Tristram E. Speaker (April 4, 1888 in Hubbard, Texas - December 8, 1958 in Lake Whitney, Texas), nicknamed “Spoke” (a play on his last name) and “Grey Eagle” (for his prematurely graying hair), was an American baseball player known as one of the best offensive and defensive center fielders in history. Speaker was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame during the second year of voting, 1937. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 62 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, is a semi-official museum operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of baseball-related... See also: 1936 in sports, other events of 1937, 1938 in sports and the list of years in sports. // Auto racing Wally Parks founds the Road Runners Club, considered to be the start of organized drag racing. ... Below is the list of Major League Baseball players who have reached the 2,000 hit milestone. ... April 4 is the 94th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (95th in leap years). ... 1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ... Hubbard is a city located in Hill County, Texas. ... December 8 is the 342nd day (343rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hill County is a county located in the state of Texas. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The position of the center fielder A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field - the baseball fielding position between left field and right field (e. ... The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 62 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, is a semi-official museum operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of baseball-related... See previous election: 1936 and next election: 1938 The 1937 process of selecting inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame was markedly different from the initial elections the previous year. ...

Pre-professional career

Tris Speaker was born on Wednesday, April 4, 1888 in Hubbard, Texas, to Archie and Nancy Poer Speaker. As a youth he suffered a broken right arm in a fall from a horse, and was forced to throw with his left hand. Eventually he became so comfortable with his left hand that he continued to throw southpaw after his right arm healed. In 1905 Speaker played his only year of college baseball, for Fort Worth Polytechnic Institute. His left arm was subsequently injured in a football accident, to the extent that surgeons advised amputation. Tris refused, and recovered to become one of baseball's great hitters and outfielders, as well as manager of a World Championship team, and the seventh member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. April 4 is the 94th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (95th in leap years). ... 1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ... Hubbard is a city located in Hill County, Texas. ... Southpaw is a term used to describe left-handed people, particuarly within sports and in the United States. ... See also: 1904 in sports, other events of 1905, 1906 in sports and the Sports timeline. ... Texas Wesleyan University is a private college located in the southeast part of Fort Worth, Texas. ... United States simply as football, is a competitive team sport that is both fast-paced and strategic. ... Partial hand amputation For the song Amputations by Death Cab for Cutie, see You Can Play these Songs with Chords Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma (also referred to as avulsion) or surgery. ...

Professional career

Minor leagues

The indomitable will of young Speaker attracted a discerning baseball man, Doak Roberts, then owner of the Cleburne Railroaders, a Houston club of the Texas League, in the town of Cleburne in 1906. Speaker ended up batting .318 for the Railroaders. He wanted to be a professional ballplayer, but his mother opposed his being “sold into slavery.” She said she would never give her consent to her son’s going to Boston (named the Red Sox in 1907), even after he had had success in Houston. Roberts had faith that young Speaker would make the grade, and he sold the youngster to the Sox for $800 – the Boston scout beating the St. Louis Browns by a mere half-hour. The Cleburne Railroaders was a minor league baseball team located in Cleburne, Texas. ... Houston redirects here. ... The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. ... Cleburne is a city in Johnson County, Texas, United States. ... See also: 1905 in sports, other events of 1906, 1907 in sports and the list of years in sports. // Baseball The Chicago White Sox defeat the Chicago Cubs, four games to two, in the World Series Football (Australian Rules) Victorian Football League Carlton wins the 10th VFL Premiership (Carlton 15. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1 • 4 • 8 • 9 • 27 • 42 Name Boston Red Sox (1907–present) See Nicknames before Red Sox for disputed nicknames Ballpark Fenway Park (1912–present) Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds (1901-1911) Major league titles World... See also: 1906 in sports, 1908 in sports and the list of years in sports. ... Houston redirects here. ... Nickname: City on the Hill, Beantown, The Hub (of the Universe)1, Athens of America, The Cradle of Revolution, Puritan City, Americas Walking City Location in Massachusetts, USA Counties Suffolk County Mayor Thomas M. Menino(D) Area    - City 232. ... (For the 1901-02 American League team known as the Baltimore Orioles, see New York Yankees. ...

