Un-sung record holders

[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]

Wipeout by Surfer Joe and the Safaris

[rats60]

Hoyt Wilhelm pitched his first game in the majors at age 29 years 168 days. He went on to pitch 21 years and was elected by the BBWAA to the Hof. Oldest debut by hofer, not counting Negro Leaguers.

[GeoPoto]

Ray Morgan played second base for Washington for parts of 8 seasons, only two of which were more or less full-time. When teamed with defensive standout Pinch McBride, Morgan was part of a first-rate double play combo for several years. He hit a little better than McBride, posting a career OBP of .348. Like many ordinary players, Morgan did not look to set records or figure into noteworthy events. And then, one day in 1917 . . . Morgan dug in as the lead-off hitter in Boston's new-fangled Fenway Park against one of the better up-and-coming pitchers in the league, a fellow named Babe Ruth. Four times Ruth delivered and four times Morgan took and four times the umpire grunted no strike. Ruth was beside himself at the calls and proceeded to argue until the umpire threw him out of the game. Ernie Shore came in to replace Ruth and on his first pitch Morgan was thrown out trying to steal second base. Shore proceeded to retire all 26 batters he faced to get temporary credit for a perfect game. Eventually, that credit ended up shared with Ruth, as subsequent revisions in the applicable criteria made the game a combined no-hitter.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1591970446

[GeoPoto]

The Wipeout submission was outstanding BTW. I might go with Chariots of Fire.

[Spike]

Josh Devore of the New York Giants stole 4 bases in the 9th inning of a game against Boston that ended 21-12 in favor of New York, with 17 of those runs (7 by NY, 10 by Boston) coming in the 9th inning alone. Not sure how many of the 4000 attendees stuck around for the final frantic frame, given the visiting Giants' 14-2 lead after 8. (Box score: https://www.baseball-reference.com/b...91206200.shtml)

Devore entered as a sub for RF Beals Becker, reached base on 3-of-4 PAs, and stole 2nd and 3rd twice in the 9th off pitcher Brad Hogg, who Boston left in for the last six innings to absorb 12 of NY's 21 runs. For their part, the Giants put 21yo Ernie Shore on the mound in the ninth for his major league debut to hold the 21-2 lead. He finished that one inning, gave up 10 runs, "earned a save," and didn't pitch again until two years later.

SABR's bio notes that some historians later disputed Devore's four steals as described at the time. It's quite possible infielders didn't try to hold men on base, given the Giants lop-sided lead. Either way, no one since stole more than four.