Jack Chesbro
Jack Chesbro | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: North Adams, Massachusetts, U.S. | June 5, 1874|
Died: November 6, 1931 Conway, Massachusetts, U.S. | (aged 57)|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
July 12, 1899, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
Last MLB appearance | |
October 2, 1909, for the Boston Red Sox | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 198–132 |
Earned run average | 2.68 |
Strikeouts | 1,265 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Member of the National | |
Baseball Hall of Fame | |
Induction | 1946 |
Election method | Old-Timers Committee |
John Dwight Chesbro (June 5, 1874 – November 6, 1931) was an American
Chesbro's 1904 pitching totals of 51 games started and 48 complete games also fall into the same historical category as his 1904 wins total, as they are all-time American League single-season records.[5][6] These 1904 single-season totals for games started and complete games, like the wins total, are also the most recorded by a pitcher in either the American or National League since the beginning of the 20th century[7][8][9][10] and the co-existence of the American and National Leagues as major leagues. If one demarcates 1901 as the beginning of major league baseball's modern era, Jack Chesbro holds the modern era major league historical single-season records for wins by a pitcher (41), games started by a pitcher (51), and complete games pitched (48).
Chesbro was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946 by the Veterans Committee, though he had received little consideration from the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). Some baseball historians consider the 1946 election a mistake, and believe that Chesbro was elected solely on the basis of his 1904 season.
Early life
He was born John D. Chesbro on June 5, 1874, in Houghtonville, a village in North Adams, Massachusetts.[11] He was the fourth of five children of Chad Brown Chesebrough, a shoemaker, and Martha Jane Fralensburgh.[12][13]
In 1892, Chesbro began playing for a
Professional career
Minor leagues (1895–1899)
Chesbro began his professional career in
Chesbro pitched for the
Major League Baseball (1899–1909)
Chesbro was sold by Richmond to the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 7, 1899, for $1,500 ($54,936 in current dollar terms). He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Pirates on July 12, 1899. He recorded a 6–9 win–loss record for the 1899 Pirates. After the season, on December 8, 1899, Chesbro was traded with George Fox, Art Madison, John O'Brien, and $25,000 ($915,600 in current dollar terms) to the Louisville Colonels for Honus Wagner, Fred Clarke, Bert Cunningham, Mike Kelley, Tacks Latimer, Tommy Leach, Tom Messitt, Deacon Phillippe, Claude Ritchey, Rube Waddell, Jack Wadsworth, and Chief Zimmer.[18] The Louisville club dissolved that offseason, and Chesbro, Fox, Madison and O'Brien were assigned to Pittsburgh in March as the National League (NL) reduced from 12 to eight teams.[12]
After going 15–13 for the
At the end of the 1902 season, the upstart
Chesbro pitched the Highlanders' first game. He finished the
Before the 1905 season, Chesbro announced that he had created a pitch he called the "jump ball".
Many baseball observers expected Chesbro to return to form in 1906.[34] That season, Chesbro registered a 23–17 record while leading the AL in earned runs allowed.[35] He was removed from his starts 16 times, the most in the AL.[36]
Chesbro announced he would work on keeping his weight down prior to the 1907 season,[37] but announced his intentions to retire in February 1907.[38] In March 1907, he announced he would return, but not at a pay cut.[39] He signed a new contract two weeks into the 1907 season,[40] in which he went 10–10.[12]
After the 1907 season, Chesbro announced that he was giving up the experimental spitball, intending to return to the "old style of pitching" in 1908.[41] He finished the 1908 season with a 14–20 record.[12]
Prior to the 1909 season, Chesbro was assigned to the
Post-MLB career
Chesbro returned to Massachusetts during the
Chesbro met with
Chesbro appeared in an old-timers game at
Legacy
Chesbro was inducted into the
Chesbro's 1904 record for games won in a season (41 wins) has stood for over a century—one of the oldest major records in baseball, or in any other sport. Under current playing practices, his record is unbreakable.[4][11] Chesbro started 51 games that season (plus 4 relief appearances) and pitched 48 complete games, for a record of 41–12. Today, it is uncommon for a pitcher to start even 35 games in a season and complete games are a rarity. The only other 40-win season since 1900 was 40 by Ed Walsh in 1908, and only three other pitchers in the modern era have won as many as 35--Christy Mathewson (37 in 1908), Walter Johnson (36 in 1913) and Joe McGinnity (35 in 1904). The last pitcher to win as many as 30 games was Denny McLain in 1968. The pitcher's mound was lowered to its current height of 10 inches in 1969, and since then no pitcher has won more than 27 games in a season.
