Luke Sewell
Encyclopedia
James Luther Sewell was an American
professional
baseball
player, coach
and manager
. He played in Major League Baseball
as a catcher
for the Cleveland Indians
(1921–1932, 1939), Washington Senators
(1933–1934), Chicago White Sox
(1935–1938) and the St. Louis Browns
(1942). Sewell batted and threw right-handed. He was regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of his era.
, Sewell grew up wanting to play baseball, and graduated from the University of Alabama
where, he played for the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball
team as an infielder
. He was linked to the Cleveland Indians because his brother Joe Sewell
became their starting shortstop
in 1920
. When Indians scout Patsy Flaherty
signed Sewell, he insisted that he play as a catcher. He began the 1921
season with the Columbus Senators
in the American Association
but, after only 17 minor league
games, Sewell made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians on June 30, 1921.
Sewell served as a reserve catcher, working behind Steve O'Neill
until the 1923
season when O'Neill was injured in an auto accident. Sewell then played in a platoon
role alongside Glenn Myatt
, in which the left-hand hitting Myatt played the team's home
games at League Park
due to its 290 foot distance to the right field fence, while Sewell played the team's road
games. Sewell eventually took over as the Indians number one catcher in the 1926
season, due to his superior defensive skills. He finished the year with only a .238 batting average
but, led the American League catchers with 91 assists
.
In 1927
, Sewell had a breakout year, hitting for a career-high .294 batting average with 27 doubles
, 53 runs batted in, and scored 52 runs
. Sewell questioned Babe Ruth
's integrity in a game on June 11, . He demanded that umpires
check Ruth's bat after he clouted two straight home runs off Garland Buckeye
. Although he led the league's catchers with 20 errors
, he also led the league with 119 assists and 71 baserunners caught stealing
. Despite the fact that the Indians finished the season in sixth place, Sewell ranked ninth in voting for the American League Most Valuable Player Award. In 1928
, he once again led the league's catchers with 117 assists and 60 baserunners caught stealing and ranked twelfth in voting for the American League Most Valuable Player Award.
In 1933
, Sewell was traded to the Washington Senators for catcher Roy Spencer. He posted career-highs with 125 hits including 30 doubles along with 61 runs batted in as, the Senators under first-year player-manager Joe Cronin
, won 99 games to clinch the American League pennant by nine games over the New York Yankees
. During a September game against the Yankees, Sewell made an odd double play
. Lou Gehrig
and Dixie Walker
were on base when, Tony Lazzeri
hit a ball to deep right field. Gehrig hesitated as he waited to see if the ball might be caught, before heading towards home plate
with Walker right behind him. Sewell received the throw from the outfield and tagged
both runners out
with one sweeping motion. Cronin credited Sewell as a major factor in helping the Senators' pitching staff. The Senators eventually lost to the New York Giants
in the 1933 World Series
. In what would be his only postseason appearance, Sewell posted a .176 batting average (3 for 17), with one stolen base, one run scored, and one run batted in during the five-game series.
Sewell began the 1934
season with a hand injury and didn't play his first game until June 13. Two weeks later, he was struck in the head and knocked unconscious by a pitch thrown by St. Louis Browns
pitcher, Bump Hadley
. Sewell ended the season with a .237 batting average.
In January 1935
, Sewell was traded to the St. Louis Browns, ironically for Bump Hadley. The Browns promptly traded him to the Chicago White Sox on the very same day. His offensive statistics improved with the White Sox, posting a .285 batting average with 67 runs batted in and, finished second among the league's catchers in assists and third in fielding percentage
. In 1936
, Sewell produced career-highs with 5 home runs and 73 runs batted in and, led American League catchers in assists and in baserunners caught stealing. By the first week of June 1937
, Sewell had a .316 batting average to earn a spot as a reserve for the American League team in the 1937 All-Star Game
. That year, he put up even better numbers than the consistently good ones he had been posting for a decade. On the season, he had a .269 batting average, with a .343 on base percentage
and six triples. Sewell finished the season ranked fifth in voting for the American League Most Valuable Player Award.
