Joe Dugan
Encyclopedia
Joseph Anthony Dugan (May 12, 1897 - July 7, 1982), was an American
professional
baseball
player. Nicknamed "Jumping Joe", he played in Major League Baseball
as a shortstop
and third baseman
from 1917 through 1931. Dugan played for the Philadelphia Athletics
(1917–22), Boston Red Sox
(1922), New York Yankees
(1922–28), Boston Braves
(1929) and Detroit Tigers
(1931). He was considered one of the best defensive third basemen of his era.
, Dugan went directly from the College of the Holy Cross
to the major leagues. He made his major league debut with Connie Mack's
Philadelphia Athletics on July 5, 1917
. Dugan struggled as a hitter his first two years, batting only a combined .195, but in 1919
he batted .271, and then the next year hit .322. By , Dugan was being cited as the best third baseman in the major leagues. He was moved permanently to third base in 1921
, and would be a steady .280-.300 hitter as well as a fine defensive third baseman for the rest of his career.
It was in his first years in baseball that Dugan acquired the nickname of "Jumping", a nickname bestowed on him since he would often take unauthorized leaves from the team. After committing a few errors, he was booed by the Philadelphia fans. Sensitive and temperamental, he would leave the team until Mack was able to coax him back. Word of his departure spread around the league and, he would often be taunted by fans with the cry,"I want to go home!"
In 1922
, Dugan was traded by the Athletics to the Boston Red Sox. On July 23, 1922
he was sent by the Red Sox to the New York Yankees in a controversial deal. Red Sox owner Harry Frazee
had been unloading his Red Sox players almost haphazardly, and Dugan's acquisition by the Yankees helped them edge out the St. Louis Browns
in a tight pennant race. Because Dugan's trade occurred in the latter part of the season, and worried that teams might try to buy their way to a pennant during the season, Major league Baseball would later move up its trading deadline to June 15.
Dugan had his most productive season in 1923
, when he hit .283, scored 111 runs
, and led the league's third basemen in fielding percentage
to help the Yankees win their first world championship. In a United Press International article, Dugan was proclaimed the hero of the 1923 World Series
for his spectacular defensive performance as well as his timely hitting which produced 5 runs batted in. Dugan posted a .302 batting average in 1924
and, in a year end poll of major league baseball players, he was a near-unanimous selection as the best third baseman in the American League
.
Yankees manager Miller Huggins
named Dugan as his leadoff hitter
at the beginning of the 1925
season. In August, he suffered a severely wrenched knee and had to miss the rest of the season. He posted a .292 batting average for the season and once again led American League third basemen in fielding percentage. Dugan was the starting third baseman on the 1927
Yankees, a team considered by many the greatest baseball team of all-time, although by this time Dugan was past his prime as injuries began to take their toll on his body. In August 1928
, Huggins replaced Dugan at third base with Mike Gazella
in an effort to get more offense from the lineup. After appearing in just 94 games, the Yankees gave Dugan his unconditional release in December of that year.
He signed a contract to play for the Boston Braves in 1929
and finished the season with a .304 batting average in 60 games. Dugan didn't play in but returned to play for the Detroit Tigers as a utility player
in 1931
. After playing in just eight games, he was released after playing his final major league game on May 26.
, accumulating 1,516 hits
in 5,410 at bats for a .280 career batting average along with 42 home run
s, 571 runs batted in and a .317 on base percentage
. He finished his career with a .957 fielding percentage
as a third baseman. Dugan played in five World Series
with the Yankees, playing in 25 series games and batting .267 (24-for-90).
After his playing career, Dugan briefly managed in the minor leagues
. He died in Norwood, Massachusetts
, at age 85.
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. Nicknamed "Jumping Joe", he played 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...
as a shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
and third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
from 1917 through 1931. Dugan played for the Philadelphia 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....
(1917–22), Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1922), 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...
(1922–28), Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(1929) and 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...
(1931). He was considered one of the best defensive third basemen of his era.
Baseball career
Born in Mahanoy City, PennsylvaniaMahanoy City, Pennsylvania
Mahanoy City is a borough located north by west of Reading and 13 miles southwest of Hazleton, in northern Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania or the southern Coal Region. The name "Mahanoy" is believed to be a variation of the Native American word 'Maghonioy', or "the salt deposits"...
, Dugan went directly from the College of the Holy Cross
College of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
to the major leagues. He made his major league debut with Connie Mack's
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...
Philadelphia Athletics on July 5, 1917
1917 Philadelphia Athletics season
The 1917 Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 8th in the American League with a record of 55 wins and 98 losses.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
. Dugan struggled as a hitter his first two years, batting only a combined .195, but in 1919
1919 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing last in the American League with a record of 36 wins and 104 losses. It was their fifth consecutive season in the cellar after owner-manager Connie Mack sold off his star players....
he batted .271, and then the next year hit .322. By , Dugan was being cited as the best third baseman in the major leagues. He was moved permanently to third base in 1921
1921 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 8th in the American League for the seventh time in a row with a record of 53 wins and 100 losses.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, and would be a steady .280-.300 hitter as well as a fine defensive third baseman for the rest of his career.
