Key Retirees:
Remmy Paul, SP
Brooklyn Dodgers 1932-47
Paul was part of the height of Dodgers baseball, anchoring an NL dynasty along with future HOF'ers Oscar Vancini and Frank Smith. He won 18+ games in 11 of his final 12 seasons, failing to do it only in an injury-shortened 1940 season. He won 20+ games 8 times. He threw a no-hitter in 1939, and was the NL POY in three consecutive seasons from 1944-46. He was an 8-time all-star who retired with a 293-176 record (15th Most Wins All-Time), 3.40 ERA, 1632 BB, 2278 K (9th All-Time), 395 CG (23rd All-Time), 45 SHO (20th All-Time) and a 1.30 WHIP. He was part of 3 WS with the Dodgers, winning two and even won one Gold Glove.
Jessie "Bing" Holt, 1B
St. Louis Cardinals 1927-29
Boston Braves 1929-36
Boston Red Sox 1936-47
Bing developed into a slugger of some renown after being traded to the Red Sox and getting regular playing time late in his career. He won three BOY awards, his first in 1940, and became the premier AL hitter during the war years. He won one Gold Glove and led the Red Sox through the best years of that franchise's history, when they won three consecutive pennants and two World Series from 1943-45. He retired with a .314 average, 2183 hits, 278 doubles, 225 homeruns, 1178 RBI, 963 runs, 580 walks, and a .828 OPS.
Other Notable Retirees:
John Shears, RF
A's 1931-32
White Sox 1932-40
Senators 1940-47
.290, 2629 H, 417 D, 155 T, 135 HR, 1024 RBI, 1433 R, 581 BB, 589 SB, .748 OPS
Shears was a solid all around player, good in the field, good at the plate and fast on the basepaths. He spent the early part of his career with the White Sox where he played in one World Series. Little was known about him until he was traded to the Senators in 1940. Despite an off season, he helped lead the Senators to a 1941 World Series championship, where he hit .333. He was on the stolen base leaderboard throughout his career, despite never leading the league, and his 589 career steals is 16th most all-time.
Pee Wee Osborne, SS
Reds 1931-47
.293, 2493 H, 504 D, 131 HR, 1162 RBI, 1299 R, 1399 BB, .809 OPS
Osborne was a major part of every Reds team over his 17-year career. It was only fitting that he and some other lifelong Reds players were able to enjoy their city's first ever World Series championship in his final season.
Honorable Mentions:
Joe Campbell, CF
Indians 1928-45
Dodgers 1945-47
.272, 2198 H, 399 D, 164 T, 69 HR, 874 RBI, 1250 R, 617 BB, 724 SB, .711 OPS
Retired 8th all-time in career stolen bases.
Vic Gorin, SP
St. Louis Cardinals 1931-45
Detroit Tigers 1945-47
215-234, 4.24, 2232 BB, 2333 K, 254 CG, 22 SHO, 1.49 WHIP
Retired 7th all-time in strikeouts. Threw 2 no-hitters in less that a year.
Roy "Boots" Mills, SP
Reds 1930-47
226-232, 4.06, 1709 BB, 2121 K, 353 CG, 22 SHO, 1.39 WHIP
Retired 17th all-time in K's. Threw a no-hitter in 1946. Was 1932 NL ROY.
Benny Eremitani, C
Reds 1932-47
.294, 1949 H, 265 D, 69 HR, 921 RBI, 791 R, 783 BB, .741 OPS
Another lifelong Red who went out with a bang. Three hitting streaks of 20+ games. 6-time all-star.
Foster Hempkins, 3B
Senators 1934-37
Yankees 1938-41
Reds 1942-47
.340, 1043 H, 143 D, 56 HR, 527 RBI, 460 R, .852 OPS
Didn't become a regular until 1943, war years in Cincy. But he made the most of it, finishing in the top 5 of the batting race each of his final 4 seasons. His .340 lifetime average amazingly ranks 13th all-time.
Tom "The Octopus" Mierhofer, SP
Cubs 1930-32
Indians 1932-40
Phillies 1940-47
224-219, 4.05, 1351 BB, 1283 K, 319 CG, 29 SHO, 1.43 OPS
Never completely lived up to potential, but had a successful career and flashed signs of brilliance. Pitched Perfect Game in 1941.
Keith "Dead-Eye" Laverick, CF
(Ancestor)
Cardinals 1927-37
Senators 1937-45
Reds 1945-47
Phillies 1947
.277, 2285 H, 479 D, 120 HR, 1153 RBI, 1050 R, 1070 BB, .746 OPS