Sewell's batting average dropped to .213 in 1938
and, in December of that year, he was purchased by the Brooklyn Dodgers
for $7500. In April 1939
, the 39 year old Sewell was released by the Dodgers but, promptly signed a contract as a third-string catcher and pitching coach for the Cleveland Indians. The Indians hoped to groom him as an eventual replacement for manager Oscar Vitt who had fallen from the graces of General Manager
Cy Slapnicka
. He spent the 1940
season as a pitching coach but, when the Indians decided to hire Roger Peckinpaugh
as their manager for the 1941
season, Sewell accepted the manager's position with the St. Louis Browns, replacing Fred Haney
. Because of the shortage of major league players during the Second World War, Sewell served as a player-manager during the 1942
season, appearing in six games. He played his final game as a player on August 1, at the age of 41.
, accumulating 1,393 hits
in 5,383 at bats for a .259 career batting average along with 20 home runs, 696 runs batted in and an on base percentage
of .323. He retired with a .978 fielding percentage. As a catcher, Sewell had a strong throwing arm, leading the American League four times in baserunners caught stealing and four times in assists.
Even for the era, Sewell's low strikeout
numbers were remarkable. He never struck out more than 27 times in a season, and his career best was just 16 strikeouts in 451 at bats in . Sewell holds the American League record of 20 seasons as an active catcher. He caught three no-hitter
s in his career; Wes Ferrell
in 1931
, Vern Kennedy
in 1935
, and Bill Dietrich
in 1938
. In his book, The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
, baseball historian Bill James
ranked Sewell as the fourth best catcher in the American League during his career. James ranked Mickey Cochrane
, Bill Dickey
and Rick Ferrell
as the top three, all of whom were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Sewell and his brother Joe, rank eighth on the all-time list of combined hits by brothers, with 3,619. Besides his brother, Joe Sewell
, a Hall of Fame shortstop
, he had another brother named Tommy Sewell
, who had one at-bat with the Chicago Cubs
.
in the 1944 World Series
. That year, he managed such players as Red Hayworth
, Vern Stephens
, and Jack Kramer
, led them to an 89-65 record, and was awarded The Sporting News' Manager of the Year Award. After a seventh place finish in 1946
, Sewell stepped down as the Browns' manager.
In January 1949
Sewell was hired as a pitching coach by the Cincinnati Reds
and, in October of that year, he took over as the Reds' manager from Bucky Walters
. After two unsuccessful seasons with the Reds, he resigned in July 1952
and was replaced by Rogers Hornsby
. Sewell's major league managerial record was 606-644, a .485 winning percentage.
In December , Sewell was hired as manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League
. He led the team to the league championship in his first season and won the International League Manager of the Year Award. Sewell led the Maple Leafs to a second-place finish in 1955. The team had a .622 winning percentage over his two years as manager. In November , he was named as the manager for the Seattle Rainiers
of the Pacific Coast League
. In August , Sewell was fired after one season in part due to player discontent over his managerial style.
Sewell died in Akron, Ohio
in at the age of 86.
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 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...
. 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 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...
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...
(1921–1932, 1939), Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
(1933–1934), 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...
(1935–1938) and 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...
(1942). Sewell batted and threw right-handed. He was regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of his era.
Baseball career
Born in the rural town of Titus, AlabamaAlabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, Sewell grew up wanting to play baseball, and graduated from the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
where, he played for the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball
Alabama Crimson Tide baseball
The Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team represents the University of Alabama in NCAA Division I college baseball. Along with most other Alabama athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. The team plays its home games on campus at...
team as an infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
. He was linked to the Cleveland Indians because his brother Joe Sewell
Joe Sewell
Joseph Wheeler Sewell was a Major League Baseball infielder for the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees...
became their starting 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...
in 1920
1920 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was the 20th season in franchise history. The Indians won the American League pennant and proceeded to win their first World Series title in the history of the franchise. Pitchers Jim Bagby, Stan Coveleski and Ray Caldwell combined to win 75 games...
