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Updated June 1, 2009
PCL Hall of Famer Dom DiMaggio dies May 7, 2009 at age 92.
Rest in Peace Dom
The Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame was created in 1936 by the Helms Athletic Foundation in Los Angeles, California. In 1952, the PCL Hall of Fame ceased operation. It was reactivated in conjunction with 2003’s Pacific Coast League Centennial Celebration.
There are greats like DiMaggio in the PCL Hall of Fame. Most are players whose careers shined best and brightest in the PCL and several went on to have Major League careers.
Below I have listed those inducted into the PCL as players. I have omitted those few who were inducted as Executives, Managers and one Umpire.
Over the course of time I will be adding links as I obtain cards upon which the players are depicted. I will also be adding interesting Stat Facts for the players. While many of the cards shown are in my personal collection some, those marked with an *, are not.
Special thanks to Frank Wakefield for his contribution of many scans.
The 2009 Class of inductees has just been announced. They are Earl Averill, Frank Demaree and Johnny Moore.
Arlett, Russell "Buzz" (1899-1964)
Stat Facts: Considered best switch hitter in minor league history with .341 lifetime BA and 432 HR.
Averill, Howard Earl (1902-1983)
Barrett, Tracy Souter "Kewpie Dick" (1906-1966)
Stat Facts: 20 game winner 7 times from 1935 through 1942 with Seattle Rainiers.
Basinski, Edwin Frank "Professor" (1922-
Stat Facts: Played in the PCL 1947 through 1959. Final year BA (.301) was highest during his career. Stats do not justify inclusion in the PCL Hall of Fame. (IMHO).
Bassler, John Landis (1895-1979)
Stat Facts: Batted .365 as a member of the 1929 Hollywood Stars a team that hit .311 for the season.
Baum, Charles Adrian "Spider" (1882-1955)
Stat Facts: Star pitcher (30-15) for the 1915 pennant wining San Francisco Seals.
Bernier, Carlos "The Comet" (1927-1989)
Stat Facts: Three time PCL stolen base leader (1952, 1955 and 1956).
Bilko, Stephen Thomas "Stout" (1928-1978)
Stat Facts: Los Angeles Angels (PCL) MVP three years running 1955, 1956 and 1957.
Boone, Isaac Morgan "Ike" (1897-1958)
Stat Facts: Career .370 BA. 323 hits in 1929. Triple Crown ( .407, 55 HR, 218 RBI).
Brazill, Frank Leo (1899-1976)
Stat Facts: 1925 BA (.394) second only to the .401 posted by Hall of Famer Paul Waner.
Brovia, Joseph John "Ox" (1922-1994)
Stat Facts: Minor League career began in 1940 at age 18. After a three year stint in the military during WWII Joe returned to the PCL building a respectable .311 lifetime BA.
Crandall, James Otis "Doc" (1887-1951)
Stat Facts: In 1918 Doc pitched 8 2/3 scoreless innings only to lose the no hitter by giving up a hit to his brother Karl.
Crosetti, Frank Peter Joseph (1910-2002)
Stat Facts: While only playing four years in the PCL Frank had an impressive .322 BA in 652 games played. His ability was recognized by the New York Yankees and he went on to play 17 seasons for the Yankees between 1932 and 1948.
Dell, William George "Wheezer" (1886-1966)
Stat Facts: League leading 28 pitching victories in 1921.
Demaree, Joseph "Frank" (1910-1958)
Stat Facts: 1934 Batting Champ (.383). Home run Champ 1934 (45).
Dillon, Frank "Cap" "Pop" (1873-1931)
Stat Facts: Played 14 seasons (1902-1915) all, with the exception of two seasons, with the Los Angeles Angels. Early pioneer from the inception of the PCL in 1903.
DiMaggio, Dominic "Dom" "The Little Professor" (1917-2009)
Stat Facts: Three years in the PCL with San Francisco (1937-1939). BA .326 attracted Boston Red Sox who signed him in 1940 and where he played for eleven seasons taking three years out for service in WWII.
