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Herb Pennock, known as "The Knight of Kennett Square," was a left-handed pitcher whose career in Major League Baseball spanned over two decades. Born on February 10, 1894, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Pennock began his professional journey with the Philadelphia Athletics. He made his debut in 1912 at the young age of 18, showcasing his potential early on.
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Herb Pennock, known as "The Knight of Kennett Square," was a left-handed pitcher whose career in Major League Baseball spanned over two decades. Born on February 10, 1894, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Pennock began his professional journey with the Philadelphia Athletics. He made his debut in 1912 at the young age of 18, showcasing his potential early on. However, his initial years with the Athletics were marked by inconsistency, and he struggled to find his footing in the major leagues.
In 1915, Pennock was traded to the Boston Red Sox, where he began to develop into a more reliable pitcher. His time with the Red Sox was interrupted by World War I, but he returned to the team and played a role in their 1918 World Series victory. Despite his contributions, Pennock's performance remained uneven, and he was eventually sold to the New York Yankees in 1923, a move that would define the latter part of his career.
With the Yankees, Pennock found the stability and success that had eluded him earlier. He became an integral part of the Yankees' pitching staff during their rise to dominance in the 1920s. Known for his control and poise on the mound, Pennock was a key player in the Yankees' World Series victories in 1923, 1927, 1928, and 1932. His performance in the 1927 World Series was particularly noteworthy, as he pitched a complete game in Game 3, helping the Yankees secure a sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pennock's career with the Yankees was marked by several standout seasons. In 1924, he achieved a career-high 21 wins, and he consistently maintained a low earned run average (ERA) throughout his tenure with the team. His ability to perform under pressure made him a reliable choice for important games, and he was often called upon in critical situations.
After leaving the Yankees in 1933, Pennock played briefly for the Boston Red Sox again before retiring as a player in 1934. His career statistics include 241 wins, a 3.60 ERA, and 1,227 strikeouts, numbers that reflect his longevity and skill as a pitcher.
Following his playing career, Pennock transitioned into various roles within baseball management. He served as a coach and later as a general manager for the Philadelphia Phillies. His tenure as a general manager was cut short by his untimely death in 1948, but he was remembered for his strategic acumen and leadership.
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Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more...
/ Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more comprehensive than the Spalding Guide in its coverage.
It was the official publication of the American Association from 1883 until 1892, and was the American League's official publication beginning in 1902. In 1940, Spalding aquired A.J. Reach & Co. and consequently merged the two guide.
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.