Speaker played in 7 games for the Red Sox in 1907 getting 3 hits in 19 at bats for a .158 average. The following year, the Red Sox traded Speaker to the Little Rock Travelers of the Southern League in exchange for use of their facilities for spring training in 1908. Speaker ended up batting .350 for the Travelers and his contract was repurchased by the Red Sox. Speaker ended up making it into 31 games and got 26 hits in 116 at bats for a .224 average. See also: 1906 in sports, 1908 in sports and the list of years in sports. ... The Arkansas Travelers are a minor league baseball team based in Little Rock, Arkansas. ... See also: 1907 in sports, other events of 1908, 1909 in sports and the list of years in sports. // Baseball The Chicago Cubs defeat the Detroit Tigers, four games to one, in the World Series. ...

Major leagues

The early years

Duffy Lewis, Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper - Boston's famous "Million-Dollar Outfield". Photo: The Boston Globe archives.

Speaker finally won the regular starting center fielders job in 1909 from the light hitting Denny Sullivan who ended up getting sold to the Cleveland Naps. The gamble paid off for the Red Sox when Speaker hit .309 in 143 games and the team finished third in the pennant race. Duffy Lewis, Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper - old photo - claiming fair use This work is copyrighted. ... Duffy Lewis, Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper - old photo - claiming fair use This work is copyrighted. ... The Boston Globe is the most widely circulated daily newspaper in Boston, Massachusetts and in the greater New England region. ... See also: 1908 in sports, 1910 in sports and the list of years in sports. Baseball The Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the Detroit Tigers, four games to three, in the World Series. ... This article is becoming very long. ...

In 1910 the Red Sox signed Duffy Lewis (LF). Along with Speaker and Harry Hooper (RF) they would form Boston’s “Million-Dollar Outfield”, one of the finest outfield trios in baseball history. The outfield was broken up when Speaker was traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1916. See also: 1909 in sports, 1911 in sports and the list of years in sports. Football (Australian Rules) Victorian Football League - Collingwood wins the 14th VFL Premiership (Collingwood 9. ... Duffy Lewis of the Boston Red Sox at Comiskey Park in 1912. ... The position of the left fielder A left fielder, abbreviated LF, is an outfielder in the sport of baseball who plays defense in left field. ... Harry Hooper Baseball card issued by American Tobacco Company, 1912. ... The position of the right fielder A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in right field (e. ... This article is becoming very long. ... See also: 1915 in sports, other events of 1916, 1917 in sports and the list of years in sports. Football ( Australian Rules) Victorian Football League - Fitzroy wins the 20th VFL Premiership (12. ...

The Boston Red Sox finished second to Connie Mack’s Philadelphia A’s, with the formidable pitching trio of Jack Coombs, Chief Bender and Eddie Plank, the following two years. Connie Mack baseball card, 1910 Cornelius Alexander Mack (December 22, 1862 – February 8, 1956), born Cornelius Alexander McGillicuddy, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 9,27,34,43 Name Oakland Athletics (1968–present) Kansas City Athletics (1955-1967) Philadelphia Athletics (1901-1954) (Referred to as As) Ballpark McAfee Coliseum (1968–present) a. ... Jack Coombs or John Wesley aka Colby Jack (1882-1957) played baseball in the pitcher position for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1906 to 1914 before he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1915 where he played 4 seasons untill 1918. ... Bender in 1911 Charles Albert Chief Bender (May 5, 1884 - May 22, 1954) was one of the great pitchers in major league baseball in the first two decades of the 20th century, and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. ... Eddie Plank of the Philadelphia Athletics at South Side Park in 1905. ...

Tris Speaker is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame

Speaker’s best season came in 1912. The Red Sox opened the newly built Fenway Park on April 20, 1912. Speaker played in every one of the Red Sox' 153 games, leading the American League in doubles with 53, and home runs with 10. He set a career high with 222 hits, 136 runs, 580 at-bats, and 52 steals. He was at the top of his game. He batted .383, a mark he would surpass three times in his career, but his .567 slugging percentage was the highest of his dead ball days. Speaker set a major league record when he had three batting streaks of 20 (30, 23, 22) or more games during the season. In center field he helped the Red Sox pitching staff by stabbing line drives and throwing out greedy base runners. The Red Sox won the pennant by finishing 14 games ahead of the Washington Senators and 15 games ahead of the Philadelphia A’s. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 915 KB) Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY, Feb. ... The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, is a semi-official museum operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of baseball-related... See also: 1911 in sports, 1913 in sports and the list of years in sports. Baseball April 20: The Boston Red Sox open in the new Fenway Park with a 7-6, 11-inning win over the New York Highlanders before 27,000. ... Fenway redirects here. ... April 20 is the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (111th in leap years). ... See also: 1911 in sports, 1913 in sports and the list of years in sports. Baseball April 20: The Boston Red Sox open in the new Fenway Park with a 7-6, 11-inning win over the New York Highlanders before 27,000. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Name Minnesota Twins (1961–present) Washington Nationals/Senators (1901-1960) Ballpark Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 1982-???? Metropolitan Stadium (1961-1981) Griffith Stadium (1903-1960) A.K.A Clark Griffith Park (1922) A.K.A National Park (III...