. When Indians scout Patsy Flaherty
Patsy Flaherty
Patrick Joseph Flaherty born in Mansfield, Pennsylvania was a pitcher for the Louisville Colonels , Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago White Sox , Boston Doves , Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Rustlers , who specialized in his spitball.He led the American League in Hits Allowed and Losses...
signed Sewell, he insisted that he play as a catcher. He began the 1921
1921 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 94-60, 4 games behind the New York Yankees.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
season with the Columbus Senators
Columbus Senators
The Columbus Senators Minor league baseball team was born in as a founding member of the Tri-State League. After that, the Senators played in the Western League , Interstate League Western Association and American Association...
in the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
but, after only 17 minor league
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...
games, Sewell made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians on June 30, 1921.
Sewell served as a reserve catcher, working behind Steve O'Neill
Steve O'Neill
Stephen Francis O'Neill was an American catcher, manager, coach and scout in Major League Baseball.Born to Irish immigrants in Minooka, Pennsylvania , O'Neill was one of six brothers who escaped a life in the coal mines by playing in the major leagues...
until the 1923
1923 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 82-71, 16½ games behind the New York Yankees.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
season when O'Neill was injured in an auto accident. Sewell then played in a platoon
Platoon system
The platoon system in baseball is a method of designating two players to a single defensive position—usually one right-handed and one left-handed. Typically the right-handed half of the platoon is played on days when the opposing pitcher is left-handed and the left-handed player is played otherwise...
role alongside Glenn Myatt
Glenn Myatt
Glenn Calvin Myatt , was a retired professional baseball player who was a catcher in the Major Leagues from -. He played for the Philadelphia Athletics, Cleveland Indians, New York Giants, and Detroit Tigers.-External links:...
, in which the left-hand hitting Myatt played the team's home
Home (sports)
In sports, home is a term referring to both the city and stadium, arena, or field where an athletic team plays games at their venue, whilst when the team plays elsewhere then they are considered the away team. The home term can refer to either the sponsoring institution or the place where it is...
games at League Park
League Park
League Park was a baseball park located in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It was situated at the northeast corner of Lexington Avenue and E. 66th Street in the Hough neighborhood. It was home to the National League Cleveland Spiders, the American League Cleveland Indians, and the Cleveland...
due to its 290 foot distance to the right field fence, while Sewell played the team's road
Road (sports)
Road game , more commonly known as an away game, is a reference to all cities and stadia/arenas/fields/venues where an athletic team plays games for which it is not the host. Most professional teams represent cities or towns and amateur sports teams often represent academic institutions...
games. Sewell eventually took over as the Indians number one catcher in the 1926
1926 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 88-66, 3 games behind the New York Yankees.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
season, due to his superior defensive skills. He finished the year with only a .238 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 :...
but, led the American League catchers with 91 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...
.
In 1927
1927 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 66-87, 43½ games behind the New York Yankees.- Notable transactions :...
, Sewell had a breakout year, hitting for a career-high .294 batting average with 27 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 53 runs batted in, and scored 52 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...
. Sewell questioned 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...
's integrity in a game on June 11, . He demanded that umpires
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
check Ruth's bat after he clouted two straight home runs off Garland Buckeye
Garland Buckeye
Garland Maiers "Gob" Buckeye is a former professional football and baseball player.-Baseball:...
. Although he led the league's catchers with 20 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 ...
, he also led the league with 119 assists and 71 baserunners caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
. Despite the fact that the Indians finished the season in sixth place, Sewell ranked ninth in voting for the American League Most Valuable Player Award. In 1928
1928 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished seventh in the American League with a record of 62-92, 39 games behind the New York Yankees.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, he once again led the league's catchers with 117 assists and 60 baserunners caught stealing and ranked twelfth in voting for the American League Most Valuable Player Award.
In 1933
1933 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators was a season in American baseball. They won 99 games, lost 53, and finished in first place in the American League. It was their third, and last, pennant of their existence. The team was managed by Joe Cronin and played home games at Griffith Stadium...
, Sewell was traded to the Washington Senators for catcher Roy Spencer. He posted career-highs with 125 hits including 30 doubles along with 61 runs batted in as, the Senators under first-year player-manager Joe Cronin
Joe Cronin
Joseph Edward Cronin was a Major League Baseball shortstop and manager.During a 20-year playing career, he played from 1926–45 for three different teams, primarily for the Boston Red Sox. Cronin was a major league manager from 1933–47...
