| Ebbets Field | |||||||||
| Player | BA | HR | RBI | Pitcher | W | L | ERA | ||
| C | Elston Howard | .348 | 21 | 77 | Rube Waddell* | 25 | 18 | 1.62 | |
| C | Ernie Lombardi | .342 | 19 | 95 | Bob Feller | 26 | 15 | 2.18 | |
| 1B | George Sisler* | .420 | 8 | 105 | Luis Tiant | 21 | 9 | 1.60 | |
| 1B | Gil Hodges | .304 | 42 | 130 | Grove Alexander | 33 | 12 | 1.55 | |
| 2B | Rogers Hornsby | .403 | 39 | 143 | Spud Chandler | 20 | 4 | 1.64 | |
| 2B | Eddie Collins* | .348 | 0 | 64 | Carl Hubbell* | 26 | 6 | 2.31 | |
| 3B | Fred Lindstrom | .379 | 22 | 106 | Jim Maloney | 23 | 7 | 2.77 | |
| 3B | Red Rolfe* | .329 | 14 | 80 | Lew Burdette | 20 | 10 | 2.91 | |
| SS | Maury Wills# | .299 | 6 | 48 | Allie Reynolds | 20 | 8 | 2.06 | |
| SS | Luis Aparicio | .313 | 5 | 43 | Team Totals | 214 | 89 | 2.07 | |
| LF | Ty Cobb* | .420 | 8 | 144 | |||||
| LF | Minnie Minoso | .320 | 19 | 116 | |||||
| RF | Chuck Klein* | .386 | 40 | 170 | |||||
| RF | Robert Clemente | .357 | 23 | 110 | |||||
| CF | Tris Speaker* | .380 | 17 | 130 | |||||
| CF | Carl Furillo | .344 | 21 | 92 | |||||
| Team Totals | .356 | 304 | 1653 | ||||||
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Elston Gene Howard Born: February 23, 1929, St Louis, Missouri Died: December 14, 1980, New York, New York Batted: right Threw: right Played for: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox The Yankees' first black player, Howard was forced to play the outfield through much of his first five seasons because Yogi Berra was behind the plate. By 1960, Howard was the starting catcher and Berra was more often in the field. Howard was an exceptional defensive catcher; his .993 career fielding average is one of the highest ever, and he pioneered the use of a hinged catcher's mitt that led to the modern one-handed catching techniques. He was also highly regarded as a handler of pitchers. He was named to the AL All-Star team nine consecutive years. Howard was a strong hitter, three times topping .300, with a high of .348 in 1961. He hit from an exaggerated spread stance when he came up, which he modified later in his career. He was AL MVP in 1963, as much for his leadership as for his .287 BA, 28 homers and 85 RBI. He led the Yankees to their fourth straight pennant in a year when Maris and Mantle were often out with injuries. After playing in nine WS with the Yankees, he was traded to Boston in August of 1967 and helped Boston to that season's pennant. In 1969 he returned to the Yankees, where he served as a coach for eleven years. Howard and Pee Wee Reese share the record for playing on the most WS losers. |
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Ernesto Natali Lombardi
Born: April
6, 1908, Oakland, California Ernie Lombardi was slow afoot, but he didn't let his lack of speed deter him. In his 17-year career, he compiled a .306 batting average and was recognized as a presence behind the plate. Lombardi hit .300 or better 10 times, earned the National League MVP Award in 1938 and won batting titles in 1938 and 1942. A fine handler of pitchers, Lombardi had an outstanding throwing arm from a crouch position, rifling the ball with a sidearm release. Lombardi also caught Johnny Vander Meer's two consecutive no-hitters in 1938.