Snodgrass $30,000 muff costs Giants victory

Speaker’s Red Sox faced off against John McGraw’s New York Giants in the 1912 World Series. The series was tied 3-3-1 going into game 8 on October 16, 1912. The game was tied going into the tenth inning. In the top of the tenth, Fred Merkle shook off some of the shame still on his shoulders from his supposed bonehead play in 1908. With Red Murray on second, he cracked a single to center. Speaker juggled the ball, allowing Murray to score. After the Giants were out, future Hall of Famer, Christy Mathewson strode to the mound to try and win the Giants' second World Series. Pinch hitter Clyde Engle led off the inning. He hit a routine fly ball out towards center field. Fred Snodgrass, a native of Ventura, California and the Giants dependable center fielder of the last five years, trotted to the spot where he figured to catch the ball for the first out. But he didn't. John Joseph McGraw (April 7, 1873–February 25, 1934), nicknamed Little Napoleon and Muggsy, was a Major League Baseball player and manager. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 3,4,11,24,27,30,36,44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885-1957) New York Gothams (1883-1885) Troy Union Cities / Trojans (1879-1882) Ballpark AT&T Park (2000... In the 1912 World Series, the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Giants in 8 games. ... October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in leap years). ... See also: 1911 in sports, 1913 in sports and the list of years in sports. Baseball April 20: The Boston Red Sox open in the new Fenway Park with a 7-6, 11-inning win over the New York Highlanders before 27,000. ... Frederick Charles Merkle (December 20, 1888 – March 2, 1956) was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball. ... See also: 1907 in sports, other events of 1908, 1909 in sports and the list of years in sports. // Baseball The Chicago Cubs defeat the Detroit Tigers, four games to one, in the World Series. ... Red Murray of the New York Giants. ... The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 62 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, is a semi-official museum operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of baseball-related... Christopher Christy Mathewson (August 12, 1880 - October 7, 1925), nicknamed The Big Six, The Christian Gentleman, or Matty, was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. ... Coordinates: Country United States State California County Ventura Mayor Carl Morehouse Area    - City 84. ...

And now the ball settles. It is full and fair in the pouch of the padded glove of Snodgrass. But he is too eager to toss it to Murray and it dribbles to the ground.- NY Times, October 17th, 1912. The New York Times is an internationally known daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed in the United States and many other nations worldwide. ... See also: 1911 in sports, 1913 in sports and the list of years in sports. Baseball April 20: The Boston Red Sox open in the new Fenway Park with a 7-6, 11-inning win over the New York Highlanders before 27,000. ...

Perhaps as the NY Times article suggests, Snodgrass hurried the play. He later said, "I dropped the darn thing." With Engle on second - the recipient of one of the largest gifts New York has given to Boston - up came Harry Hooper. Mathewson was tiring and whatever pitch he came in with, Hooper ripped it out towards center field. The ball appeared to be headed over Snodgrass' head. If not caught, it would probably be a triple. But Snodgrass chased the ball down for the first out. Engle advanced to third. Harry Hooper Baseball card issued by American Tobacco Company, 1912. ...

Out of steam, Mathewson walked second baseman Steve Yerkes. The modern day fan would surely criticize McGraw for leaving his ace in, but that was the way things were back then in the dead ball era. You went with a guy like Mathewson. Speaker was up next. If ever there was a batter who deserved to be called dangerous, it was Speaker. Perhaps sensing Mathewson's weakening arm, he went after the first pitch. He popped it up though, a catchable ball between first and home in foul territory and close to the Red Sox dugout. Stephen Douglas (Steve) Yerkes (May 15, 1888 - January 31, 1971) was a second baseman in Major League Baseball. ...

What happened next, or explaining why who did what, is difficult to completely ascertain. Some writers point the finger at Merkle, the Giants’ first baseman, who they believe should have made the play. Noel Hynd, author of The Giants of the Polo Grounds blames Mathewson for calling out to his catcher to make the play. In Merkle's defense, Giants’ catcher Chief Meyers said, "the Boston bench called for Matty to take it, and called for me to take it, and I think that confused Fred. He was afraid of a collision." Chief Meyers (July 29, 1880 - July 25, 1971) was a catcher for the New York Giants, Boston Braves and Brooklyn Dodgers from 1909 to 1917. ...

