I’m going to take a break from 2019 this week and go old-school today. This is an idea I’m taking from Rich Selg along with his great photo.
Many cast a dubious eye on Veterans Committee HOFers. I don’t have a problem with Pittsburgh shortstop Arky Vaughan though. He was a nine-time All-Star. In 1935 at age 23, he won the batting title. In fact with numbers .385/.491/.607, he led the NL in all averages. In addition, he paced the league in walks with 97.
Vaughan placed third in the MVP voting that year. Stat fiends will appreciate that his WAR (9.7) exceeded award recipient Gabby Hartnett’s (5.6) and second place Dizzy Dean’s (7.2).
| Split | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 Totals | 137 | 609 | 499 | 108 | 192 | 34 | 10 | 19 | 99 | 4 | 97 | 18 | .385 | .490 | .607 |
A fast SS-9 who can hit? Sign him up!
Because of Arky’s ten triples, he was awarded the 1-3-6-6 power number combination. That 3 will garner some three-baggers.
Arky Vaughan hit .385 so he has a few 7s on his card. In fact, he has a 15-7 on his card. More impressively, he’s got some 14s in some strange places. Arky has a 21-14, a 24-14 and what’s this… a 63-14?? Vaughan’s second 31 was moved to 46.
Arky Vaughan finished his career with a .318 batting average which still ranks 56th all-time after all these years.
Thanks, Rich!
that’s funny. i’m not a native Arkansan but have lived here most of my life. I’ve never heard of the town of Clifty. will have to look it up. it’s got to be tiny. when i hear talk of past arkansas baseball greats around here, Vaughan’s name doesn’t come up too often, which is odd for the numbers he put up.