Gabby Hartnett
Encyclopedia
Charles Leo "Gabby" Hartnett (December 20, 1900 - December 20, 1972) was an American
professional
baseball
player and manager
. He played almost his entire career in Major League Baseball
as a catcher
for the Chicago Cubs
. Until the career of Johnny Bench
, Hartnett was considered the greatest catcher in the history of the National League
. A six-time All-Star
known for his powerful hitting
, superb defensive abilities and strong throwing arm, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955
.
as the oldest of 14 children. He grew up in the nearby small town of Millville, Massachusetts
, where he played baseball in the Blackstone Valley
League. He began his professional baseball career at the age of 20 with the Worcester Boosters of the Eastern League in . New York Giants manager, John McGraw
, sent scout Jesse Burkett
to appraise Hartnett's talent as a player. Burkett reported back to McGraw that Hartnett's hands were too small for a major league catcher. The Giants' loss would prove to be the Chicago Cubs' gain.
Hartnett joined the Cubs in 1922
, serving as a backup catcher to Bob O'Farrell
. He was given his ironic nickname of "Gabby" as a rookie due to his shy, reticient nature. When O'Farrell was injured during the 1924
season, Hartnett took over, posting a .299 batting average
along with 16 home run
s and 67 runs batted in. After the retirement of catcher Bill Killefer
, Hartnett became the favorite catcher of Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, Grover Cleveland Alexander
and, caught Alexander's 300th career win on September 20, . Hartnett played well enough during O'Farrell's absence that, the Cubs decided to keep him as their starting catcher, trading O'Farrell to the St. Louis Cardinals in May 1925
.
Hartnett hit 24 home runs in , setting a single-season home run record for catchers and, finished second overall in the National League behind the 39 home runs hit by Rogers Hornsby
. Although he led National League catchers in errors
, he also led in range factor
and in putout
s, while his strong throwing arm helped him lead the league in assists
, and in caught stealing
percentage. Leo Durocher
, who played against Hartnett and was a National League manager during Johnny Bench's career, stated that the two catchers had similarly strong throwing arms. During the major league baseball winter meetings in December 1925, it was rumored that Hartnett might be traded to the New York Giants for catcher Frank Snyder and Irish Meusel
however, Cubs president Bill Veeck, Sr.
, squelched the rumors saying that Hartnett would not be traded for anybody.
Hartnett proved himself an excellent backstop through the 1920s; although he was often injured. In 1929
, a mysterious arm ailment limited him to one game behind the plate and 24 games as a pinch hitter
as the Cubs won the National League pennant
. Hartnett struck out in all three of his at bats in the 1929 World Series
against the Philadelphia Athletics
. He rebounded with his best season in 1930
, hitting for a .339 batting average with career highs of 122 runs batted in, a .630 slugging percentage and 37 home runs, breaking his own single-season home run record for catchers. He led all National League catchers in putouts, assists, fielding percentage
and in baserunners caught stealing.
During an exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox
on September 9, 1931
, Hartnett was photographed while signing an autograph for gangster, Al Capone
. After the photograph was published in newspapers across the United States, Hartnett received a telegram from Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis
instructing him not to have his photograph taken with Capone in the future. Hartnett replied with a telegram to the Commissioner whimsically stating, "OK, but if you don't want me to have my picture taken with Al Capone, you tell him."
In 1932
, Hartnett guided the Cubs' pitching staff to the lowest team earned run average
in the league, as the Cubs clinched the National League pennant by 4 games over the Pittsburgh Pirates
. Hartnett was the Cubs' catcher on October 1, in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series
against the New York Yankees
when, Babe Ruth
hit his infamous Called Shot
. Although he hit for a .313 batting average with 1 home run, the Yankees went on to win the series in a four-game sweep.
