ONLY TWO PENNANT-WINNING TEAMS since 1900 in the American or National League led their baseball league in errors and one even won the mlb baseball World Series that season despite the shoddy defense.
The 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team committed 224 errors but still beat out the New York Giants baseball team by eight and one-half games for the National League baseball pennant. In the World Series of baseball, the Bucs defeated Hall of Famer Walter Johnson and the Washington Senators baseball team, four games to three, and committed two less errors than the American League baseball champions.
In 1965, the Minnesota Twins baseball team, who had finished seventh the season before, committed 172 baseball errors but beat out the Chicago White Sox baseball team by seven games. In the World Series that year, the Twins committed only five errors but lost in seven games to the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, who had six miscues.
Counting the Federal baseball League, three champions led in errors. Indianapolis led the baseball league in 1914 with a whopping 289 miscues but edged Chicago by one and one-half games.
All three championship baseball teams made up for their poor defense by leading their league in both runs scored and batting average.
When the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team won their first National League pennant in 1915, they used only 23 players. That same season, the Philadelphia A's baseball team, the defending American League baseball champions, employed 58 players, finishing last with only 43 victories.
One of the most unusual victories by a pitcher happened on July 27, 1930, at Cincinnati. Right-handed rookie Ken Ash, a 28-year-old hurler from West Virginia relieved and made only one pitch.
Chicago first baseman Charlie Grimm hit the pitch into a triple play and Ash was removed for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the inning as the Reds rallied for the winning run in a 6-5 win over the Cubs, making Ash the pitcher of record.
Right-hander Henry Schmidt, a 30-year old Texan starred in the Pacific Coast baseball League in 1902, and was acquired by the Brooklyn Dodgers for the 1903 season. The rookie baseball player won 21 games and lost 13 for the fifth-place Dodgers, hurling 29 complete games, including five shoutouts.
After the baseball season, manager Ned Hanlon and the entire Dodgers baseball team were dumfounded when Schmidt announced he wouldn't sign with the club because he wanted to go back to the Coast League. He never pitched again in the major leagues.
On August 2, 1939, mlb baseball Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio completed what was probably the greatest catch he ever made at Yankee Stadium against the Detroit Tigers.
In the ninth inning, with Earl Averill on first, Hank Greenberg hit a tremendous drive to center field. DiMaggio turned and raced back to within two feet of the monuments on the wall, and caught the ball over his shoulder. Averill was near third and would have been doubled up, but shortstop Frank Crosetti's relay hit him in the back.
Forgetting that the Tigers mlb baseball team were handing the Yankees mlb baseball team a 7-2 defeat, ending rookie Atley Donald's 12-game winning streak with his first big league baseball loss, the crowd gave DiMaggio an ovation that lasted for several minutes and his Yankee teammates swarmed all over him.
In a Pacific Coast baseball League game on August 31, 1938, Dick Ward of the San Diego Padres mlb baseball team pitched 13 and two-thirds of hitless innings but missed no-hit glory because it took his fellow baseball mates 16 innings to score.
Ward beat Ray Prim of the PCL-leading Los Angeles baseball club, 1-0, but gave up two singles in the 14th inning, and issued the first of his four walks in the ninth.
Great players aren't always outstanding pinch-hitters. Ty Cobb had a .217 average (15-for-69) and Pete Rose batted .250 (21-for-84). Babe Ruth hit a mere .194 (13-for-67), Ted Williams .297 (33-for-111) and Jackie Robinson .175 (7-for-40).
On the other hand, mlb baseball Hall of Famers Max Carey hit .405 (17-for-42), Tris Speaker .333 (20-for-60) and Al Kaline .322 (37-for-115).
How Some Hall of Famers Fared As
Pinch-Hitters
Player PH AB H BA
Rod Carew 124 40 .323
Frank Robinson 87 28 .322
Harry Heilmann 75 23 .307
Rogers Hornsby 86 26 .302
Bill Terry 113 34 .301
Goose Goslin 75 22 .293
Lloyd Waner 134 39 .291
Joe Cronin 104 30 .288
Johnny Mize 187 53 .283
Stan Musial 126 35 .278
Jimmie Foxx 112 30 .268
Duke Snider 223 59 .265
Lou Brock 125 33 .264
Roberto Clemente 73 19 .260
Willie McCovey 254 66 .260
Eddie Collins 105 27 .257
Reggie Jackson 121 31 .256
Charlie Gehringer 91 23 .253
Enos Slaughter 306 77 .252
Yogi Berra 178 44 .247
Willie Mays 94 23 .245
Mickey Mantle 106 25 .236
Ernie Lombardi 281 66 .235
Willie Stargell 236 55 .233
Ernie Banks 62 14 .226
Orlando Cepeda 77 17 .221
Chuck Klein 137 28 .204
Harmon Killebrew 118 24 .203
Hank Aaron 86 17 .197
Johnny Bench 114 22 .193
Walter Johnson 110 21 .191
Carlton Fisk 104 18 .173
LIDS Fresh Goods Friday program showcases 5950 Caps by New Era that will be exclusive to LIDS for 45 days. Click here to check out this great selection and deals on baseball hats. They also will custom make baseball hats that you design. Great for Little League teams, Pony League and all teams or individuals who want a baseball hat that stands out. Also if you enjoy retro baseball hats, jerseys, etc they also have a wide selection at the best prices on the net. 