, won 99 games to clinch the American League pennant by nine games over the New York Yankees
1933 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 31st season in New York and its 33rd season overall. The team finished with a record of 91-59, finishing 7 games behind of the Washington Senators. New York was managed by Joe McCarthy...
. During a September game against the Yankees, Sewell made an odd 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"....
. Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
and Dixie Walker
Dixie Walker
Fred E. "Dixie" Walker was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox , Detroit Tigers , Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates...
were on base when, Tony Lazzeri
Tony Lazzeri
Anthony Michael "Tony" Lazzeri was an American Major League Baseball player during the 1920s and 1930s, predominantly with the New York Yankees. He was part of the famed "Murderers' Row" Yankee batting lineup of the late 1920s , along with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Bob Meusel...
hit a ball to deep right field. Gehrig hesitated as he waited to see if the ball might be caught, before heading towards home plate
Home Plate
Home Plate is the fifth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1975 .-Track listing:#"What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" – 3:19#"Good Enough" – 2:56#"Run Like a Thief" – 3:02...
with Walker right behind him. Sewell received the throw from the outfield and tagged
Tag out
In baseball, a tag out, sometimes just called a tag, is a play in which a baserunner is out because he is touched by the fielder's hand or glove holding a live ball while the runner is in jeopardy...
both runners out
Out (baseball)
In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive, or fielding, team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. When a player is called out, he is said to be retired...
with one sweeping motion. Cronin credited Sewell as a major factor in helping the Senators' pitching staff. The Senators eventually lost to the New York Giants
1933 New York Giants (MLB) season
-Offseason:* December 29, 1932: Shanty Hogan was purchased from the Giants by the Boston Braves.- 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...
in the 1933 World Series
1933 World Series
The 1933 World Series featured the New York Giants and the Washington Senators, with the Giants winning in five games for their first championship since , and their fourth overall....
. In what would be his only postseason appearance, Sewell posted a .176 batting average (3 for 17), with one stolen base, one run scored, and one run batted in during the five-game series.
Sewell began the 1934
1934 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators won 68 games, lost 86, and finished in seventh place in the American League. They were managed by Joe Cronin and played home games at Griffith Stadium.- Notable transactions :...
season with a hand injury and didn't play his first game until June 13. Two weeks later, he was struck in the head and knocked unconscious by a pitch thrown by St. Louis Browns
1934 St. Louis Browns season
The 1934 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 6th in the American League with a record of 67 wins and 85 losses.- Offseason :* December 15, 1933: Ray Pepper was purchased by the Browns from the St. Louis Cardinals.- Roster :...
pitcher, Bump Hadley
Bump Hadley
Irving Darius Hadley was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, he played the major leagues for the Washington Senators , Chicago White Sox , St...
. Sewell ended the season with a .237 batting average.
In January 1935
1935 Chicago White Sox season
The 1935 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 35th season in the major leagues, and its 36th season overall. They finished with a record 74-78, good enough for 5th place in the American League, 19.5 games behind the first place Detroit Tigers.- Offseason :...
, Sewell was traded to the St. Louis Browns, ironically for Bump Hadley. The Browns promptly traded him to the Chicago White Sox on the very same day. His offensive statistics improved with the White Sox, posting a .285 batting average with 67 runs batted in and, finished second among the league's catchers in assists and third 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...
. In 1936
1936 Chicago White Sox season
The 1936 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 36th season in the major leagues, and their 37th season overall. They finished with a record 81-70, good enough for 4th place in the American League, 20 games behind the first place New York Yankees....
, Sewell produced career-highs with 5 home runs and 73 runs batted in and, led American League catchers in assists and in baserunners caught stealing. By the first week of June 1937
1937 Chicago White Sox season
The 1937 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 37th season in the major leagues, and their 38th season overall . They finished with a record 86-68, good enough for 3rd place in the American League, 16 games behind the first place New York Yankees....
, Sewell had a .316 batting average to earn a spot as a reserve for the American League team in the 1937 All-Star Game
1937 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1937 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the fifth playing of the mid-summer 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 7, 1937, at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., the home of...