In 1933
, Hartnett was selected to be a reserve catcher for the National League team in the inaugural Major League Baseball All-Star Game
held on July 6, 1933
. It would mark the first of six consecutive All-Star game selections for Hartnett. At the mid-season point of the 1934
season, Hartnett was hitting for a .336 batting average with 13 home runs to earn the starting catcher's role for the National League team in the 1934 All-Star Game
. Hartnett was calling the pitches for Carl Hubbell
in the All-Star Game when he set a record by striking out
future Hall of Fame members Babe Ruth
, Lou Gehrig
, Jimmie Foxx
, Al Simmons
, and Joe Cronin
in succession.
Hartnett had another impressive season in 1935
when he produced a .344 batting average, third highest in the league and, led the league's catchers in assists, double play
s, and fielding percentage. He also led the Cubs pitching staff to the lowest earned run average in the league as they won the National League pennant by 4 games over the St. Louis Cardinals
. For his performance, Hartnett was named the recipient of the National League Most Valuable Player Award. The Cubs would eventually lose to the Detroit Tigers
led by Mickey Cochrane
in the 1935 World Series
.
In the 1937 All-Star Game
, pitcher Dizzy Dean
kept shaking off Hartnett's signs for a curve ball resulting in a hit
by Joe DiMaggio
, a home run by Lou Gehrig
and finally, a line drive
off the bat of Earl Averill
that struck Dean on his toe. Dean had been one of the preeminent pitchers in the National League until the injury to his toe eventually led to the end of his baseball playing career. Hartnett ended the season with a career-high .354 batting average and, finished second to Joe Medwick
in voting for the National League Most Valuable Player Award. His .354 batting average in 1937 was the highest batting average by a major league catcher for 60 years until when, Mike Piazza
posted a .362 average.
, Cubs owner Philip K. Wrigley
named the 37 year old Hartnett as the team's player-manager, replacing Charlie Grimm
. When Hartnett took over as manager, the Cubs had been in third place, six games behind the first place Pittsburgh Pirates
led by Pie Traynor
. By September 27, with one week left in the season, the Cubs had battled back to within a game and a half game of the Pirates in the National League standings as the two teams met for a crucial three-game series. The Cubs won the first game of the series with a 2 to 1 victory by Cubs pitcher Dizzy Dean, cutting the Pirates' lead to a half game and, setting the stage for one of baseball's most memorable moments.
On September 28, , the two teams met for the second game of the series where, Hartnett experienced the highlight of his career. With darkness descending on the lightless Wrigley Field
and the score tied at 5 runs apiece, the umpires ruled that the ninth inning would be the last to be played. The entire game would have to be replayed the following day if the score remained tied. Hartnett came to bat with two out
in the bottom of the ninth inning. With a count of 0 balls and 2 strikes, Hartnett connected on a Mace Brown
pitch, launching the ball into the darkness, before it eventually landed in the left-center field bleachers. The stadium erupted into pandemonium as players and fans stormed the field to escort Hartnett around the bases. Hartnett's walk-off home run
became immortalized as the Homer in the Gloamin'.
The Cubs were now in first place, culminating an impressive 19-3-1 record in September, and the pennant would be clinched three days later. Hartnett once again led the Cubs pitching staff to the lowest earned run average in the league and, led National League catchers with a .995 fielding percentage. Unfortunately, the Cubs were swept in the 1938 World Series
by the New York Yankees
, their fourth Series loss in ten years.
Hartnett felt the strain of managing a team during the 1939
season as, he faced player discontent over the pampering of Dizzy Dean while, pitcher Larry French
went over his head to complain to owner Philip Wrigley about his lack of pitching assignments. French felt he was being punished for requesting to have Gus Mancuso
as his catcher. In addition, Hartnett was forced to catch more games due to the lack of hitting from the other Cubs catchers. On August 28, , he broke Ray Schalk
's Major League record of 1,727 career games as a catcher.