Harry Hooper, who was sitting on the Red Sox bench, said "Meyers didn't have a chance, but Matty kept calling for him to take it. If he'd called for Merkle, it would have been an easy out. Or Matty could have taken it himself. But he kept calling for Chief to take it, and poor Chief...lumbered down that line...and just missed it." In Mathewson's defense, Merkle, according to writer Hugh Fullerton who witnessed the play, "quit cold."

Regardless of whose fault it was, the Giants had given the Red Sox another out. Speaker knew it and taunted Mathewson. "Well, that's gonna cost you the ball game!" Speaker then backed up his claim by hitting the next pitch to center field. Engle scored the tying run and Yerkes went to third.

McGraw, knowing Mathewson was as capable as any pitcher of ushering up enough courage to get two more outs, stayed with his starter. Larry Gardner then hit a long fly ball to right field. Giants right fielder Josh Devore caught it, but his throw home was too far of a distance to catch Yerkes. The Red Sox claimed their second World Series. Speaker led his team with a .300 batting average, nine hits and four runs scored. William Lawrence Larry Gardner (May 13, 1886 - March 11, 1976) was a third baseman in Major League Baseball. ...

The New York press, needing to explain what happened in one headline, wrote: Snodgrass $30,000 muff costs Giants victory. Giants owner John T. Brush, needing to get away, hopped on a train for California. In ill-health, he never made it. After a stop in St. Louis, the Giants third owner died. John T. Brush was the owner of the New York Giants in the first decades of the 20th Century. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Nickname: Gateway City, Gateway to the West, or Mound City Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates: Country United States State Missouri County Independent City Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) Area    - City 66. ...

Speaker batted .338 in 1914 and .322 in 1915. The Red Sox beat the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series, led by 18 game winner and team home run leader with 4, Babe Ruth, in his first full season. See also: 1913 in sports, 1915 in sports and the list of years in sports. Baseball April 22 - Baltimore Orioles Babe Ruth, age 19, pitches his first professional game Football (Australian Rules) Victorian Football League Carlton wins the 18th VFL Premiership (Carlton 6. ... See also: 1914 in sports, 1916 in sports and the list of years in sports. Football (Australian Rules) Victorian Football League - Carlton wins the 19th VFL Premiership (Carlton 11. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1,14,20,32,36 Name Philadelphia Phillies (1883–present) unofficially Philadelphia Blue Jays (1944-1945) Philadelphia Phillies (1883-2006) Philadelphia Quakers (1882-1882) Worcester Rubylegs (1880-1881) (Commonly referred to as Blue Jays 1944... In the 1915 World Series, the Boston Red Sox beat the Philadelphia Phillies in 5 games. ... For the band named Babe Ruth, see Babe Ruth (band). ...

Traded to the Indians

After the World Series victory, Speaker had a falling out with Red Sox president Joe Lannin, who wanted Speaker to take a pay cut from about $15,000 to about $9,000 since his average had fallen to a mere .322. Speaker refused and would not sign such a contract. On April 12, 1916 Lannin dealt Speaker to the Cleveland Indians for Sam Jones, Fred Thomas and $50,000. April 12 is the 102nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (103rd in leap years). ... See also: 1915 in sports, other events of 1916, 1917 in sports and the list of years in sports. Football ( Australian Rules) Victorian Football League - Fitzroy wins the 20th VFL Premiership (12. ... This article is becoming very long. ... Samuel Pond Sad Sam Jones ( July 26, 1892 - July 6, 1966) was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played in the American League with the Cleveland Indians (1914-15), Boston Red Sox (1916-21), New York Yankees (1922-26), St. ...

The angry Speaker held out for $10,000 of that cash that Boston had received and eventually, with the aid of AL President Ban Johnson, got it. Speaker’s contract with Cleveland for $40,000 was the highest in baseball at the time. He averaged over .350 for ten of the next 11 years. Byron Bancroft Johnson (January 5, 1864 - March 28, 1931) was an American executive in Major League Baseball who served as the founder and first president of the American League. ...

