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174. Jim Whitney

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174. Jim Whitney
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: November 10, 1857 in Conklin, NY USA
  • Weight: 172 lbs.
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: May 02, 1881
  • Final Game: July 16, 1890
WLERAGGSSVIPSO
1912043.5241339623,496.31571
 

Don’t let the losing record of 191-204 fool you.

Jim Whitney's rookie season showed that as in 1881 with the Boston Red Stockings, he led the National League in both Wins (31) and Losses (33), and his 552.1 Innings also was a first place finish.  Whitney would later win the Strikeout title with 345, and that would begin a three-year streak of leading the NL in SO/BB and BB/9, as well as two straight years of finishing atop the leaderboard in FIP.  

Whitney, who was nicknamed the "Grasshopper Jim" for the way he appeared to jump while pitching, was with Boston for five seasons, which was his career's best run.  However, he would lead the NL in BB/9 twice more (extending that streak to five) in a season, each with the Kansas City Cowboys and the original Washington Nationals.  In his first four seasons in baseball, he was in the top five in bWAR for Pitchers, top seven in WHIP, top seven in Wins, and top six in Strikeouts.

Whitney was also capable of playing in the Outfield, and he was a decent hitter.  In 1882, he was fifth in Batting Average (.323) and third in OPS (.892).  He would overall bat .261 with 559 Hits.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Conklin, New York, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Wednesday, 01 January 1936
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Played For: Boston Reds, Indianapolis Hoosiers, Kansas City Cowboys, Philadelphia Athletics, Washington Nationals
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (None) 
    Most Wins (1) (NL) (1881)
    Lowest BB/9 (5) (NL) (1883, 1884, 1885, 1886 & 1887)
    Highest SO/9 (1) (NL) (1883) 
    Most Games Pitched (1) (NL) (1881)
    Most Innings Pitched (1) (NL) (1881)
    Most Strikeouts (1) (NL) (1883)
    Most Games Started (1) (NL) (1881)
    Most Complete Games (1) (NL) (1881)
    Most Shutouts (3) (NL) (1877, 1878 & 1879)
    Highest SO/BB (4) (NA) (1874) (NL) (1877, 1878 & 1879)
    Lowest FIP (2) (NL) (1883 & 1884)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Pitcher (1) (NL) (1887)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Pitcher (1) (NL) (1886)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Pitcher (1) (NL) (1884)

  • Other Points of Note:

    6 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Pitchers)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (ERA)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Wins)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (WHIP)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (H/9)
    8 Top Ten Finishes (BB/9)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (SO/9)
    8 Top Ten Finishes (Games Pitched)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Innings Pitched)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Strikeouts)
    8 Top Ten FInishes (Games Started)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Complete Games)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Shutouts) 
    5 Top Ten Finishes (ERA+)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (SO/BB)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (FIP)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Offensive bWAR)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Batting Average)
    1 Top Ten Finish (On Base Percentage)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Home Runs) 
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Walks)

  • Notable All Time Rankings:

    14. BB/9: 1.058
    20. SO/BB: 3.822
    22. Complete Games: 377
    61. FIP: 2.75
    72. Innings Pitched: 3,496.3
    73. WHIP: 1.147

  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: N/A
  • Should be Inducted As A: Boston Brave

Should Jim Whitney be in the Hall of Fame?

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