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George Harold Sisler
Born: March
24, 1893, Manchester, Ohio A sharp batting eye and extraordinary fielding ability at first base led Ty Cobb to call George Sisler "the nearest thing to a perfect ballplayer." The owner of an engineering degree, Sisler was one of baseball's most intelligent and graceful players. He won two batting titles, topping .400 both times, and his 257 hits in 1920 remain a modern major league record. He had a 41-game hitting streak in 1922, hit .300 or better 13 times and had a sizzling .340 lifetime batting average. Did you know ... that George Sisler began his big league career as a pitcher, and once, during his rookie season, defeated future Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson? |
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Gilbert Raymond Hodges Born: April 4, 1924, Princeton, Indiana Died: April 2, 1972, West Palm Beach, Florida Batted: right Threw: right Played for: Brooklyn Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets Known as the "Miracle Worker" when he piloted the 1969 Mets to the World Championship, Hodges was a slugging, eight-time All-Star first baseman. A dead-pull hitter who always looked for the inside pitch, Hodges was a model of consistency, collecting over 100 RBI for seven consecutive years (1949-55) and hitting 20 or more HR 11 straight seasons (1949-59). Hodges was nineteen when he played third base for one game with the Dodgers in late 1943. He struck out twice and walked, then joined the Marines. He returned in 1947 as a catcher, but with the emergence of Roy Campanella, he was moved to first base. Ending his playing career with the Mets, Hodges hit the first homer in their history, on April 11, 1962 at St. Louis. Though he began 1963 with the Mets, he was sent to Washington for Jimmy Piersall, and took over as manager of the struggling Senators, who were 14-26 under Mickey Vernon. In five seasons, the best Hodges could do was a sixth-place finish in 1967. |
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Rogers Hornsby
Born: April
27, 1896, Winters, Texas Perhaps the game's most consistent right-handed hitter, Rogers Hornsby captured seven batting titles — including six in a row — averaging better than .400 three times. A complete player whose passion for the game was shown both on and off the field, Hornsby's .424 mark in 1924 is a National League record for the 20th century and his career average of .359 is the highest ever in the National League. "The Rajah," a two-time MVP and Triple Crown winner, was the player-manager of the Cardinals' first World Championship team in 1926. Did you know ... that on September 13, 1931, Rogers Hornsby became the first big leaguer to connect for an extra-inning, pinch-hit grand slam, as the Cubs defeated the Braves in 11 innings, 11-7? |
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Edward Trowbridge Collins Sr.
Born: May
2, 1887, Millerton, New York Signed in 1906 at the age of 19, Eddie Collins played 25 seasons in the major leagues — a 20th century record for position players. The fiery second baseman starred in the famous $100,000 infield in Philadelphia and also for the Chicago White Sox. The "choke-grip" batting style Collins used proved fruitful. For 10 seasons, he batted over .340, helping him earn membership in the exclusive 3,000-hit club. An aggressive and confident second baseman, he was also an outstanding baserunner. Did you know ... that Eddie Collins is the only American League player to steal six bases in a single game, a feat he accomplished twice in a span of less than two weeks (September 11 and 22, 1912)? |
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Frederick Charles Lindstrom
Born: November 21, 1905, Chicago,
Illinois Although only 16 years old, Fred Lindstrom hit .304 in 18 games at Toledo in 1922. Two years later he became the youngest player to appear in a World Series game while with the New York Giants. Although he had a powerful arm and good range, hitting was always his forte. Lindstrom had seven .300 seasons and twice garnered 231 hits. "The Boy Wonder's" lifetime batting mark was an impressive .311. Did you know ... that on June 25, 1928, Fred Lindstrom became the first National League player in the 20th century to garner nine hits in a doubleheader, a record that remains unbroken? |
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Robert Abial "Red" Rolfe Born: October 17, 1908, Penacook, New Hampshire Died: July 8, 1969, Gilford, New Hampshire Batted: left Threw: right Played for: New York Yankees Rolfe was a capable leadoff man and reliable third baseman for some of the best Yankee teams. During his seven years as a regular, they won six pennants and five World Championships. Although he suffered from painful stomach ulcers, he hit .300 or better four times, with a career-high .329 in 1939 when he led the AL in hits (213), doubles (46), and runs scored (139). He scored at least 100 runs every year he was a regular. Twice he led AL third basemen in fielding. A Dartmouth graduate, he served as Yale baseball coach after leaving the Yankees. From 1949 to mid-1952 he 'managed the Tigers, bringing them in second in 1950. |
