gold star for USAHOF

19. Thornton Lee

19. Thornton Lee
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: September 13, 1906 in Sonoma, CA USA
  • Weight: 205 lbs.
  • Height: 6'3"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: September 19, 1933
  • Final Game: June 18, 1948
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1941
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1941
  • TSN All-Star - 1941
  • MVP - 1941
 
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1171243.78374272102,331.3937
 

You could say the Thornton Lee was a late bloomer in the Majors, as he did not get his first pitch in the bigs until he was 26 with Cleveland in 1933.  Lee was traded four years later to the pale hose in 1937, and after a pedestrian stay with the Tribe, he was set to break out in Chicago.

In his first season in the Windy City, Lee went 12-10, and in 1938, his 5.5, while not spectacular would actually lead all hurlers in bWAR for Pitchers.  Lee continued to do well, and would have the season of his life in 1941 where he was an All-Star, who again led the American League in bWAR (8.6), and would also finish first in ERA (2.37), ERA+ (174) and WHIP (1.165), and he was fourth in MVP voting.

During World War II, Lee remained in the United States, but injuries piled up, and he was mostly ineffective.  He has a reprieve of sorts with a 15 Win season in 1945, but at the age of 41, the White Sox would cut ties with Lee and release him.

He left Chicago with an even 104-104 record.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Acquired: Traded from the Cleveland Indians as part of a three-team trade. The Washington Senators sent Earl Whitehill to Cleveland. Chicago traded Jack Salveson to Washington 12/10/36.
  • Departed: Released 9/27/47.
  • Games Played: 261
  • Notable Statistics: 104 Wins
    104 Losses
    3.33 ERA
    232 Games Started
    142 Complete Games
    3 Shutouts
    22 Games Finished
    6 Saves
    1,888.0 Innings Pitched
    742 Strikeouts
    3.71 FIP
    1.316 WHIP
    1.17 SO/BB
    30.2 bWAR

    No Playoff Games
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    All-Star (1941 & 1945)
    Highest bWAR for Pitchers (1938 & 1941)
    Lowest ERA (1941)
    Lowest WHIP (1941)
    Most Complete Games (1941)
    Highest ERA+ (1941)

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