Horsehide-Trivia

[Old Sweater]

Here we go. A new question followed by the answer to yesterday’s.

Which BBTR Iowan holds the record for the most shoutouts thrown by an American League pitcher in a single season?









Hint: #1 He was in large part responsible for launching the Chicago Cubs long march of World Series futility.




Hint: #2 He studied chemistry in college, even doing lab work during the baseball season.








Saturday Again question answered:

Q. Which native Georgian began his sojourn in the majors with Cincinnati and ended it with Pittsburgh , both in the National League, but flourished in the American League?

Hint: #1 He helped his team win the first championship in any sport for their home city, the fifth largest city in the United States.

Hint: #2 His son played more seasons in the majors than he did.

A. JIM BAGBY [SABR Bio]

- Ans. Bagby was born in Barnett, Georgia in 1889. He debuted w/CIN in 1912 & retired after his 1923 year w/PIT. In his 7 years with the Indians, his average WAR was 4.3 w/a high of 9.0.

- #1 In 1920, Bagby’s 9.5 WAR headlined the 1920 season for the Cleveland Indians’ 1st pennant, 1st WS flag. Cleveland’s population of 796,841 trailed only those of New York, Chicago, Philadelphia & Detroit.

- #2 Jim Bagby, Jr. played 10 seasons, 1938-47. His father played 9: 1912, 1916-23.



FCR - Jeff Fink, Howell, New Jersey





~ D. Bruce Brown

 

[Old Sweater]

Walter,
Which one-time Braves pitcher led the majors in losses just three seasons after he appeared on the cover of Time magazine?









Hint: #1 Few people remember that he led the majors for three straight seasons in home runs surrendered.




Hint: #2 He remained in the headlines long after his playing days.








Sunday's question answered:

Q. Which BBTR Iowan holds the record for the most shoutouts thrown by an American League pitcher in a single season?

Hint: #1 He was in large part responsible for launching the Chicago Cubs long march of World Series futility.

Hint: #2 He studied chemistry in college, even doing lab work during the baseball season.

A. JACK COOMBS [SABR Bio]

- Ans. Born in Le Grande, Iowa, Coombs learned to switch-hit at an early age. In 1910, throwing for Connie Mack’s WS champ Philadelphia A’s, he held opponents scoreless 13 times.

- #1 Coombs was the winning pitcher in 3 of the 4 wins when PHA defeated CHC 4-1 in the 1910 WS. The Cubs would go on to lose that & their next 6 Fall Classics, not winning 1 until the 21st century.

- #2 Coombs studied chemistry at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.



FCR - Josh Murphy, Cedar Rapids, Iowa





~ D. Bruce Brown