles, slugging percentage and total bases. He led the Brewers to their first ever World Series appearance. After hitting .414 in a losing cause, he was named AL MVP. Yount was the third youngest player to gather 3,000 hits. He is among a select group of players to be named MVP at more than one defensive position. In 1989, he captured the honor as a center fielder. He is among the top twenty of all time in hits and doubles. He held the franchise record for homers until 2015.
Stan Musial
Anyone who thinks Musial was NOT the greatest player in Cardinal history needs to reexamine the facts. In May of 1954, Musial had 4 hits, 3 homers and 6 RBIs in the first game of a doubleheader at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. With the hometown crowd cheering him on, he added 2 homers and 4 RBIs in the second game, finishing the day with 21 total bases. The 5 long balls are still a record (tied by Nate Colbert of the Padres). Though he had some less exciting days at the plate, the performance was typical of Musial's remarkable career. Despite losing a full season to military duty during WWII, Musial is still among the all time leaders in runs scored, hits, total bases, doubles, RBIs and times on base. He won three MVP Awards and seven batting titles. He narrowly missed a Triple Crown in 1948, finishing just one home run behind league leaders Ralph Kiner and Johnny Mize. Musial rarely struck out, recording less than forty whiffs in sixteen seasons--a major league record. He was pretty good on defense too, leading the NL in fielding percentage three times. His efforts guided the Cards to four World Series berths, three of which were winning causes. Off the field, Musial was a consummate gentleman and tireless ambassador of the game. Even the great Mickey Mantle was in awe of Musial's all around greatness. "He was a better player than me because he was a better man than me," said Mantle. Before his death in 2013, Musial received the Presidential Medal of Freedom--the highest honor bestowed upon a U.S. civilian.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Honus Wagner
Wagner was widely hailed by his contemporaries as one of the greatest players in the game. A hundred years later, those endorsements still hold up. Sabermetric similarity scores place Wagner above Napoleon Lajoie, Eddie Collins and Tris Speaker--three of the most prolific hitters in baseball history. Statistical guru Bill James once ranked Wagner as the second best player of all time behind Babe Ruth. Wagner won eight batting crowns and led the league in slugging percentage on six occasions. He still holds the record for most triples by a right-handed batter (252). By the time MVP Awards were handed out, Wagner was thirty-seven years old. Still, he finished among the top ten in voting every year from 1911-1913. There was no All-Star Game in his day, but he would undoubtedly have been a perennial choice. Nicknamed "The Flying Dutchman," Wagner was oddly proportioned with huge hands, a barrel-chest and bowed legs. Though he must have looked a bit awkward doing it, he ran the bases well, accumulating more than 700 steals during his career. He was mild-mannered and approachable off the field. He never hesitated to give teammates and opponents due credit. He was always ready with an interesting anecdote or a joke. After missing out on a managing opportunity in Cincinnati, he served as Pirates coach from 1932 to 1952.
CINCINNATI REDS
Pete Rose
Of all the players outside the Hall of Fame, Rose is among the most worthy of inclusion. He once remarked that he would "walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball." Few players have matched his level of enthusiasm. Hank Aaron famously joked: "Does Pete Rose hustle? Before the All-Star Game he came into the clubhouse and took off his shoes and they ran another mile without him." Rose's fierce desire to win became infamous. He once brawled with pint-sized infielder Bud Harrelson during a playoff game the Reds were losing handily. In the 1970 All-Star Game, he laid a nasty hit on AL catcher Ray Fosse while delivering the winning run. The resulting injury derailed Fosse's promising career. Over the past two and a half decades, Rose has served as an outspoken proponent of the sport. Banned for life after being caught betting on games he was involved in, he holds the all time record for hits and times on base. He is also the only player to log at least five-hundred games of experience at five different positions. Describing Rose's importance to the "Big Red Machine" of the 1970s, manager Sparky Anderson said: "He is Cincinnati. He is the Reds."
CHICAGO CUBS
Ernie Banks
Nicknamed "Mr. Cub," Banks was the living embodiment of baseball in Chicago. Even when his team failed to make it to the World Series year after year, he maintained his zest for the game. He became famous for the statement: "Let's play two." A fourteen-time All-Star, he was the National League's first back-to-back MVP recipient. In an era when shortstops were known mostly for their defense, he went deep 512 times, reaching the 40-homer threshold on five occasions. Highly versatile, he made the switch to first base in 1962. As a shortstop, he led the league in fielding percentage three times. At first base, he led the league once and finished among the top three during five other seasons. He won a Gold Glove in 1960. When sportswriters asked him during spring training how the club would fare in any given year, he always offered a memorable quote. Some examples are as follows: "The Cubs are due in sixty-two," "Wrigley Field will be heaven in sixty-seven," and "The Cubs will shine in sixty-nine." Before he died in 2015, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Robin Yount
When discussions of great Milwaukee players surface, Paul Molitor and Robin Yount inevitably enter the mix. While Molitor was undoubtedly among the most gifted hitters ever to don a Brewers uniform, he can't match Yount's record for longevity. Yount spent his entire twenty-year career with the Brewers and appeared to be on pace to reach the 4,000 hit mark when he unexpectedly retired at the age of thirty-seven. In 1982, Yount put together one of the finest seasons ever by a shortstop, leading the American League in hits, doubles, slugging percentage and total bases. He led the Brewers to their first ever World Series appearance. After hitting .414 in a losing cause, he was named AL MVP. Yount was the third youngest player to gather 3,000 hits. He is among a select group of players to be named MVP at more than one defensive position. In 1989, he captured the honor as a center fielder. He is among the top twenty of all time in hits and doubles. He held the franchise record for homers until 2015.
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