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290. Hank Gowdy

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290. Hank Gowdy
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: August 24, 1889 in Columbus, OH USA
  • Weight: 182 lbs.
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: September 13, 1910
  • Final Game: August 29, 1930
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1916
 
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In the first half of the 1900s, Hank Gowdy was one of the more popular players who arguably was not an offensive star.

A veteran of both World War I and World War II, Gowdy was a defensive stud, debuting in the Majors in 1910 with the New York Giants.  Gowdy’s stay with the Giants was not a long one, as he was traded to the Boston Braves during the 1911 season, and the Catcher would showcase in defensive acumen there for well over a decade.

While Gowdy’s batting was not impressive (he never had a season with 100 Hits), he was an expert Catcher and consummate leader, who anchored the Braves to a World Series win in 1914.  He missed 1918 due to signing up for World War I, and he returned to Boston, where he played until 1923, returning to the Giants for two seasons.  Gowdy had a comeback for two years with Boston in 1929 and 1930.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Wednesday, 01 January 1936
  • Position: Catcher, First Base
  • Games Played: 1050
  • Notable Statistics: 270 Runs Scored
    738 Hits
    124 Doubles
    27 Triples
    21 Home Runs
    321 Runs Batted In
    59 Stolen Bases
    .270/.351/.358 Slash Line
    23.6 bWAR

    14 Playoff Games
    7 Runs Scored
    13 Hits
    3 Doubles
    1 Triple
    1 Home Run
    4 Runs Batted In
    1 Stolen Base
    .310/.420/.500 Slash Line
  • Played For: Boston Braves, New York Giants
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (1) (Boston Braves 1914) 
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Catcher (1) (NL) (1916)
    Highest Caught Stealing Percentage (3) (NL) (1915, 1917 & 1919)
  • Other Points of Note:

    5 Top Ten Finishes (Defensive bWAR)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 6.   Caught Stealing Percentage: 52.5
    48. Assists by a Catcher: 1,000
    50. Runners Caught Stealing: 581
    69. Double Plays Turned by a Catcher: 93
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: 1937: 1.0%
    1938: 3.1%
    1939: 1.5%
    1942: 3.4%
    1945: 1.2%
    1947: 0.6%
    1948: 2.5%
    1949: 6.5%
    1950: 3.6%
    1951: 11.5%
    1952: 14.5%
    1953: 22.0%
    1954: 20.2%
    1955: 35.9%
    1956: 25.4%
    1958: 16.9%
    1960: 14.1%
  • Should be Inducted As A: New York Giant

Should Hank Gowdy be in the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 0%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 0%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 100%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
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