1931 Key Retirees - Pitchers
Virgil Barnes, Giants
Won one Gold Glove. Led the NL with 19 wins in 1925. Finished in the Top 10 in wins five times, WHIP three times, K/BB ratio four times, fewest BB/9 four times and quality starts three times. Appeared in six World Series with the Giants, winning four.
Hal Haid, Orioles
As a rookie, won the 1920 AL Fireman Award. In 1923, he led the AL with 47 saves. Later as a setup man, he led the AL in appearances twice and finished second in the AL in holds both times.
Red Hoff, Yankees
Retired as the all-time leader with 482 saves, but he did it without once leading the league. He was the Yankees closer for 16 years, most of which found him closing behind a weak starting rotation. He won two AL Fireman Awards. In the final years of his career, he appeared in two World Series with the Yankees, winning one.
Dickey Kerr, White Sox
Named the 1922 AL Pitcher of the Year when he led the AL in WAR and shutouts. He led the AL in WAR again in 1923 when he also led in fewest HR/9 and won his only Gold Glove. He finished in the Top 10 in wins four times, innings pitched three times, ERA five times, HR/9 five times, FIP six times, quality starts ten times and WAR three times. He appeared in the 1920 World Series with the White Sox, which they won against the Pirates.
Jakie May, Cardinals
May was the anchor or the St. Louis pitching staff for most of his career. He won 163 games and led the NL in fewest HR/9 twice but also in walks once. He finished in the Top 10 in wins five times, most walks allowed six times, ERA six times, fewest HR/9 five times, fewest H/9 eight times, most K/9 six times, FIP six times, quality starts four times and WAR four times. Appeared in three World Series with the Cardinals, winning one.
Reb Russell, White Sox
Russell took the mantle of ace of the Chicago pitching staff from Hall of Famer Ed Walsh, and he made good on that challenge. He won two AL Pitcher of the Year Awards and three ERA crowns. He led the AL in WHIP an impressive five times, and also in fewest BB/9 four times, fewest H/9 four times, K/BB ratio three times, FIP three times, quality starts four times and shutouts once. He even won two Gold Gloves. As a member of the White Sox, he appeared in four World Series, winning three.
Suds Sutherland, Tigers
Sutherland had a great first season as a starting pitcher in 1922 when he led the AL in HR/9, finished 5th in ERA and appeared in his only World Series which Detroit won against Pittsburgh. The next season, he finished 4th with 16 wins. However, his star faded quickly and by 1927, he was leading the AL with 17 losses before being moved back to the bullpen.
Ben Tincup, Phillies
Known as a workhorse on a team with few other options, Tincup was the first pitcher to ever reach 900 games. He did not stop there and retired as the all-time leader after appearing in 1,118 games for Philadelphia and posting an impressive 3.03 lifetime ERA. Interestingly, he never led the league in games pitched in a single season, but he was a very reliable reliever whom the Phillies could count on time after time to get the job done.