Tinker considered Chesbro one of the six toughest pitchers he faced in MLB.[53] Dan Holmes, who runs the Hall of Fame's website, called Chesbro "one of the best pitchers in the game at that time."[54]
However, Chesbro's induction is considered dubious, as his overall career was overshadowed by his 1904 season.[55] Baseball historian Bill James considers Chesbro to be undeserving of induction to the Hall of Fame.[56] In particular, James compared Chesbro's statistics to those of former Pittsburgh Pirate teammates Deacon Phillippe (189–109, 2.59), Sam Leever (194–100, 2.47), and Jesse Tannehill (197–117, 2.80), none of whom are in the Hall of Fame. In his book The Politics of Glory, James charged that the induction of undeserving players created a "second tier" in the Hall of Fame.[56] James claimed that Chesbro was inducted into the Hall of Fame solely on the basis of his 1904 season, even though other pitchers who did not make the Hall of Fame have similar career statistics.[12]
Personal life
Chesbro married Mabel Suttleworth of Conway, Massachusetts, in 1896. After his retirement, Chesbro farmed and raised poultry in Conway, where he died on November 6, 1931, of a myocardial infarction;[15] he was buried at Howland Cemetery in Conway.[12] Mabel died in 1940.[57]
See also
- List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career hit batsmen leaders
References
- Bibliography
- Fleitz, David L. (2004). Ghosts in the gallery at Cooperstown: Sixteen little-known members of the Hall of Fame. McFarland. ISBN 0-7864-1749-8. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- In-line citations
- ^ "MLB Statistics, Pitching, All-Time By Year, AL, W". Major League Baseball (MLB), mlb.com. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ "MLB Statistics, Pitching, All-Time By Year, MLB, W". Major League Baseball (MLB), mlb.com. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ "Baseball Reference, Leaders, Pitching Leaderboards, Wins, Single-Season". Sports Reference LLC, Baseball-Reference, www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ a b c Campbell, Bruce (July 30, 2007). "Slugger Bonds' record-to-be will be broken in time". Enid News & Eagle. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
- ^ "MLB Statistics, Pitching, All-Time By Year, AL, GS". Major League Baseball (MLB), mlb.com. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ "MLB Statistics, Pitching, All-Time By Year, AL, CG". Major League Baseball (MLB), mlb.com. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Games Started (Baseball-Reference, Leaders, Pitching Leaderboards, Games Started, Single-Season)". Sports Reference LLC, Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ "Baseball-Reference.com, Single-Season Leaders & Records". Sports Reference LLC, Baseball-Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ "MLB Statistics, Pitching, All-Time By Year, MLB, GS". Major League Baseball (MLB), mlb.com. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ "MLB Statistics, Pitching, All-Time By Year, MLB, CG". Major League Baseball (MLB), mlb.com. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ a b Fleitz, p. 48
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t McElreavy, Wayne. "Jack Chesbro". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "John Dwight Chesebrough". Retrieved December 10, 2011.
- ^ Gentile, Derek (August 8, 2006). "Eagle Top: 50 The pride of North Adams, Jack Chesbro". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved November 25, 2011. (subscription required)
- ^ a b c "Jack Chesbro, Pioneer of Spitball Hurlers and Ace on Old New York Highlanders, Dies of Heart Attack". The Evening Independent. November 7, 1931. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ Fleitz, p. 50
- Deseret Evening News. August 4, 1899. p. 5. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "1899 Pittsburgh Pirates Trades and Transactions". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
- ^ "1901 National League Pitching Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "1902 National League Pitching Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "American League Here; Another Baseball Team Proposed for New York Next Season" (PDF). The New York Times. September 7, 1902. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ a b Fleitz, p. 52
- Youngstown Vindicator. October 8, 1904. p. 12. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "Chesbro Tells How To Throw The 'Spit Ball'". The Pittsburg Press. October 9, 1904. p. 19. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- The Hartford Courant. June 9, 1964. p. 25. Retrieved November 25, 2011. (subscription required)
- Pittsburg Press. July 22, 1904. p. 3. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "1904 American League Pitching Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ Fleitz, p. 54
- ^ Amore, Dom (September 6, 2001). "At 19-1, Just Two Old Giants Rocket Ties Best Start 89 Years After Marquard". Hartford Courant. p. C.1. Retrieved November 25, 2011.[permanent dead link](subscription required)
- ^ Fleitz, p. 58
- ^ Jim Reisler, Before They Were The Bombers: The New York Yankees' Early Years, 1903–1915 (Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co, 2002), p. 98.
