1911 Key Retirees - Pitchers
Bill Dinneen, Braves
Dinneen actually had a solid career under the radar in Atlanta. Eight of his first nine seasons were at or above league average. Due to his pitching for the Braves though, he finished in the Top 10 in losses seven times. He also led the NL in shutouts in 1899 and finished third in the ERA rankings twice.
Red Donahue, Giants
Won three Gold Gloves, the most of any pitcher. Played for some awful Giants teams. Had he been anywhere else, he probably would have moved to the bullpen much earlier in his career and had much better results.
Gus Dorner, Indians
Was the Indians closer for four seasons. Led the AL in saves as part of a superb 1903 season.
Jim Hughes, Dodgers
Won the 1906 Fireman Award. After a brief stint as a closer, Hughes went on to lead the league in holds in 1908 as a setup man.
Sam Leever, Pirates
Leever was perhaps the least recognized member of the vaunted Pirates pitching staff of the early 1900's. He finished in the Top 10 in ERA five times, WHIP five times and quality starts seven times.
Jerry Nops, Phillies
Nops was an exciting young member of the Phillies dynasty when he broke in as a rookie closer in 1896. He went on to lead the NL in saves twice before eventually giving up that role. He had a long career as a middle reliever with Philadelphia, even spending the 1905 season - his only season - as a full-time starter.
Cy Swaim, Twins
Swaim was a little known pitcher who had quite a bit of early success for the Twins. He led the AL in wins in it's inaugural 1901 season as the Twins won the league's first (and Minnesota's only) pennant. Later in his career, he twice led the AL in home runs allowed, leading to his eventual move to the bullpen. However, he was a key part of the Twins rotation for eight seasons.
Pop Williams, Cubs
Williams is the perfect example of a player who consistently out-performed expectations. He won 67 games from 1899-1902. He then moved in and out of the rotation for three seasons. Then after earning his starting job back late in 1905, he didn't give it up for five more years. He even won 22 games the very next season in 1906. He was always looking over his shoulder at younger pitchers with more talent, but none of them could perform the way the wily Williams could.
George Winter, Red Sox
Winter was Boston's top pitcher for many seasons. He pitched well above league average for most of his first 8 seasons. He led the AL in innings pitched in 1901 and shutouts in 1907.