. That year, he put up even better numbers than the consistently good ones he had been posting for a decade. On the season, he had a .269 batting average, with a .343 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...
and six triples. Sewell finished the season ranked fifth in voting for the American League Most Valuable Player Award.
Sewell's batting average dropped to .213 in 1938
1938 Chicago White Sox season
The 1938 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 38th season in the major leagues and their 39th season overall. They finished with a record 65-83, good enough for 5th place in the American League, 32 games behind the first place New York Yankees....
and, in December of that year, he was purchased by the 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...
for $7500. In April 1939
1939 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 :...
, the 39 year old Sewell was released by the Dodgers but, promptly signed a contract as a third-string catcher and pitching coach for the Cleveland Indians. The Indians hoped to groom him as an eventual replacement for manager Oscar Vitt who had fallen from the graces of General Manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
Cy Slapnicka
Cy Slapnicka
Cyril Charles Slapnicka was a Major League Baseball pitcher and executive. He played for the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates . His playing career was unusual in that he went almost seven years between major league appearances...
. He spent the 1940
1940 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 89-65, just one game behind the Detroit Tigers.- Regular season :...
season as a pitching coach but, when the Indians decided to hire Roger Peckinpaugh
Roger Peckinpaugh
Roger Thorpe Peckinpaugh was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , Washington Senators and Chicago White Sox...
as their manager for the 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...
season, Sewell accepted the manager's position with the St. Louis Browns, replacing Fred Haney
Fred Haney
Fred Girard Haney was an American third baseman, manager, coach and executive in Major League Baseball. As a manager, he won two pennants and a world championship with the Milwaukee Braves and, as an executive, he was the first general manager of the expansion Los Angeles Angels of the American...
. Because of the shortage of major league players during the Second World War, Sewell served as a player-manager during the 1942
1942 St. Louis Browns season
The 1942 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 3rd in the American League with a record of 82 wins and 69 losses.- Notable transactions :...
season, appearing in six games. He played his final game as a player on August 1, at the age of 41.
Career statistics
In a 20 year major league career, Sewell played in 1,630 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 1,393 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 5,383 at bats for a .259 career batting average along with 20 home runs, 696 runs batted in and an 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...
of .323. He retired with a .978 fielding percentage. As a catcher, Sewell had a strong throwing arm, leading the American League four times in baserunners caught stealing and four times in assists.
Even for the era, Sewell's low 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....
numbers were remarkable. He never struck out more than 27 times in a season, and his career best was just 16 strikeouts in 451 at bats in . Sewell holds the American League record of 20 seasons as an active catcher. He caught three no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
s in his career; Wes Ferrell
Wes Ferrell
Wesley Cheek Ferrell was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball from 1927 through 1941. Primarily a starting pitcher, Ferrell played for the Cleveland Indians , Boston Red Sox , Washington Senators , New York Yankees , Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves...
in 1931
1931 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the American League with a record 78-76, 30 games behind the Philadelphia Athletics.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, Vern Kennedy
Vern Kennedy
Lloyd Vernon Kennedy was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1934 through 1945, he played for the Chicago White Sox , Detroit Tigers , St. Louis Browns , Washington Senators , Cleveland Indians , Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds...
in 1935
1935 Chicago White Sox season
The 1935 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 35th season in the major leagues, and its 36th season overall. They finished with a record 74-78, good enough for 5th place in the American League, 19.5 games behind the first place Detroit Tigers.- Offseason :...
, and Bill Dietrich
Bill Dietrich
William John "Bullfrog" Dietrich is a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1933-1948. He would play for the Washington Senators, Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics.In 16 seasons, Dietrich posted a 108-128 career record...
in 1938
1938 Chicago White Sox season
The 1938 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 38th season in the major leagues and their 39th season overall. They finished with a record 65-83, good enough for 5th place in the American League, 32 games behind the first place New York Yankees....
. In his book, The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract is a reference-type book written by Bill James featuring an overview of baseball decade by decade, along with rankings of the top 100 players at each position. The original edition was published in 1985 by Villard Books, followed by The New Bill James...
