Un-sung record holders

[GeoPoto]

In his mid-30s, Jumbo Cartwright had a couple of decent years hitting in the National League for the Washington Nationals. But in 1890 as a 30-year old "rookie" with the St. Louis Browns (now Cardinals), he had 7 RBIs in one inning, a record that would last 109 years. His record was finally broken in 1999 by Cardinals-player Fernando "Bodacious" Tatis.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1590958543

[GeoPoto]

Bill Joyce was an excellent player for 8 MLB seasons in the 1890's. He had a career OBP of .435 with 822 runs scored and 266 stolen bases in 4,163 plate appearances. Despite leading the NL in home runs in 1996, he didn't play in MLB after 1898, his year-30 season. But, in 1891 he reached base in 64 consecutive games, a record not broken until 1941. In addition, in 1897 he had four triples in one game, a record he still holds in a tie.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1590959550

[GeoPoto]

Scoops Carey played two full MLB seasons, one with Baltimore and one with Washington, and small pieces of two others. He couldn't hit well enough to stay long, but boy could he field first base -- he is the only player in MLB history to lead two different leagues in fielding percentage in a two-season career.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1590960508

[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...

[RCMcKenzie]

I was thinking of triples when I saw this thread. Chief Wilson hit the most in a season with 36. Dave Orr is second with 31. Similar to the famous JFK quote about going to the moon..."not because they were fast, but because they were slow..." Here are a couple of Orr. I have some more cards of both of these guys that I will try and find and scan and post later this week. Also, Jose Cruz, tied with others for most triples with the bases loaded with 8. Cruz was fast.

[GeoPoto]

Lave (Lafayette Napoleon) Cross had a long and productive career spanning 21 MLB seasons with 2,651 hits, but a career OPS+ of 100. When he retired in 1907, he was second to Anson in career hits. His record for assists at 3B was broken by Eddie Mathews in 1946. Since 1900, Cross is the only player to have more than 100 RBI's (he had 108) without hitting a home run. In 1896, Hughie Jennings knocked in 121 runs without a home run. But I don't have a Jennings card.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1591006324

[GeoPoto]

Al Orth was known as the "Curveless Wonder" as he used location and speed to win 204 MLB games (including 100 in both the AL and the NL) across 15 seasons. However, his career ERA+ was 100 as he also lost 189. After Orth earned his 199th win in 1907, it took him nine attempts to earn number 200, which remains the greatest difficulty any pitcher has had in reaching the milestone. After playing, Orth became an umpire and in 1917 he was the umpire when Toney and Vaughn each pitched 9 innings without allowing a hit, the only time two teams went hitless through 9 innings.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1591008119

[GeoPoto]

We have all experienced the thrill of heading to a baseball park with a ticket to see a game, the excitement rising from the knowledge that "you never know what will happen" at a baseball game. Tonight could be the night that . . . It seems the same open-ended ability to produce one-of-a-kind results also applies to careers spread out over 150 years of MLB seasons. Look closely at the career of almost any big-leaguer and you will find interesting and noteworthy accomplishments. As in life, 90% percent of it is just showing up.

[packs]

Buzz Arlett was perhaps the greatest Minor League player of all time. He hit 4 home runs in a game twice and until Mike Hessman passed him in 2015, was the all time home run king of the Minor Leagues for over 70 years.

[GaryPassamonte]

Ross Barnes- 1.91 runs per game in 1876 and 1.4 runs per game for his career are records that still stand.

[GeoPoto]

Cliff Blankenship did nothing noteworthy during three MLB seasons. He had an OBP of .249 in 234 plate appearances spread across the three years. He had a total of four doubles and a triple. But, in 1907, his second year in the bigs, he was picked by his manager to go to Idaho and look over a 19-year old, who was burning up the Snake River Valley Semi-Pro League. Once Blankenship saw Walter Johnson pitch, he signed him on the spot for $500 -- Johnson said he would agree to the deal if Blankenship promised him train fare home in case he didn't make it. Blankenship's response was "Kid, a one-way ticket’s all you’re gonna need."
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1591560172

[Hankphenom]

Unsung and presumably unrecorded. Germany Schaefer stole first base not once but twice in a game in 1911. He stole second in-between, and said he should be credited with three steals in one attempt.

[birdman42]

Blankenship got sent to Idaho because he was injured at the time. Earlier on that trip he signed Clyde Milan, who became Walter's roommate and was their regular center fielder from 1908-1921. Milan got the bigger signing bonus.

[GeoPoto]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

Germany Schaefer stole first base.