After two disappointing seasons, Hartnett was dismissed by the Cubs on November 13, 1940
, after 19 years with the club. On December 3, he signed a contract with the New York Giants
to be a player-coach. Hartnett hit for a .300 average in 64 games as a backup catcher to Harry Danning
in the 1941
season. He played his final game on September 24, , retiring as a player at the age of 40.
, accumulating 1,912 hits
in 6,432 at bats for a .297 career batting average along with a .489 slugging percentage, 236 home runs, 1,179 runs batted in and an on base percentage
of .370. He retired with a .984 career fielding percentage. Hartnett caught 100 or more games for a league record 12 times, including a record eight seasons in a row. He led the National League in putouts four times and in assists and fielding percentage six times. He led the league seven times in double play
s and, set a National league record with 163 career double plays. Hartnett set a since-broken major league record for catchers of 452 consecutive chances
without committing an error.
At the time of his retirement, his 236 home runs, 1179 runs batted in, 1912 hits, and 396 doubles were all records for catchers. He also finished among the National League's top ten in slugging percentage seven times in his career. A six-time All-Star, Hartnett was the recipient of one Most Valuable Player Award and played on four pennant-winning teams. Hartnett's .370 career on base percentage was higher than the .342 posted by Johnny Bench or, the .348 posted by Yogi Berra
. His bat and catcher's mask were the first artifacts sent to the newly constructed Baseball Hall of Fame in .
in . On January 26, , Hartnett was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame along with Joe DiMaggio, Ted Lyons and Dazzy Vance
. In , Lawrence Ritter
and Donald Honig
included Hartnett in their book The 100 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time. In , he was named as a finalist to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team
.
In his last job in the majors Hartnett worked as a coach
and scout for the Kansas City Athletics
for two years in the mid-1960s. Gabby Hartnett died of cirrhosis
in Park Ridge, Illinois
on his 72nd birthday, and is interred in All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
. He played almost his entire career 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...
as a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the 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...
. Until the career of Johnny Bench
Johnny Bench
Johnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame...
, Hartnett was considered the greatest catcher in the history of the 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...
. A six-time All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
known for his powerful hitting
Batting (baseball)
In baseball, batting is the act of facing the opposing pitcher and trying to produce offense for one's team. A batter or hitter is a person whose turn it is to face the pitcher...
, superb defensive abilities and strong throwing arm, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955
Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 1955
Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 1955 followed a system established for odd-number years in 1953. The Baseball Writers Association of America voted by mail to select from recent major league players and elected four: Joe DiMaggio, Gabby Hartnett, Ted Lyons, and Dazzy Vance.The Veterans...
.
Baseball career
Hartnett was born in Woonsocket, Rhode IslandWoonsocket, Rhode Island
Woonsocket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 41,186 at the 2010 census, making it the sixth largest city in the state. Woonsocket lies directly south of the Massachusetts border....
as the oldest of 14 children. He grew up in the nearby small town of Millville, Massachusetts
Millville, Massachusetts
Millville is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,190 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Providence metropolitan area.- History :...
, where he played baseball in the Blackstone Valley
Blackstone Valley
The Blackstone Valley or Blackstone River Valley is a region of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It was a major contributor to the American Industrial Revolution...
League. He began his professional baseball career at the age of 20 with the Worcester Boosters of the Eastern League in . New York Giants manager, John McGraw
John McGraw
John McGraw may refer to:* John McGraw , , New York lumber tycoon, and one of the founding trustees of Cornell University* John McGraw , , Governor of Washington state from 1893–1897...
, sent scout Jesse Burkett
Jesse Burkett
Jesse Cail Burkett , nicknamed "The Crab", was a Major League Baseball player at the turn of the 20th century...
to appraise Hartnett's talent as a player. Burkett reported back to McGraw that Hartnett's hands were too small for a major league catcher. The Giants' loss would prove to be the Chicago Cubs' gain.
