Jim Hegan
Encyclopedia
James Edward Hegan was an American
professional
baseball
player, coach
and scout. He played for seventeen seasons as a catcher
in Major League Baseball
from to and from to , most notably for the Cleveland Indians
. After his playing career was over, he became a coach and scout in a baseball career that spanned almost 40 years. While he was light-hitting
as an offensive player, he was notable for being one of the best defensive catchers of his era and a capable handler of pitching staffs.
, Hegan was drafted as an amateur free agent
by the Cleveland Indians in 1938
. After playing in the minor leagues
for four seasons, he made his major league debut with the Indians on September 7, 1941
at the age of 20. Hegan appeared in 68 games for the Indians in 1942
, before joining the United States Coast Guard
for the remainder of the Second World War.
When Hegan returned in 1946
he became the Indians regular starting catcher replacing Frankie Hayes
. In his second season back after the war, Hegan was recognized as one of the top catchers in the American League
when, he was selected as a reserve in the 1947 All-Star Game
. He had his best season offensively in 1948
, posting a .248 batting average
along with 14 home run
s and 61 runs batted in, as the Indians finished the season tied for first place with the Boston Red Sox
.
After defeating the Red Sox in a one-game playoff
, the Indians went on to defeat the Boston Braves
in the 1948 World Series
. Despite his low batting average, Hegan ended the season ranked in 19th place in the American League Most Valuable Player Award voting, due in part to his handling of the Indians' pitching
staff which led the league in winning percentage, shutouts
and in earned run average
.
Hegan's pitch-calling skills continued to be made evident as, the Indian's pitching staff would lead the American League in earned run average every year from to . In 1951
and 1952
, the Indians' pitching staff would have three twenty-game winning pitchers. Cleveland pitcher
s gave Hegan credit for part of their success. Cleveland Indian Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller
was quoted as saying,"He was one of the best defensive catchers in baseball history. Jim called a good game. We disagreed rarely. Jim was very good at keeping pitchers calm". Another Hall of Fame pitcher, Bob Lemon
said of Hegan, "When I first started pitching, I used to shake him off sometimes. Invariably, they'd get a hit
. So I stopped shaking him off".
In 1954
, Hegan would again lead the Indians' pitching staff to the lowest earned run average in the league and committed only 4 errors
in 137 games played
as, the Indians won the American League pennant
with a then-record 111 victories in a 154-game season. The Indians would eventually lose to the New York Giants
in the 1954 World Series
. Hegan would once again guide the Indians' pitching staff to the league's lowest earned run average in 1956
as, the Indians boasted three twenty-game winning pitchers for the third time during his career.
After the 1957
season, Hegan was traded to the Detroit Tigers
. He was traded several more times before ending his playing career with the Chicago Cubs in 1960
at the age of 39.
. In 1666 games played
, Hegan had a 1087 hits
for a .228 batting average
, with 92 home run
s and 525 runs batted in. During his career, he led American League catchers three times in putout
s, assists
, double play
s, total chances
per game and fielding percentage
and, had a career fielding percentage of .990. At the time of his retirement in 1960, Hegan's .990 career fielding percentage was second only to Buddy Rosar
among retired catchers. As a testament to Hegan's pitch-calling skills, during this period, the Indians pitching staff was the best in baseball, leading the American League
six times in earned run average
. Hegan caught 121 shutouts in his career, ranking him 10th all-time among catchers.
Hegan made the American League All-Star team five times during his playing career. He is the Indians' all-time leader in games played as a catcher with 1491. During his career, Hegan was the catcher for six twenty-game winning pitchers (Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Gene Bearden
, Early Wynn
, Mike Garcia, Herb Score
) and, caught three no hitters by Don Black (1947), Bob Lemon (1948) and Bob Feller (1951). Despite his considerable defensive skills, because he was a light-hitting player, Hegan is almost a forgotten man in major league baseball history. Yankee Hall of Fame catcher, Bill Dickey
, once said about Hegan's fielding abilities, "If I had been able to catch like Hegan I wouldn't have needed to hit".
for the New York Yankees
, helping to coach future catching stand outs Thurmon Munson and Rick Dempsey
. He served with the Yankees through the 1973
season. He then moved with manager
Ralph Houk
to the Detroit Tigers
for five years, through . He finished his career in uniform back with the Yankees as a coach, and was serving as a scout for the Yankees when he died in Swampscott, Massachusetts
, of a heart attack
at the age of 63.
Hegan's son, Mike Hegan
, was an All-Star first baseman
who played major league baseball from 1964 to 1977, and is now a sports commentator
for the Indians.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player, coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
and scout. He played for seventeen seasons as a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
in Major League Baseball
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...
from to and from to , most notably for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. After his playing career was over, he became a coach and scout in a baseball career that spanned almost 40 years. While he was light-hitting
Batting (baseball)
In baseball, batting is the act of facing the opposing pitcher and trying to produce offense for one's team. A batter or hitter is a person whose turn it is to face the pitcher...
as an offensive player, he was notable for being one of the best defensive catchers of his era and a capable handler of pitching staffs.
