Great Year for Simmons, Hits .407 for Athletics
It might look like a typo in this season's stat reports, but the .407 next to the name of Al Simmons is no mistake. That's his batting average for the recently completed season. Simmons is the newest member of baseball's .400 club.
The Philadelphia 31 left fielder, who led the AL in hits with 234 in 1930, tried to downplay the achievement. "It's just a number," he said. Then he admitted with a grin: "Okay, it's a big number!"
That number puts Simmons in the record books with some of the game's great players. His other stats during this remarkable season include 234 hits, 36 doubles, 16 triples, 37 home runs, 148 runs and 144 RBIs.
Reiser and Snider Celebrate .400 Club
Add the name Pete Reiser to the list of baseball players to hit .400 or better in a single season. The Brooklyn 42 center fielder joined that elite group by hitting a jaw-dropping .401 this year.
"To be mentioned among baseball's immortals," said Reiser, "is beyond my wildest dreams."
Reiser, who finished 3rd in the NL in doubles with 59 in 1930, produced 233 hits, which included 59 doubles, 28 triples and 19 home runs. He also scored 138 runs and batted in 118.
Duke Snider is soaking up the praise today after hitting an eye-popping .401 this season. The Brooklyn 53 Dodgers center fielder, who led the NL in RBI with 150 in 1930, surpassed even his own expectations. "I thought I could hit .350, maybe," he said, his eyes misting over. "To go beyond that..." His voice trailed off before he continued. "It's like a dream."
The Dodgers star made the season a nightmare for his opposition, rattling off 218 hits including 62 doubles, 14 triples and 30 home runs. He scored 132 times and collected 150 runs batted in.
Playoffs Begin
Playoffs Begin
The Major League Baseball playoffs start today! Only a handful of teams remain in the running for the ultimate prize -- the Round 4 championship. It's playoff time -- a time of glory and victory awaits one of the teams. The team that rises to each eventful occasion -- the team that makes all the right plays at the right time.
Today is the start of the Round 1 and here are the opening games:
New York 27 Yankees vs New York 39 Yankees
Cleveland 20 Indians vs Homestead 43 Grays
Homestead 37 Grays vs St. Louis 22 Browns
New York 32 Yankees vs St. Louis 31 Stars
Cincinnati 19 Reds vs St. Louis 42 Cardinals
Brooklyn 42 Dodgers vs Chicago 26 American Giants
Kansas City 42 Monarchs vs Pittsburgh 25 Pirates
Brooklyn 53 Dodgers vs Kansas City 24 Monarchs
10/01 Brooklyn '53's Hodges Bags NL Batting Award
Gil Hodges battered NL pitchers all September and wound up taking home the Batter of the Month Award.
"I've been around Major League Baseball long enough to know you really have to work hard day in and day out to be able to put up this kind of consistency," the 29-year-old Hodges told reporters. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I might not take the field, and it's always nice when everything comes together for me like it did this last month."
In 25 games, Hodges hit .419 with 7 home runs, 38 RBIs and scored 30 runs.
This season, Hodges is hitting .320 with 184 hits, 28 home runs, 134 RBIs, scored 117 runs and played in 146 games.
AL Premier Pitcher is Gomez
The Pitcher of the Month Award has been announced and the AL winner is New York 39 hurler, Lefty Gomez. For his standout performances in September he has been named the league's best pitcher.
During the month, Gomez excelled with a 2.45 ERA and 5 wins and no losses. In 44 innings he struck out 22 and gave up 40 hits and 18 walks.
To date this season, Gomez sports a 26-8 mark with a 2.97 ERA in 38 starting assignments. He has held the opposition to a .231 batting average and has 156 strikeouts in 312 innings.
Cincinnati '19's Ruether NL Top Pitcher
The Pitcher of the Month Award in September has been selected and the NL honor went to Cincinnati 19 hurler, Dutch Ruether. For his excellent performance he has been named the league's top pitcher.
During the month, Ruether was superb with a 1.40 ERA and 5 wins and no losses. In 45 innings he struck out 15 and gave up 41 hits and 12 walks.
So far this season, Ruether has a record of 21-11 with 106 strikeouts and 100 walks in 278.2 innings and a 3.13 ERA.
10/01 Swing! Swang! Swung! Gehrig Smasher 3 HR
Lou Gehrig went on an explosive hitting spree against the St. Louis 31 Stars at Yankee Stadium, launching a trio of blasts to help the New York 32 Yankees win, 14-13.
The first baseman finished 4-for-4 with 3 runs scored and 6 RBI.
"It was just one of those days," Gehrig said in a postgame interview. "I don't know how to explain it. I'm just putting a good swing on the ball."
St. Louis 31 skipper John Reese said Gehrig was "locked-in."
"We made some pretty good pitches," he said. "Those first two homers were exactly where the pitcher wanted to put them. He's just hot right now -- you've just got to tip your hat to him."
Lou Gehrig hit a solo-shot off Ted Trent in the 1st, singled in the 4th, walked in the 6th, hit a two-run home run off Leroy Matlock in the 8th and hit a three-run home run off Leroy Matlock in the 9th.
At the moment, Gehrig is hitting .338 with 24 home runs and 138 RBIs. He has played in 143 games and scored 136 times.
10/02 Great Day for Jamieson – 6 Hits
Charlie Jamieson of the Cleveland 20 Indians outhit everybody on the field at League Park, but it was all for naught. Even as Jamieson personally tore up the Homestead 43 Grays with a 6-for-6 day, the Grays were sending his Indians down to defeat, 10-8.
Charlie Jamieson singled in the 2nd, hit an RBI single in the 3rd, doubled in the 5th, doubled in the 7th, singled in the 9th and doubled in the 11th.
A look at his current stats shows Jamieson with a .369 average, 3 home runs, 118 RBIs and 104 runs scored. He has played in 140 games.