DiMaggio, Joseph Paul, Jr. "Joltin Joe" "The Yankee Clipper" (1914-1999)
Stat Facts: Four years in the PCL with San Francisco (1932-1935). Stellar BA .361 moved him right up the the majors where he played thirteen seasons with the New York Yankees also taking out three years for WWII service. Holds consecutive game hit records in both the PCL (61) and major leagues (56).
Eagan, Charles Eugene "Truck" (1877-1949)
Stat Facts: PCL home run leader 1903, 1904 and 1905. Batting champ in 1907 with Tacoma Tigers.
Eckhardt, Oscar George "Ox" (1901-1951)
Stat Facts: .367 lifetime BA. Batting titles in 1931, 1932, 1933 (.414) and 1935. BA in 1933 stands as the all time PCL record.
Ellison, Herbert Spencer "Babe" (1896-1955)
Stat Facts: Mainstay of the San Francisco Seals 1921-1926 with BA .358 in 1923 and .381 in 1924.
Eldred, Ross "Brick" (1892-unk)
Stat Facts: Lifetime .327 BA over 15 seasons in the minors. Never played in the majors. Starred in the PCL 1918 through 1927 with the Sacramento and Seattle teams.
Frederick, John Henry (1902-1977)
Stat Facts: Lifetime .323 BA. Played with Salt Lake, Sacramento and Portland . Played for Brooklyn Dodgers 1928 through 1934 with BA of .308. Returned to the PCL in 1935 and played five more seasons with Portland.
Freitas, Antonio "Tony" (1908-1994)
Stat Facts: Over 23 year minor league career he won 342 games including 228 in the PCL.
French, Raymond Edward (1895-1978)
Stat Facts: 28 year minor league career from 1914 through 1941! Played for Seattle, Portland, Vernon and Sacramento. In 12,174 at bats he clobbered 46 home runs.
Gibson, Samuel Braxton (1899-1983)
Stat Facts: 307 game winner over 23 minor league seasons. Six time 20+ game winner and twice 19 game winner. PCL 1931 through 1944 all but one season with San Francisco.
Gray, William Denton "Dolly" (1878-1956)
Stat Facts: League leading 32 pitching victories in 1907.
Gregg, Sylveanus Augustus "Vean" (1885-1964)
Stat Facts: 32-10 in 1910. 14 shutouts and 376 strikeouts.
Gyselman, Richard Ronald "The Thin Man" (1908-1990)
Stat Facts: Thirteen year career in the PCL 1934-1947 with Seattle and San Diego. Lifetime BA .301.
Haney, Fred Girard "Pudge" (1898-1977)
Stat Facts: Sixteen minor league seasons spread between 1918 and 1938, eight of which were in the PCL. Seven years of major league experience and ten years of major league managerial experience with the St. Louis Browns (1939-1941), Pittsburgh Pirates (1953-1955) and Milwaukee Braves ( 1956-1959).
Hannah, James Harrison "Truck" (1889-1982)
Stat Facts: Twenty year career in the PCL; Sacramento and Missions in 1914; Salt Lake (1915-1917); Vernon (1921-1924); and Los Angeles (1925-1938). New York Yankees (1918-1920). Best year BA .346 in 1923.
Henley, Clarence "Cack" (1885-1929)
Stat Facts: League leading 35 pitching victories in 1910. 31 victories in 1909 with San Francisco. 226 Career wins in 11 minor league seasons.
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Hitt, Roy Wesley "Rhino" (1884-1956)
Stat Facts: 25-14 in 1905 and 31-12 in 1906 for San Francisco. 20+ game winner five consecutive years 1919-1914 for the Vernon Team.