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Maurice Morning Wills Born: October 2, 1932, Washington, D.C. Bats: both Throws: right Played for: Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates Wills's 1962 season found him at the apex of his base-stealing ability. His new major league record of 104 stolen bases shattered Ty Cobb's old mark of 96 not only in the final total, but in execution: Wills was caught stealing only 13 times in 1962, but Cobb was caught 38 times in 1915. Also, Cobb set his record in 156 games, and Wills broke it by one in the same span. In 1962, Wills also led the NL with 10 triples and reached career highs with 130 runs, 48 RBI, six HR, and 208 hits. His 695 at-bats missed the ML record by one. He won another Gold Glove. And he beat out Willie Mays by seven points to win the NL MVP award. Wills led the NL the next three years in stolen bases, but his success ratio fell. His six straight seasons leading the NL in steals set the NL record, and he tied the NL record for most years leading in singles, four (1963-67). He never again scored 100 runs, and he never drew enough walks to really be a great leadoff hitter, although he hit a career-high .302 in 1963 and 1966. |
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Luis Ernesto Aparicio (Montiel)
Born: April
29, 1934, Maracaibo, Venezuela Luis Aparicio was an acrobatic, graceful shortstop with exceptional range and hands. He holds the all-time record for most games played at short (2,581), and American League marks for assists (8,016), chances (12,564) and putouts (4,548). Aparicio also resurrected the stolen base as an offensive weapon, stealing over 50 bases three straight seasons and leading the league in thefts nine consecutive times. He was a starter for 18 seasons with the White Sox, Orioles and Red Sox. Did you know ... that over his 18-year major league career, Luis Aparicio never played a single big league inning at any position other than shortstop? |
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Tyrus Raymond Cobb
Born:
December 18, 1886, Narrows, Georgia Ty Cobb may have been baseball's greatest player, if not the game's fiercest competitor. His batting accomplishments are legendary — a lifetime average of .367, 297 triples, 4,191 hits, 12 batting titles (including nine in a row), 23 straight seasons in which he hit over .300, three .400 seasons (topped by a .420 mark in 1911), and 2,245 runs. Intimidating the opposition, "The Georgia Peach" stole 892 bases during a 24-year career, primarily with the Detroit Tigers. Did you know ... that on May 5, 1925, Ty Cobb collected 16 total bases (three home runs, a double and two singles), setting a single-game American League record that has yet to be surpassed? |
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Saturnino Orestes Armas Minnoso Arrieta Born: November 29, 1922, Havana, Cuba Bats: right Throws: right Played for: Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, St Louis Cardinals, Washington Senators Minoso debuted in 1949, but he was still officially a rookie when obtained by the White Sox in a three-team deal involving the Indians and A's on April 30, 1951. He led the AL in stolen bases again in 1952 and 1953 and in triples in 1954, and tied for the league lead in steals in 1956 and in doubles in 1957. He would do whatever was necessary to get on base, including getting in the way of fastballs. In 16 AL seasons, he set the league record by being hit by a pitch 189 times. Following stints with the Cardinals and Senators, he retired after spending 1964 as a White Sox pinch hitter. He was a White Sox coach from 1976 to 1978, and in 1980, when he was again activated, joining Nick Altrock as the only five-decade major leaguers; he went 0-for-2 as a pinch hitter. Ever popular in Chicago, he became a team goodwill ambassador. |
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Charles Herbert Klein
Born:
October 7, 1904, Indianapolis, Indiana Capturing four home run championships, two RBI titles, the Triple Crown and a batting title, all with the Phillies, Chuck Klein was a powerful hitter who finished his career with a .320 average and an even 300 homers. Along with his batting prowess, Klein was also a superb defensive right fielder who still holds the single-season mark with 44 assists in 1930. After the 1932 season, Klein was named the National League MVP. In 1936, he became the first National League player to slug four home runs in a game in the 20th century. Did you know ... that the last player to lead his league in home runs and stolen bases in the same season was Chuck Klein in 1932 when he paced the National League with 38 home runs and 20 stolen bases? Jimmy Sheckard and Hall of Fame outfielder Ty Cobb are the only other players to do so in the majors. |
