gold star for USAHOF

30. Max Lanier

30. Max Lanier
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: August 18, 1915 in Denton, NC USA
  • Weight: 180 lbs.
  • Height: 5'11"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: April 20, 1938
  • Final Game: July 04, 1953
  • MVP - 1944
 
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The story of Max Lanier is one of the more interesting ones on this list, which certainly says something considering the colorful characters that have populated the St. Louis Cardinals!

Lanier rose through the ranks slowly in St. Louis and the southpaw was often erratic due to elbow issues frustrating fans and management alike.  Max Lanier wasn’t always starting and often was used in the bullpen as the Cardinals were not always sure that he could be counted on but when he was on, there would be considerable talk about he had the potential to be the best southpaw in baseball.

While that didn’t happen, Lanier, who did not join many of his colleagues overseas in World War II stayed with the Cardinals during that timeframe and in 1943 he would be an All Star going 15 and 7 and would win the ERA Title and also was the National League leader in ERA+ and FIP.  In 1944 he would be named an All Star again going 17 and 12 and he would win a game in the World Series helping the Redbirds win it all that year.  Lanier would have elbow issues and would not play much in the next two years but along with a few other players he would jump to the Mexican League for more money.  The lefthander wanted to come back after in a year citing poor field conditions but he would have to sue his way back in as the then Commissioner imposed a five year ban on all those who jumped south of the border.

Lanier returned in 1949 and had two more 10 win seasons before being traded to the New York Giants.  He would win 108 Games overall with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Acquired: Signed as an Amateur Free Agent prior to the 1934 Season.
  • Departed: Left the National League to join the Mexican League prior to the 1947 Season.

    Acquired (2): Rejoined the Cardinals before the 1949 Season (St. Louis still held his MLB rights).

    Departed (2): Traded to the New York Giants with Chuck Diering for Eddie Stanky.

  • Games Played: 277
  • Notable Statistics: 101 Wins
    69 Losses
    2.84 ERA
    187 Games Started
    85 Complete Games
    20 Shutouts
    49 Games Finished
    12 Saves
    1,454.2 Innings Pitched
    764 Strikeouts
    3.07 FIP
    1.297 WHIP
    1.46 SO/BB
    29.5 bWAR

    7 Playoff Games
    2 Wins
    1 Loss
    1.71 ERA
    4 Games Started
    2 Games Finished
    31.2 Innings Pitched
    25 Strikeouts
    1.38 WHIP
    2.08 SO/BB
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Champion (1942 & 1944)
    All-Star (1943 & 1944)
    Lowest ERA (1943)
    Highest SO/9 (1944)
    Highest ERA+ (1943)
    Lowest FIP (1943)

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