Bud Tinning
Encyclopedia
Lyle Forrest "Bud" Tinning (March 12, 1906—January 17, 1961) was a major league pitcher for the Chicago Cubs
and the St. Louis Cardinals
in the 1930s.
, where he was a sports star for the high school and local sandlot
baseball teams. Tinning was born into the Arthur Tinning family. His father was a farmer by trade and the family lived northwest of Pilger on their farm. Bud's sibblings included two sisters Mabel and Marie and two brothers, Oger and Dewey. Bud's mother died in childbirth when Bud was only two years old. As a youngster, he attended Pilger High School for two years however he quit school to help his father on the farm.
In the summer, Bud played baseball with country teams on local sandlots such as hayfields or in pastures. Marty Willers was a catcher for Bud during that time and said that Bud was known as the hardest thrower around with an excellent fast ball. He was first noticed by professional baseball scouts while pitching for the Genoa, Nebraska
town team, and began his professional career with the Omaha Packers, a franchise in the Western League
.
Early in Tinning's professional career, he had issues with his weight and conditioning, and his performance with the Packers suffered until he got himself in proper playing condition. Once he achieved this, Tinning finally developed into a major league prospect.
His minor league career was highlighted by earning all-star status in the Western League
for Des Moines in 1930, as well as for his 1931 season with the Minneapolis Millers
, where he was noticed by the Cubs and was signed for the 1932 season at the age of twenty-six. Lou Gehrig wrote: "Lyle hung up one of the most sensational minor league records ever established in 1931 while pitching for Des Moines in the Western League when he won 24 games and was beaten only twice".
Bud was 10 years younger than the manager for the first part of the 1932 season, Rogers Hornsby. In the 1932 World Series, Tinning pitched three shutout innings against the New York Yankees
in two relief appearances, and stuck out Babe Ruth
. The Baseball Almanac described Bud as "a crafty pitcher who started about one third of his games".
Tinning's best year in the majors was in 1933, as he went 13-6 with a 3.18 ERA, and led the National League
in winning percentage and was ninth in total shutouts, with three. Tinning wore jersey #21 in 1932, then wore #22 for the 1933-34 seasons.
. This should have been a benefit for Tinning, as the Cardinals were hitting their peak as their "Gashouse Gang" era was dominating baseball. However, Tinning injured his arm in 1935 and pitched in only four games, effectively ending his career. After a brief comeback attempt in the minor leagues, he served as a minor league manager for several years.
During his baseball years, Bud regularly returned to his hometown of Pilger to visit. He and Inez would stay with Bud's brother, Dewey and his wife and their two daughters. The brothers often hunted pheasants during these visits and Bud packed cleaned birds in dry ice to take back so he and his friends in Chicago could feast! On occasional summer visits to Pilger as a pitcher, Bud would throw on the Pilger diamond and his nieces, Mary and Betty would watch the game and tell everyone, "That's our uncle!"
After leaving baseball, Tinning worked for Mace Service in Terre Haute, Indiana
and then owned and managed a motel in Evansville, Indiana
with his wife, Inez Barnett of Terre Haute, whom he married in 1932. Inez died in 1946.
Tinning died of a heart attack on January 17, 1961, and he was buried with his family in the Pilger village cemetery after a funeral at the Pilger Methodist Church. Bud and Inez had no children.
In his book Nebraska High School Sports, Nebraska sports historian Jerry Mathers recognized Tinning as Pilger's all-time greatest athlete.
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...
and 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...
in the 1930s.
Early Minor League Career
Tinning was born and raised in Pilger, NebraskaPilger, Nebraska
Pilger is a village in Stanton County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Norfolk, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 378 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pilger is located at ....
, where he was a sports star for the high school and local sandlot
Sandlot
Sandlot may refer to:* The Sandlot, a 1993 film about young baseball players, and its sequels** The Sandlot 2, a 2005 film** The Sandlot: Heading Home, a 2007 film* Sandlot , a Japanese game developer...
baseball teams. Tinning was born into the Arthur Tinning family. His father was a farmer by trade and the family lived northwest of Pilger on their farm. Bud's sibblings included two sisters Mabel and Marie and two brothers, Oger and Dewey. Bud's mother died in childbirth when Bud was only two years old. As a youngster, he attended Pilger High School for two years however he quit school to help his father on the farm.