Major League career
Born in Lynn, MassachusettsLynn, Massachusetts
Lynn is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 89,050 at the 2000 census. An old industrial center, Lynn is home to Lynn Beach and Lynn Heritage State Park and is about north of downtown Boston.-17th century:...
, Hegan was drafted as an amateur free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by the Cleveland Indians in 1938
1938 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished third in the American League with a record of 86-66, 13 games behind the New York Yankees.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
. After playing in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
for four seasons, he made his major league debut with the Indians on September 7, 1941
1941 Cleveland Indians season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
at the age of 20. Hegan appeared in 68 games for the Indians in 1942
1942 Cleveland Indians season
- Offseason :* Prior to 1942 season: Grant Dunlap was acquired by the Indians from the Cincinnati Reds.- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games...
, before joining the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
for the remainder of the Second World War.
When Hegan returned in 1946
1946 Cleveland Indians season
In 1946, Bill Veeck finally became the owner of a major league team, the Cleveland Indians. He immediately put the team's games on radio, and set about to put his own indelible stamp on the franchise...
he became the Indians regular starting catcher replacing Frankie Hayes
Frankie Hayes
Frank Witman Hayes was an American professional baseball player. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to and, was highly regarded for his defensive abilities. He played most of his career for Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics and also spent time with the St. Louis Browns,...
. In his second season back after the war, Hegan was recognized as one of the top catchers 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...
when, he was selected as a reserve in the 1947 All-Star Game
1947 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1947 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 14th playing of the "Midsummer Classic" between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 8, 1947, at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, the home of...
. He had his best season offensively in 1948
1948 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team won a one-game playoff against the Boston Red Sox and would then go onto win their second World Series in franchise history, its first in 28 years.-Off-season:...
, posting a .248 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
along with 14 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 61 runs batted in, as the Indians finished the season tied for first place with the Boston Red Sox
1948 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing second in the American League with a record of 96 wins and 59 losses.- Offseason :...
.
After defeating the Red Sox in a one-game playoff
1948 American League tie-breaker game
The 1948 American League tie-breaker game was a one-game playoff for Major League Baseball's American League conference. The game took place on October 4, 1948, between the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. It was necessary after both teams finished the season with records of...
, the Indians went on to defeat the Boston Braves
1948 Boston Braves season
- Offseason :* October 28, 1947: Hoyt Wilhelm was purchased by the Braves from the Mooresville Moores....
in the 1948 World Series
1948 World Series
The 1948 World Series matched the Cleveland Indians against the Boston Braves. The Braves had won the National League pennant for the first time since the "Miracle Braves" team of . The Indians spoiled a chance for the only all-Boston World Series by winning a one-game playoff against the Boston...
. Despite his low batting average, Hegan ended the season ranked in 19th place in the American League Most Valuable Player Award voting, due in part to his handling of the Indians' pitching
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...
staff which led the league in winning percentage, shutouts
Shutout (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a shutout refers to the act by which a single pitcher pitches a complete game and does not allow the opposing team to score a run...
and in earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
.
Hegan's pitch-calling skills continued to be made evident as, the Indian's pitching staff would lead the American League in earned run average every year from to . In 1951
1951 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished second in the American League with a record of 93-61, 5 games behind the New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
and 1952
1952 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished second in the American League with a record of 93-61, just two games behind the New York Yankees.- Notable transactions :...
, the Indians' pitching staff would have three twenty-game winning pitchers. Cleveland 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...
s gave Hegan credit for part of their success. Cleveland Indian Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller
Bob Feller
On December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
was quoted as saying,"He was one of the best defensive catchers in baseball history. Jim called a good game. We disagreed rarely. Jim was very good at keeping pitchers calm". Another Hall of Fame pitcher, Bob Lemon
Bob Lemon
Robert Granville Lemon was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976....
said of Hegan, "When I first started pitching, I used to shake him off sometimes. Invariably, they'd get a hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
. So I stopped shaking him off".
In 1954
1954 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians advanced to the World Series for the first time in six years. It was the team's third American League championship in franchise history...
, Hegan would again lead the Indians' pitching staff to the lowest earned run average in the league and committed only 4 errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 137 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
as, the Indians won the American League pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
with a then-record 111 victories in a 154-game season. The Indians would eventually lose to the New York Giants
1954 New York Giants (MLB) season
The New York Giants season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Giants won the National League pennant with a record of 97 wins and 57 losses and then defeated the Cleveland Indians in the World Series.-Offseason:...
in the 1954 World Series
1954 World Series
The 1954 World Series matched the National League champion New York Giants against the American League champion Cleveland Indians. The Giants swept the Series in four games to win their first championship since , defeating the heavily favored Indians, who had won an AL-record 111 games in the...
