Sunday, March 13, 2016
Waite Hoyt and Murderers' Row
Waite Hoyt
When
offered the opportunity, Jim Niccum jumped up into the driver's seat
of the Model “T” Ford, and turned the key in the ignition. After
a few moments, the engine turned over, and a large smile creased his
face. Jim works as an historian at the Edison and Ford Estates in
Fort Myers. He has been working there for more than twenty years. He
has also been rambling around the world for more than ninety years. I
always enjoy chatting with him. Every once in a while, he shares a
memory with me. I instantly realize that I can churn it into a
column.
Jim Niccum, at the Estates
Jim
recently asked me if I had ever heard of Waite Hoyt. I replied to the
affirmative. He then told me that Hoyt was his father-in-law. The
wheels were in motion, and I am pleased to share the results with
you.
Waite
Hoyt was a baseball pitcher who pitched in the Major Leagues from
1918 to 1938. His finest years were spent on the mound with the New
York Yankees. One year in particular stands above all: 1927. The
Yankees won the World Series that year.
Hoyt
won 22 games and lost 7 in 1927. Wiley Moore won 19 games, as did
Herb Pennock. Urban Shocker won 18. But that team is remembered more
for the bats than for the hurlers.
George
Herman (Babe) Ruth hit 60 home runs. He scored 158 runs, and batted
.358. Lou Gehrig led the league with 175 runs batted in. He had 18
triples, and batted .373. Earle Coombs led the league with 231 hits,
and was third in runs scored behind Ruth and Gehrig.
The
team was dubbed “Murderers' Row” . Baseball celebrated its
centennial in 1969, and the 1927 Yankees were selected by the
Baseball Writers Association of America as the greatest team ever.
Hoyt was also elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame that year, along
with Roy Campanella, Stanley Coveleski, and Stan Musial.
In
his introduction to a book about that team, Hoyt indicates that the
team was not assembled overnight. Hoyt joined the club in 1921, and
won the first league championship along with Ruth, Meusel, Bob
Shawkey and manager Miller Huggins.
Hoyt
finished his career with a record of 237 wins and 182 losses. His
career ERA was 3.59. By the time he retired in 1938, he had pitched
the most victories in World Series history.
To
be continued....
James
Hurst
sportslices.blogspot.com
# posted by James Hurst @ 1:46 PM 