In the summer, Bud played baseball with country teams on local sandlots such as hayfields or in pastures. Marty Willers was a catcher for Bud during that time and said that Bud was known as the hardest thrower around with an excellent fast ball. He was first noticed by professional baseball scouts while pitching for the Genoa, Nebraska
Genoa, Nebraska
Genoa is a city in Nance County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 981 at the 2000 census. Genoa is a community rich in culture and farming is a major source of income for much of the surrounding area. The city was founded by the Mormons in 1857...
town team, and began his professional career with the Omaha Packers, a franchise in the Western League
Western League (defunct minor league)
The Western League is a name given to several circuits in American minor league baseball. Its earliest progenitor, which existed from 1885 to 1899, was the predecessor of the American League...
.
Early in Tinning's professional career, he had issues with his weight and conditioning, and his performance with the Packers suffered until he got himself in proper playing condition. Once he achieved this, Tinning finally developed into a major league prospect.
His minor league career was highlighted by earning all-star status in the Western League
Western League (defunct minor league)
The Western League is a name given to several circuits in American minor league baseball. Its earliest progenitor, which existed from 1885 to 1899, was the predecessor of the American League...
for Des Moines in 1930, as well as for his 1931 season with the Minneapolis Millers
Minneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
, where he was noticed by the Cubs and was signed for the 1932 season at the age of twenty-six. Lou Gehrig wrote: "Lyle hung up one of the most sensational minor league records ever established in 1931 while pitching for Des Moines in the Western League when he won 24 games and was beaten only twice".
Chicago Cubs
While a starter in the minors, Tinning soon proved to be a success as a long relief pitcher, who could be counted on for occasional starts.Bud was 10 years younger than the manager for the first part of the 1932 season, Rogers Hornsby. In the 1932 World Series, Tinning pitched three shutout innings against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in two relief appearances, and stuck out Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
. The Baseball Almanac described Bud as "a crafty pitcher who started about one third of his games".
Tinning's best year in the majors was in 1933, as he went 13-6 with a 3.18 ERA, and 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...
in winning percentage and was ninth in total shutouts, with three. Tinning wore jersey #21 in 1932, then wore #22 for the 1933-34 seasons.
Injury and Career's End
In November 1934, Tinning and Dick Ward were traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Tex CarletonTex Carleton
James Otto "Tex" Carleton was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1932 to 1940 for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Brooklyn Dodgers. Carleton threw a no-hitter on April 30, 1940 when he was with the Dodgers. Only a year earlier he had been sold down to the minors and released...
. This should have been a benefit for Tinning, as the Cardinals were hitting their peak as their "Gashouse Gang" era was dominating baseball. However, Tinning injured his arm in 1935 and pitched in only four games, effectively ending his career. After a brief comeback attempt in the minor leagues, he served as a minor league manager for several years.
During his baseball years, Bud regularly returned to his hometown of Pilger to visit. He and Inez would stay with Bud's brother, Dewey and his wife and their two daughters. The brothers often hunted pheasants during these visits and Bud packed cleaned birds in dry ice to take back so he and his friends in Chicago could feast! On occasional summer visits to Pilger as a pitcher, Bud would throw on the Pilger diamond and his nieces, Mary and Betty would watch the game and tell everyone, "That's our uncle!"
After leaving baseball, Tinning worked for Mace Service in Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...
and then owned and managed a motel in Evansville, Indiana
Evansville, Indiana
Evansville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Indiana and the largest city in Southern Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 117,429. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for both Southwestern Indiana and the...
with his wife, Inez Barnett of Terre Haute, whom he married in 1932. Inez died in 1946.
Tinning died of a heart attack on January 17, 1961, and he was buried with his family in the Pilger village cemetery after a funeral at the Pilger Methodist Church. Bud and Inez had no children.
In his book Nebraska High School Sports, Nebraska sports historian Jerry Mathers recognized Tinning as Pilger's all-time greatest athlete.