In 1916 Speaker finally ended Ty Cobb's amazing run of nine consecutive AL batting titles by batting .386 to Cobb’s .371. Speaker's return to Boston, May 9, 1916, was a unofficial tribute by the fans, over 15,000 showed up and roared with approval every time he came near the ball. Reacting without thinking at the end of one inning Speaker started towards the Boston dugout. The crowd went wild. His return was only spoiled by the Indians' loss of 5-1. See also: 1915 in sports, other events of 1916, 1917 in sports and the list of years in sports. Football ( Australian Rules) Victorian Football League - Fitzroy wins the 20th VFL Premiership (12. ... Tyrus Raymond Ty Cobb (December 18, 1886 – July 17, 1961), nicknamed The Georgia Peach, was a Hall of Fame baseball player. ... May 9 is the 129th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (130th in leap years). ... See also: 1915 in sports, other events of 1916, 1917 in sports and the list of years in sports. Football ( Australian Rules) Victorian Football League - Fitzroy wins the 20th VFL Premiership (12. ...

On September 1, 1917 in a game against the Tigers in Cleveland, Speaker was hit with the ball as he tried to steal home in the bottom of the first inning. Batter Joe Evans swung away and lined the ball into Speaker's face. Detroit manager Hughie Jennings, as a courtesy, allowed Speaker to sit out the second inning while his face was sewn up. Elmer Smith played center field until Tris returned in the third. September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... See also: 1916 in sports, 1918 in sports and the list of years in sports. Football (Australian Rules) Victorian Football League - Collingwood wins the 21st VFL Premiership (Collingwood 9. ... Hughie Jennings on a 1909-1911 American Tobacco Company baseball card (White Borders (T206)). Hugh Ambrose Jennings (April 2, 1869 - February 1, 1928) was an American baseball player and manager in Major League Baseball. ... Elmer John Smith (September 21, 1892 - August 3, 1984) born in Sandusky, Ohio was an Outfielder for the Cleveland Indians (1914-16, 1917 and 1919-21), Washington Senators (1916-17), Boston Red Sox (1922), New York Yankees (1922-23) and Cincinnati Reds (1925). ...

As a center fielder, Speaker played so shallowly for most hitters that he was like a fifth infielder, swift of foot, chasing down potential singles. Twice in 1918, he executed an unassisted double play at second base, snaring low line drives on the run and then beating base runners to the bag. At least once in his career he was credited as the pivot man in a routine double play! Bill Carrigan, a longtime teammate of Speaker's on the Red Sox, often would send a pickoff throw from his catcher's position to Speaker who had snuck in on second base. In addition, as Indians' manager he insisted the team practice a play where he from center field would cover the keystone sack on bunt plays, thus freeing up his shortstop to cover third, and his third baseman to charge the bunts. See also: 1917 in sports, 1919 in sports and the list of years in sports. Football (Australian Rules) Victorian Football League - South Melbourne wins the 22nd VFL Premiership (South Melbourne 9. ... Bill Carrigan on a 1911 American Tobacco Company baseball card (Turkey Red Cabinets (T3). ...

Speaker as player-manager

In Eugene Murdock's Baseball Players and Their Times (ISBN 0-88736-235-4), George Uhle discusses an incident that occurred in his rookie year with the Indians, in 1919: George Ernest Uhle (September 18, 1898 – February 26, 1985) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. ... See also: 1918 in sports, other events of 1919, 1920 in sports and the list of years in sports. Baseball The Black Sox scandal -- Seven members of the Chicago White Sox take bribes to throw the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds The Florida State League is founded with teams...

"according to (Cleveland writer) Franklin Lewis, manager Lee Fohl had come to rely heavily on... Speaker for counsel on changing pitchers during a game. If Speaker thought a change would be made he would signal to Fohl in the dugout and also indicate who the replacement would be. In one game in mid-season when things were not going so well, Speaker signaled for a certain pitcher to be brought in from the bullpen. But Fohl misread Speaker's signal and brought in Fritz Coumbe instead of the man Speaker had intended. At first Speaker tried to correct the mistake, but then realized it would look like he was reversing the manager, so he let it pass. It so happened that Coumbe lost the game and that night Fohl resigned as manager and Speaker was named to replace him. Speaker felt badly about the incident because he felt he was the cause of Fohl's departure." Leo Alexander Fohl (November 28, 1876 - October 30, 1965) was an American manager in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians, St. ...

