Sparky Adams
Encyclopedia
Earl John "Sparky" Adams (August 26, 1894 – February 24, 1989) was a professional Major League Baseball
player who played with the Chicago Cubs
, Pittsburgh Pirates
, St. Louis Cardinals
, and Cincinnati Reds
.
. He spent the following two seasons as the team's shortstop
, splitting time at the position with Charlie Hollocher
. In the 1923 Chicago Cubs season
, he hit four home run
s in 311 at-bats for the season, then went on to hit only five the following 5,246 at-bats of his career. The 1925 Chicago Cubs season
became his breakthrough, as he became a second baseman
as a result of a trade that sent George Grantham
to Pittsburgh, leaving the second base position open. As a hitter, he finished the season with 26 stolen base
s, eight triples
, and 627 at-bats, which led the National League
. As a fielder, he led all second basemen in putout
s, assists
, and fielding average for the season.
In 1926, Adams increased his batting average to .309, and stole a career-high 27 bases, second-best in the National League. He also played all 154 games of the season, finished first in at-bats for the second year in a row with 624, and finished first in plate appearance
s with 700. The 1927 Chicago Cubs season
saw Adams being used mainly as a utility infielder, although he started nearly every game. He played 60 games at second base, 53 at third base
, and 40 at shortstop. He led the league in at-bats for the third year in a row with 647, and stole 26 bases for the third year in a row.
to the Pittsburgh Pirates
for Kiki Cuyler
. Manager Joe McCarthy was criticized for the move, as the Cubs has plenty of outfield strength, but lacked a solid infield presence. It was also considered a good move for Pittsburgh, with sportswriters picking the Pirates to finish first the National League in 1928. He was given the starting second baseman job for the 1928 Pittsburgh Pirates season
. He took the place of George Grantham, so was moved to first base, the second time that Adams forced Grantham to another infield position. However, his batting average began to decline, and by the 1929 Pittsburgh Pirates season
, he was being used as a utility infielder
. At the end of the season, the St. Louis Cardinals
purchased his contract from the Pirates after two seasons of playing in Pittsburgh.
began, Adams was given the starting third baseman
job. He went on to have a career high batting average of .314, and hit a career high nine triples. He played all six games in the 1930 World Series
, hitting .143 as the Cardinals ended up losing the series. That season, every single Cardinals player with over 300 at-bats had a batting average over .300, the only time in history this has happened. The 1931 St. Louis Cardinals season
ended up being a career year for him. He was first in the league in doubles
with 46, and had over 600 at-bats for the fourth season. He also placed in MVP voting, finishing ninth with 18 votes. He played 143 games over the season, however, an injury in September caused him to miss postseason time. He was injured on September 20 when, after winning a bunting and running contest before the game, sprained his ankle while taking part in the baserunning challenge. He played two games as the Cardinals won the 1931 World Series
. The following season, he only played 31 games due to injury.
and Allyn Stout to the Cincinnati Reds
for Leo Durocher
, Dutch Henry
, and Jack Ogden, after playing only eight games for the Cardinals that season. He became the starting leadoff man during the 1933 Cincinnati Reds season
, as he had been for the other teams he played for. During the 1934 Cincinnati Reds season
, he was primarily a backup to Mark Koenig
, was used as the backup second baseman and third baseman. At the end of the season, Adams was released, and he retired at the end of the 1935 season. After his retirement, he became a farmer and a service station operator in Tremont
, Pennsylvania
. When he died in Pottsville, Pennsylvania
on February 24, 1989, he was the last remaining player for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1931 World Series.
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...
player who played with 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...
, 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...
, 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...
, 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....
.
Chicago Cubs
Adams made his Major League debut with the Cubs on September 18, 1922. He played 11 games during the 1922 Chicago Cubs season1922 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...
. He spent the following two seasons as the team's shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, splitting time at the position with Charlie Hollocher
Charlie Hollocher
Charlie Hollocher was born Charles Jacob Hollocher in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a shortstop for the Chicago Cubs from 1918 to 1924.He helped the Cubs win the National League Pennant in 1918...
. In the 1923 Chicago Cubs season
1923 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...
, he hit four 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 in 311 at-bats for the season, then went on to hit only five the following 5,246 at-bats of his career. The 1925 Chicago Cubs season
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...
became his breakthrough, as he became a second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
as a result of a trade that sent George Grantham
George Grantham
George Farley "Boots" Grantham , was Major League second baseman who played for the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Giants between 1922 and 1934. He attended Northern Arizona University.-External links:...
to Pittsburgh, leaving the second base position open. As a hitter, he finished the season with 26 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s, eight triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and 627 at-bats, which led 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...
. As a fielder, he led all second basemen 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, 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 fielding average for the season.