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Roberto Clemente (Walker)
Born:
August 18, 1934, Carolina, Puerto Rico Roberto Clemente Walker's pride and humanitarianism won him universal admiration. Despite an unorthodox batting style, the Pirates' great won four batting crowns and amassed 3,000 hits. He was equally brilliant in right field, where he displayed a precise and powerful arm. Clemente earned National League MVP honors in 1966, but achieved his greatest fame in the 1971 World Series, when he batted .414. Tragically, Clemente's life ended at age 38 — the victim of a plane crash while flying relief supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake victims. Did you know ... that Roberto Clemente earned 12 consecutive Gold Glove Awards for his excellence in the outfield? |
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Tristram E Speaker
Born: April
4, 1888, Hubbard, Texas Despite spending most of his career in Ty Cobb's considerable shadow, Tris Speaker's .345 lifetime batting average and revolutionary defensive play made him one of Cobb's few rivals as the greatest player of the 1910s. Speaker's specialty was hitting doubles — he led the league eight times and still holds the career mark with 793. His shallow play in center field enabled him to record 450 assists, placing him comfortably atop the all-time list. One of Baseball's most successful player-managers, he guided Cleveland to a World Championship in 1920. Did you know ... that Tris Speaker is the only major league player to have three batting streaks of 20 or more games in a single season (1912)? |
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Carl Anthony Furillo "Skoonj" Born: March 8, 1922, Stony Creek Mills, Pennsylvania Died: January 21, 1989, Stony Creek Mills, Pennsylvania Batted: right Threw: right Played for: Brooklyn Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers Furillo was one of Roger Kahn's famed Boys of Summer. Kahn described him as "The Hard Hat Who Sued Baseball". He sued the Dodgers in 1960 for dropping him while he was hurt. He was awarded $21,000 as a settlement. From then on, Furillo couldn't find a job in baseball. He contended that he had been blackballed. Kahn found him years later, installing Otis elevators at the World Trade Center. Furillo had his best season in 1953, when he hit .344 to win the NL batting title. A volatile and intense competitor, Skoonj (short for scungili, Italian for snail) broke his hand during a September brawl with Leo Durocher and the Giants, and missed most of the rest of the season. The Reading Rifle had a gun for an arm, and read the tricky, 40'-high right field wall in Ebbets Field masterfully. His career highlights include a miraculous catch of Johnny Mize's bid for a home run in Game Five of the 1952 World Series; a game-tying, ninth-inning homer in Game Six of the 1953 WS; and throwing pitcher Mel Queen out at first on a 300' shot hit into the right field gap at Ebbets Field. |
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George Edward "Rube" Waddell
Born:
October 13, 1876, at Bradford, Pennsylvania Rube Waddell could be called eccentric and colorful and was one of the top lefties in the Game's history. Possessing an excellent fastball, curve and superb control, Waddell blossomed under Connie Mack's guidance in 1902. He topped 20 wins in each of his first four years with the Athletics, helping the team win two pennants. Known for his strikeout prowess, he led the American League in this category six years in a row. After being sold to St. Louis, he whiffed a then-American League record 16 Athletics in 1908. Did you know ... that on July 1, 1902, Rube Waddell became the first major league pitcher to strike out the side on just nine pitched balls? |
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Robert William Andrew Feller
Born:
November 3, 1918, Van Meter, Iowa Bob Feller's blazing fastball set the standard against which all of his successors have been judged. "Rapid Robert" spent his 18-year career in Cleveland, amassing 266 victories and 2,581 strikeouts, while leading the league in strikeouts seven times. He missed four years in his prime serving his country during World War II, for which he was decorated with five campaign ribbons studded with eight battle stars. Fresh from high school, Feller struck out 17 Athletics in 1936. He authored three no-hitters and shares the major league record with 12 one-hitters. Did you know ... that Bob Feller struck out 15 batters in his first big league start, a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Browns, August 25, 1936? |