Claude Hendrix
Encyclopedia
Claude Raymond Hendrix born in Olathe, Kansas
, USA, is a former professional baseball player who played pitcher
in Major League Baseball
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
(1911–13), Chicago Chi-Feds/Chicago Whales
(1914–15) and Chicago Cubs
(1916–20).
He helped the Whales win the 1915 Federal League
pennant
and the Cubs win the 1918 National League
pennant.
He finished 20th in voting for the 1912 National League MVP for having a 24-9 Win-Loss record, 39 Games (32 Started), 25 Complete Games, 4 Shutouts, 6 Games Finished, 1 Save, 288 ⅔ Innings Pitched, 256 Hits Allowed, 110 Runs Allowed, 83 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Home Runs Allowed, 105 Walks, 176 Strikeouts, 9 Hit Batsmen, 7 Wild Pitches, 1,183 Batters Faced, a 2.59 ERA and a 1.251 WHIP.
He led the Federal League in ERA (1.69), Wins (29), Hits Allowed/9IP (6.51), Games (49) and Complete Games (34) in 1914.
He still ranks 62nd on the MLB career ERA List (2.65).
In 10 seasons he had a 144-116 Win-Loss record, 360 Games (257 Started), 184 Complete Games, 27 Shutouts, 82 Games Finished, 17 Saves, 2,371 ⅓ Innings Pitched, 2,123 Hits Allowed, 910 Runs Allowed, 698 Earned Runs Allowed, 41 Home Runs Allowed, 697 Walks, 1,092 Strikeouts, 49 Hit Batsmen, 70 Wild Pitches, 9,651 Batters Faced, 1 Balk, a 2.65 ERA and a 1.189 WHIP.
According to "Striking Out a Baseball Myth", by Amy Geiszler-Jones, "Hendrix was a right-handed pitcher who "could work the spitball to perfection," according to Wichita newspaper reports, he led the National League with his winning percentage in 1912 and 1918 and played in the 1918 World Series. Hendrix had the distinction of being the winning pitcher in the first game in the ballpark later renamed Wrigley Field.
"Hendrix’s link to one of baseball’s most notorious gambling scandals tainted his legacy in baseball.
"The 1919 World Series, it was discovered in grand jury hearings held in 1920, was thrown by several Chicago White Sox players. Eight players were indicted and then banned from baseball for throwing the series.
"Hendrix, the pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, had been linked to the scandal because it was events surrounding the Aug. 31, 1920, game he was scheduled to pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies
that led to the hearings. Cubs president Bill Veeck
received telephone calls and telegrams saying Detroit gamblers were betting heavily that the Phillies, ranked at the bottom of the league, would beat the Cubs, a top team. The Cubs switched their rotation and went with their better pitcher, Grover Cleveland Alexander
, instead but still ended up losing the game.
"A grand jury was convened in Chicago to investigate this particular incident, and during the course of the investigation the Black Sox scandal emerged. It never ruled on whether the Cubs/Phillies game was linked to gambling.
"In the aftermath, federal judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis
was appointed baseball’s first commissioner and he banned the White Sox players from the sport.
"Landis never banned Hendrix. But that’s been the popular belief because Landis’ 1947 biography made the false claim.
"Hendrix, an only child and widower with no children, had died three years before the biography was published.
"Hendrix’s career was on a downturn in 1920 and he had announced his retirement at the end of the season, while the grand jury was still convened. In February 1921, the Cubs gave him an unconditional release and Veeck issued a statement that Hendrix’s release had nothing to do with events of 1920, alluding to the Cubs/Phillies game and the rumors that had circulated."
Hendrix moved back to Pennsylvania to play professional ball on the independent "Allentown Dukes" team (named after the team's founder). The Dukes beat a strong N.Y. Yankees team in an exhibition game played in Allentown during the 1930s. Several ex-MLB players were members of the Allentown Dukes team alongside Hendrix. The athlete also owned and operated a tavern located at Sixth and Hamilton streets in downtown Allentown.
He died in Allentown, Pennsylvania
at the age of 54.
Olathe, Kansas
Olathe is a city in and the county seat of Johnson County, Kansas, United States. Located in northeastern Kansas, it is also the fifth most populous city in the state, with a population of 125,872 at the 2010 census. As a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, Olathe is the fourth-largest city in the...
, USA, is a former professional baseball player who played pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1911–13), Chicago Chi-Feds/Chicago Whales
Chicago Whales
The Chicago Whales were a professional baseball team based in Chicago. They played in the Federal League, a short-lived "third Major League", in 1914 and 1915. They originally lacked a formal nickname, and were known simply as the "Chicago Federals" to distinguish them from the Chicago Cubs and...
