Un-sung record holders

[triwak]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

My favorite go-to piece of trivia is Earl Webb's record 67 doubles in 1931 so it is blowing my mind that I just now realized that I don't believe he has a period issued card! If he does I can't find one...

Really? No period cards??? That's crazy (and a shame). I have often thought about picking one up, simply BECAUSE of his record.

[milkit1]

Bob Bescher STILL holds the Reds single season record for stolen bases with 81 in 1911. A National league record that lasted 50 years.20200318_113005.jpg

[dlfallen]

My favorite go-to piece of trivia is Earl Webb's record 67 doubles in 1931 so it is blowing my mind that I just now realized that I don't believe he has a period issued card! If he does I can't find one...

Earl Webb does have a 1929 and a 1930 Zeenuts (Los Angeles).

1929 was a decent year: 188 games, 658 AB, .357 BA, 164 RBIs

[dlfallen]

Piggy Ward held, a 19th century player, held TWO MLB records for decades.

His first record was as the youngest player to debut in the major leagues. He pitched for the Philadelphia Quakers on June 12, 1883 at the age of 16 years, 1 month, and 27 days. He did not appear again in a major league game until six years later.

Piggy's age record was not beaten until June 10, 1944 when Joe Nuxhall debuted for the Cincinnati Reds at the age of 15 years, 10 months, and 10 days. Like Piggy, Joe pitched one game and then did not appear again in a major leage game until several years later (8 years later). Nuxhall was a pitcher. Piggy was an outfielder, so he still owns the record for the youngest non-pitcher to debut in the majors.

Piggy Ward's second record was set on June 16-19, 1893 when he reached first base on 17 consecutive plate appearances (by any means). This record has never been beaten, although it was tied by Earl Douglas Averill on June 3-10, 1962.

Piggy had the misfortune of debuting before the Old Judge issues, and getting back to the majors after the Old Judge issues. He has no baseball cards to my knowledge. But because I am an Earl Averill collector (my wife's relative) I created a fantasy card for him:

[GeoPoto]

Dolly Gray pitched well enough in the PCL to be a member of that league's Hall of Fame. But when he reached MLB he was not effective. A 15-51 record in three MLB seasons reflects his inability to shine, although he did throw the first pitch at Washington's Griffith Stadium. He was able, however, to find some fertile ground for record setting. In 1909, his 30-year old rookie season, he attacked the record books relying on something he was very good at -- missing the plate. He set the record for most walks in an inning (8) and most consecutive walks in an inning (7). Both records still stand.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1591816923

[timn1]

Earl Webb is also on a 1931-32 Exhibit 4-in-1 along with three teammates (MacFayden, Rhyne, and Sweeney)

Originally Posted by dlfallen

Earl Webb does have a 1929 and a 1930 Zeenuts (Los Angeles).

1929 was a decent year: 188 games, 658 AB, .357 BA, 164 RBIs

[GeoPoto]

Pinch McBride played parts of 16 MLB seasons, but the bulk of his career was 1908-1916 with the Washington Senators. Although his nick-name is derived from his reputation as a clutch hitter, the truth is he couldn't really hit all that well. His defense must have been special, because he played most every game during that span with the Senators. The result is that he has the lowest batting average in major league history of any player with over 5,000 at-bats. I prefer to think of it as a defensive record -- his defense was so good, they continued to let him hit.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1591871680

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by GeoPoto

Pinch McBride played parts of 16 MLB seasons, but the bulk of his career was 1908-1916 with the Washington Senators. Although his nick-name is derived from his reputation as a clutch hitter, the truth is he couldn't really hit all that well. His defense must have been special, because he played most every game during that span with the Senators. The result is that he has the lowest batting average in major league history of any player with over 5,000 at-bats. I prefer to think of it as a defensive record -- his defense was so good, they continued to let him hit.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1591871680

George, the following is from McBride's SABR bio:
"Like his contemporary in the National League, Mickey Doolan, George McBride was the prototypical "good-field, no-hit" shortstop during the Deadball Era. Widely viewed as the best defensive shortstop in his league, McBride struggled mightily at the bat. A relatively large shortstop, standing 5'11' and weighing 170 pounds, McBride was described in the press as an "aggressive, alert, and quick-witted" fielder. He led the AL in fielding percentage five times, including four times consecutively from 1912 to 1915, and was near the lead in most other years. Meanwhile, he achieved only a .218 lifetime batting average, never exceeding .235 for a single season. He was an iron man during his days as the regular shortstop for the Washington Senators, and was recognized as one of the headiest players of his day."

Despite his weak hitting, McBride received votes for the Chalmers AL MVP Award in each of the 4 years (1911-1914) this Award was presented. Also, McBride managed the Senators to a 4th place finish in the AL in 1921, the first year after Clark Griffith stepped down as field manager. Unfortunately, on 7/27/21, McBride was struck in the head by a thrown ball during pre-game practice. Despite suffering dizziness and other ill effects, McBride was able to finish out the 1921 season, but he was not able to continue as manager the next year.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

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