Hartnett joined the Cubs in 1922
1922 Chicago Cubs season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
, serving as a backup catcher to Bob O'Farrell
Bob O'Farrell
Robert Arthur "Bob" O'Farrell was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for 21 seasons with the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Giants. O'Farrell also played for the Cincinnati Reds, albeit briefly...
. He was given his ironic nickname of "Gabby" as a rookie due to his shy, reticient nature. When O'Farrell was injured during the 1924
1924 Chicago Cubs season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
season, Hartnett took over, posting a .299 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
along with 16 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 67 runs batted in. After the retirement of catcher Bill Killefer
Bill Killefer
William Killefer , was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager who had a 48-year career in Major League Baseball. Killefer, who was nicknamed "Reindeer Bill" due to his speed afoot, played as a catcher for the St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs...
, Hartnett became the favorite catcher of Baseball Hall of Fame 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...
and, caught Alexander's 300th career win on September 20, . Hartnett played well enough during O'Farrell's absence that, the Cubs decided to keep him as their starting catcher, trading O'Farrell to the St. Louis Cardinals in May 1925
1925 Chicago Cubs season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
.
Hartnett hit 24 home runs in , setting a single-season home run record for catchers and, finished second overall in the National League behind the 39 home runs hit by Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby, Sr. , nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Boston Braves , Chicago Cubs , and St. Louis Browns...
. Although he led National League catchers in errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
, he also led in range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
and in putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s, while his strong throwing arm helped him lead the league in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
, and in caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
percentage. 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...
, who played against Hartnett and was a National League manager during Johnny Bench's career, stated that the two catchers had similarly strong throwing arms. During the major league baseball winter meetings in December 1925, it was rumored that Hartnett might be traded to the New York Giants for catcher Frank Snyder and Irish Meusel
Irish Meusel
Emil Frederick "Irish" Meusel was an American baseball Left fielder.He was first signed with the Washington Senators in 1914 and played one game. After a tour in the minor league, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1918...
however, Cubs president Bill Veeck, Sr.
William Veeck, Sr.
William Veeck, Sr. was a sports writer and baseball executive. He was president of Chicago Cubs from 1919 to his death in October, 1933. Under Veeck's leadership, the Cubs won three pennants, in 1918, 1929, and 1932....
, squelched the rumors saying that Hartnett would not be traded for anybody.
Hartnett proved himself an excellent backstop through the 1920s; although he was often injured. In 1929
1929 Chicago Cubs season
- Offseason :* October 3, 1928: Mike Cvengros was drafted by the Cubs from the Wichita Falls Spudders in the 1928 rule 5 draft.* November 7, 1928: Socks Seibold, Percy Jones, Lou Legett, Freddie Maguire, Bruce Cunningham, and $200,000 were traded by the Cubs to the Boston Braves for Rogers...
, a mysterious arm ailment limited him to one game behind the plate and 24 games as a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
as the Cubs won the National League 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...
. Hartnett struck out in all three of his at bats in the 1929 World Series
1929 World Series
In the 1929 World Series, the Philadelphia Athletics beat the Chicago Cubs in five games.The famous "Mack Attack" occurred in 1929, named for manager of the Athletics, Connie Mack, in which the Athletics overcame an eight-run deficit by scoring ten runs in the seventh inning of Game 4...
against the Philadelphia Athletics
1929 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 1st in the American League with a record of 104 wins and 46 losses. After finishing in second place to the New York Yankees in and , the club won the 1929 pennant by a large 18-game margin...
. He rebounded with his best season in 1930
1930 Chicago Cubs season
The Chicago Cubs went 90-64 and finished in second place in the National League.In the peak year of the lively ball era, the Cubs scored 998 runs, third most in the majors. Future Hall of Famers Kiki Cuyler, Gabby Hartnett, and Hack Wilson led the offense....
, hitting for a .339 batting average with career highs of 122 runs batted in, a .630 slugging percentage and 37 home runs, breaking his own single-season home run record for catchers. He led all National League catchers in putouts, assists, fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
and in baserunners caught stealing.
