James Leslie “Hippo” Vaughn appeared in two games for the New York Highlanders (later to be the Yankees) in 1908, and after a full year in the minors, he had a promising 1910 campaign with a 13-11 record and an ERA of 1.83. It wasn’t quite the springboard to greatness, as he struggled over the next three seasons, going back and forth from the minors, and bouncing to the Washington Senators and then the Chicago Cubs. In the Windy City, he would live up to that potential that New York fans saw in 1910.
From 1914 to 1920, Vaughn was one of the best left-handers in the National League, and there were times when he certainly was. In that seven-year run, Vaughn was a 20 Game winner five times, was always in the top five in Strikeouts, and was in the top five in bWAR for Pitchers in five seasons. Had there been a Pitcher of the Year, Vaughn would have captured it in 1918, as that season he won the ERA Title (1.74), Wins (22), WHIP (1.006), SO/BB (1.947), ERA+ (159), and FIP (2.25).
Vaughn’s skills eroded significantly in 1921, and he was out of the Majors the year after. He retired with a healthy record of 178-137.
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