My Own Little Hall of Fame: Class of 1932

The 1932 baseball season saw Babe Ruth make his last World Series appearance. It marked John McGraw’s last season as a manager. And in this blog universe it ushers in the next class of My Own Little Hall of Fame.

 

Louis Santop

Louis Santop was a slugging catcher for the Negro Leagues from 1909 through 1926. Considered both an excellent fielder and a great hitter, he spent time with the Lincoln Giants and later with Hilldale. While at the latter he participated in the first two Negro World Series, helping his team to a victory in 1925.

Bobby Veach

Outfielder Robert “Bobby” Veach played in the American League from 1912 through 1925. While with Detroit from 1912 through 1923 he won three RBI titles, two doubles titles, and led the league with 191 hits in 1919. As a defender he led the league in putouts and assists on several occasions.

Commentary:

1. Once the decision was made to add Negro League players to this fictional Hall of Fame, Santop became an easy choice. Most places that try to rank Negro League players rank him as easily the second or third best catcher (behind Josh Gibson and in competition with Biz Mackey) of the leagues. He was noted for good hands as well as a big bat.

2. It is a surprise to me that Veach isn’t already a Hall of Famer. He was excellent and deserves another look by the Veteran’s Committee the next time his era’s committee comes up. BTW I note that his Baseball Reference.com page is sponsored by our buddies at The Hall of Miller and Eric. Good for them.

3. The list of eligible everyday players for 1933: George Burns, Cupid Childs, Jack Daubert, Jack Fornier, Larry Gardner, Heinie Groh, Baby Doll Jacobson, Tommy Leach, Herman Long, Bobby Lowe, Tommy McCarthy, Stuffy McInnis, Clyde Milan, Wildfire Schulte, Cy Seymour, Roy Thomas, Mike Tiernan, George Van Haltren, Zack Wheat, Ross Youngs (a total of 20 with a maximum of 20 allowed).

4. The pitchers: Babe Adams, Chief Bender, Jack Chesbro, Wilbur Cooper, Walter Johnson, Sam Leever, Rube Marquard, Tony Mullane, Deacon Phillippe, Bob Shawkey, Jesse Tannehill, Doc White (a total of 12 with a maximum of 10 allowed).

5. The contributors: umpires-Bob Emslie, Tim Hurst; manager-George Stallings; owners: Barney Dreyfuss, Charles Ebbets, August Herrmann; Negro Leagues-Pete Oliver Marcell, Jose Mendez, Dobie Moore, Spottswood Poles; and pioneer William R. Wheaton (a total of 11 with 10 being the maximum).

6. I think it’s a pretty safe bet that Walter Johnson makes it next time.

 

 

A Dozen Things You Should Know About Bobby Veach

Bobby Veach

1. Robert Hayes Veach was born in Kentucky in 1888, the son of a coal miner.

2. Veach worked as a miner beginning at age 14 and continued working off season in the coal mines of Kentucky until he made the Major Leagues.

3. In 1910 he was signed by the minor league team in Peoria, Illinois. In 1912 he was purchased by the Detroit Tigers and joined the Major Leagues.

4. By 1915 he was hitting fourth on the Tigers behind Ty Cobb. He tied teammate Sam Crawford for the American League lead in RBIs and also won the doubles title.

5. Over his career he led the AL in hits twice, triples once, doubles twice, and RBIs three times. His highest hit total was 207 and his highest RBI total was 128. Neither was in the top three in the AL.

6. In September 1920 he had six hits, including hitting for the cycle.

7. In 1921 Cobb became manager of Detroit. He thought Veach was frivolous and tried to get rid of him on several occasions.

8. In 1924 he was traded to the Red Sox, then to the Yankees in 1925. Toward the end of 1925 he was traded again, this time to Washington. They won the pennant and Veach had his only postseason experience. He got into two games and had one RBI without a hit.

9. He was through after 1925 and played the next several years in the minor leagues, winning a batting title with Toledo in 1928.

10. He retired after the 1930 season and in 1933 bought an interest in a coal company. By 1935 he was owner of the company. It was reasonably successful and he lived comfortably.

11. He died in 1945 and is buried in a Mausoleum in Troy, Michigan.

12. For his career he hit .310, had 206 hits, and 47.8 WAR. Between 1915 and 1922 he had more RBIs and extra base hits than any other Major Leaguer.

Veach’s grave from Find a Grave