During an exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox
1931 Chicago White Sox season
The 1931 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 31st season in the major leagues, and its 32nd season overall. They finished with a record 56-97, good enough for 8th place in the American League, 51.5 games behind the first place Philadelphia Athletics....
on September 9, 1931
1931 Chicago Cubs season
The Chicago Cubs season was a season in American baseball. The team finished third in the National League with a record of 84-70, 17 games behind the St...
, Hartnett was photographed while signing an autograph for gangster, Al Capone
Al Capone
Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone was an American gangster who led a Prohibition-era crime syndicate. The Chicago Outfit, which subsequently became known as the "Capones", was dedicated to smuggling and bootlegging liquor, and other illegal activities such as prostitution, in Chicago from the early...
. After the photograph was published in newspapers across the United States, Hartnett received a telegram from Baseball Commissioner 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...
instructing him not to have his photograph taken with Capone in the future. Hartnett replied with a telegram to the Commissioner whimsically stating, "OK, but if you don't want me to have my picture taken with Al Capone, you tell him."
In 1932
1932 Chicago Cubs season
The Chicago Cubs season was a season in American baseball. The team won the National League pennant with a record of 90-64, finishing four games ahead of the second-place Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs lost the 1932 World Series to the New York Yankees in four straight games.- Roster :- Starters by...
, Hartnett guided the Cubs' pitching staff to the lowest team earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in the league, as the Cubs clinched the National League pennant by 4 games over the Pittsburgh Pirates
1932 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates finished second in the National League.- Regular season :The Pirates' starting lineup included four future Hall of Famers: Pie Traynor, Arky Vaughan, Lloyd Waner, and Paul Waner...
. Hartnett was the Cubs' catcher on October 1, in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series
1932 World Series
The 1932 World Series was played between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs , with the Yankees holding home field advantage. The Yankees swept the Cubs, four games to none...
against the New York Yankees
1932 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 30th season in New York, and its 32nd season overall. The team finished with a record of 107-47, winning their seventh pennant, finishing 13 games ahead of the Philadelphia Athletics. New York was managed by future Hall of Famer Joe McCarthy...
when, 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...
hit his infamous Called Shot
Babe Ruth's Called Shot
Babe Ruth's called shot was the home run hit by Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, held on October 1, 1932 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. During the at-bat, Ruth made a pointing gesture, which existing film confirms, but the exact nature of his...
. Although he hit for a .313 batting average with 1 home run, the Yankees went on to win the series in a four-game sweep.
In 1933
1933 Chicago Cubs season
- Offseason :* November 30, 1932: Bob Smith, Rollie Hemsley, Johnny Moore and Lance Richbourg were traded by the Cubs to the Cincinnati Reds for Babe Herman.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, Hartnett was selected to be a reserve catcher for the National League team in the inaugural Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
held on July 6, 1933
1933 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1933 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the first playing of the midseason exhibition baseball game between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 6, 1933 at Comiskey Park in Chicago, the home...
. It would mark the first of six consecutive All-Star game selections for Hartnett. At the mid-season point of the 1934
1934 Chicago Cubs season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
season, Hartnett was hitting for a .336 batting average with 13 home runs to earn the starting catcher's role for the National League team in the 1934 All-Star Game
1934 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1934 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the second playing of the mid-summer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 10 at the Polo Grounds in New York City, the home of the New...
. Hartnett was calling the pitches for Carl Hubbell
Carl Hubbell
Carl Owen Hubbell was an American baseball player. He was a member of the New York Giants in the National League from 1928 to 1943, and remained on the Giants' payroll for the rest of his life, long after their move to San Francisco.Twice voted the National League's Most Valuable Player, Hubbell...
in the All-Star Game when he set a record by striking out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
future Hall of Fame members 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...
