Jack Fournier
Encyclopedia
John Frank "Jack" Fournier (September 28, 1889 – September 5, 1973) was a first baseman
in Major League Baseball
. He played for the Chicago White Sox
, New York Yankees
, St. Louis Cardinals
, Brooklyn Robins
, and Boston Braves
.
Purchased by the White Sox from the Red Sox in 1912, Fournier presented Clarence "Pants" Rowland, and a half-dozen other managers, with the dilemma of what to do with this poor-fielding, pure hitter. Rowland solved that problem in 1916, a year after Fournier had led the AL in slugging, by replacing him at first base with the marginal Jack Ness. Before 1920, a first baseman was one of the key fielding positions because of the constant threat of the bunt; Fournier could not field the bunt with any degree of competence.
Fournier hit .350 for the Yankees in limited duty in before they passed him off to the Cardinals. After three productive years in St. Louis, Fournier was dealt to Brooklyn on February 15, 1923. Fournier said he would quit the game rather than leave St. Louis, but he eventually ended his holdout and reported to the Dodgers. Fournier had found his spot, among an offensive unit that included Zack Wheat
, Milt Stock
, and Zack Taylor
. He turned in a six-for-six performance on June 29 of that year, hit .351, and made a league-high 21 errors. In 1924, Fournier led the NL with 27 home runs, and in 1925 was second to Rogers Hornsby
with 130 RBI.
Fournier hit 136 career home run
s in 14 seasons while rapping .313 with a .393 on-base percentage. He also racked up three straight seasons (1923–25) with 20+ home runs, 20+ doubles, a .400 or higher on-base percentage, a .330 plus batting average
, and 90+ runs. Bill James
ranked him as the 35th best first baseman of all-time.
Following his playing career, Fournier was the head coach at UCLA from 1934 to 1936. He later scouted for the St. Louis Browns (1938–1942, 1944–1949), Chicago Cubs
(1950–1957), Detroit Tigers
(1960), and Cincinnati Reds
(1961–1962).
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
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...
. He played for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, 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...
, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, Brooklyn Robins
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, and Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
.
Purchased by the White Sox from the Red Sox in 1912, Fournier presented Clarence "Pants" Rowland, and a half-dozen other managers, with the dilemma of what to do with this poor-fielding, pure hitter. Rowland solved that problem in 1916, a year after Fournier had led the AL in slugging, by replacing him at first base with the marginal Jack Ness. Before 1920, a first baseman was one of the key fielding positions because of the constant threat of the bunt; Fournier could not field the bunt with any degree of competence.
Fournier hit .350 for the Yankees in limited duty in before they passed him off to the Cardinals. After three productive years in St. Louis, Fournier was dealt to Brooklyn on February 15, 1923. Fournier said he would quit the game rather than leave St. Louis, but he eventually ended his holdout and reported to the Dodgers. Fournier had found his spot, among an offensive unit that included Zack Wheat
Zack Wheat
Wheat played his first full season in . He played every game for the Superbas that season as the regular left fielder, leading the league in games played. He batted .284 that season, the second-lowest average of his career, which led the team, and was among the league leaders in hits, doubles, and...
, Milt Stock
Milt Stock
Milton Joseph Stock , was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball from 1912 through 1926. He would play for the New York Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Brooklyn Robins, and St. Louis Cardinals. Stock is believed to be the only major league player to get 4 hits in each of 4 consecutive...
, and Zack Taylor
Zack Taylor (baseball)
James Wren "Zack" Taylor was an American Major League Baseball catcher with the Brooklyn Robins, Boston Braves, New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and again with the Brooklyn Dodgers....
. He turned in a six-for-six performance on June 29 of that year, hit .351, and made a league-high 21 errors. In 1924, Fournier led the NL with 27 home runs, and in 1925 was second to 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...
with 130 RBI.
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 in 14 seasons while rapping .313 with a .393 on-base percentage. He also racked up three straight seasons (1923–25) with 20+ home runs, 20+ doubles, a .400 or higher on-base percentage, a .330 plus 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 :...
, and 90+ runs. Bill James
Bill James
George William “Bill” James is a baseball writer, historian, and statistician whose work has been widely influential. Since 1977, James has written more than two dozen books devoted to baseball history and statistics...
ranked him as the 35th best first baseman of all-time.
Following his playing career, Fournier was the head coach at UCLA from 1934 to 1936. He later scouted for the St. Louis Browns (1938–1942, 1944–1949), 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...
(1950–1957), 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...
(1960), and Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1961–1962).