In 1926, Adams increased his batting average to .309, and stole a career-high 27 bases, second-best in the National League. He also played all 154 games of the season, finished first in at-bats for the second year in a row with 624, and finished first in plate appearance
Plate appearance
In baseball statistics, a player is credited with a plate appearance each time he completes a turn batting. A player completes a turn batting when: He strikes out or is declared out before reaching first base; or He reaches first base safely or is awarded first base ; or He hits a fair ball which...
s with 700. The 1927 Chicago Cubs season
1927 Chicago Cubs season
- Regular season :* May 30, 1927: Jimmy Cooney of the Cubs executed an unassisted triple play. He caught a line drive, touched second base and tagged the runner coming from first base.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
saw Adams being used mainly as a utility infielder, although he started nearly every game. He played 60 games at second base, 53 at third base
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
, and 40 at shortstop. He led the league in at-bats for the third year in a row with 647, and stole 26 bases for the third year in a row.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The 1927 season marked the end of Adams' time in Chicago. On November 28, 1927, Adams was traded along with Pete ScottPete Scott
Floyd John "Pete" Scott was an outfielder in Major League Baseball.-External links:...
to 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...
for Kiki Cuyler
Kiki Cuyler
Hazen Shirley "Kiki" Cuyler was a Major League Baseball right fielder from 1921 until 1938. He was born in Harrisville, Michigan.Cuyler broke into the big leagues in 1921 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and became a fixture in the lineup in 1924...
. Manager Joe McCarthy was criticized for the move, as the Cubs has plenty of outfield strength, but lacked a solid infield presence. It was also considered a good move for Pittsburgh, with sportswriters picking the Pirates to finish first the National League in 1928. He was given the starting second baseman job for the 1928 Pittsburgh Pirates season
1928 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 47th season in franchise history. The team scored the most runs in the National League. However, they also allowed the third most and slipped down to fourth place in the standings.-Offseason:...
. He took the place of George Grantham, so was moved to first base, the second time that Adams forced Grantham to another infield position. However, his batting average began to decline, and by the 1929 Pittsburgh Pirates season
1929 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...
, he was being used as a utility infielder
Utility infielder
A utility infielder is a baseball player, usually one who does not have a regular starting role on the team and who is capable of playing more than one of the four defensive infield positions: second base, third base, shortstop, and less typically first base...
. At the end of the season, the 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...
purchased his contract from the Pirates after two seasons of playing in Pittsburgh.
St. Louis Cardinals
As the 1930 St. Louis Cardinals season1930 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 49th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 39th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 92-62 during the season and finished first in the National League...
began, Adams was given the starting third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
job. He went on to have a career high batting average of .314, and hit a career high nine triples. He played all six games in the 1930 World Series
1930 World Series
In the 1930 World Series, the Philadelphia Athletics defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in six games, 4–2. Philadelphia's pitching ace Lefty Grove won two games.The St...
, hitting .143 as the Cardinals ended up losing the series. That season, every single Cardinals player with over 300 at-bats had a batting average over .300, the only time in history this has happened. The 1931 St. Louis Cardinals season
1931 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 50th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 40th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 101-53 during the season and finished first in the National League...
ended up being a career year for him. He was first in the league in doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
with 46, and had over 600 at-bats for the fourth season. He also placed in MVP voting, finishing ninth with 18 votes. He played 143 games over the season, however, an injury in September caused him to miss postseason time. He was injured on September 20 when, after winning a bunting and running contest before the game, sprained his ankle while taking part in the baserunning challenge. He played two games as the Cardinals won the 1931 World Series
1931 World Series
In the 1931 World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Athletics in seven games, a rematch and reversal of fortunes of the 1930 World Series.The same two teams faced off during the 1930 World Series and the Athletics were victorious...
. The following season, he only played 31 games due to injury.
Cincinnati Reds
On May 7, 1933, Adams was traded along with Paul DerringerPaul Derringer
Samuel Paul Derringer was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for three National League teams from 1931 to 1945, primarily the Cincinnati Reds....
and Allyn Stout to the 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....
for 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...
, Dutch Henry
Dutch Henry
Frank John Henry was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched from 1921-1930.-External links:...
, and Jack Ogden, after playing only eight games for the Cardinals that season. He became the starting leadoff man during the 1933 Cincinnati Reds season
1933 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The team finished eighth and last in the National League with a record of 58-94, 33 games behind the New York Giants.- Offseason :...
, as he had been for the other teams he played for. During the 1934 Cincinnati Reds season
1934 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The team finished eighth and last in the National League with a record of 52-99, 42 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, he was primarily a backup to Mark Koenig
Mark Koenig
Mark Anthony Koenig was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball. He played for 12 seasons from 1925–1936. He was the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees 1927 Murderers' Row team, and was the last surviving member of that legendary team...
, was used as the backup second baseman and third baseman. At the end of the season, Adams was released, and he retired at the end of the 1935 season. After his retirement, he became a farmer and a service station operator in Tremont
Tremont, Pennsylvania
Tremont is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,784 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Tremont is located at ....
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. When he died in Pottsville, Pennsylvania
Pottsville, Pennsylvania
Pottsville is the only city in and the county seat of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 15,549 at the 2000 census. The city lies along the west bank of the Schuylkill River, north-west of Philadelphia...
on February 24, 1989, he was the last remaining player for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1931 World Series.
Height
At five feet and four and a half inches (1.64 m), Adams was the smallest Major League player during his career.See also
- List of Major League Baseball doubles champions
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases