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87. Babe Adams

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87. Babe Adams
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: May 18, 1882 in Tipton, IN USA
  • Weight: 185 lbs.
  • Height: 5'11"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: April 18, 1906
  • Final Game: August 11, 1926
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1909
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1909
  • MVP - 1911
  • MVP - 1913
 
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Playing all but one game of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Babe Adams was one of the best control Pitchers of his day.

Adams played in one game for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1906, and his contract would be traded to the Pirates shortly after.  1909 was the year he stuck, and in that year's World Series, he was their shining star, where he won three Games, posting a 1.33 ERA and a 0.889 WHIP.   

Over the next few years, Adams was a high-end starter for the Pirates, and he would lead the NL in WHIP in 1911 and 1914, and he was a 20 game-winner in both 1911 and 1913.  Sadly for Adams, shoulder trouble resulted in a subpar 1916 season, and he spent 1917 in the minors and most of 1918.  It looked like it was over for Adams, but he got healthy, and had there been a Comeback Player of the Year Award, he likely would have won it (although the players coming back from World War I might have had something to say about that). 

From 1919 to 1921, he led the National League in WHIP, and from '19 to '22, he was the first place finisher in BB/9 and SO/BB.  Adams would also lead the NL in FIP four times in his career.  

His play fell off by 1924, but he was in his 40s by this time.  Adams did play in the 1925 World Series, and although he did not play much, he was a member of that championship team, making him the only player who was on both Pittsburgh's 1909 and 1925 World Series Titles.  His last season was 1926, and he retired with a record of 194-139 and a WHIP of 1.090.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Tipton, Indiana, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Wednesday, 01 January 1936
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Played For: Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (2) (Pittsburgh Pirates, 1909 & 1925) 
    Highest bWAR for Pitchers (1) (NL) (1913)
    Lowest WHIP (5) (NL) (1911, 1914, 1919, 1920 & 1921)
    Lowest BB/9 (4) (NL) (1919, 1920, 1921 & 1922)
    Most Shutouts (1) (NL) (1920)
    Highest SO/BB (4) (NL) (1919, 1920, 1921 & 1922) 
    Highest ERA+ (1) (NL) (1921)
    Lowest FIP (4) (NL) (1913, 1920, 1921 & 1922)
    Highest Championship Win Probability Added (1) (NL) (1921)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Pitcher (5) (NL) (1912, 1914, 1915, 1919 & 1921)

  • Other Points of Note:

    7 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Pitchers)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (ERA)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Wins)
    11 Top Ten Finishes (WHIP)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (H/9)
    11 Top Ten Finishes (BB/9)
    1 Top Ten Finish (SO/9)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Games Pitched)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Innings Pitched)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Strikeouts)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Games Started)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Complete Games)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Shutouts) 
    10 Top Ten Finishes (SO/BB)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Games Pitched)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Games Finished)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Saves)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (ERA+)
    10 Top Ten Finishes (FIP)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)

  • Notable All Time Rankings:

    19. BB/9: 1.292
    22. WHIP: 1.092
    35. Shutouts: 44
    52. FIP: 2.72
    96. ERA: 2.38

  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame:

    1937: 4.0%
    1938: 4.2%
    1939: 4.0%
    1942: 4.7%
    1945: 2.8%
    1946: 3.0% (Nominating Vote)
    1947: 13.7%
    1948: 3.3%
    1949: 3.3%
    1950: 3.6%
    1951: 5.3%
    1952: 3.8%
    1953: 6.4%
    1954: 5.2%
    1955: 9.6% 

  • Should be Inducted As A: Pittsburgh Pirate

Should Babe Adams be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 66.7%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 33.3%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%

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