(1914–15) and Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(1916–20).
He helped the Whales win the 1915 Federal League
Federal League
The Federal League of Base Ball Clubs, known simply as the Federal League, was an American professional baseball league that operated as a "third major league", in competition with the established National and American Leagues, from to...
pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
and the Cubs win the 1918 National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pennant.
He finished 20th in voting for the 1912 National League MVP for having a 24-9 Win-Loss record, 39 Games (32 Started), 25 Complete Games, 4 Shutouts, 6 Games Finished, 1 Save, 288 ⅔ Innings Pitched, 256 Hits Allowed, 110 Runs Allowed, 83 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Home Runs Allowed, 105 Walks, 176 Strikeouts, 9 Hit Batsmen, 7 Wild Pitches, 1,183 Batters Faced, a 2.59 ERA and a 1.251 WHIP.
He led the Federal League in ERA (1.69), Wins (29), Hits Allowed/9IP (6.51), Games (49) and Complete Games (34) in 1914.
He still ranks 62nd on the MLB career ERA List (2.65).
In 10 seasons he had a 144-116 Win-Loss record, 360 Games (257 Started), 184 Complete Games, 27 Shutouts, 82 Games Finished, 17 Saves, 2,371 ⅓ Innings Pitched, 2,123 Hits Allowed, 910 Runs Allowed, 698 Earned Runs Allowed, 41 Home Runs Allowed, 697 Walks, 1,092 Strikeouts, 49 Hit Batsmen, 70 Wild Pitches, 9,651 Batters Faced, 1 Balk, a 2.65 ERA and a 1.189 WHIP.
According to "Striking Out a Baseball Myth", by Amy Geiszler-Jones, "Hendrix was a right-handed pitcher who "could work the spitball to perfection," according to Wichita newspaper reports, he led the National League with his winning percentage in 1912 and 1918 and played in the 1918 World Series. Hendrix had the distinction of being the winning pitcher in the first game in the ballpark later renamed Wrigley Field.
"Hendrix’s link to one of baseball’s most notorious gambling scandals tainted his legacy in baseball.
"The 1919 World Series, it was discovered in grand jury hearings held in 1920, was thrown by several Chicago White Sox players. Eight players were indicted and then banned from baseball for throwing the series.
"Hendrix, the pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, had been linked to the scandal because it was events surrounding the Aug. 31, 1920, game he was scheduled to pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
that led to the hearings. Cubs president Bill Veeck
Bill Veeck
William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...
received telephone calls and telegrams saying Detroit gamblers were betting heavily that the Phillies, ranked at the bottom of the league, would beat the Cubs, a top team. The Cubs switched their rotation and went with their better pitcher, Grover Cleveland Alexander
Grover Cleveland Alexander
Grover Cleveland Alexander , nicknamed "Old Pete", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals and was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938.-Career:Alexander was born in Elba, Nebraska, one of thirteen...
, instead but still ended up losing the game.
"A grand jury was convened in Chicago to investigate this particular incident, and during the course of the investigation the Black Sox scandal emerged. It never ruled on whether the Cubs/Phillies game was linked to gambling.
"In the aftermath, federal judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis was an American jurist who served as a federal judge from 1905 to 1922 and as the first Commissioner of Baseball from 1920 until his death...
was appointed baseball’s first commissioner and he banned the White Sox players from the sport.
"Landis never banned Hendrix. But that’s been the popular belief because Landis’ 1947 biography made the false claim.
"Hendrix, an only child and widower with no children, had died three years before the biography was published.
"Hendrix’s career was on a downturn in 1920 and he had announced his retirement at the end of the season, while the grand jury was still convened. In February 1921, the Cubs gave him an unconditional release and Veeck issued a statement that Hendrix’s release had nothing to do with events of 1920, alluding to the Cubs/Phillies game and the rumors that had circulated."
Hendrix moved back to Pennsylvania to play professional ball on the independent "Allentown Dukes" team (named after the team's founder). The Dukes beat a strong N.Y. Yankees team in an exhibition game played in Allentown during the 1930s. Several ex-MLB players were members of the Allentown Dukes team alongside Hendrix. The athlete also owned and operated a tavern located at Sixth and Hamilton streets in downtown Allentown.
He died in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
at the age of 54.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
Sources
- "Striking Out a Baseball Myth", by Amy Geiszler-Jones, Inside WSU, Vol. 17, No. 16, May 3, 2001. See article on line at: www.wichita.edu/insidewsu/@5-3-2001/Hendrix_myth.htm.