Vean Gregg
Encyclopedia
Sylveanus Augustus "Vean" Gregg was born April 13, 1885, in Chehalis, Washington
. For three years, the left-hander was one of the most dominant pitchers in the major leagues
.
He started his professional career in Portland, Oregon
in with the Pacific Coast League
. He threw 14 shutouts.
The next year, he played for the Cleveland Naps
, going 23-7 with a league leading 1.80 ERA
. In 1912 and 1913, he started 34 games both years with an identical 20-13 record each season.
Gregg was traded to the Boston Red Sox
in mid-1914. He played for them on both the and World Series
championship teams. He developed a sore arm in 1914 and had continual arm problems for the rest of his career.
In December 1917, Connie Mack
acquired Gregg for the Philadelphia Athletics
. He went 9–14 in 30 games in 1918 with a respectable 3.12 ERA for the last-place Athletics. Gregg did not play baseball at any level from 1919-1921.
He returned to the Pacific Coast League in Seattle, Washington
in 1922 and played there until 1924. In , he signed with the Washington Senators
and went 2–2 with two saves after a 6 year absence from major league baseball.
Gregg's major league career record is 92–63 with a lifetime 2.70 ERA in 1,393 innings pitched and 720 strikeouts. He was the only pitcher in the 20th century to win 20 games or more in his first 3 seasons. His brother, Dave, pitched 1 inning in 1913 as Vean's teammate for the Cleveland Naps.
Vean Gregg died on July 29, 1964 in Aberdeen, Washington
.
Chehalis, Washington
Chehalis is a city in Lewis County, Washington, United States. The population was 7,259 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Lewis County.-History:...
. For three years, the left-hander was one of the most dominant pitchers in the major leagues
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 started his professional career in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
in with the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. He threw 14 shutouts.
The next year, he played for the Cleveland Naps
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, going 23-7 with a league leading 1.80 ERA
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 1912 and 1913, he started 34 games both years with an identical 20-13 record each season.
Gregg was traded to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in mid-1914. He played for them on both the and World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
championship teams. He developed a sore arm in 1914 and had continual arm problems for the rest of his career.
In December 1917, Connie Mack
Connie Mack (baseball)
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more...
acquired Gregg for the Philadelphia 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....
. He went 9–14 in 30 games in 1918 with a respectable 3.12 ERA for the last-place Athletics. Gregg did not play baseball at any level from 1919-1921.
He returned to the Pacific Coast League in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
in 1922 and played there until 1924. In , he signed with the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
and went 2–2 with two saves after a 6 year absence from major league baseball.
Gregg's major league career record is 92–63 with a lifetime 2.70 ERA in 1,393 innings pitched and 720 strikeouts. He was the only pitcher in the 20th century to win 20 games or more in his first 3 seasons. His brother, Dave, pitched 1 inning in 1913 as Vean's teammate for the Cleveland Naps.
Vean Gregg died on July 29, 1964 in Aberdeen, Washington
Aberdeen, Washington
Aberdeen is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States, founded by Samuel Benn in 1884. Aberdeen was incorporated on May 12, 1890. The city is the economic center of Grays Harbor County, bordering the cities of Hoquiam and Cosmopolis...
.