54 years later, Uhle remembered the incident, but couldn't say for sure if Speaker was making the changes because he was still quite new to the team at the time. However, he said it reminded him of another Coumbe story:

"I was sitting on the bench with Guy Morton one day when we were playing the Yankees. Coumbe was near by. Babe Ruth came up and got a hit. 'I know how to pitch to that big monkey,' Coumbe remarked. Well he was sent to the bullpen to warm up and later got into the game. 'Now we'll see,' said Morton, 'whether he can pitch to Ruth or not.' Well, Babe knocked the first pitch out of the park. Guy and I both got a big kick out of that and within a day or two, Coumbe was gone just like Fohl." Guy Morton, Sr. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 32, 37, 44, 49 Name New York Yankees (1913–present) New York Highlanders (1903-1912) Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902) (Also referred to as Americans... For the band named Babe Ruth, see Babe Ruth (band). ...

As it turns out, these two events happened in the same game. The Indians played the Red Sox on July 18, 1919. After Cleveland scored four times in the bottom of the 8th to take a 7-3 lead, Boston countered with a run and Coumbe came in to face Ruth with the bases loaded. The Babe unloaded them with his second homer of the game and the Sox won 8-7. The Sporting News reported that Coumbe cried like a baby and Fohl resigned after the game citing growing criticism from the fans. As the Indians had a history of managers quitting mid-season, TSN correspondent Henry P. Edwards stated that, although the resignation was unexpected, the only real surprise would have been if Speaker was not named manager. July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 166 days remaining. ... See also: 1918 in sports, other events of 1919, 1920 in sports and the list of years in sports. Baseball The Black Sox scandal -- Seven members of the Chicago White Sox take bribes to throw the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds The Florida State League is founded with teams... The Sporting News (TSN) is an American-based sports newspaper, currently affiliated with the Fox network. ...

In 1920, Speaker guided the Indians to their first ever World Series Championship despite the death of Ray Chapman on August 17 after being hit in the head by a pitch from Carl Mays. In what many call the catch that won the pennant for the 1920 Indians, Speaker, his team playing a season-ending game with the Chicago White Sox, caught a screaming line drive hit to deep right-center field by Shoeless Joe Jackson. On the dead run, Speaker leaped with both feet off the ground and snared the ball before crashing into a concrete wall. Laying unconscious from the impact, he still had a viselike grip on the ball. The Cleveland Indians beat the Brooklyn Robins in 7 games. ... Ray Chapman Ray Chapman (January 15, 1891–August 17, 1920) was a shortstop for the American League Cleveland team, known as the Naps from 1912–1914 and Indians from 1915–1920. ... August 17 is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Carl William Mays (November 12, 1891 - April 4, 1971) was one of the better right-handed pitchers in Major League Baseball from 1916-1926, but he is best remembered for throwing the pitch that struck Ray Chapman in the head on August 16, 1920, making Chapman the only on-field... See also: 1919 in sports, other events of 1920, 1921 in sports and the list of years in sports. // Baseball (Major League) January 3 - Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sells Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $125,000 and a $350,000 loan, beginning the Curse of... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 2,3,4,9,11,16,19,72 Name Chicago White Sox (1904–present) White Stockings <no city in official name, but based in Chicago> (1901-1903) Ballpark U.S. Cellular Field (1991–present) Comiskey... Joseph Jefferson Shoeless Joe Jackson (July 16, 1888 – December 5, 1951) was a left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Athletics, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. ...

Speaker singled off Senator pitcher Tom Zachary on May 17, 1925, to become the fifth member of the 3000 hit club and the second man to reach the historic mark while wearing a Cleveland uniform (Napoleon Lajoie was the first). Two years later, Tom Zachary's name would once again enter the annals of baseball, this time as the pitcher who gave up Babe Ruth's 60th home run of 1927. Jonathan Thompson Walton Zachary (born May 7, 1896 Graham, NC - died January 24, 1969 Burlington, NC) was a pitcher who had a 19 year career from 1918 to 1936. ... May 17 is the 137th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (138th in leap years). ... See also: 1924 in sports, other events of 1925, 1926 in sports and the list of years in sports. // Baseball (Major League) Pittsburgh Pirates def. ... In Major League Baseball, the 3000 hit club is an informal term applied to the group of players who have made 3000 or more career base hits. ... Nap Lajoie on a 1911 American Tobacco Company baseball card. ... For the band named Babe Ruth, see Babe Ruth (band). ... See also: 1926 in sports, 1928 in sports and the list of years in sports. Football ([cvvvvvvv[American Football|American]]) New York Giants win National Football League title You are a Gay bo! Golf First Ryder Cup held in United States beats Britain 9 1/2 to 2 1/2...