, Jimmie Foxx
Jimmie Foxx
James Emory "Jimmie" Foxx , nicknamed "Double X" and "The Beast", was a right-handed American Major League Baseball first baseman and noted power hitter....
, Al Simmons
Al Simmons
Aloysius Harry Simmons , born Aloisius Szymanski in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was an American baseball player. He played for two decades in the major leagues as an outfielder, and had his best years as a member of Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics during the 1930's...
, and Joe Cronin
Joe Cronin
Joseph Edward Cronin was a Major League Baseball shortstop and manager.During a 20-year playing career, he played from 1926–45 for three different teams, primarily for the Boston Red Sox. Cronin was a major league manager from 1933–47...
in succession.
Hartnett had another impressive season in 1935
1935 Chicago Cubs season
- Regular season :Gabby Hartnett was the first National League catcher to win the MVP Award.- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in...
when he produced a .344 batting average, third highest in the league and, led the league's catchers in assists, double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s, and fielding percentage. He also led the Cubs pitching staff to the lowest earned run average in the league as they won the National League pennant by 4 games over the St. Louis Cardinals
1935 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 54th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 44th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 96-58 during the season and finished 2nd in the National League.- Offseason :...
. For his performance, Hartnett was named the recipient of the National League Most Valuable Player Award. The Cubs would eventually lose to the Detroit Tigers
1935 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers won the 1935 World Series, defeating the Chicago Cubs 4 games to 2. The season was their 35th since they entered the American League in 1901...
led by Mickey Cochrane
Mickey Cochrane
Gordon Stanley "Mickey" Cochrane was a professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
in the 1935 World Series
1935 World Series
The 1935 World Series featured the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs, with the Tigers winning in six games for their first championship in five Series appearances. They had lost in , , , and ....
.
In the 1937 All-Star Game
1937 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1937 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the fifth playing of the mid-summer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 7, 1937, at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., the home of...
, pitcher Dizzy Dean
Dizzy Dean
Jay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in one season. Dean was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953....
kept shaking off Hartnett's signs for a curve ball resulting in a hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
by Joe DiMaggio
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul "Joe" DiMaggio , nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper," was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak , a record that still stands...
, a home run by 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...
and finally, a line drive
Line drive
In baseball, a line drive is a type of batted ball, sharply hit, and on a level trajectory. The threshold between a line drive and a fly ball can be subjective....
off the bat of Earl Averill
Earl Averill
Howard Earl Averill was an American player in Major League Baseball who was a center fielder from 1929 to 1941...
that struck Dean on his toe. Dean had been one of the preeminent pitchers in the National League until the injury to his toe eventually led to the end of his baseball playing career. Hartnett ended the season with a career-high .354 batting average and, finished second to Joe Medwick
Joe Medwick
Joseph Michael Medwick , nicknamed "Ducky", was an American Major League Baseball player. A left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals during the "Gashouse Gang" era of the 1930s, he also played for the Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , and Boston Braves...
in voting for the National League Most Valuable Player Award. His .354 batting average in 1937 was the highest batting average by a major league catcher for 60 years until when, Mike Piazza
Mike Piazza
Michael Joseph "Mike" Piazza ; born September 4, 1968) is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. He played in his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics....
posted a .362 average.
Homer in the Gloamin'
On July 20, 19381938 Chicago Cubs season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
, Cubs owner Philip K. Wrigley
Philip K. Wrigley
Philip Knight Wrigley , sometimes also called P.K. or Phil. Born in Chicago, he was an American chewing gum manufacturer and executive in Major League Baseball, inheriting both those roles as the quiet son of his much more flamboyant father, William Wrigley Jr. After his father died in 1932, Philip...
named the 37 year old Hartnett as the team's player-manager, replacing Charlie Grimm
Charlie Grimm
Charles John Grimm , nicknamed "Jolly Cholly", was a first baseman and manager in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the Chicago Cubs; he was also a sometime radio broadcaster, and a popular goodwill ambassador for baseball...