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Hogan, Wallace Louis (Born Wallace Louis Bray) "Happy" (1877-1915)
Stat Facts: Fourteen year PCL career 1903-1915. Another of the early pioneers from the inception of the PCL in 1903. Happy must have been an outstanding fielder as his lifetime BA was a pitiful .186. Died in May, 1915. Appeared in one game.
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Holder, Richard Brooks (1914-
Stat Facts: Seven .300+ BA seasons with San Francisco, Oakland, Hollywood and Portland teams 1935 through 1951.
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Hufft, Irvin Victor "Fuzzy" (1901-1973)
Stat Facts: Twelve minor league seasons, seven with the Seattle, Misson and Oakland PCL teams. .311, .355, .371, .379, .356, and .343 string BA 1926 through 1931.
Jacobs, William Elmer (1892-1958)
Stat Facts: 11-12 pitching record with the Chicago Cubs in 1924. 167 wins in the PCL for the Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco teams during a nine year period 1921-1931.
Jolley, Smead (1902-1991)
Stat Facts: .366 lifetime BA. Triple Crown winner in 1927 ( .397 BA, 33 HR, 163 RBI ).
Undated_Photo
Kelleher, Francis Eugene (1916-1979)
Stat Facts: Played with the Hollywood team 1944-1954. Lifetime 18 years of minor league play with 358 HR.
Killefer, Wade "Red" (1887-1960)
Stat Facts: PCL 1917-1927 with Los Angeles and Seattle teams. .295 BA over seventeen minor league seasons. Major league experience with Detroit, Washington, Cincinnati and New York (NL) 1907-1916.
1923_Willard's_Chocolate_V100*
Krause, Harry William "Moose" (1888-1940)
Stat Facts: 300-249 record over 20 year minor league career, 17 with the Portland, Oakland and Mission PCL teams. While with Philadelphia Athletics (1908-1911) Krause had an 18-8 record in 1909 at the age of 20. ERA of 1.39 was lowest in the American League.
1910_T206
Liska, Adolph Joseph "Ad" (1906-1998)
Stat Facts: Fourteen year (1936-1949) PCL career with Portland with 199-165 record. Won 248 games over 21 minor league years of play.
Lodigiani, Dario (1916-
Stat Facts: Entered PCL with Oakland team in 1935 at age 18. BA .395 in 38 at bats. Lifetime .298 BA over fourteen years in the minors.
Lombardi, Ernie "Schnoz" (1908-1977)
Stat Facts: Ernie lasted a scant five seasons in the PCL (1926-1930) slugging an impressive .367 BA. Following the PCL he had a seventeen year Major League career and was National League MVP in 1938.
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Luby, Hugh Max "Hal" (1913-1986)
Stat Facts: 23 year minor league career with .296 lifetime BA. Ten years in the PCL with Oakland and San Francisco (1938-1948).
McCredie, Walter Henry "Judge" (1876-1934)
Stat Facts: Walt had his only major league experience with Brooklyn in 1903 hitting an impressive .324 in 56 games. From there he completed his baseball career with Portland of the PCL (1904-1917).
Moore, John Francis "Johnny" (1902-1991)
Stat Facts: Eleven seasons with Los Angeles (1930-1945). Major league experience (1931-1937). .307 lifetime BA in the majors and .317 in the PCL.
Mulligan, Edward Joseph (1894-1982)
Stat Facts: Eighteen seasons in the PCL (1919-1938) with Salt Lake, San Francisco, Mission, Hollywood, Seattle, Portland and San Diego teams. 2,936 lifetime hits with .285 BA.
Norbert, Theodore Joseph (1908-1991)
Stat Facts: Lifetime .306 BA with 313 home runs with San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and Victoria teams (1935-1948). No major league experience.
1933-1936_Zeenut*
O'Doul, Frank "Lefty" (1897-1969)
Stat Facts: Very impressive .352 lifetime BA in the PCL with San Francisco, Salt Lake, Hollywood and Vancouver teams during fifteen AA seasons. Eleven season in the majors with .349 BA. Hit league leading .398 in 1929 and .368 in 1932. Why he isn't also in the National Baseball Hall of Fame is beyond me.
