gold star for USAHOF

34. Ellis Kinder

34. Ellis Kinder
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: July 26, 1914 in Atkins, AR USA
  • Weight: 195 lbs.
  • Height: 6'0"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: April 30, 1946
  • Final Game: May 08, 1957
  • TSN All-Star - 1949
  • TSN Pitcher of the Year - 1949
  • MVP - 1949
  • MVP - 1951
  • MVP - 1953
 
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Arguably the best Pitcher who was never chosen to an All-Star Team (in the era where they had them, of course) Ellis Kinder was named the TSN Pitcher of the Year in 1949; an accomplishment that is forgotten by even some of the most knowledgeable fans at Fenway.

Kinder took a long time to make the Majors, debuting as a 31-year-old for the St. Louis Browns in 1946, and two years later when he was dealt to the Red Sox two years later, likely there was not a lot of expectations for the man with the nickname of "Old Folks."  Needless to say, he shattered what people thought he would accomplish in Massachusetts.

The Pitcher won 10 Games in 1948, and the year later, he went 23-6 with a league-leading six Shutouts.  He started 30 of 43 Games and was fifth in MVP voting.  By 1951, he was used predominantly in the bullpen, and that year he would lead the American League in Games Finished (41 and Saves (16), and he would do that again in 1953 with 51 GF and 27 Saves. 

Kinder played there until the end of the 1955 campaign, where he was waived and then claimed by the St. Louis Cardinals.  With Boston, Kinder would go 86-51 with 93 Saves and 200 Games Finished.  The Red Sox chose Kinder for the franchise Hall of Fame in 2006.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Acquired: Traded from the St. Louis Browns with Billy Hitchcock for Sam Dente, Clem Dreisewerd, Bill Sommers, and $65.000 11/18/47.
  • Departed: Selected off Waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals 12/4/55.
  • Games Played: 365
  • Notable Statistics: 86 Wins
    52 Losses
    3.28 ERA
    89 Games Started
    45 Complete Games
    8 Shutouts
    200 Games Finished
    93 Saves
    1,142.2 Innings Pitched
    557 Strikeouts
    3.68 FIP
    1.303 WHIP
    1.38 SO/BB
    25.7 bWAR

    No Playoff Games
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year (1949)
    Most Games Pitched (1951 & 1953)
    Most Saves (1951 & 1953)
    Most Shutouts (1949)
    Most Games Finished (1951, 1953 & 1955)

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