- ^ "Happy Jack's New Ball: Pitcher Chesbro Invents a Puzzling Throw; Of Opposite Order from the Famous "Spit."; Playing Schedule Fixed up. Billiard Tourney". Los Angeles Times. January 31, 1905. p. II3. Retrieved November 25, 2011. (subscription required)
- ^ Singer, Tom (November 4, 2011). "La Russa leads pack of innovative skippers: Unconventional tactics changed and shaped the game". MLB.com. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "Daniels Led Swimmers in the Olympic Games; New York Athletic Club Lad Easily First in His Heat. Schwartz Also Qualified: Mitchel Still in Bad Shape and May Only Compete in the Discus-Throwing Event". The New York Times. April 26, 1906. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
- ^ "1906 American League Pitching Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "Pitchers Taken From Game.; New York Leads All American League Clubs -- Chesbro at Top" (PDF). The New York Times. November 4, 1906. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "Chesbro Hopes To Win Back His Lost Laurels". The Pittsburgh Press. December 28, 1906. p. 16. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "Chesbro Quits Baseball" (PDF). The New York Times. February 23, 1907. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "Pitcher Chesbro in Lumber Business" (PDF). The New York Times. March 20, 1907. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "American League.; Boston Again Defeats "Yankees" in Heavy Hitting Game, 4 to 3" (PDF). The New York Times. May 2, 1907. p. 12. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "Baseball Notes". The Pittsburgh Press. December 27, 1907. p. 16. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "Happy Jack and Dummy Taylor: Two Former Metropolitan Stars Are Relegated To Bush Leagues". The Day. February 3, 1909. p. 10. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "Yankees Close Season in Boston; Jack Chesbro Tried Against Old Teammates, but Is Driven from the Box. Teams Make Even Break: New Yorks Take First, 6 to 5 -- Batting Rally Gives Locals Second Contest by Score of 6 to 1". The New York Times. October 3, 1909. p. S1. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "Whitinsville Won; Leads Mill League". Evening Tribune. July 17, 1910. p. 6. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "Woonsocket Blanked the Whitinsville Team 2 to 0: Still Retain Lead in Mill League, Chesbro Pitches Milford to Victory". Evening Tribune. June 18, 1911. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- The Gazette Times. February 3, 1912. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "Jack Chesbro Reinstated". The New York Times. March 20, 1912. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "Rain Keeps Superbas Idle" (PDF). The New York Times. March 14, 1912. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- ^ "Jack Chesbro To Help Griffith With Senators". The Baltimore Sun. February 10, 1924. p. SF3. Retrieved November 25, 2011.[permanent dead link](subscription required)
- ^ "Chesbro Still Pitching.; New York Highlanders' One-Time Star Manages South Deerfield Club". The New York Times. July 10, 1927. Retrieved November 25, 2011. (subscription required)
- ^ "Eleven Gain Hall of Fame". Los Angeles Times. April 24, 1946. p. A6. Retrieved November 25, 2011. (subscription required)
- ^ Fleitz, p. 47
- ^ Tinker, Joe (April 3, 1916). "Six Hardest Pitchers I Ever Faced". Boston Daily Globe. p. 7. Retrieved November 25, 2011. (subscription required)
- ^ Newberry, Paul (August 29, 2005). "A century later, Ty Cobb still hard to figure out". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
- ^ "Richie Ashburn singled out as worthy of Hall of Fame". Reading Eagle. March 12, 1985. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
- ^ a b Gutman, Dan (April 3, 1994). "Baseball: A New Lineup For The Hall of Fame?". Newsday. p. 36. (subscription required)
- ^ Fleitz, p. 61
External links
- Jack Chesbro at the Baseball Hall of Fame
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Jack Chesbro at the SABR Baseball Biography Project