It was in his first years in baseball that Dugan acquired the nickname of "Jumping", a nickname bestowed on him since he would often take unauthorized leaves from the team. After committing a few errors, he was booed by the Philadelphia fans. Sensitive and temperamental, he would leave the team until Mack was able to coax him back. Word of his departure spread around the league and, he would often be taunted by fans with the cry,"I want to go home!"
In 1922
1922 Boston Red Sox season
The 1922 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing 8th in the American League with a record of 61 wins and 93 losses.- Opening Day lineup :- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, Dugan was traded by the Athletics to the Boston Red Sox. On July 23, 1922
1922 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 20th season for the Yankees in New York and their 22nd overall. The team finished with a record of 94 wins and 60 losses, to win their second pennant in franchise history, by a single game over the St. Louis Browns. New York was managed by Miller Huggins...
he was sent by the Red Sox to the New York Yankees in a controversial deal. Red Sox owner Harry Frazee
Harry Frazee
Harry Herbert Frazee was an American theatrical agent, producer and director, and former owner of the Major League Baseball Boston Red Sox from 1916 to 1923.- Life as owner of the Red Sox :...
had been unloading his Red Sox players almost haphazardly, and Dugan's acquisition by the Yankees helped them edge out the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in a tight pennant race. Because Dugan's trade occurred in the latter part of the season, and worried that teams might try to buy their way to a pennant during the season, Major league Baseball would later move up its trading deadline to June 15.
Dugan had his most productive season in 1923
1923 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 23rd season for this American League franchise and its 21st season in New York. Manager Miller Huggins led the team to their third straight pennant with a 98-54 record, 16 games ahead of the second place Detroit Tigers. The Yankees moved into the now famous...
, when he hit .283, scored 111 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, and led the league's third basemen in 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...
to help the Yankees win their first world championship. In a United Press International article, Dugan was proclaimed the hero of the 1923 World Series
1923 World Series
In the 1923 World Series, the New York Yankees beat the New York Giants in six games. This would be the first of the Yankees' 27 World Series championships...
for his spectacular defensive performance as well as his timely hitting which produced 5 runs batted in. Dugan posted a .302 batting average in 1924
1924 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 22nd season in New York and its 24th overall. The team finished with a record of 89-63, finishing 2 games behind the Washington Senators. New York was managed by Miller Huggins. The Yankees played their home games at Yankee Stadium.- Roster :- Starters by...
and, in a year end poll of major league baseball players, he was a near-unanimous selection as the best third baseman 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...
.
Yankees manager Miller Huggins
Miller Huggins
Miller James Huggins , nicknamed "Mighty Mite", was a baseball player and manager. He managed the powerhouse New York Yankee teams of the 1920s and won six American League pennants and three World Series championships....
named Dugan as his leadoff hitter
Leadoff hitter
In baseball, a leadoff hitter is a batter who bats first in the lineup. It can also refer to any batter who bats first in an inning.- Strategy :...
at the beginning of the 1925
1925 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 23rd season in New York and its 25th overall. The team finished with a record of 69-85, in 7th place, 30 games behind the Washington Senators. New York was managed by Miller Huggins. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.This season was marred by Babe...
season. In August, he suffered a severely wrenched knee and had to miss the rest of the season. He posted a .292 batting average for the season and once again led American League third basemen in fielding percentage. Dugan was the starting third baseman on the 1927
1927 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was their 25th season. The team finished with a record of 110-44, winning their fifth pennant and finishing 19 games ahead of the Philadelphia Athletics. New York was managed by Miller Huggins. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. In the World Series, they swept the...
Yankees, a team considered by many the greatest baseball team of all-time, although by this time Dugan was past his prime as injuries began to take their toll on his body. In August 1928
1928 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 1928 season was their 26th season. The team finished with a record of 101-53, winning their sixth pennant, finishing 2.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Athletics. New York was managed by Miller Huggins. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. In the World Series, they swept...
, Huggins replaced Dugan at third base with Mike Gazella
Mike Gazella
Michael Gazella was an American major league baseball player who played for the New York Yankees on several championship teams in the 1920s....
in an effort to get more offense from the lineup. After appearing in just 94 games, the Yankees gave Dugan his unconditional release in December of that year.
He signed a contract to play for the Boston Braves in 1929
1929 Boston Braves season
- Offseason :* November 7, 1928: Rogers Hornsby was traded by the Braves to the Chicago Cubs for Socks Seibold, Percy Jones, Lou Legett, Freddie Maguire, Bruce Cunningham, and $200,000.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
and finished the season with a .304 batting average in 60 games. Dugan didn't play in but returned to play for the Detroit Tigers as a utility player
Utility player
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include association football , baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo and softball....
in 1931
1931 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished seventh in the American League with a record of 61-93, 47 games behind the Philadelphia Athletics.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
. After playing in just eight games, he was released after playing his final major league game on May 26.
Career statistics
In a 14 year major league career, Dugan played in 1,447 gamesGames 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,...
, accumulating 1,516 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....
in 5,410 at bats for a .280 career batting average along with 42 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, 571 runs batted in and a .317 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
. He finished his career with a .957 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...
as a third baseman. Dugan played in five 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...
with the Yankees, playing in 25 series games and batting .267 (24-for-90).
After his playing career, Dugan briefly managed 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...
. He died in Norwood, Massachusetts
Norwood, Massachusetts
Norwood is a town and census-designated place in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,602. The community was named after Norwood, England...
, at age 85.