. When Hartnett took over as manager, the Cubs had been in third place, six games behind the first place Pittsburgh Pirates
1938 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
led by Pie Traynor
Pie Traynor
Harold Joseph "Pie" Traynor was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and radio broadcaster. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a third baseman with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He batted and threw right-handed...
. By September 27, with one week left in the season, the Cubs had battled back to within a game and a half game of the Pirates in the National League standings as the two teams met for a crucial three-game series. The Cubs won the first game of the series with a 2 to 1 victory by Cubs pitcher Dizzy Dean, cutting the Pirates' lead to a half game and, setting the stage for one of baseball's most memorable moments.
On September 28, , the two teams met for the second game of the series where, Hartnett experienced the highlight of his career. With darkness descending on the lightless Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
and the score tied at 5 runs apiece, the umpires ruled that the ninth inning would be the last to be played. The entire game would have to be replayed the following day if the score remained tied. Hartnett came to bat with two out
Out (baseball)
In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive, or fielding, team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. When a player is called out, he is said to be retired...
in the bottom of the ninth inning. With a count of 0 balls and 2 strikes, Hartnett connected on a Mace Brown
Mace Brown
Mace Stanley Brown was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1935 through 1946, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Brooklyn Dodgers, and Boston Red Sox. Brown posted a 76-57 record with a 3.46 ERA and 44 saves in 387 appearances .Brown was also a javelin thrower who attended the...
pitch, launching the ball into the darkness, before it eventually landed in the left-center field bleachers. The stadium erupted into pandemonium as players and fans stormed the field to escort Hartnett around the bases. Hartnett's walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
became immortalized as the Homer in the Gloamin'.
The Cubs were now in first place, culminating an impressive 19-3-1 record in September, and the pennant would be clinched three days later. Hartnett once again led the Cubs pitching staff to the lowest earned run average in the league and, led National League catchers with a .995 fielding percentage. Unfortunately, the Cubs were swept in the 1938 World Series
1938 World Series
The 1938 World Series matched the two-time defending champion New York Yankees against the Chicago Cubs, with the Yankees sweeping the Series in four games for their seventh championship and record third straight .Dizzy Dean, who had helped carry the Cubs to the National League pennant despite a...
by the New York Yankees
1938 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was their 36th season. The team finished with a record of 99-53, winning their 10th pennant, finishing 9.5 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox. New York was managed by Joe McCarthy. The Yankees played their home games at Yankee Stadium. In the 1938 World Series, they...
, their fourth Series loss in ten years.
Hartnett felt the strain of managing a team during the 1939
1939 Chicago Cubs season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
season as, he faced player discontent over the pampering of Dizzy Dean while, pitcher Larry French
Larry French
Lawrence Herbert French was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs and Brooklyn Dodgers . A knuckleball specialist, French batted right-handed and threw left-handed...
went over his head to complain to owner Philip Wrigley about his lack of pitching assignments. French felt he was being punished for requesting to have Gus Mancuso
Gus Mancuso
August Rodney Mancuso , nicknamed "Blackie", was a professional baseball player, coach, scout and radio sports commentator. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies...
as his catcher. In addition, Hartnett was forced to catch more games due to the lack of hitting from the other Cubs catchers. On August 28, , he broke Ray Schalk
Ray Schalk
Raymond William Schalk was a professional baseball player, coach, manager and scout. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox for the majority of his career. Known for his fine handling of pitchers and outstanding defensive ability, Schalk was considered the...
's Major League record of 1,727 career games as a catcher.