Pillette, Herman Polycarp "Old Folks" (1896-1960)
Stat Facts: Played a record twenty three (23) years in the PCL.
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Prim, Raymond Lee "Pop" (1906-1995)
Stat Facts: 168-115 record in eleven PCL seasons with Albany of the IL League and Los Angeles of the PCL. Five 20+ win seasons.
Raimondi, William Louis "Billy" (1913-
Stat Facts: Twenty seasons (1933-1953) in PCL primarily with Oakland Oaks. Lifetime .276 BA.
Rapp, Earl Wellington (1921-1992)
Stat Facts: 1955 RBI League leader (133).
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Reese, James Herman "Jimmie" (1901-1994)
Stat Facts: Fourteen seasons in the PCL with Oakland and Los Angeles. With the Yankees 1930 and 1931. Was Babe Ruth's roommate. Interesting that both Jimmie and the Babe have the same middle name.
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Ryan, John Budd "Buddy" (1885-1956)
Stat Facts: 1911 Batting champ (.333) and home run champ (23).
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Salveson, John Theodore "Jack" (1914-1974)
Stat Facts: 204 gane winner in fourteen seasons (1936-1953) with Los Angeles, Hollywood, Sacramento, Oakland, Portland and San Diego of the PCL. Five years of major league experience with a 9-9 record.
Schuster, William Charles "Broadway Bill" (1912-1987)
Stat Facts: .279 lifetime BA in sixteen minor league seasons. With Chicago Cubs 1943-1945. One batting appearance in the 1945 World Series.
Sheely, Earl Homer "Whitey" (1893-1952)
Stat Facts: Led League in 1930 with .403 BA and 180 RBI.
1928_W502
Shellenback, Frank Victor (1898-1969)
Stat Facts: Nineteen PCL seasons (1920-1938) with Vernon, Sacramento, Hollywood and San Diego. 825 games averaging 44 games a season. Lifetime BA .269. Other than longevity it's hard to see how he could be in the Hall of Fame. Was a member of the 1918 and 1919 Chicago White Sox. (Edit: I overlooked the fact that Frank was an outstanding pitcher and surely a deserving member of the PCL Hall of Fame. See comments below)
Statz, Arnold John "Jigger" (1897-1988)
Stat Facts: Now here's a true Hall of Famer! Eighteen seasons with Los Angeles 1920 to 1942. Lifetime BA .315 with 3356 hits. Major league experience with the Cubs and Dodgers.
Strand, Paul Edward (1893-1974)
Stat Facts: Batting Champ 1922 (.384) and 1923 (.394).
Sweeney, William Joseph (1904-1957)
Stat facts: Lifetime .314 BA in twelve PCL seasons with Portland, Hollywood and Los Angeles. Played in 308 games with Detroit and Red Sox teams 1928, 1930-1931.
Thomas, Fay Wesley "Scow" (1903-1990)
Stat Facts: 28-4 record with Los Angeles in 1934. 23-12 in 1937. 18-8 in 1938. Fifteen PCL seasons with 2744 innings pitched.
Turpin, Harold "Hal" (1903-1997)
Stat Facts: 23-10, 23-11, 20-6 and 23-9 (1939-1942) with Seattle. 271-203 lifetime record with 3.04 ERA in twenty seasons.
1931_Zeenut*
Uhalt, Bernard "Frenchy" (1910-2004)
Stat Facts: Eighteen PCL seasons with Oakland, Hollywood and San Francisco. Lifetime .300 BA with 32 home runs in 9,361 at bats.
Vitt, Oscar Joseph "Ossie" (1890-1963)
Stat Facts: 1910 and 1911 with San Francisco. 1922 to 1929 with Salt Lake and Hollywood. .301 lifetime BA. Ten major league years with Detroit and the Red Sox 1912-1921.