What made Rickey the GOAT was not that he stole all those bases, but that "you can't steal first base" -- his OBP was incredible, especially leading off. The last thing any pitcher wanted to do was to let him get on base. And yet you could "steal" first base, until Schaefer prompted an explicit rule making it unallowable.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1591617481

[cammb]

I remember reading that Richie Allen had two inside the park home runs in a game.

[triwak]

Great thread!! Keep 'em coming!!

[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

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by GeoPoto

Cliff Blankenship did nothing noteworthy during three MLB seasons. He had an OBP of .249 in 234 plate appearances spread across the three years. He had a total of four doubles and a triple. But, in 1907, his second year in the bigs, he was picked by his manager to go to Idaho and look over a 19-year old, who was burning up the Snake River Valley Semi-Pro League. Once Blankenship saw Walter Johnson pitch, he signed him on the spot for $500 -- Johnson said he would agree to the deal if Blankenship promised him train fare home in case he didn't make it. Blankenship's response was "Kid, a one-way ticket’s all you’re gonna need."
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1591560172

Cliff Blankenship was the first player born in Columbus to make it to the Majors.

.

[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]

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.

[GeoPoto]

(I admit three games in one day is not a record (see below), but I think it is interesting, nonetheless.)

Doc Reisling pitched 50 innings for Brooklyn in 1904-05 and 250 for Washington in 1909-10. That was it for his MLB experience. Nothing noteworthy is evident in his record. He then became a manager in the minor leagues.

In those days, league championships were decided by winning percentage at the calendar end of the season, not most wins after all games were played. With rainouts common and travel difficult, teams often ended the season with widely different numbers of games played.

In a close pennant race, each contending team's manager would have to decide how aggressive to be in rescheduling previously rained out games, particularly when the opponent was readily available. On the last day of the season, whether it was deemed advisable to play two games or not could depend on the manager's assessment of his team's best path to the championship. Further, an enterprising (and desperate) manager could "game" the situation and decide to play more than two. That's right, more than two!

And so it came to pass in 1914 . . . Doc Reisling decides his team needs three victories on the last day of the season to win the Canadian League championship. And so, a tripleheader was played, which Doc's team swept. Unfortunately for Doc, he had failed to get approval in advance from the League president, who disallowed the third game, which was mooted anyway when Shag Shaughessy (realized the game could only cost his team should they lose and) prevailed on the umpire to call his team's final game midway through because "it was too cold", even though the temperature hadn't changed all day.

(More about tripleheaders,if you are still interested: it turns out that Reisling was not the first to pack the final day. Tripleheaders figured into the NL titles of 1890 and 1896. Minor League pennant races had seen quadrupleheaders, topped off by the rabidly-contested New England League pennant race of 1899. That race produced the sweep of a sextupleheader, which would have edged the other contender's sweep of a tripleheader had a league executive not limited each team to one win only.

As recently as 1920 in the National League, a tripleheader was staged to decide who would take home the share of World Series money allotted in those years to the club finishing third in the standings. Three games were not needed however, as one team clinched third money by winning the first game.)

I can definitely see the announcement of a Sextupleheader drawing a crowd.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1592246657

[packs]

Barney Pelty still has the record for the lowest career ERA among all Jewish pitchers, topping even Sandy Koufax (2.63 vs 2.76). Pelty is also still the franchise record holder (now the Orioles) for most hit batsmen in a season with 29. This is some kind of M116 proof I just bought:

[Leon]

Great thread and interesting trivia.

As for the M116 cuts, my guess is they were cut from a period ad piece a long time ago but that is just a guess.

On the records stuff, I knew Nuxall was the youngest player in MLB history but thought he was 16. I didn't remember he as 15. That is amazing.

Originally Posted by packs

Barney Pelty still has the record for the lowest career ERA among all Jewish pitchers, topping even Sandy Koufax (2.63 vs 2.76). Pelty is also still the franchise record holder (now the Orioles) for most hit batsmen in a season with 29. This is some kind of M116 proof I just bought:

[packs]

Could be. Must have been a huge poster though (if that's the source). There are at least 65 of them.

[Jim65]

Love this thread

[perezfan]

This one is much more recent, but I always found it pretty incredible...

The only man to hit a ball completely out of Dodger Stadium was Willie Stargell. And he did it twice!

[GeoPoto]

Wildfire Schulte was an excellent player during the prime of his career, though not as good after his age-33 season. He played in four World Series for the Chicago Cubs and hit .321 as Chicago won two of the four series. He led the NL in home runs twice and RBI's once. In 1911 he was the NL MVP and the first player in MLB history to have more than 20 doubles (30), triples (21), home runs (21), and stolen bases (23). It was 56 years before the feat was repeated, this time by Willie Mays.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1592510848