George Earnshaw
Encyclopedia
George "Moose" Earnshaw (February 15, 1900 - December 1, 1976) was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
. He played in parts of nine seasons (1928–1936) with the Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago White Sox
, Brooklyn Dodgers
, and St. Louis Cardinals
. He was the American League
wins
leader in 1929 with the A's. For his career, he compiled a 127-93 record in 319 appearances, with a 4.38 ERA and 1,002 strikeout
s. Earnshaw played on three American League
pennant winners with the Athletics, winning the World Series
in 1929
and 1930
.
George Livingston Earnshaw was born February 15, 1900, in New York City. He grew to be 6'4" and 210 pounds. George's nickname was "Moose." He was aggressive, threw hard, and threw strikes. His career covered nine years with a total of 127 victories, and over half of Earnshaw's victories occurred during the A's pennant winning years of 1929-31. He won a total of four World Series games, starting eight games with five being complete games. He struck out 56 batters in 62 innings pitched and had an ERA for the three Series of 1.58. Connie Mack
gave more credit to George Earnshaw for the Athletics' 1930 World Series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals than any other player.
Earnshaw did not reach the majors until he was 28 years old. A graduate of Swarthmore College
in Pennsylvania, he was a pitching star for the minor league Baltimore Orioles when Connie Mack purchased his contract in June 1928. That season, the A's finished second in the American League
, 2½ games behind the Yankees. Moose had a record of 7-7 with a 3.85 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 158 innings pitched. It was in 1929 that Earnshaw and Lefty Grove
began to dominate big league hitters. For the next three years, they were the only two pitchers on any one team to win 20 or more games. The 1929 season was George's turn to shine. His 24 victories against 8 losses was the most in the majors, and his 149 strikeouts were second only to teammate Grove in the American League and third in the majors. His fastball being wild at times, George's 125 walks were an American League high, but his 3.28 ERA was among the best.
By 1936, George Earnshaw's career came to an end, ironically, playing with the St. Louis Cardinals and old nemesis Pepper Martin
. Within a few years, George would become a Commander in the Navy in World War II
. On December 1, 1976, Earnshaw died in Little Rock, Arkansas. He currently ranks seventh in Athletics
franchise history in winning percentage (.627).
once said of Earnshaw, "I used to send a taxicab to the Almanac Hotel the day he was gonna pitch. I didn't want him to get lost on the way to the stadium."
- p. 255 from the book Play Ball
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...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He played in parts of nine seasons (1928–1936) with the Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, and 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...
. He was the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
leader in 1929 with the A's. For his career, he compiled a 127-93 record in 319 appearances, with a 4.38 ERA and 1,002 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s. Earnshaw played on three American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
pennant winners with the Athletics, winning the 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...
in 1929
1929 World Series
In the 1929 World Series, the Philadelphia Athletics beat the Chicago Cubs in five games.The famous "Mack Attack" occurred in 1929, named for manager of the Athletics, Connie Mack, in which the Athletics overcame an eight-run deficit by scoring ten runs in the seventh inning of Game 4...
and 1930
1930 World Series
In the 1930 World Series, the Philadelphia Athletics defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in six games, 4–2. Philadelphia's pitching ace Lefty Grove won two games.The St...
.
George Livingston Earnshaw was born February 15, 1900, in New York City. He grew to be 6'4" and 210 pounds. George's nickname was "Moose." He was aggressive, threw hard, and threw strikes. His career covered nine years with a total of 127 victories, and over half of Earnshaw's victories occurred during the A's pennant winning years of 1929-31. He won a total of four World Series games, starting eight games with five being complete games. He struck out 56 batters in 62 innings pitched and had an ERA for the three Series of 1.58. 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...
gave more credit to George Earnshaw for the Athletics' 1930 World Series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals than any other player.
Earnshaw did not reach the majors until he was 28 years old. A graduate of Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College is a private, independent, liberal arts college in the United States with an enrollment of about 1,500 students. The college is located in the borough of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia....
in Pennsylvania, he was a pitching star for the minor league Baltimore Orioles when Connie Mack purchased his contract in June 1928. That season, the A's finished second in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
, 2½ games behind the Yankees. Moose had a record of 7-7 with a 3.85 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 158 innings pitched. It was in 1929 that Earnshaw and Lefty Grove
Lefty Grove
Robert Moses "Lefty" Grove was a professional baseball pitcher. After having success in the minor leagues during the early 1920s, Grove became a star in Major League Baseball with the American League's Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox, winning 300 games in his 17-year MLB career...
began to dominate big league hitters. For the next three years, they were the only two pitchers on any one team to win 20 or more games. The 1929 season was George's turn to shine. His 24 victories against 8 losses was the most in the majors, and his 149 strikeouts were second only to teammate Grove in the American League and third in the majors. His fastball being wild at times, George's 125 walks were an American League high, but his 3.28 ERA was among the best.
By 1936, George Earnshaw's career came to an end, ironically, playing with the St. Louis Cardinals and old nemesis Pepper Martin
Pepper Martin
Johnny Leonard Roosevelt "Pepper" Martin was an American professional baseball player and minor league manager. He was known as the Wild Horse of the Osage because of his daring, aggressive baserunning abilities. Martin played in Major League Baseball as a third baseman and an outfielder for the St...
. Within a few years, George would become a Commander in the Navy in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. On December 1, 1976, Earnshaw died in Little Rock, Arkansas. He currently ranks seventh in 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....
franchise history in winning percentage (.627).
Quotes
Babe RuthBabe 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...
once said of Earnshaw, "I used to send a taxicab to the Almanac Hotel the day he was gonna pitch. I didn't want him to get lost on the way to the stadium."
- p. 255 from the book Play Ball
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball wins champions
External links
- George Earnshaw at Find a GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...