, baseball historian Bill James
Bill James
George William “Bill” James is a baseball writer, historian, and statistician whose work has been widely influential. Since 1977, James has written more than two dozen books devoted to baseball history and statistics...
ranked Sewell as the fourth best catcher in the American League during his career. James ranked Mickey Cochrane
Mickey Cochrane
Gordon Stanley "Mickey" Cochrane was a professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
, 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...
and Rick Ferrell
Rick Ferrell
Richard Benjamin Ferrell was an American professional baseball player, coach, scout and executive. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to for the St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators. Ferrell was regarded as one of the best catchers in baseball during the...
as the top three, all of whom were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Sewell and his brother Joe, rank eighth on the all-time list of combined hits by brothers, with 3,619. Besides his brother, Joe Sewell
Joe Sewell
Joseph Wheeler Sewell was a Major League Baseball infielder for the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees...
, a Hall of Fame 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...
, he had another brother named Tommy Sewell
Tommy Sewell
Thomas Wesley Sewell , was an American professional baseball player who played in with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.Sewell played in 1 game, going 0-1....
, who had one at-bat with the Chicago Cubs
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...
.
Managing career
After retiring as an active player, Sewell continued to manage the St. Louis Browns. He led them to the American League pennant – the team's only championship in its 52 years in St. Louis, although they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals1944 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 63rd season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 53rd season in the National League. The Cardinals went 105-49 during the season and finished 1st in the National League. In the World Series, they met their town rivals, the St. Louis Browns...
in the 1944 World Series
1944 World Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 4, 1944 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, MissouriGeorge McQuinn hit the Brown's only home run of the series to put his team ahead in the fourth inning, while Denny Galehouse outpitched World Series veteran Mort Cooper to hold on for the win.-Game 2:Thursday, October 5,...
. That year, he managed such players as Red Hayworth
Red Hayworth
Myron Claude "Red" Hayworth was an American baseball player who played in Major League Baseball from -45. He was a catcher, listed at 6' 1.5", 200 lb., Hayworth batted and threw right-handed....
, Vern Stephens
Vern Stephens
Vernon Decatur Stephens was an American shortstop in professional baseball who played 15 seasons in the American League for four different teams. A native of McAlister, New Mexico, Stephens batted and threw right-handed...
, and Jack Kramer
Jack Kramer (baseball)
John Henry Kramer was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with four different teams between 1939 and 1951. Listed at 6' 2", 190 lb., Kramer batted and threw right-handed. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana....
, led them to an 89-65 record, and was awarded The Sporting News' Manager of the Year Award. After a seventh place finish in 1946
1946 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was a season in American baseball. It was the team's 65th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 55th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 96-58 during the season and finished first in the National League. In the World Series, they won in 7 games over the...
, Sewell stepped down as the Browns' manager.
In January 1949
1949 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The team finished seventh in the National League with a record of 62-92, 35 games behind the Brooklyn Dodgers.- Notable transactions :...
Sewell was hired as a pitching coach by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and, in October of that year, he took over as the Reds' manager from Bucky Walters
Bucky Walters
William Henry "Bucky" Walters was an American Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Walters played for the Boston Braves , Boston Red Sox , Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds...
. After two unsuccessful seasons with the Reds, he resigned in July 1952
1952 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League.- Offseason :...
and was replaced by Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby, Sr. , nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Boston Braves , Chicago Cubs , and St. Louis Browns...
. Sewell's major league managerial record was 606-644, a .485 winning percentage.
In December , Sewell was hired as manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. He led the team to the league championship in his first season and won the International League Manager of the Year Award. Sewell led the Maple Leafs to a second-place finish in 1955. The team had a .622 winning percentage over his two years as manager. In November , he was named as the manager for the Seattle Rainiers
Seattle Rainiers
The Seattle Rainiers, originally named the Seattle Indians and also known as the Seattle Angels, were a minor league baseball team in Seattle, Washington, that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903-06 and 1919-68...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. In August , Sewell was fired after one season in part due to player discontent over his managerial style.
Sewell died in Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
in at the age of 86.
External links
- Baseball-Reference.com - playing statistics and managing record