. Hegan would once again guide the Indians' pitching staff to the league's lowest earned run average in 1956
1956 Cleveland Indians season
-Offseason:* October 24, 1955: Ralph Kiner was released by the Indians.* October 25, 1955: Larry Doby was traded by the Indians to the Chicago White Sox for Chico Carrasquel and Jim Busby.-Roster:-Game log:- Starters by position:...
as, the Indians boasted three twenty-game winning pitchers for the third time during his career.
After the 1957
1957 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished sixth in the American League with a record of 76-77, 21½ games behind the New York Yankees- Regular season :The Indians season was marked by change...
season, Hegan was traded to the Detroit Tigers
1958 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fifth in the American League with a record of 77-77, 15 games behind the New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
. He was traded several more times before ending his playing career with the Chicago Cubs in 1960
1960 Chicago Cubs season
The 1960 Chicago Cubs season involved the Cubs' seventh place finish in the National League with a record of 60-94, 35 games behind the NL and World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates.- Offseason :* October 8, 1959: Randy Jackson was released by the Cubs....
at the age of 39.
Career statistics
Hegan would be the Indians starting catcher for 11 seasons from until 19561956 Cleveland Indians season
-Offseason:* October 24, 1955: Ralph Kiner was released by the Indians.* October 25, 1955: Larry Doby was traded by the Indians to the Chicago White Sox for Chico Carrasquel and Jim Busby.-Roster:-Game log:- Starters by position:...
. In 1666 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
, Hegan had a 1087 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
for a .228 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, with 92 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 525 runs batted in. During his career, he led American League catchers three times in putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s, assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
, double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s, total chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
per game and fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
and, had a career fielding percentage of .990. At the time of his retirement in 1960, Hegan's .990 career fielding percentage was second only to Buddy Rosar
Buddy Rosar
Warren Vincent "Buddy" Rosar , was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1939 to 1951 for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Athletics, and Boston Red Sox...
among retired catchers. As a testament to Hegan's pitch-calling skills, during this period, the Indians pitching staff was the best in baseball, leading 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...
six times in earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. Hegan caught 121 shutouts in his career, ranking him 10th all-time among catchers.
Hegan made the American League All-Star team five times during his playing career. He is the Indians' all-time leader in games played as a catcher with 1491. During his career, Hegan was the catcher for six twenty-game winning pitchers (Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Gene Bearden
Gene Bearden
Henry Eugene "Gene" Bearden was a left-handed knuckleball pitcher in Major League Baseball who completed a remarkable rookie season by closing out the Cleveland Indians' last World Series championship in 1948....
, Early Wynn
Early Wynn
Early Wynn Jr. , nicknamed "Gus", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 25-year baseball career, he pitched for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox...
, Mike Garcia, Herb Score
Herb Score
Herbert Jude Score was a Major League Baseball pitcher and announcer.-Athletic career:Score came up as a rookie in with the Cleveland Indians...
) and, caught three no hitters by Don Black (1947), Bob Lemon (1948) and Bob Feller (1951). Despite his considerable defensive skills, because he was a light-hitting player, Hegan is almost a forgotten man in major league baseball history. Yankee Hall of Fame catcher, Bill Dickey
Bill Dickey
William Malcolm Dickey was a Major League Baseball catcher and manager.He played his entire 19-year baseball career with the New York Yankees . During Dickey's playing career, the Yankees went to the World Series nine times, winning eight championships...
, once said about Hegan's fielding abilities, "If I had been able to catch like Hegan I wouldn't have needed to hit".
Coaching career
When his active career ended in July , Hegan became the bullpen coachCoach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for 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...
, helping to coach future catching stand outs Thurmon Munson and Rick Dempsey
Rick Dempsey
John Rikard Dempsey is an American former professional baseball player. He played for 24 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to , most notably for the Baltimore Orioles...
. He served with the Yankees through the 1973
1973 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 71st season for the team in New York, and its 73rd season overall. The Yankees finished with a record of 80-82, finishing 17 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees were managed by Ralph Houk. The Yankees played at old Yankee Stadium, on the south side...
season. He then moved with manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Ralph Houk
Ralph Houk
Ralph George Houk , nicknamed The Major, was an American catcher, coach, manager, and front office executive in Major League Baseball...
to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for five years, through . He finished his career in uniform back with the Yankees as a coach, and was serving as a scout for the Yankees when he died in Swampscott, Massachusetts
Swampscott, Massachusetts
Swampscott is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States located 15 miles up the coast from Boston in an area known as the North Shore. The population is 13,787...
, of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
at the age of 63.
Hegan's son, Mike Hegan
Mike Hegan
James Michael "Mike" Hegan is an American former Major League Baseball first baseman and outfielder and later radio announcer for the Cleveland Indians. In 1969, Hegan hit the first home run in Seattle Pilots history in his first at-bat.He is the son of longtime Indians catcher Jim Hegan...
, was an All-Star first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
who played major league baseball from 1964 to 1977, and is now a sports commentator
Sports commentator
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
for the Indians.
External links
- Jim Hegan 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:...
- They're Not Unmasking Hegan Now, Baseball Digest, May 1955
- Former Catcher Jim Hegan: Defense Was His Game, Baseball Digest, February 1999