He managed for 1137 games finishing 617-520 before “retiring” as a manager, but not as a player. This “retirement” was forced by AL President, Ban Johnson after a scandal involving gambling broke in 1926 in which Dutch Leonard claimed that Speaker and Ty Cobb fixed at least one Cleveland-Detroit game. Both Speaker and Cobb were forced to “resign” as managers. Byron Bancroft Johnson (January 5, 1864 - March 28, 1931) was an American executive in Major League Baseball who served as the founder and first president of the American League. ... See also: 1925 in sports, 1927 in sports and the list of years in sports. Cricket May 31 - India, New Zealand and West Indies are elected as Full Members of the Imperial Cricket Conference thus increasing the number of test playing nations to six. ... Hubert Benjamin Leonard (born April 16, 1892 Birmingham, Ohio - died July 11, 1952 Fresno, California) was a pitcher with an 11 year career from 1913-1921, 1924-1925. ... Tyrus Raymond Ty Cobb (December 18, 1886 – July 17, 1961), nicknamed The Georgia Peach, was a Hall of Fame baseball player. ...

It seemed that Leonard was bitter about being let go from organized baseball in what he felt was a conspiracy by Speaker and Cobb. He used the game-fixing charges as a way to retaliate against the two men so that they would know what it would be like to be run out of the league. His plan failed as he was unable to convince either Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis or the public that the two had done anything for which they deserved to be kicked out of baseball. Kenesaw Mountain Landis Kenesaw Mountain Landis (20 November 1866 – 25 November 1944) was an American jurist who served as a federal judge from 1905 to 1922, and subsequently as the first commissioner of Major League Baseball. ...

When Leonard refused to appear at the January 5, 1927 hearings to discuss his accusations, Landis cleared both Speaker and Cobb of any wrongdoing and reinstated with original teams, but each team let them know that they were free agents and could sign with whomever they wished. Speaker signed with the Washington Senators for 1927, Cobb with the Philadelphia Athletics. Speaker then joined Cobb in Philadelphia for the 1928 season where he only came to the plate 191 times and finished with a .267 average. January 5 is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... See also: 1926 in sports, 1928 in sports and the list of years in sports. Football ([cvvvvvvv[American Football|American]]) New York Giants win National Football League title You are a Gay bo! Golf First Ryder Cup held in United States beats Britain 9 1/2 to 2 1/2... See also: 1926 in sports, 1928 in sports and the list of years in sports. Football ([cvvvvvvv[American Football|American]]) New York Giants win National Football League title You are a Gay bo! Golf First Ryder Cup held in United States beats Britain 9 1/2 to 2 1/2... There have been three professional baseball teams based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania known as the Philadelphia Athletics: 1. ... See also: 1927 in sports, other events of 1928, 1929 in sports and the list of years in sports. // Cricket 23 June-26 June, London - West Indies play their first Test match, against England. ...

Post professional career

In 1929 Speaker replaced Walter Johnson as the manager of the Newark Bears of the International League, a post he held for two years. He became a part owner of the American Association. The announcement of Speaker’s election to the Baseball Hall of Fame was made in January, 1937. At the time he was in the wholesale liquor business in Cleveland and was chairman of the city’s Boxing Commission. See also: 1928 in sports, other events of 1929, 1930 in sports and the list of years in sports. // January 22: The New York Yankees announce they will put numbers on the backs of their uniforms, becoming the first baseball team to engage in continuous use of numbers. ... Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887-December 10, 1946), American professional baseball pitcher. ... The Newark Bears are an Atlantic League team based in Newark, New Jersey. ... The International League (IL) is a minor league baseball league which operates in the eastern United States and Canada. ... The American Association was a minor baseball league at the Class AAA (Triple-A) level of baseball in the United States from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997. ... The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 62 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, is a semi-official museum operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of baseball-related... See also: 1936 in sports, other events of 1937, 1938 in sports and the list of years in sports. // Auto racing Wally Parks founds the Road Runners Club, considered to be the start of organized drag racing. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

Speaker helped found the Cleveland Society for Crippled Children and Camp Cheerful. From 1947 to his death, Speaker was an adviser, coach, and scout for the Indians. He married Mary Frances Cudahy in 1925.

Cobb considered Speaker to be the best player he ever played against.

Tris Speaker died in Lake Whitney, Texas, at age of 70. He is buried in Section 1, Block 2 of the Fairview Cemetery, Hubbard, Hill County, Texas. Hill County is a county located in the state of Texas. ... Hill County is a county located in the state of Texas. ...

