Need to know any info about horrible pitchers from the 1920s and 30s

Hello all,

I'm writing a column, and I've done a bunch of research, but I thought I'd try some of you baseball fanatics out there.

Any suggestions on truly awful pitchers from the beginning of the live-ball era?

Thanks

 

If Buckweaver hasn't replied to this thread by 4 am EST, I'm declaring him dead.

 

Buck Weaver, white courtesy phone, please... Buck Weaver...

 

Awesome, my favorite era.

Let's see ... contrary to some opinions, expansion hasn't been a major cause in the dilution of moundsmen talent; "horrible" pitching has been around since, well, pitching's been around. In the way-back machine we go:

- <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/pruethu01.shtml">Hub Pruett</a>, 29-48 lifetime, 4.63 ERA, in seven years with the Browns, Phillies, Giants and Braves (1921-32). Famously known as Babe Ruth's nemesis -- he struck out Ruth 10 of the first 13 times he faced him -- nobody else seemed to have a problem with his junkball stuff.

- Any of Connie Mack's scrubs that he used before rebuilding his dynasty between 1914 and 1929: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hastybo01.shtml">Bob Hasty</a> (29-53 lifetime, 1919-24); <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/n/nayloro01.shtml">Rollie Naylor</a> (42-83 lifetime, 1917-24); <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/j/johnsji02.shtml">Jing Johnson</a> (24-37 lifetime, 1916-28).

- Any of the Red Sox scrubs who were used as trade bait by the Yankees before and after the Ruth deal: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/piercbi01.shtml">Bill Piercy</a> (27-43 lifetime, 1917-26); <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/f/fullecu01.shtml">Curt Fullerton</a> (10-37 lifetime, 1921-33); <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/f/francra01.shtml">Ray Francis</a> (12-28 lifetime, 1922-25).

Honorable mentions: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/traveal01.shtml">Al Travers</a>, a seminary student who compiled this line in his only MLB appearance (the Ty Cobb "walkout" game in 1912): 8 IP, 26 H, 24 R (14 ER), 7 BB, 1 K.

And <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/n/naborja01.shtml">Jack Nabors</a>, who finished with a 1-25 lifetime record for Connie Mack's dismantled Athletics from 1915-17, including an inglorious 1-20 season as Philly's "ace" in 1916.

 

Buckdubs! My God. Two hours to respond to a question about 1920s/1930s baseball? You had us worried sick. We'd already planned your memorial service.

Glad you're OK. LET'S BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

 

Well, I wanted to play Tom and Huck and see what y'all had planned. Would there be bagpipes? "Taps"? Cremation, and spread my ashes into the ocean from a Folgers can? ;D

 

Love the name Jing Johnson.

And Al Travers had a helluva outing. Twenty-six hits. That's all we could get. Twenty-six gawdamn hits.

 

If this column was spawned from the career advice you solicited, I suggest you send out another call for counsel.

 

How'd Julio Franco do against these guys?

 

Was Pruett the "kid" who said he put himself through college by pitching against Ruth.?

 

Look at Red Ruffing's record before he got traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees in 1930. It's almost as if he had a full-body transplant when he got dealt, or at least a full-arm one.

 

Woulda done better but Spnited and JR were awful coaches...