February 4

February 4, 1957: McCarthy Cemented in Cooperstown

February 04, 2025

February 4, 1957, manager Joe McCarthy and outfielder Sam Crawford are elected to the Hall of Fame. McCarthy, the winningest manager in history, won nine pennants and four consecutive World Championships with the New York Yankees.

Crawford, one of the greatest hitters of the dead-ball era, finished his career with 309 triples, first on the all-time list. Some have challenged Sam Crawford's status as a Hall of Famer, but the truth is that Crawford was one of the best sluggers of his era, hands down. Consider: Crawford retired as the American League career leader in home runs, extra-base hits, total bases, RBI, and triples. From 1910 to 1915 (when he was 30-35 years old), Sam led the AL in games played, total bases, RBI, extra-base hits, and triples. He was second in homers and hits, third in runs created, fourth in slugging, and batted .320 for that six-year stretch. He ranked that high while Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Home Run Baker, and Joe Jackson were in their prime. His total of 643 RBI from 1910-1915 were 118 more than his closest rival in the American League! Somehow however, it took a campaign by Cobb to get his teammate into the Hall of Fame.

Though he never played in the major leagues, Joe McCarthy earned the respect of his players as one of the most successful managers in history. He guided two teams to the World Series, and orchestrated four consecutive World Championships at the helm of the Yankees, from 1936 to 1939. He relied on his remarkable memory, his "Ten Commandments of Baseball," and his brillant ability to manage all types of players, and ended up with the highest winning percentage in the history of the game.

Description:

"With his lantern jaw and chunky body," wrote author David Kaiser, "he could be an impressive presence on the field, and although he respected umpires, he also knew how to try to intimidate them in a key game."

Two great interviews for you on Classic Baseball Broadcasts -

Glory of Their Times - Sam Crawford

Dr Murdock - Joe McCarthy

TODAY ON THE DAILY HIGHLIGHT

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Trivia:

Joe McCarthy was “replaced” as a manager three times as the manager of a team, on two occasions he was replaced by future hall of famers. Can you name them?

Hint: The answer is below

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February 4, 1893 — The first recorded version (Columbia Graphophone Grand, #9649) of the poem Casey at the Bat, vocalized by recording pioneer Russell Hunting, is released. The more well-known rendition of Earnest Thayer’s work, the one popularized by DeWolfe Hopper, will not be heard by the public until 1906.

February 4 1915 — The New York Yankees purchase Wally Pipp and Hugh High from the Detroit Tigers for a reported $5,000 each. Baseball historian Lyle Spatz (Yankees Coming, Yankees Going) writes that this was the first of some promised funneling of ball players to the recently-sold Yankees franchise.

February 4 1956 — The American League says it will test the automatic intentional walk during spring training. However, it will not be adopted in the majors until 2017.

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February 4, 1956 – Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick introduces the Cy Young Memorial Award in memory of the Hall of Famer Cy Young who died in 1955, the award will honor the outstanding major league pitcher of the year. At first, there will be one award for both major leagues.

February 4, 1957, manager Joe McCarthy and outfielder Sam Crawford are elected to the Hall of Fame. McCarthy, the winningest manager in history, won nine pennants and four consecutive World Championships with the New York Yankees. Crawford, one of the greatest hitters of the dead-ball era, finished his career with 309 triples, first on the all-time list.

February 4 1960 — The BBWAA voters fail to elect a new Hall of Fame member. Edd Roush gets 146 votes, but 202 are necessary for election. Sam Rice (143) and Eppa Rixey (142) are next in line. All three will eventually be elected.

February 4, 1976, Federal judge John W. Oliver of the United States district court for Western Missouri upholds a recent decision by arbitrator Peter Seitz, who had granted free agency to pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally.

February 4, 1991, the twelve Hall of Fame board of directors vote unanimously to accept the proposal presented last month by a special committee that excludes any player placed on the permanently ineligible list from consideration for enshrinement. The decision will prevent Pete Rose’s name from being placed on the HOF ballot.

Quote of the day:

"I played under three great managers - McCarthy, Bucky Harris and Casey Stengel - and I have to put McCarthy at the top of the list. For my money, he wrote the book." - Tommy Henrich