Happy Birthday to the late and great Sam Crawford, another all-time great that people don't remember because he played so long ago. He was one of the top sluggers of the dead ball era. Despite playing his last game in 1917, he holds the record for Triples with 309. As well as the most inside-the-park-home runs in a season, 12 in 1901.
Sam Crawford Career Stats & Milestones
.309 BA, 2,961 HITS, 97 HR, 1,523 RBI, 1,391 RUNS, 458 2B, 309 3B, .362 OBP
All-time leader in Triples (309)
Record for most inside-the-park Home Runs in a season 12 in 1901
Coming from the farmland of Nebraska, he joined the Cincinnati Reds in 1899 at 19. By his third season in 1901, he was regarded as one of the best in the league, hitting for .331 and driving in 104 runs. However, he would spend most of his career with the Detroit Tigers (1903-1917). Once he arrived in Detroit, he'd appear in 137 or more games for the next 13 seasons. Also, in those 13 consecutive seasons, he finished top-10 in RBIs league-wide every year. Throughout his 17-year career, Crawford led the league in Doubles and Runs. As well as leading in Triples, Home Runs, and RBIs multiple times. In 1906, when Ty Cobb joined the Detroit Tigers, he and Crawford developed a productive but somewhat toxic relationship. Crawford was always regarded as one of the game's more respected figures, being admired for honesty, intelligence, and endurance. At the same time, Cobb was remembered as a guy who acted nasty toward others, including teammates.
Crawford had the complete package when it came to being a great ball player. He batted .300 or higher eight times, was an excellent baserunner, was very durable, produced Runs, and was an excellent Outfielder. From 1900-1907, he threw out 16-24 baserunners every year and career-wise ranked among the leaders in putouts. Crawford was so darn good at running the bases that in 1902, 1903, 1914, & 1916, he hit more Triples than Doubles. After his career ended, he moved to Southern California. He took on the head coach role of the University of Southern California (USC) collegiate baseball team, going 59-46-3 over his five-year tenure there, bringing prominence to the program.
Written & Published by Robert Dobek
Follow on Twitter @RobTheYankee
References:
Sam Crawford Career Statistics via Baseball Reference: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/crawfsa01.shtml
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