After two disappointing seasons, Hartnett was dismissed by the Cubs on November 13, 1940
1940 Chicago Cubs season
- Offseason :* October 3, 1940: Jake Mooty was drafted by the Cubs from the Syracuse Stars in the 1939 rule 5 draft.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, after 19 years with the club. On December 3, he signed a contract with the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
to be a player-coach. Hartnett hit for a .300 average in 64 games as a backup catcher to Harry Danning
Harry Danning
Harry Danning, nicknamed Harry the Horse was a professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the New York Giants, and was considered one of the top defensive catchers of his era. He batted and threw right-handed...
in the 1941
1941 New York Giants (MLB) season
The New York Giants season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Giants finished fifth in the National League with a record of 74 wins and 79 losses.- Offseason :* December 4, 1940: Glen Stewart was purchased from the Giants by the Brooklyn Dodgers....
season. He played his final game on September 24, , retiring as a player at the age of 40.
Career statistics
In a 20 year major league career, Hartnett played in 1,990 gamesGames played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
, accumulating 1,912 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 6,432 at bats for a .297 career batting average along with a .489 slugging percentage, 236 home runs, 1,179 runs batted in and an on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
of .370. He retired with a .984 career fielding percentage. Hartnett caught 100 or more games for a league record 12 times, including a record eight seasons in a row. He led the National League in putouts four times and in assists and fielding percentage six times. He led the league seven times in double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s and, set a National league record with 163 career double plays. Hartnett set a since-broken major league record for catchers of 452 consecutive chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
without committing an error.
At the time of his retirement, his 236 home runs, 1179 runs batted in, 1912 hits, and 396 doubles were all records for catchers. He also finished among the National League's top ten in slugging percentage seven times in his career. A six-time All-Star, Hartnett was the recipient of one Most Valuable Player Award and played on four pennant-winning teams. Hartnett's .370 career on base percentage was higher than the .342 posted by Johnny Bench or, the .348 posted by Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
. His bat and catcher's mask were the first artifacts sent to the newly constructed Baseball Hall of Fame in .
Post-playing career and retirement
Afterwards, he managed in the minor leagues for five seasons, retiring to Lincolnwood, IllinoisLincolnwood, Illinois
Lincolnwood is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 12,359 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lincolnwood is located at ....
in . On January 26, , Hartnett was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame along with Joe DiMaggio, Ted Lyons and Dazzy Vance
Dazzy Vance
Charles Arthur "Dazzy" Vance was a star Major League Baseball starting pitcher during the 1920s.-Biography:...
. In , Lawrence Ritter
Lawrence Ritter
Lawrence S. Ritter was an American writer whose specialties were economics and baseball.Ritter was a professor of economics and finance, and chairman of the Department of Finance at the Graduate School of Business Administration of New York University. He also edited the academic periodical...
and Donald Honig
Donald Honig
Donald Martin Honig is a novelist, historian and editor who mostly writes about baseball.While a member of the Bobo Newsom Memorial Society, an informal group of writers, Honig attempted to get Lawrence Ritter to write a sequel to The Glory of their Times. Ritter declined but gave Honig his blessing...
included Hartnett in their book The 100 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time. In , he was named as a finalist to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team
Major League Baseball All-Century Team
In 1999, the Major League Baseball All-Century Team was chosen by popular vote of fans. To select the team, a panel of experts first compiled a list of the 100 greatest Major League Baseball players from the past century...
.
In his last job in the majors Hartnett worked as a coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
and scout for the Kansas City Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for two years in the mid-1960s. Gabby Hartnett died of cirrhosis
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrosis, scar tissue and regenerative nodules , leading to loss of liver function...
in Park Ridge, Illinois
Park Ridge, Illinois
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 37,775 people, 14,219 households, and 10,465 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,374.6 people per square mile . There were 14,646 housing units at an average density of 2,083.8 per square mile...
on his 72nd birthday, and is interred in All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois
Des Plaines, Illinois
Des Plaines is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It has adopted the official nickname of "City of Destiny." As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 58,720. It is a suburb of Chicago, and is next to O'Hare International Airport...
.
See also
- List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
External links
- Gabby Hartnett at Find a GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...