Evening star., 1953-09-11

established by the Yankees 2 Athletics of 29
teams of the dreadnaught class
The record :. 1888 hits for set by the
PhileS The year 1880. That's right the 80 PhlheS
They finished dead last. Won 81, lost 1O2
THIS UNDOUBTEDLY WAS the most unusual talender
of all baseball history The Philes had club average OF
15 Only the Yankees of $780, hitting S19 and the Tigers
of 1921, batting 316, topped it.
How you finish last with such hitting cub" some
asked shoo the manager shotton was pilot OF
the PhS from 192S933 and finished IN the nrSt oNson
only once the suspension of Leo Docher
to gain him another managerial chance in 1947
you looked at pitching by any chance? Shot
ton replied.
It was sad-sack pitching staff all right Fast Phily
htteS turned out hits and Shotons throwers were
faster The yielded grand total OF 99 runs-a record
that may last forever
SUCH WAS THE FAME of some Murderers Rows that
casual baseball followers can remember the meaer por
their batting orders Like Ruth Gehrig and Meusel
of the 27 Yankees Foxx, Simmons and Cochrane OF the
29 AS Heinrich DiMaggio and Keller OF the o-SS
Yankees But how many remember the big guns OF the
80 Phils?
Chuck Klein was the No thunderous 1886,
necessary the Phes because Lefty ODoul
right behind him with sSS Klein hit 40 OF the clubs
1875 homers National in doubles 59 batted
runs cracked $50 hits for AS bases and personally
scored 158 runs league mark that still stands.
In addition Klein and ODou three of Shottons regu-
lar infeders baed than 1926 They were Pnky Whit
ney third baseman Barney Friberg shortstop and Don
Hurst first Spud Davis, the catcher, hit 313
att is hitting club" Shotton acknowledged, then and
later but some others hit also could do other
things" clubs averaged 800 that Compare
major league batting leaders last year
the White Sox (270) and the Cardinals t267).
TRUE sHOTTON's PH1LIES playing in old Baker
Bowl This had advantage especially for Klein and
ODoul Both et-handed hers they were taking dead aim
at fence only $50 feet from home plate.
Still the Phllies had play half their games the
road they didn't do all of their hitting at home
Too William F. Baker wasn't making 1t any easier
for Klein ODoul and his other left-handed suggers
Klein had come up the Philes from Fort Wayne Ind
for
apols German batting sensation from the start
In his second 1920 he hit 4 home runs to lead the
National League Here people felt was the man who might
top Ruth.
In the midst of Ken's biggest splurge CoDoul had 80
hoers Hvrst 81 year, Baker raised his rghted
fence by Why he did quite clear Detrac-
didn't want Klein to reach Ruthan heights
lest he demand Ruthian salary.
Another oddity hitting OF Friberg So pifu
the pitching Shotton converting the nelder into
moundsman spring of 1929 He had obtained Tommy
Thevenow the Cards in trade and planned to play
Thevenow at ShortStop.
BUT ONE NIGHT TOMMY, returning to the Winter Haven
(FaD training camp his automobile off the road and
badly smashed He never recovered his form suped
to only and Fberg took next season.
Never big thumper Barney walloped at S41 clip
That spring. 1880, that Grover Cleveland Alex
ander majors Baker, who had sold him at
peak got Alex back during the winter but the veteran 43
wears old liked his chnappS He almost didn't get to
pitch night in Leesburg Fa he annoyed
native grabbed bottle with intention of crowning
Fortunately for the old pitcher Cy Williams
nearby and clouted boteweder left to the jaw.
Williams was almost finished ball player but Alexis
antagonist the only thing he hit in 1880 Used only
part-tme Cy kicked in with All Alexander how
ever chance He needed only win to break
tie with Chrsty Mathewson at 73 for most National League
victories Shortly after started however he
cut loose wnleSS.