Thornton Lee
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (September 2017) |
Thornton Lee | |
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Pitcher | |
Born: Sonoma, California, U.S. | September 13, 1906|
Died: June 9, 1997 Tucson, Arizona, U.S. | (aged 90)|
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
MLB debut | |
September 19, 1933, for the Cleveland Indians | |
Last MLB appearance | |
June 18, 1948, for the New York Giants | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 117–124 |
Earned run average | 3.56 |
Strikeouts | 937 |
Teams | |
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Career highlights and awards | |
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Thornton Starr Lee (September 13, 1906 – June 9, 1997), nicknamed "Lefty", was an American
Career
Lee was born in
Before the 1937 season, he was part of a three-team trade among the Indians, Chicago White Sox and
In his first four years with the Sox, Lee won 12 or more games, with a high 15 victories in 1939. His most productive season came in 1941, when he paced all American League pitchers in ERA (2.34) and complete games (30). He also posted a career-high 22 victories (second only to Bob Feller's 25), 125 strikeouts (also a career-high), was named to the AL All-Star team, and collected a $2,500 bonus for winning more than 20 games.[citation needed]
From 1942 to 1945, Lee suffered a string of injuries and lost his pace. After fracturing his arm and undergoing two bone chip removals and a neck operation, he recovered his old form in 1945, going 15–12 with a 2.44 ERA and 108 strikeouts, and pitching in the All-Star game for the second time.
At the age of 42, Lee divided his time in 1948 between the National League, with the Giants, and the Pacific Coast League, where he contributed to the Oakland Oaks pennant championship. He retired at the end of the season.
Lee had a .200
California Polytechnic University inducted Lee into their Hall of Fame on November 4, 1988.[2] Lee died from complications of Parkinson's disease on June 9, 1997 in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 90.[3]
Fact
- On September 17, 1939, Ted Williams hit a home run off Thornton Lee, one of 31 homers he hit in his rookie season. Williams hit a home run off Thornton's son, Don Lee, of the Senators, on September 2, 1960, thus becoming the only player in major league history to hit a home run off a father and son.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ Images of America Arroyo Grande by Jean Hubbard and Gary Hoving; 2009 Arcadia Publishing.
- ^ "Poly Hall to Honor Six". The Times-Press-Recorder. Arroyo Grande, California. November 4, 1988. p. 2B. Retrieved February 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- The Arizona Daily Star. Tucson, Arizona. pp. D1, D5. Retrieved February 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- The National Pastime