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Waner, Paul Glee (1903-1965)
Stat Facts: League leading BA 1925 (.401).
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West, Max Edward (1916-2003)
Stat Facts: RBI leader 1947 (124) and 1949 (166). 1952 home run champ ((48).
1953_Mothers_Cookies *
Wilson, Arthur Lee "Artie" (1920-
Stat Facts: .312 lifetime BA in ten years in the minor leagues. (1949-1957). Played in 19 games with the New York Giants in 1951.
Cool project, good luck with it! Although I don't think that Paul Strand should be in the Hall.
ReplyDeleteI think someone is baiting me with this Paul Strand comment.
ReplyDeletePaul Strand holds the record for most hits in a single season in professional baseball (at any level) with 325. He racked up back-to-back seasons with .384 in 1922 and .394 in 1923. The .384 came off of 752 at-bats in 178 games and the .394 season came from 825 at-bats in 194 games. His 325 hits came in 1923 when he had 187 RBI.
Very few, if any, of the great major league players to play in the PCL equalled or even got near his production.
Frank Shellenback was a very good pitcher who relied on a spitball. The White Sox did not "grandfather" him in when the spitter was banned, so he turned to the PCL, which he liked because it was close to home. He won 295 games in the PCL, a league record. It so happens that he was also a good-hitting pitcher.
ReplyDeleteWow, did I miss the boat on Shellenback. Winner of 316 games overall in the minors and as VIBaseball has commented 295 in the PCL. Truly a HOFer in anyone's book.
ReplyDeleteLike Maz in Pittsburgh, Roy Nicely anchored the defense for the SF Seals during one of their most successful eras. The Luby-Nicely tandem was mentioned in the same breath with the very best, majors or minors -- by writers-at-the-time. At least Maz finally got his due. It's about time Nicely was recognized as the defensive genius he was and welcomed into the PCL HOF.
ReplyDeleteDOLPH CAMILLI belongs in PCL HOF. Here's why: Not only did his 5 PCL "teeth cutting" years with Sacramento lead to a very successful career in the majors (NL MVP in 1941 as one of keys that got Brooklyn into the World Series as well as being voted in top 21 candidates for MVP 6 times!) Camilli anchored the infield at 1st base on a team loaded with young talent when Sacramento was called "Senators", not Salons. Here were some of Camilli's potent offensive numbers: 1929 (age 22)12 HRs, 79 RBIs, .296 ave. 1930: 17 Hrs, 44 Doubles, 118 RBIs. 1931: 16 Hr, 42 Doubles, .294, 100 RBIs 1932: 17 HR, 56 Doubles, 224 hits, 141 RBIs and finally 1933: 20 HRs, 52 Doubles, 133 runs, 116 RBIs, .293 ave. Camilli was nothing if not consistantly productive with the bat -- but shouldn't be missed is that he was also a great glove man. The amazing thing is that he wasn't called up to the Majors sooner! But once called up, he never looked back. Known as a man of character, and hugely popular wherever he played, Camilli returned to "fill in" with the Oaks in the PCL during the war years with the player ranks thinned -- after his hitch in the service and as always, very productively. And his performance is all the more impressive as he was managing the team at the time. Camilli was a soft spoken, classy individual. Its about time somebody else shouted his praises to the rooftops and long overdue to honor Dolph Camilli with his rightful induction into the PCL HOF.
ReplyDeleteActually it was Solons (Latin maybe) at least as far back as the early 1950s when I lived half a mile from Gilmore Field (Stars) as a kid. Most of the early years players mentioned on the list were part of living memory for the older fans, writers, and broadcasters of the era before the arrival of the Dodgers and Giants sent the PCL to bush league cities! Them were the days!
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me whether or not the Oakland Oaks of the 1906 season wore uniforms that read simply, "THE OAKS"? Thank you.
ReplyDelete