Arky Vaughan

From BR Bullpen

Joseph Floyd Vaughan

Bats Left, Throws Right
Weight 175 lb.

Debut April 17, 1932
Final Game September 22, 1948
Born March 9, 1912 in Clifty, AR USA
Died August 30, 1952 in Eagleville, CA USA

Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1985

[edit] Biographical Information

Hall of Famer Arky Vaughan was one of the greatest shortstops ever. He played 14 years in the majors with a batting average of .318, which puts him at # 59 on the all-time list for career batting average. Honus Wagner, generally considered the greatest shortstop, is nine points higher, and Derek Jeter, as of June 18, 2007, is tied with Vaughan at .318. Wagner had played for the Pirates, and was a coach for the Pirates during most of Vaughan's time there, giving Vaughan help on hitting.

Vaughan missed three years after leaving the Dodgers because of manager Leo Durocher, or else his lifetime stats would have been even better. When he came back in 1947 he was still able to hit .325 as a back-up.

He was the youngest player in the NL when he broke in in 1932 and hit .318. His teammates included Paul Waner, Lloyd Waner, and Pie Traynor.

As a defensive player, he had good range and undoubtedly would have won some Gold Gloves if the award had existed then.

He appeared in only one World Series, that one in 1947 toward the end of his career. He went 1-for-2 with a double.

The 1935 batting champ with a .385 average (he was far ahead of the # 2 batter, Joe Medwick), he never won an MVP award but finished third twice.

Uncle of Glenn Vaughan
His odd nickname is a result of his birth in Arkansas.
Arky Vaughan died in a boating accident at age 40 in California's "Lost Lake." His fishing boat capsized and Arky was unable, because of the freezing water, to swim all the way to shore.