How Did Lou Gehrig Play 157 Games?

The Game · 07-08-2013, 01:53 AM

I was watching Pride Of The Yankees earlier on MLB Network and decided to look at Gehrig's stats which I have not done in some time. He played 157 games in 1937 & '38. How? They won the AL by 9.5 over Boston in 38. Boston only played 149 games. A lot of rainouts I suppose. Browns and Cardinals both played 156 games. Was the schedule 157? Thought is was 154 always until it expanded to 162.

RchW · 07-08-2013, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Game

I was watching Pride Of The Yankees earlier on MLB Network and decided to look at Gehrig's stats which I have not done in some time. He played 157 games in 1937 & '38. How? They won the AL by 9.5 over Boston in 38. Boston only played 149 games. A lot of rainouts I suppose. Browns and Cardinals both played 156 games. Was the schedule 157? Thought is was 154 always until it expanded to 162.

Suspended and or tied games that were replayed.

Edit

Yeah 3 tied games in 1937.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...&t=b&year=1937

Kobie · 07-08-2013, 08:05 AM

It was 154, but IIRC, a suspended game counted, yet was still replayed.

Le Grande Orange · 07-08-2013, 01:21 PM

As noted, tie games. That is, games that were called with the score tied (or which reverted to the previous inning's score if the current inning wasn't completed). Such games were usually called as a result of the weather, local curfew laws, or travel considerations (e.g. if one club had to catch a train out of town, the clubs would agree the game had to end by a designated time).

Tie games were replayed in full at a later date. In this regard, they were the same thing effectively as a postponed game. The difference is the player stats from tied games counted in the player's totals for the season. So, for example, if a player hit a home run in a tie game, it counted towards his season total of home runs hit. In terms of the team standings, however, tie games were completely disregarded.

The complete record for the Yankees in 1937-38.

1937: 157 games, 102-52-3
1938: 157 games, 99-53-5

There was a web page some years ago that had a nice, concise history of tie games in the majors, but a quick Google check can't find it. I'm pretty sure I archived the article it contained. I can try and dig up later if you're interested.

PotatoPeeler · 07-08-2013, 01:23 PM

If you don't mind finding it, I would certainly be interested in reading it.

The Game · 07-08-2013, 02:22 PM

Thanx guys.

Le Grande Orange · 07-08-2013, 06:46 PM

I found the archived article, from which I figured out the old web site, which in turn let me find its new location.

Here is the article: The History of Major League Tie Games.

That same site has a number of other articles some might find interesting, such as the entries on the league operating rules. The link to the main index is here.

Enjoy!

07-08-2013, 01:53 AM	#1
The Game Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Inside The Game Posts: 30,937	How Did Lou Gehrig Play 157 Games? I was watching Pride Of The Yankees earlier on MLB Network and decided to look at Gehrig's stats which I have not done in some time. He played 157 games in 1937 & '38. How? They won the AL by 9.5 over Boston in 38. Boston only played 149 games. A lot of rainouts I suppose. Browns and Cardinals both played 156 games. Was the schedule 157? Thought is was 154 always until it expanded to 162.

07-08-2013, 08:05 AM	#3
Kobie Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 288	It was 154, but IIRC, a suspended game counted, yet was still replayed. __________________ Derp

07-08-2013, 01:23 PM	#5
PotatoPeeler Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 3,639	If you don't mind finding it, I would certainly be interested in reading it. __________________ 培傑西 I have never taken a lesson on how to talk on TV in my life. - Tim McCarver Guns have only two enemies; rust and liberals. The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel.

07-08-2013, 01:21 PM	#4
Le Grande Orange Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Up There Posts: 15,642	As noted, tie games. That is, games that were called with the score tied (or which reverted to the previous inning's score if the current inning wasn't completed). Such games were usually called as a result of the weather, local curfew laws, or travel considerations (e.g. if one club had to catch a train out of town, the clubs would agree the game had to end by a designated time). Tie games were replayed in full at a later date. In this regard, they were the same thing effectively as a postponed game. The difference is the player stats from tied games counted in the player's totals for the season. So, for example, if a player hit a home run in a tie game, it counted towards his season total of home runs hit. In terms of the team standings, however, tie games were completely disregarded. The complete record for the Yankees in 1937-38. 1937: 157 games, 102-52-3 1938: 157 games, 99-53-5 There was a web page some years ago that had a nice, concise history of tie games in the majors, but a quick Google check can't find it. I'm pretty sure I archived the article it contained. I can try and dig up later if you're interested.

07-08-2013, 02:22 PM	#6
The Game Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Inside The Game Posts: 30,937	Thanx guys.

07-08-2013, 06:46 PM	#7
Le Grande Orange Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Up There Posts: 15,642	I found the archived article, from which I figured out the old web site, which in turn let me find its new location. Here is the article: The History of Major League Tie Games. That same site has a number of other articles some might find interesting, such as the entries on the league operating rules. The link to the main index is here. Enjoy!