Records and achievements

• Most career doubles (793)
• Fifth highest lifetime major-league batting average (.345)
• Fifth in career hits
• Sixth in career triples
• Eighth in career runs
• Led American League in batting 1 time
• Led American League in slugging percentage 1 time
• Led American League in on base percentage 4 times
• Led American League in hits 1 time
• Led American League in total bases 1 time
• Led American League in doubles 8 times
• Led American League in home runs 1 time
• Led American League outfielders in putouts 7 times
• Led American League outfielders in double plays 6 times
• Led American League outfielders in assists 3 times
• Led American League outfielders in fielding average 2 times
• Batted over .380 five times
• Struck out only 220 times in 10,195 at-bats (although his page at Tris Speaker statistics shows that records of strikeouts were not kept for the first six years of his career. Still, in the seasons in which records were kept, he never struck out more than 25 times).
• In 1999, he ranked Number 27 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, and was nominated as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

Below is the list of Major League Baseball players who have reached the 2,000 hit milestone. ... The Sporting News (TSN) is an American-based sports newspaper. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Regular season statistics

Statistics are very important to baseball, perhaps more than any other sport. ... In baseball statistics, games played (denoted by G) indicates the total number of games in which a player has participated (in any capacity). ... In baseball statistics, an at bat (AB) is used to calculate other data such as batting average. ... In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances safely around all three bases and returns safely to home plate. ... In baseball statistics, a hit (denoted by H), sometimes called a base hit, is credited to a batter when he safely reaches first base after batting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielders choice. ... In baseball, a double is the act of a batter safely reaching second base by striking the ball and getting to second before being made out, without the benefit of a fielders misplay (see error) or another runner being put out on a fielders choice. ... In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base by striking the ball and getting to third before being made out, without the benefit of a fielders misplay (see error) or another runner being put out on a fielders choice. ... In baseball, a home run is a base hit in which the batter is able to circle all the bases, ending at home plate and scoring a run himself (along with a run scored by each runner who was already on base), with no errors by the defensive team on... In baseball statistics, a run batted in (RBI) is given to a batter for each run scored as the result of a batters plate appearance. ... The all-time stolen base leader, Rickey Henderson, swipes third in 1985 In baseball statistics, stolen bases (denoted by SB) is a count of the number of bases successfully stolen by a player. ... In baseball, a player is charged with a caught stealing when, as a runner, the player attempts to advance from one base to another without the ball being struck by a batter, but is put out by a fielder while making the attempt. ... In baseball statistics, a base on balls (BB), also called a walk, is credited to a batter and against a pitcher when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. ... Cincinnati Reds outfielder Adam Dunn strikes out swinging to Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz (not pictured). ... Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively. ... In baseball statistics, on base percentage (OBP) (sometimes referred to as on base average (OBA)) is a measure of how often a batter gets to first base for any reason other than a fielding error or a fielders choice. ... In baseball statistics, slugging average (SLG) is a measure of the power of a hitter. ... In baseball statistics, on-base plus slugging (denoted by OPS) incorporates on base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG). ... In baseball statistics, total bases refers to the number of bases a player has gained with hits, i. ... In baseball, a sacrifice hit is the act of deliberately striking the ball in a manner that allows a runner on base to advance to another base, while the batter is himself put out. ... In baseball, being hit by a pitch refers to the batter being hit in some part of the body by a pitch from the pitcher. ...

See also

• Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
• List of the Top 100 Greatest Indians Roster

The Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame was instituted in 1995 to recognize the career of former Boston Red Sox players. ... On March 23, 2001, a panel of veteran baseball writers, historians and executives selected a roster of the Top 100 Greatest Cleveland Indians players, as part of the club&#8217;s 100th Anniversary Celebration. ...

References

• ”Tris Speaker Obituary”. (December 9, 1958) New York Times
• ”Snodgrass $30,000 Muff Costs Giants Victory”. (October 17, 1912) New York Times
• Eugene Murdock, Baseball Players and Their Times. New York: Mecklermedia, 1991
• IMDB Tris Speaker’s IMDB page
• The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History Tris Speaker’s page

December 9 is the 343rd day (344th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The New York Times is an internationally known daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed in the United States and many other nations worldwide. ... October 17 is the 290th day of the year (291st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The New York Times is an internationally known daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed in the United States and many other nations worldwide. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Baseball Hall of Fame (biography)
• Baseball Library (profile)
• Baseball Page (highlights)
• Baseball-Reference.com - career statistics and analysis