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128. Johnny Sain

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128. Johnny Sain
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: September 25, 1917 in Havana, AR USA
  • Weight: 185 lbs.
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: April 17, 1942
  • Final Game: July 15, 1955
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1946
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1948
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1948
  • TSN All-Star - 1948
  • TSN Pitcher of the Year - 1948
  • MVP - 1946
  • MVP - 1947
  • MVP - 1948
  • MVP - 1950
  • MVP - 1952
 
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The Major League career of Johnny Sain began in 1942, where he had a fairly uneventful season with a 4-7 record for the Boston Braves.  Like so many other baseball players, Sain served in the U.S. Military during World War II, and he lost three years on the diamond.  When he returned to Boston, he quickly became one of the most recognized Pitchers in the game.

Sain put up a record of 20-14 in 1946, and the Brave was fifth in MVP voting.  The righthander won 21 Games in 1947, was an All-Star, and along with Warren Spahn, he helped make Boston a bona fide contender.  After those two good years, Sain became part of baseball folklore with his 1948 year.  A poem by Gerald V. Hern of the Boston Post became nationally known, which extolled the virtues of Sain and Spahn:

“First we’ll use Spahn

Then we’ll use Sain

Then an off day

Followed by rain

Back will come Spahn

Followed by Sain

And followed

We hope

By two days of rain”

Sain and Spahn were untouchable late in the season where they took the Braves to a National League Pennant.  Boston didn’t win, but Sain was phenomenal in the World Series, with a 1-1 record, and a 1.06 ERA.  For his work in the regular season, Sain was second in MVP voting.  

Sain had another 20 Win year for Boston in 1950, but he was dealt to the New York Yankees in the following year.  With New York, he was used in the bullpen, leading the AL in Saves in 1954, and he was a member of three straight World Series Championships (1952-54).

It should be mentioned that Sain was a decent hitter for a hurler as he had a lifetime Batting Average on .245, and led the NL in Sacrifice Hits in the 1948 Season.

Sain retired with a record of 139-116, which doesn’t seem that great, but there was a five-year stretch where he was among the best starters in the game.  There are Hall of Famers who can’t say that.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Havana, Arkansas, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Sunday, 01 January 1961
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Played For: Boston Braves, Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (3) (New York Yankees 1951, 1952 & 1953) 
    The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year (NL) (1948)
    All-Star (1947, 1948 & 1953)
    Highest bWAR for Pitchers (1) (NL) (1946)
    Most Wins (1) (NL) (1948)
    Most Saves (1) (AL) (1954)
    Most Innings Pitched (1) (NL) (1948)
    Most Games Started (1) (NL) (1948)
    Most Complete Games (2) (NL) (1946 & 1948)
    Highest SO/BB (1) (AL) (1953)
    Most Games Finished (1) (AL) (1954)
    Most Putouts by a Pitcher (2) (NL) (1946 & 1948)
    Most Assists by a Pitcher (1) (NL) (1946)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Pitcher (1) (NL) (1946)
    Most Sacrifice Hits (1) (NL) (1948)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten MVP Finishes:
    (NL: 1946, 5th) & (NL: 1948, 2nd)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Pitchers)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (ERA)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Wins)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (WHIP)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (H/9)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (BB/9)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (SO/9)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Games Pitched)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Saves)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Innings Pitched)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Strikeouts)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Games Started)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Complete Games)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Shutouts) 
    5 Top Ten Finishes (SO/BB)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Games Finished)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (ERA+)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (FIP)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)

  • Notable All Time Rankings: None.
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame:

    1962: 0.6%
    1964: 1.5%
    1968: 2.5%
    1969: 2.4%
    1970: 3.0%
    1971: 3.1%
    1972: 5.3%
    1973: 12.4%
    1974: 14.0%
    1975: 34.0%

  • Should be Inducted As A: Boston Brave

Should Johnny Sain be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 40%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 40%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 20%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
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