Ed Wells (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Edwin Lee Wells nicknamed "Satchelfoot" http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wellsed01.shtml, was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
who played 11 seasons in the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers
(1923-1927), New York Yankees
(1929-1932), and St. Louis Browns
(1933-1934). Wells was a left-handed pitcher, with a hard fastball and a slow curve. Wells played in 291 major league games with a 68-69 record and won a World Series Championship with the Yankees in 1932.
Born in Ashland, Ohio
, Wells attended Bethany College
in West Virginia. During his sophomore year, Wells was signed by the Detroit Tigers
in a deal that allowed Wells to continue to attend school and play professional baseball during his summer breaks.
Wells played the 1922 season in the minor leagues at Ludington, Michigan
where he had a 1.93 ERA. In 1923, Wells reported to the Tigers after the school year ended, making his major league debut on June 16, 1923. Wells' manager in Detroit was his boyhood idol, Ty Cobb
. Though one of the greatest hitters of all time, Cobb was, by his own account, not a particularly good coach of pitchers. Cobb biographer, Richard Bak, recounts a discussion between Cobb and Wells. Wells was having a tough time and asked Cobb "what in the name of sense do you think my trouble is." Cobb replied "Ed, that's not something I know nothing about -- pitching." (Richard Bak, Peach (2005), pp. 131-132) Despite the lack of coaching help from Cobb, Wells led the American League in shutouts in 1926 with 4 and had a 33-inning scoreless streak.
In 1928, Wells returned to the minor leagues and won 25 games for Birmingham, Alabama
. The New York Yankees
bought his contract for $30,000, and Wells was assigned the locker between Babe Ruth
and Lou Gehrig
. Wells had his best seasons in 1929 and 1930, going 13-9 and 12-3 as a Yankee. In 1929, Wells had the 2nd most wins among Yankees' pitchers, trailing only George Pipgras
. His 1930 winning percentage of .800 (12-3) was 2nd best in the American League
. In 1931, his winning percentage or .643 was 8th best in the league. In his four years with the Yankees, Wells was supported by one of the best batting lineups in history, including Babe Ruth
, Lou Gehrig
, Tony Lazzeri
, Bill Dickey
, Bob Meusel
, Leo Durocher
, and Earle Combs
.
In April 1933, the St. Louis Browns
purchased Wells from the Yankees. He played two seasons in St. Louis with a combined two-year record of 7-21. He played his final major league game on September 17, 1934.
Wells continued to play organized baseball in the minor leagues through the 1937 season. After his baseball career ended, Wells owned an oil distributorship in Montgomery, Alabama
. Wells died in Montgomery, Alabama
in 1986 at age 85.
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...
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...
who played 11 seasons in the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
(1923-1927), New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
(1929-1932), and St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(1933-1934). Wells was a left-handed pitcher, with a hard fastball and a slow curve. Wells played in 291 major league games with a 68-69 record and won a World Series Championship with the Yankees in 1932.
Born in Ashland, Ohio
Ashland, Ohio
Ashland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Ashland County. The population was 21,249 at the 2000 census. It is the center of the Ashland Micropolitan Statistical Area...
, Wells attended Bethany College
Bethany College (West Virginia)
Bethany College is a private liberal arts college located in Bethany, West Virginia, United States. Founded in 1840, Bethany is the oldest institution of Higher Education in West Virginia.-Location:...
in West Virginia. During his sophomore year, Wells was signed by the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in a deal that allowed Wells to continue to attend school and play professional baseball during his summer breaks.
Wells played the 1922 season in the minor leagues at Ludington, Michigan
Ludington, Michigan
Ludington is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,357. It is the county seat of Mason County.Ludington is a harbor town located on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Pere Marquette River...
where he had a 1.93 ERA. In 1923, Wells reported to the Tigers after the school year ended, making his major league debut on June 16, 1923. Wells' manager in Detroit was his boyhood idol, Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
. Though one of the greatest hitters of all time, Cobb was, by his own account, not a particularly good coach of pitchers. Cobb biographer, Richard Bak, recounts a discussion between Cobb and Wells. Wells was having a tough time and asked Cobb "what in the name of sense do you think my trouble is." Cobb replied "Ed, that's not something I know nothing about -- pitching." (Richard Bak, Peach (2005), pp. 131-132) Despite the lack of coaching help from Cobb, Wells led the American League in shutouts in 1926 with 4 and had a 33-inning scoreless streak.
In 1928, Wells returned to the minor leagues and won 25 games for Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
. The New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
bought his contract for $30,000, and Wells was assigned the locker between Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
and Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
. Wells had his best seasons in 1929 and 1930, going 13-9 and 12-3 as a Yankee. In 1929, Wells had the 2nd most wins among Yankees' pitchers, trailing only George Pipgras
George Pipgras
George William Pipgras was an American right-handed starting pitcher and umpire in Major League Baseball. Known as "The Danish Viking," he spent most of his playing career with the New York Yankees, breaking in as a rookie in 1923...
. His 1930 winning percentage of .800 (12-3) was 2nd best in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
. In 1931, his winning percentage or .643 was 8th best in the league. In his four years with the Yankees, Wells was supported by one of the best batting lineups in history, including Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
, Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
, Tony Lazzeri
Tony Lazzeri
Anthony Michael "Tony" Lazzeri was an American Major League Baseball player during the 1920s and 1930s, predominantly with the New York Yankees. He was part of the famed "Murderers' Row" Yankee batting lineup of the late 1920s , along with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Bob Meusel...
, Bill Dickey
Bill Dickey
William Malcolm Dickey was a Major League Baseball catcher and manager.He played his entire 19-year baseball career with the New York Yankees . During Dickey's playing career, the Yankees went to the World Series nine times, winning eight championships...
, Bob Meusel
Bob Meusel
Robert William "Bob" Meusel was an American baseball left and right fielder who played in Major League Baseball for eleven seasons from 1920 through 1930, all but the last for the New York Yankees...
, Leo Durocher
Leo Durocher
Leo Ernest Durocher , nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Upon his retirement, he ranked fifth all-time among managers with 2,009 career victories, second only to John McGraw in National League history. Durocher still ranks tenth in career wins by...
, and Earle Combs
Earle Combs
Earle Bryan Combs was an American professional baseball player, who played his entire career for the New York Yankees . Combs batted leadoff and played center field on the Yankees' fabled 1927 team...
.
In April 1933, the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
purchased Wells from the Yankees. He played two seasons in St. Louis with a combined two-year record of 7-21. He played his final major league game on September 17, 1934.
Wells continued to play organized baseball in the minor leagues through the 1937 season. After his baseball career ended, Wells owned an oil distributorship in Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
. Wells died in Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
in 1986 at age 85.